Reef and Rainforest's very own Big Cat Diary

	TIGERS BACK AT RANTHAMBHORE There was a period some years ago when Ranthambhore, one of the first, foremost and most famous tiger reserves, reported a diminishing number of tiger sightings. Various factors conspired to cause this: increased poaching, prolonged dry spells and an increase in visitors. However, in the recent past tiger viewings have been on the increase, and we are now happy to add Ranthambhore to our favourites - Bandhavgarh, Pench and Kanha – as recommended sites for seeing the world’s largest cat and one of the most beautiful and majestic. See our full range of India Wildlife Holidays.
	PUMAS BEST SEEN IN CHILE The puma is found extensively throughout both North and South America, yet is rarely seen by man. One of our most loyal clients has booked a tour with us for 2010 to track puma in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. This is the first time we have organised such a tailor-made trip, and await his report with bated breath. He and his wife will venture with an ex-puma hunter guide into the wilds of the park in pursuit of their quarry, spending some nights in a comfortable lodge deep within the park. Clients have also recently seen puma in Venezuela’s Los Llanos, Chan Chich in Belize and at the Pantanal Wildlife Centre in northern Pantanal, Brazil. Please call 01803 866965 to discuss puma watching possibilities with one of our specialist consultants.
	REEF AND RAINFOREST CLIENTS SET RECORD FOR JAGUAR SPOTTING In August, 2009, lucky Reef and Rainforest clients enjoyed a record number of jaguar sightings during a three-night stay in Brazil’s northern Pantanal, with twelve being seen clearly. One week later, other clients went one further by seeing thirteen of the cats – a record for the lodge! Let us take you to where there is a 90% chance to see this elusive cat, the world’s third largest, over a four-day period, either on a tailor-made itinerary - or as a member of one of our Quest for the Jaguars of Brazil group tours. Most of our summer groups are filling fast, so please call John or Jonathan to register your interest and set your heart rate beating faster with the excitement of your first jaguar encounter.
	THE LIONS, LEOPARDS AND CHEETAHS OF KRUGER Reef and Rainforest now offers tours including the lions, leopards, cheetahs and other lowveld wildlife of South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Established in 1898 and stretching 350 kms from north to south, Kruger boasts 300 species of tree, and 49 fish, 33 amphibian, 114 reptile, 507 bird and 147 mammal species. The park is divided into the busier south and less visited north, offering a variety of accommodation choices from inexpensive campsites to luxury lodges. Public areas allow the flexibility of guided or self-drive safaris and private concession areas such as Sabi Sand and Londolozi offer a more exclusive wildlife experience. We are able to include Kruger in any of our tailor-made tours to South Africa – please call Helen on 01803 866965 for more ideas and information.
	NEW BIG CAT (AND BLUE WHALE) TAILOR-MADE TOUR TO SRI LANKA We are really excited to announce our newest big cat tailor-made tour: to see leopard in Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Under the guidance of a renowned wildlife photographer, conservationist and leopard expert, you will venture out on game drives to view the elusive big cat. We have also added whale-watching boat trips to see the world’s largest ever animal, the blue whale, as well as his cousins, the many dolphin species which inhabit the seas off Sri Lanka’s south coast. This region is amongst the best cetacean sighting areas in the world, and large numbers are usually seen. Visit our Big Cats and Blue Whales tailor-made tour.