The Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are hosts to five species of Penguins, plus Seals, Sea Lions, Albatross and no less than 227 species of birds. It has been described as an open air zoo with no fences or signs. It has thousands of miles of beautiful, rugged and natural coastlines, often described as very similar in appearance to the west coast of Scotland. It is the most accessible place on the planet to photograph Black Browed Albatross. Two thirds of the world’s population nest on these islands, along with the world’s rarest bird of prey – the Striated Caracara. Add 1.2 million Penguins and 22,000 Seals and Sea Lions and you have an incredible number of varied subjects to photograph. The Falkland Islands are home to one of the greatest gatherings of wildlife in the world.
Photograph from Sunrise to Sunset
John Wright of Photographers on Safari is doing his first trip to a place that is, without doubt, one of the world’s best locations for wildlife photography. The wildlife, here, do not live in fear of humans and will allow you to take their photographs from amazingly close quarters. Photographing on these islands is like being on the Galapagos Islands without being restricted to paths and walkways. Providing you do nothing to harm your subjects you are free to go wherever you like (except the fenced-off minefields). The photographic opportunities and the unique possibilities for enjoying this wonderful wildlife experience are endless. We have carefully designed the itinerary to put you in the very best locations to capture some really dramatic images. You are free to photograph from sunrise until sunset, and can opt to leave the group and “do your own thing” if you prefer. The Falkland Islands are “a wildlife photographer’s dream come true”.
The Birdlife
There are far too many species to list. One of the main species that we will target will be the Penguins. There are 5 different species and we plan to see them all. They are Gentoo, Magellanic, Rockhopper, King and Macaroni. Photographing the Macaroni Penguins may present a challenge, as there are just 50 pairs on the islands. You will have plenty of opportunities to photograph Penguins in frantic action as they launch themselves from breaking waves and desperately scramble ashore. There are no less than 800,000 Black-Browed Albatross that reside on the various islands. Other birds include Falkland Flightless Steamer Ducks, Crested Ducks, Rock and Imperial Cormorants, Kelp Geese, Upland Geese, Ruddy-Headed Geese, Ashy-Headed Geese, Striated Caracaras, Magellanic and Blackish Oystercatchers, Variable Hawks, Southern Giant Petrels, Shearwaters, Skuas, various species of Plovers, White-Tufted and Silvery Grebes, Black-Crowned Night Herons, Kelp and Dolphin Gulls, and various songbirds. We expect to photograph up to 25 species of birds, many with no more than a 300mm lens. Some of the best bird photography in the world is found here on the Falkland Islands. Many of the Falklands birds lay their eggs in November and have young in December, so photographing them with their growing chicks in January should be incredibly easy.
Mammals, Flora & Landscapes
South American Sea Lions & Southern Elephant Seals will be easily photographed. The Elephant Seals return to Islands in September and pupping starts at the end of September and continues through October and November. Their largest breeding area in the Falkland Islands is Sea Lion Island. Sea Lions begin pupping towards the end of December. Fur Seals may be seen and even the odd Orca that patrols the shallows around the various Seal colonies. For those who are interested in flowers, 350 species have been recorded on the islands. We should not forget to record the unique landscapes in the Falklands. Picturesque island farms and homesteads offer a glimpse of the traditional way of life. The islands have sweeping moorlands with big skies and seascapes.
What does a “Recce Tour” mean?
John Wright will accompany you throughout this trip (with exception of the few days when the group is split). He has guided in excess of 70 safaris/photography trips abroad. This will be his first visit to the Falkland Islands and, as is his normal way of designing a new trip, he will spend 3 weeks at a location, the best of which will be condensed down to 2 weeks for future trips. More time will be spent at each location so that all the best time to be at the best spots can be learned from experience. John will get a solid briefing from the owner of each island, so he will not be working blind. If you compare the cost of these 3 weeks with many other trips you will see that you are almost getting one week free of charge. All photographs have been kindly supplied by one of my clients – Tony White. There will be a maximum of 7 clients on this tour.
Stanley
Watching the wildlife around Stanley is a most entertaining pastime. Upland Geese are regularly seen, strutting along the grassy areas and pathways; gulls drop mussels to the ground with the hope of eating the tasty contents. By the harbour wall are Southern Giant Petrels – these large birds glide effortlessly, often overtaking the traffic. Also along the shoreline are endemic Falklands Flightless Steamer Ducks with their unique call, black-crowned night herons looking carefully for fishing opportunities, kelp geese and rock cormorants. Looking skyward, often visible is the largest and most common bird of prey, the dramatic looking Turkey Vulture, usually found perching high in the trees by the Community School or alongside a warm chimney. The Magellanic penguin colony at Gypsy Cove is a wonderful place to soak up the sights and sounds of these birds. Sea lions sometimes bask in the sun around the shore or swim serenely in the harbour; dolphins are particularly fond of following boat trips.
Volunteer Point
Our trip will begin with a trip to Volunteer Point. It has the largest breeding group of King penguins within the Falkland Islands. Volunteer Beach is an impressive two-mile long white sandy beach, bordered by high grassy banks and dunes, leading to rolling greens. These provide the ideal habitat for three breeding species of penguin, King, Gentoo and Magellanic. Around 1000 king penguins breed at Volunteer Point. There are also 1,500 pairs of Gentoo Penguins found in colonies on Volunteer Green. The burrowing Magellanic penguins are widespread along the coastline. All three penguins are easily spotted during a day trip to Volunteer Point. Over 40 bird species have been recorded in this area including South American Tern, Rock Cormorant, Blackish and Magellanic Oystercatchers, Dolphin Gulls, Kelp Gulls, Upland Geese, Kelp Geese and Ruddy-Headed Geese. Falkland Skuas, Peregrine Falcons and Variable Hawks may be seen scouting along the coast. Southern Sea Lions may be seen patrolling the coastal waters waiting for penguins arriving and departing from sea. The trip from Stanley to Volunteer Point takes around 2.5 hours in a 4×4 vehicle. Most people visit Volunteer Point on a day trip. We will spend two nights there. The best time for photography is sunrise and sunset. We will have two opportunities to photograph both sunrise and sunset. Something the day trippers NEVER get to do.
Bleaker Island
Situated toward the Southeast of East Falkland, Bleaker Island is a small working sheep farm. The Island itself is roughly 12 miles long, 1 mile at its widest and fairly flat making it an ideal location for clients looking for easy walks along the long sandy beaches. The island is home to over 750 pairs of Rockhopper Penguins, along with 1300 breeding pairs of Gentoo Penguins and colonies of Magellanic Penguins. Long sweeping bays, tussac areas and ponds provide superb habitat for many other bird species, including White Tufted and Silver Grebe, Southern Giant Petrels, Steamer Ducks and Black Necked Swans. An impressive colony of over 4,000 pairs of Imperial Shag is within a few minutes’ walk of the well kept settlement and your accommodation.
Sea Lion Island
Sea Lion Island, the most southerly inhabited island of the Falklands group, is five miles long and just over a mile wide at its widest point. The spectacular tussac grass covers one fifth of the island and provides a perfect habitat and protection for much of the islands’ varied fauna and wildlife, including Elephant Seals (the largest population on the Islands, with up to 1,800 Seals) and Sea Lions. There are dazzling white sandy beaches, cliffs, fresh water ponds and heath land -all with their own populations of wildlife. The 47 different species of birds that can normally be seen on the Island include five species of penguins and five birds of prey (including the Striated Caracara -one of the rarest birds of prey in the world). Pods of killer whales circle the Island in pursuit of the Elephant Seals and Sea Lions, which breed there. Leopard Seals and larger Whales are also seen from time to time. Many of the Island’s plants are quite rare and a joy to see. Award-winning, world renowned photographers have adorned books and magazines with their prizewinning shots of the wild life on Sea Lion Island, but even with the most basic equipment you will take away shots to treasure. Make sure you have plenty of storage for your photos. You will need it. This is the island where the penguins can be photographed surfing the waves as they arrive back from their day’s fishing.
Saunders Island
Saunders Islands was the site of the first British settlement in the Falkland archipelago. It is now one large farm of about 30,000 acres. The Island is most well known for the sizable colony of Black Browed Albatross situated to the North West of the Island. This is commonly known as The Rookery. You will also find various other species in and around the colony, including Southern Giant Petrels, Rock Shags, King Shags and the odd Striated Caracara. The North of the Island is made up of two large peaks, Rookery Mountain to the North East and Mount Hartson to the North West. This combination of wildlife and natural, scenic beauty afford some of the best photography opportunities in the world. The famous “Rockhoppers’ Shower” is on this island and I am certain that more than one afternoon will be spent there. We will have two full days visiting the “world-famous” Neck. This will probably the number one highlight of the whole trip.
Carcass Island & West Point
In over 100 years of habitation, Carcass Island has had three environmentally conscious owners who have avoided the introduction of rats and cats. This care and freedom from predation has made a difference that is immediately evident and needs to be experienced rather than described. It is a haven for small bird species including the endemic Cobb’s wren. Magellanic Penguins nest around the settlement and Gentoo colony is a short walk away. There are also a large colony of Striated Caracara (Johnny Rook), a small Elephant Seal colony, King Cormorants and Night Herons to be found on the Island. The scenery is varied with beautiful white sandy beaches, tussac paddocks, rocky hills and cliff-tops. They say, “the west is best” why not put them to the test and take the day excursion to West Point Island…The trip taken by boat is available to clients staying on Carcass Island. Take to the seas on the MV Condor which takes you across to West Point, journey time is approximately 1 hour. Watch out for the dolphins and the swooping sea birds on the way. Once at West Point you are free to explore the settlement and surrounding areas, such as Devils Nose Cliffs where wildlife includes Rockhopper Penguins, Black-Browed Albatross and much more.
Kidney Cove – Whole Day Rockhopper Penguin Tour
This full day tour is run from the town of Stanley and is about an hour’s drive from our hotel. Our experienced driver/guide will take us to the 10,000 acres Murrell Farm at Kidney Cove. There are some 400 Rockhopper Penguins in three separate adjacent colonies. Their chicks hatch out in December and they will be beginning to form crèches (nurseries) in January that roam the colony annoying their parents. These youngsters will provide great photo opportunities for anyone visiting at that time. There is a small colony of King Penguins in between these three colonies. You can often also see other wildlife such as Red-Backed Hawks, Falkland Skuas, Upland Geese and the Falkland Flightless steamer duck. You’ll have fantastic scenery and views of Stanley and the surrounding mountains. We will be picked up from the hotel in the morning after breakfast and will take a packed lunch. We will be dropped near one of the three colonies. It is a lovely spot with large overhanging rock formations and flat grassy flats areas where the penguins nest. There are high cliff areas where we can see the penguins come shore onto the rocks and make their way up to the nesting area. We could well spend the whole day before being taken back to Stanley. A lot of photographers regularly say that this is a great location.
Gypsy Cove – Half Day Tour
Gypsy Cove is a small white sandy bay close to Stanley that is surrounded by heathland. It is a small bay with a crescent of white sand. It is one of the best sites in the Stanley area for viewing wildlife. Some 200 pairs of Magellanic Penguins nest here. They are also known as Jackass Penguins due to their loud, mournful braying call. The nearby cliffs are nesting sites for Rock Cormorants & Black Crowned Night Herons. Many waders, waterfowl and gulls can be spotted here. You may also see the Falklands Thrush, Magellanic & Blackish Oystercatchers, Southern Giant Petrel, Black Browed Albatross, Two banded Plover and the Falklands Flightless Steamer Duck. We are scheduled for a late morning return to Stanley after our visit to Pebble Island. Assuming that does not change, we will spend the whole afternoon at Gypsy Cove. We will not be restricted to the normal two and a half hours visiting time for this tour.
Pebble Island
Pebble Island is 24 miles long and is on the northern coast of West Falkland. It is named after the unusual, attractive semi-precious pebbles found on its beaches. It is home to more than 40 species of breeding birds, which include Gentoo Penguins, Rockhopper Penguins, Macaroni Penguins, Magellanic Penguins, Imperial Cormorant, Imperial Shag and Black Necked Swans. The island has both wetlands and large ponds that are home to many waders and waterfowl. Sea lions, Commerson’s Dolphins and Southern Elephant Seals can be seen on the beaches. Red Backed Hawks and Falkland Skuas will be looking for any chicks that have strayed from the safety of their nests. White Tufted Grebes can usually be found on the ponds close to our accommodation.
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Accommodation
Photography will be our priority while on the Falkland Islands. We will be staying in comfortable and cosy lodging, and where possible, within walking distance of the best photography without throngs of other visitors. 5 star accommodations are not available anywhere on the Falklands Islands. With the exception of our two nights in Stanley, all our accommodation will be on local farms. All rooms will be shared and single supplements are rarely an option. Most will be on a full board basis. One location only offers self-catering, but pre-packed meal packs are available. On most of the islands we have the option of either being dropped off by Land Rover at a remote location and walking back to our lodge, or walking from our farmstead to close-at-hand photo opportunities.
Itinerary – 30th December 2017 to 20th January 2018
Day 1 – December 30 2017; Arrive Stanley. Air transfer to Sealion Island.
Overnight at Sealion Lodge. Full Board (5 nights).
Day 2 – December 31 2017; Whole day on Sealion Island.
Overnight at Sealion Lodge. Full Board (5 nights).
Day 3 – January 1 2018; Whole day on Sealion Island.
Overnight at Sealion Lodge. Full Board (5 nights).
Day 4 – January 2 2018; Whole day on Sealion Island.
Overnight at Sealion Lodge. Full Board (5 nights).
Day 5 – January 3 2018; Whole day on Sealion Island.
Overnight at Sealion Lodge. Full Board (5 nights).
Day 6 – January 4 2018; Air transfer to Saunders Island.
Road transfer to the Settlement, Saunders Island.
Overnight at The Settlement, Saunders Island. Self Catering.
Day 7 – January 5 2018; Day trip to the Neck.
Overnight at The Settlement, Saunders Island. Self Catering.
Day 8 – January 6 2018; Day trip to the Neck.
Overnight at The Settlement, Saunders Island. Self Catering.
Day 9 – January 7 2018; Road transfer to The Rookery.
Overnight at The Rookery, Saunders Island. Self Catering.
Day 10 – January 8 2018; Whole day at The Rookery.
Overnight at The Rookery, Saunders Island. Self Catering.
Day 11 – January 9 2018; Whole day at The Rookery.
Overnight at The Rookery, Saunders Island. Self Catering.
Day 12 – January 10 2018; Flight from Saunders Island to Stanley.
Road transfer from Stanley to Volunteer Point.
Overnight at Volunteer Point. Full Board.
Day 13 – January 11 2018; Whole day at Volunteer Point.
Overnight at Volunteer Point. Full Board.
Day 14 – January 12 2018; Road transfer from Volunteer Point to Stanley.
Air transfer from Stanley to Carcass Island.
Overnight on Carcass Island. Full Board
Day 15 – January 13 2018; Boat trip to West Point (subject to weather conditions).
Packed lunch included. Overnight on Carcass Island. Full board.
Day 16 – January 14 2018; Air transfer to Bleaker Island.
Overnight on Bleaker Island. Full board.
Day 17 – January 15 2018; Whole day on Bleaker Island.
Overnight on Bleaker Island. Full board.
Day 18 – January 16 2018; Air transfer to Pebble Island.
Overnight on Pebble Island. Full board.
Day 19 – January 17 2018; Whole day on Pebble Island.
Overnight Pebble Island. Full board.
Day 20 – January 18 2018; Air transfer to Stanley. Half day trip to Gypsy Cove.
Overnight at Malvina Hotel, Stanley. Full board.
Day 21 – January 19 2018; Fly Full day trip to Kidney Cove.
Overnight at Malvina Hotel, Stanley. Full board.
Day 22 – January 20 2018; Breakfast. Depart Stanley.
Cost
£6185.00 based on twin-share accommodation
£6856.00 based on single rooms where available
Included;
Local flights between the islands. All pickups, drops & transfers between venues. All meals where indicated.
Not Included;
International flights (currently advertised at £2101 from London).
Food for 6 days/5 nights while on Saunders Island (can be bought on the island. cash only).
£22 departure tax when leaving the Falklands.
2 x Day trips to the Neck on Saunders Island. Cost is £70/person/day
Excess baggage costs (£1.40 per kilo per internal flight).
Contact us to book…