Image of the Month

Each month we will be adding a new stunning image from one of our recent tours. We will also make that image available
for download as desktop wallpaper for your PC or Mac. Would you like to join our mailing list and receive the Image
of the Month for free? Please contact us to join our mailing list!

August

The great Wildebeest migration across the endless plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti and into Kenya’s Masai Mara is justifiably one of the most famous wildlife spectacles on the planet. As 1.5 million Eastern Bearded Wildebeest traverse the grasslands and ford the rivers, their snorting can be heard from a great distance, and the herds are a sight to behold. A lesser known fact is that up to 250,000 Plains Zebras and 360,000 gazelle also adhere to the ancient instinct that drives this migration. Nowhere else in the world can such vast aggregations of large animals still be encountered and our August image of the month by Adam Riley shows part of a great herd of many thousand zebra in the Serengeti.

In May 2011, Indri — Ultimate Mammal Voyages is pleased to offer our carefully crafted Kenya & Tanzania Mega Mammal Safari. This small group departure will be professionally guided by an Indri guide and is especially timed to witness this migration as well as other sought-after African wildlife at the prime big game reserves of these two East African nations. Please contact us to discuss the last few places on this tour of a lifetime.

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July

Male Lions are known to occasionally form coalitions. These lifelong bonds, usually occurring between 2 to 5 related Lions, enhance hunting success; however the principal driver behind this co-operation is mating rights. Coalition males invariably end up killing other dominant male Lions and taking over their prides, destroying all existing cubs and mating with the lionesses, thus successfully passing on their genes.

The Mapogos are probably the most famous example of this phenomenon (they even have their own Facebook page!). The Mapogo coalition was formed between a remarkable six Lions in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve bordering South Africa’s Kruger National Park. These massive males have killed (and eaten) numerous other pride males and have mated with dozens of lionesses. They are formidable hunters who have specialized in killing White Rhinoceros calves and other large game including Giraffe and African Buffalo.

This powerful image of one of the Mapogo males was taken by the talented photographer Marius Coetzee, who has recently joined the Indri/Rockjumper/Oryx Team. If you are interested in experiencing this special Mapogo coalition first hand, we would be delighted to set up this exciting safari for you.

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June

With over 100 classified species and counting, Madagascar is justly famous for its lemurs. However this strange island-continent boasts other equally interesting mammals including several species of unusual predators. The largest predator on the island was a gorilla-sized carnivorous lemur which was driven to extinction by the first colonists; today this title is held by the Fossa. The classification of the Fossa and 7 other surviving carnivores in Madagascar has been controversial as they were juggled between the felid, civet and mongoose families, however they are now all placed in their own endemic family, the Eupleridae and any naturalist travelling to the island will no doubt have this family high on their wish list.

The Fossa’s scientific name Cryptoprocta ferox is literally translated as “fierce hidden-anus”, not entirely complimentary! The hidden-anus refers to the unusual feature of the Fossa’s anal pouch which conceals its actual anus. The fierce part comes from this predator’s legendary ferocity, which included the killing of children. Although the Fossa does prey on lemurs including the largest sifakas, it has never been recorded to harm humans and these tales exist only in rural folklore. Today the Fossa survives in low densities and is seldom encountered. Kirindy Forest in central western Madagascar is now the most reliable site but this photo was taken in Ampijoroa by the superb wildlife photographer Jim James on a recent tour with our sister company Rockjumper Birding Tours. We welcome you to join us on our next Madagascar adventure in November 2010 when we will attempt to observe the elusive Fossa and enjoy other remarkable mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians of Madagascar.

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May

Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island (after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo), yet its ecological variety rivals that of an entire continent and it is for this reason that Madagascar is often referred to as the ‘Eighth Continent’. This legendary uniqueness is nowhere better reflected than in its mammals where every native terrestrial species is endemic to the island and found nowhere else on the planet! This fabulous photo of a Lowland Streaked Tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus) was taken by Jonathan Rossouw in Ranomafana National Park. Most people have never heard of spiny tenrecs yet there are five of these fascinating little insectivores arranged in four genera on Madagascar - a beautiful example of the diversity one can expect on the island!

Join us on our “Mammals of a Magical Island” tour, 13 — 24 November 2010, followed by the optional Kirindy Fosa Extension.

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April

The insatiable demand of the Bushmeat trade, habitat destruction and the ravages of the Ebola virus have greatly impacted on the numbers of Africa’s two Gorilla species. Any sighting of these gentle giants must be regarded as a privilege! While there are notable ecological and physical differences between Eastern Mountain and Western Lowland Gorilla , the untrained observer could easily claim this image is of the former, taken in the mist-cloaked mountains of Uganda or neighboring Rwanda. However, this is not the case....a far cry from these much visited, and well-known Gorilla strongholds are the immense forests of the Central African Republic.

Dzanga-Sangha National Park, where this image was taken by Indri guide David Shackelford, is one of the last remaining places where habituated Western Lowland Gorillas reside. While more numerous than it’s Eastern cousin this species is more difficult to see and CAR is one of the only places on the planet where one can experience a humbling encounter with this spectacular creature in the wild. To boot, a host of other seldom seen African rainforest mammals occur here making it an essential stop for anyone interested in African mammals. The pageant includes the likes of Chimpanzee, Forest Elephant, Bongo and Giant Forest Hog to name a few.

Join us on an Ultimate Mammal Voyage in November to Central African Republic to explore the towering forests of Dzanga-Sangha in search of these special mammals!

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March

Africa is famed for harbouring the last great herds of megafauna on its plains and savannas. However, there is still one park outside of our “Mother Continent” that can hold its own when compared against Africa’s big game reserves. Kaziranga National Park protects 430 km² of tall grasslands, woodlands, forests and wetlands along the Brahmaputra River in Assam Province of north-eastern India. It is here that the massive armour-plated Indian One-horned Rhinoceros was saved from extinction and dozens of these great lumbering beasts are encountered on any excursion in the park. Boasting truly impressive horn spans, herds of Water Buffalo laze around the wetlands and Asiatic Elephants , both singly and in large aggregations are regularly encountered. Also commonly encountered are Hog, Sambar and Swamp Deer and Indian Muntjac. Tigers occur in good densities as well as several species of smaller cats, various monkeys, Hoolock Gibbon, Sloth Bear, Gangetic Dolphin and a host of other mammalian and avian specialties. This photo was taken by Adam Riley on a recent visit to the park. Join Indri on 2nd to 18th December as we explore this phenomenal park and the other prime wildlife reserves of India, please contact our office for more details.

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February

A Jaguar raises its head to investigate the buzz from our outboard motor as we approach to get a better view. Relaxed, yet ready to slip into the depths of Brazil’s Pantanal, this Jaguar, photographed by Mario Haberfeld, is a perfect specimen! Here, within the boundaries of a protected area, the cat no longer associates the presence of humans with imminent death and we can quietly enjoy soaking up the experience of watching one of the world’s most beautiful cats. While the unmistakable bang of a hunter’s gun is undeniably one of the most explicit threats to the future of this Near Threatened species, surely the more insidious threats of habitat destruction and the associated depletion of prey populations are more considerable. Protecting Jaguars goes a long way to protecting other creatures that share its range as well as the intricate web of life that makes the existence of this stunning feline possible. By visiting wild spaces in search of iconic species, you not only stand a chance of remarkable wildlife encounters but also place an economic value on this wildlife; in many instances their best hope for a future on the planet. Join us as we cruise the backwaters of Brazil’s Pantanal in search of the elusive Jaguar on our upcoming Brazil tour (Neotropical Mammals of the Amazon & Pantanal, 15th – 25th August 2010).

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January

Exploring the boundless Southern Oceans is one of the earth’s great wildlife adventures. Experiences range from marvelling at vast breeding colonies of King Penguins to soaking up the sheer beauty and drama of Antarctic itself, or simply enjoying the deep blue of these immense oceans. Crossing these vast stretches of open water is by no means uneventful, and it is only once you leave the security of land that one encounters the true denizens of this wild and seemingly inhospitable habitat.

Almost exclusively seen far from land, the beautifully patterned Hourglass Dolphin is one such creature. This diminutive dolphin, at just over 5 feet in length, is found only in the polar regions of the Southern Ocean and, whilst it may be prone to bow riding, it is infrequently seen and nowhere common. On a recent cruise Indri guide David Shackelford was fortunate enough to capture this superb image as he approached South Georgia. On this cruise our guests also enjoyed great sightings of Orca and the very rare Arnoux’s Beaked Whale (the latter known mostly to science from beached specimens!)

For an opportunity to experience this region’s incredible wildlife, join Indri on one of our 2010 departures to the Antarctic and the islands of the Southern Ocean.

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December

Season’s Greetings from the Indri – Ultimate Mammal Voyages team.

This classic image of a Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, recently taken by Adam Riley at the Panama Canopy Tower, illustrates the spirit we hope you manage to adopt this festive season – that of perfect relaxation! However hopefully not to the extent that moss begins to grown on you, as is the case with this Sloth!

Thanks to all those who enjoyed an ultimate mammal voyage with us this year and we look forward to welcoming even more wildlife seekers on our 2010 tours.

The Indri Team

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November

Although Aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is the first word in the English dictionary, this unusual denizen of the dark is certainly not the first mammal that you are likely to encounter on Safari. Aardvarks locate termites, their principal food source, by listening for subterranean activity. This acute sense of hearing forewarns them of your approach, making them one of the most challenging mammals to tick off your checklist.

This inspiring photograph was taken in broad daylight by Patrick Cardwell, who wrote: “For me it was a fantastic experience as I have only seen the mythical beast twice before and then only briefly. For the rest, I have fallen and driven into many an Aardvark hole over the years and had practically given up on a full blown sighting.”

Contact Indri for your tailor made wildlife experience or to sign up for a scheduled departure. Limited spaces remain on our May 2010 Tanzania tour!

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October

The “Big Five” – refers to five iconic African mammals (Rhinoceros, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard), and has long been used to popularize safari destinations in Southern and East Africa. Many might be unaware of the fact that this is an old hunting term – these five animals were singled out because they are considered the most risky of all African animals to hunt. Furthermore the Rhino included in this list is the Black Rhino; a species infamous for its cantankerous nature and unwavering charge. The critically endangered Eastern Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli), the rarest of all the Black Rhino subspecies, is best viewed within the Ngorongoro Crater of Tanzania. The steep crater rim and open grassland of the floor have created an area that is relatively easy to police, resulting in one of the few remaining strongholds for this relentlessly poached animal. This exciting image taken by Cuan Rush shows two identification notches in the animal’s right ear, a clear sign that this coveted animal is identified and more importantly - closely monitored!

We hope that the “Big Five” catch phrase is kept complete with the survival of this fantastic mammal long into the future, and that this East African subspecies continues to patrol its crater home. Join Fraser Gear on tour for Indri on a journey through Tanzania in May 2010, as we explore Ngorongoro and other famous game reserves during one of our finest ultimate mammal voyages!

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September

There can be few encounters in the natural world more thrilling than following a pack of African Wild Dog on the hunt! This strikingly beautiful and fascinating animal is one of the rarest yet, strangely enough, most successful predators on the African continent. With a staggering 70 percent of their hunts resulting in a kill, how is it that this iconic African predator is so sadly on the decline? The answer lies, in part, due to the fact that these canids require vast home ranges. The reasons they live at such low densities are not clear, but studies indicate that their numbers are not limited by the availability of ungulate prey, but other as yet unknown factors.

Africa has become a fragmented landscape and vast tracts of wilderness are now few and far between; these dogs simply do not have the extensive home ranges they require to survive. Fortunately, a few wild places remain where the privileged observer can still experience these formidable predators hunting, as they have always done, across interminable tracts of African bushveld. The Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Kruger National Park in South Africa and Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania are three such places and we invite you to join us as we adventure through these remarkable regions in search of one of Africa’s most magnificent mammals! This image was taken by Marius Coetzee.

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August

Our August Image of the month was taken in Spitsbergen, deep within the land of the Great White Hunter. A true celebration of the Arctic, “land of the midnight sun” would be incomplete without a sighting of this immense bear! This formidable predator, the largest of land carnivores, is known to the Inuit as Nanuk and considered to be wise, potent and “almost a man”. Over 3,000 Polar Bears still roam this magical archipelago! This photo was taken on our Spitsbergen voyage by James Wakelin.

Join Indri on our third year of travelling to Spitsbergen the “Land of Arctic Dreams” 4 – 14 August 2010 (from US$5450.00).

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July

Hyraxes belong to the family Procaviidae, which falls within a recently recognized grouping named the Afrotheria, literally meaning “African animals”. These mammals evolved in Africa, during the time when the continent was separated from Eurasia, and include such unlikely yet closely related groups as elephants, hyraxes, manatees, aardvark, elephant shrews, tenrecs and golden moles! Before they were usurped by bovids which are now the familiar ungulates of Africa, hyraxes were actually the dominant grazers! Numerous species, from almost Hippopotamus down to mouse-sized, roamed the plains of Africa in great herds. Now they are relegated to a few species (between 4 and 11 depending upon taxonomy) restricted to marginal rocky areas or forests. These young Yellow-spotted or Bush Hyrax were photographed in Tanzanian’s Tarangire National Park by Adam Riley. Join Indri - Ultimate Mammal Voyages on our home continent and discover the adventure of finding these and other fascinating Afrotheria!

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June

Unlike the Himalayan Black Bear, the endangered Giant Panda does not hibernate, despite the fact that they share the same habitat and range. The reason is that the panda’s principal food source, bamboo, is simply not nutritious enough to provide the fat stores to den over the frigid winter. Instead, Giant Pandas move down from exposed high bamboo zones into the sheltered lower lying valleys where the energy required to keep warm can be met on this simple diet. Our Indri tour to China this November is timed to coincide with this migration into the lower lying valleys where we will search for this magnificent bear in two special Panda stronghold reserves in the scenic Qinling Mountains.

This epic journey into central China truly embodies the spirit and goals of the Indri team; to inspire enthusiasts to embark on voyages to remarkable places in search of iconic mammals, including the Giant Panda and our emblem - the Indri. We hope that these fun and fascinating journeys would bring focus and resultant protection to regions off the ecotourism radar. Please contact us if you would like one of the remaining places on this Ultimate Mammal Voyage!

Giant Panda: 7 - 17 Nov 2009 (11 days)
Antarctica, Falklands and South Georgia: 8 - 26 Jan 2010 (19 days)

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May

Well know for their cooperative behavior, Lions are often marveled at for the way in which they work in concert. Seemingly the archetypal social animal they collaborate exceedingly well in the common goal for food and it is a case of “united we stand, divided we fall” during the hunt. However once a meal is obtained one is left with a less exalted view and the maxim “every cat for himself”. This image captured by James Wakelin in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park, wonderfully illustrates this point. These lions sniffed out this Warthog kill made by a Leopard and then, one by one, climbed the tree to feed on the remains. Of course it would have been far easier to knock the Warthog out of the tree but alas this was not done as it would mean having to share with the rest of the pride below! This phenomenal photo won the AGFA mammal award and was placed third overall in the AGFA awards. Please contact us to join some of Africa’s most experienced guides on an Indri adventure in Africa.

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April

India is a famous travel destination for its culture and charismatic mammalian megafauna, foremost of which is undoubtedly the Bengal Tiger. When one looks at this beautiful image captured by our guide, Markus Lilje on a recent tour to India it should come as no surprise that this country ranks as one of our finest wildlife destinations. But the male tiger in this image represents just one of the Panthera genus to be found in this immense and colorful country. A staggering four out of five of the extant Panthera species – Lion, Leopard, Tiger and Snow Leopard - can be found here. India today still lives up to its famed reputation being able to offer some of the world’s greatest big mammal experiences with Indian Elephant, One-horned Rhino, Striped Hyena, Wolf, Sloth Bear, Blackbuck, Dhole, Water Buffalo and Gangetic Dolphin adding to the smorgasbord of enigmatic mammals to be found in this fascinating land.

Last minute tours section – spaces are available on these fabulous tours, enquire directly for special offers!
Brazil - Neotropical Mammals of the Amazon and Pantanal: 14 - 25 Aug (11 days)
Madagascar - Mammals of a Magical Island: 12 - 27 Nov (16 days)
Malaysia & Borneo - Mammals of Tropical Asia: 4 - 18 Jun (15 days)
Spitsbergen - Land of Arctic Dreams: 26 Jun - 6 Jul (11 days)

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March

I once met a man who had spent his entire life navigating the labyrinth of remote waterways that dissect Brazil's Pantanal. Of all of the incredible sights he had seen in his years on these teeming waters, the most spectacular began with a Jaguar leaping from a shaded river bank onto an unsuspecting Giant River Otter pup. Before long, two brazen adult otters emerged from the muddy waters to the youngster's rescue and, without hesitation, began attacking the swimming Jaguar. Despite the legendary strength of a Jaguar; the Giant River Otters (up to 34kgs in weight), fought valiantly and, testimony to their strength and vigor, these phenomenal beasts won the battle on that remote Brazilian river that memorable day.

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February

With our name taken from the largest surviving lemur species we thought it fitting that we used this primate for our debut Image of the Month. The photo was taken by Adam Riley at Perinet in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar. Here they live in small peaceful family groups, regularly emitting their incredibly loud, eerie wailing songs, which are picked up and echoed through the forest by neighboring family groups. As an experience that becomes a life-long cherished memory, the Indri represents a prime example of the type of wildlife we seek on our tours. Indri is a corruption of the Malagasy word "iry" meaning "there it is" - the French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat once heard a Malagasy pointing out the animal and took the word to be its name. In our quest to showcase the world's iconic mammal species we hope to share many "there it is" moments with you on our tours.

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Please send any suggestions or any problems to info@indritours.com.