South America

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Come watch wildlife with us! Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris' distinctive worldwide tours travel to destinations unique for abundant and photogenic mammals, birds and nature. We emphasize maximum field time and action-packed wildlife photography during the best season at each destination. Hand-picked leaders and local guides combine amiable personalities with extensive knowledge of each region. All our tours provide a non-smoking policy in small groups. As a small company, we provide a personal touch and attention to every detail - just as we have done for over thirty years. We are dedicated to delivering the best possible wildlife encounters to you. Join us for an amazing experience!

Reserve early! Our trips can fill fast. To reserve your space, follow the instructions in each itinerary. Please contact us if you have any questions. If a trip is full, ask us about our wait list and other options.

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Galapagos - Evolution's Playground

Blue-footed Booby in Galapagos
Blue-footed Booby

April 28 to May 11, 2011
Leaders: Etienne (ET) De Backer and Elizabeth (Ely) Coral-De Backer
Participants: 16
Days: 14
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June 9 to 22, 2011
Leaders: Etienne (ET) De Backer and Elizabeth (Ely) Coral-De Backer
Participants: 16
Days: 14
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Trip now full! Please contact us for options

May 6 to 23, 2012
Participants: 14
Days: 18
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The Galapagos Islands are truly magical and known for their extraordinary wildlife unafraid of tourists. Imagine a special expedition that caters to the pace of nature lovers and photographers, as you follow an incredible itinerary that offers maximum time in the field to one of the world's most intriguing natural history destinations. You'll find all this traveling with the best resident natural-history guides in the Galapagos islands and a fantastic crew and captain among endemic landbirds, breeding boobies, albatross, penguins, sea turtles, sharks and much, much more!

In 2011, join our popular 11-day tour to the best sites in the islands aboard the Tip Top IV. In 2012, we offer a 15-day voyage aboard the Samba catering to those that demand maximum time in the field for great photography from dawn to dusk – the most in-depth Galapagos tour you will find!

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Trinidad and Tobago - Tropical Island Diversity

Coastline by Edward Rooks, Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris trip to Trinidad and Tobago
Coastline © Edward Rooks

May 5 to 20, 2011
Leader: Edward Rooks
Participants: 12
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Experience the magnificent wildlife of Trinidad and Tobago with wildlife enthusiast and artist Ed Rooks. Located just 10° north of the Equator, Trinidad and Tobago are special islands of tropical forests and diverse habitats that sustain unequaled species diversity. May is a most beautiful time of year in Trinidad and Tobago with its more than 400 species of birds. Arrive at the height of the nesting season for the Leatherback Sea Turtle. Visit famous Asa Wright Nature Centre to see the rare cave-dwelling Oilbirds and other wonderful birds and animals. Watch hummingbirds and honeycreepers sip nectar from the profusion of blooms and Bearded Bellbirds feast on ripening fruit. Channel-billed Toucans, along with so many other birds, await you on forest walks. Snorkel in beautiful reefs to see colorful fish up-close or watch through a glass-bottom boat - it's your choice. Photograph the brilliant Scarlet Ibis at Caroni Swamp and get a taste of Indian- and Creole-inspired local cuisine. This trip is for everyone who loves nature.

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Brazil's Pantanal

Jaguar in Argentina
Jaguar

July 30 to August 16, 2011
Leader: Doug and Gail Cheeseman with Carlos Grandez
Participants: 8
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August 13 to 30, 2011
Leader: Doug and Gail Cheeseman with Carlos Grandez
Participants: 8
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Trip now full! Please contact us for options

August 14 to 29, 2012
Leader: Carlos Grandez
Participants: 8
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This exciting tour to the Pantanal is designed to maximize field time for watching and photographing the diverse wildlife in this famous region on the east side of the Andes. Wildlife is concentrated here in the hot, dry season before the big rains later in the year. The rivers, marshes, lakes, and streams that nourish this area provide a diverse combination of ecosystems, accommodations and activities that will increase our wildlife encounters. Big surprises await us here - possibly Giant Anteater, Jaguar, Maned Wolf, Giant River Otter and Tapir, all rare mammals that are very difficult to see. Hyacinth Macaws and many other birds will be a joy to encounter. Each day experience the magnificent wildlife of the Pantanal! This trip includes seven days on the Paraguay River in a comfortable air-conditioned houseboat to look for Jaguar and other river wildlife.

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Argentina and Brazil

Northern Cloudforests, Iguazu Falls, Brazilian Amazon Basin, and the Pantanal
August 29 to September 21, 2011
Leader: Ricardo Clark
Participants: 10
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Guanaco in Argentina
Guanaco

Within sight of the towering mountains on the slopes of the Andes, visit a cloudforest in the Yungas, then up into the Altiplano. From the beautiful broadleaf forests of fabulous Iguazú Falls National Park, fly to the Pantanal. This is the hot, dry season in the Pantanal when wildlife is very concentrated before the big rains come. The rivers are low at this time giving us a chance to encounter Jaguar along the exposed riverbanks, where they come to hunt caiman and capybaras. The wetlands that nourish these fabulous wildlife habitats will bring us surprises - hopefully Giant Anteater and Tapir. As a grand finale, we will fly to Manaus and west to Tefé up the Amazon River to take a boat to Uakari Lodge in the Mamirauá Reserve, a pristine place in the heart of the Amazon Basin. Birds and mammals that are found nowhere else in the world thrive along the lush rivers, including Pink River Dolphins and the rare red-faced monkey, the Uakari. Each day we'll enjoy a distinctive natural reserve or park to experience the magnificent wildlife of Argentina and Brazil!

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Chile's Patagonia

March 12 to 30, 2012
Leaders: Doug and Gail Cheeseman with Claudio Vidal
Participants: 10
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Trip now full! Please contact us for options

March 12 to 30, 2013
Leader: Claudio Vidal
Participants: 8
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Chile is a country of contrast, from the arid High Andes in the north to the sub-Antarctic islands in the south. It includes more than 4,000 kilometers of Pacific Ocean coastline, including Easter Island 3,800 kilometers offshore. The central valleys of Chile are no more than 180 kilometers wide, with the towering peaks of the Andes framing a patchwork of cultivation. Travel to Easter Island for cultural sites and wonderful wildlife, then south to Puerto Montt where the Humboldt Current supports many seabirds and marine mammals. From pelagic trips in the north to the wilderness and mountains of Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park, there is a wonderful diversity of fauna that we hope to encounter.

Two extensions to Argentina are available: The Moreno Glacier at El Calafate, or the Moreno Glacier plus the Orcas on the Peninsula Valdes.

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All material © Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris.
All photos © Doug or Ted Cheeseman, unless otherwise credited.

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