Join A Trip

Algeria winter 2021/22

Organizer – Vladimir Dinets

I am thinking about organizing an expedition to Algeria in the winter of 2021/2022, preferably in November. The main focus will be on the mountains of Central Sahara, to look for Mzab’s gundi and possibly Saharan cheetah, plus a few local rodents and Saharan hyrax that are likely splits. Aoudad is common there, and surprises such as dama gazelle are possible. While driving there and back we’ll also spend some time in lowland desert looking for widespread Saharan fauna such as fennec, desert hedgehog, Libyan striped weasel, sand cat, lesser Egyptian and hammada jerboas, etc. In the north we’ll try to see all three gazelles, the recently split Myotis zenatius, striped hyena, golden wolf, desert long-eared bat, North African sengi, common and Vl’s gundis, fat and lesser sand rats, North African striped mouse, Shaw’s jird, various gerbils, North African hedgehog, and other interesting mammals. The only bird I’m planning on going after is Algerian nuthatch, but we should see lots of sandgrouse and other goodies, plus we can always devote more time to birds if you wish. I might charge the participants some extra to cover my expenses (this trip requires months of paperwork to organize), but will not try to make profit – I’ve been dreaming about going to these mountains for 45 years. A leading Algerian mammologist might be able to join us and will certainly give us tips such as bat roost locations. I can take 1-3 people.

Level of difficulty: ?

Zakouma, Chad – March 14 – 23, 2022

Organiser – Pictus Safaris

As most seasoned guides will tell you, Zakouma remains one of the most exciting wildlife destinations in Africa. Nowhere else can offer such a diverse array of must-sees, ranging from the vast 550-strong herd of bush elephant that parade through the bush, all of the ‘big five’, vast herds of tiang and exceptional night drives. Visitors can come across pale fox, caracal, honey badger, striped hyena, serval, wild cat, cheetah, leopard and lion in just a few drives if lucky. And, even for mammal-watchers, the birding is truly spectacular, with tens of thousands of red-billed quelea flocking above the Rigueik Pan making for one of the greatest wildlife spectacles anywhere on earth. Once the preserve of the uber-wealthy, this itinerary offers all this at a great price. Especially for mammal-watchers, we offer an extended fifteen-night stay in the park for £4,995 or our standard six-night stay for £2,995.

More details are here.

Level of difficulty – easy

Pygmy Hippo Pursuit, Cote D’Ivoire, April 9 – 21, 2022