Want to combine a trip of a lifetime with a superb cause?
Many of the toughest birds to twitch on the planet are seabirds, particularly species that make their home in the Southern Ocean. Some albatrosses and petrels from the Southern Ocean make their way to more accessible areas from time to time, but for the most part, have only been seen by the lucky few who were in the right place at the right time.
Now’s your chance to see dozens of Southern Ocean species: BirdLife South Africa has chartered a cruise liner for a week-long trip from Durban, South Africa, halfway to Antarctica to the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands and back at the end of January 2025 (24th – 31st).
The aim of this trip is to raise much-needed funds to undertake a massive conservation project to eradicate invasive mice on Marion Island, the larger of the two Prince Edward Islands, to protect one of the most important seabird breeding islands in the southern Indian Ocean.
This is an incredible opportunity for birders to get into those waters and see some of the species that call them home, species that might otherwise be very difficult to see. These range from the gigantic Wandering Albatross down to the diminutive Grey-backed Storm Petrel and a plethora of other species in between. The route of the trip gives really good chances of species like Sooty, Light-mantled, Grey-headed and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses, Salvin’s and Fairy Prions, various petrels from the massive giant petrels down to the small Common Diving Petrel as well as the possibilities of King, Eastern (Southern) Rockhopper and Macaroni Penguins. The cetacean possibilities are also excellent and range from the enormous Blue Whale through to some of the rarer and seldom-encountered beaked whales; all of this, whilst travelling in comfort and style aboard a luxurious cruise ship, and supporting absolutely vital conservation work.
The birding will be facilitated by over 60 professional bird guides and experts, who will be stationed throughout the ship to help our passengers identify some of the trickier seabirds, and share their expertise in seminars and lectures that will take place in the evenings. We are very privileged to have seabird luminaries including Peter Harrison MBE, Hadoram Shirihai and Professor Peter Ryan aboard, among others, who will be conducting fascinating lectures.
No other commercial cruise liner goes further south than on this expedition, and opportunities like this are very few and far between. South Africa’s cost of living is very low, and European, North American, and Australian birders will especially find this voyage very affordable for an all-inclusive experience.
For more info and to book your place, visit this webpage.