NORTH FALKLANDS NATURE SAFARI

If you are interested in wildlife, are physically fit and prepared for an exhausting day of 4 x 4 travel over un-surfaced roads and off road driving, then this is the tour for you.

After a thirty-minute drive, you will view two Argentine helicopters, victims of the 1982 War before passing the Estancia, which is a small family farm. Continuing on your way to Riverview, you will pass an old sod corral alongside a creek. You will then cross the Malo River that runs through Riverview Farm and is re-knowned for its great trout fishing. On top of the Malo hills and you will look down on stunning views of Salvador Waters. This is a great opportunity for photographs.

Then it is onwards to Teal Inlet. This farm used to be one of the larger farms in the Falklands until it was subdivided - now only a couple of families reside there. On leaving Teal Inlet the road crosses a wide creek, the Chatter, before taking you past Hope Cottage Farm. On passing Hope Cottage you will see Douglas Station Farm in the distance. Another 20 minutes will take you to Elephant Beach Farm House, where you will be given a welcome break with a rest room facility. There will also be tea, coffee and home made cookies available.

The it is back into your 4 x 4 vehicles for a 45-minute ride down to the coastline. You will have amazing views of long winding creeks, and an opportunity to stop and see a pebble beach, where you are able to search the stones that are polished for local jewellery. Traveling up the coast you will see fabulous scenery and an abundance of wildlife including Falkland Flightless Steamer Ducks, Kelp Geese, Night Herons, Two banded Plovers, Sand Pipers, Pipits, Wrens, Long Tailed Meadowlarks and Grey Duck. There will also be a stop to see where Cormorants nest on an outcrop of rocks and a chance to look down to the beautiful white sand beach where the penguins land. It is onwards towards the Gentoo Penguin rookery, passing the burrows of Magellanic Penguins on the way.

There are about 200 breeding pairs of Gentoo Penguins to be seen. Then it is on for another wonderful wildlife opportunity - a chance to see Southern Sea Lions. Usually you will see two or three bulls and about a dozen females. Moving on from them you will see the replanting of the native tussac grass. This will provide animal feed, and encourage wildlife to return and more species to make their home there. From here you return to Elephant Beach House where once again you will have an opportunity to have tea and coffee, and a rest room facilities before setting off along the road to Stanley.