The great Falkland Nature and Photo Camp

Locations

Volunteer Point

Volunteer Point is the best spot to observe the King Penguins in their natural habitat. The colony counts more than 2000 penguins. This colony is breading almost year round. Because of this behaviour, we can see so many different chicks at different ages. From penguins that still have their eggs underneath their feathers to almost adult penguins, you’ll have the possibility to observe every kind of interactions between chicks and their parents. Especially the long beach, which is the only beach access to all 3 species of penguins we can observe at this location, is a spectacular spot for observation and photography. When a sea lion is waiting in the waves for penguins to go into the water it is absolutely mind-blowing to see. Sometimes the Sea lion takes the action also on the beach and some amazing pictures are just waiting to be taken.

Beside the big colony of the King Penguins we can observe Gentoo Penguins as well as Magellanic Penguins. The adults of both species might be moulting and the chicks are gathering to prepare for their first adventure to the Southern Atlantic. After the moulting Magellanic Penguins start to prepare for their adventure up to Brazil where they will spent most of the winter time. Magellanic geese as well as a lot of sandpipers or other wading birds can be found all along the beach. Turkey vulture, Dominican gulls and Skuas are checking the colonies for weak chicks. You can take pictures at any time of the day and wherever you want, on the beach, in middle of the colonies or you go for a beautiful hike along the beautiful coastline.

Accommodation

Depending on your itinerary you will be picked up by Derek Petersen either at the Hotel Malvinas or at the airstrip in Port Stanley. With him we are driving for about 2 hours, partly off-road, towards volunteer point. If we arrive early Derek will take us for a little tour and show us where to go and how to behave with the King Penguins. Afterwards you will go to the little house where you will stay in a twin bedroom. The friendly host couple will take care of your and will prepare all the meals. You will be able to enjoy typical Falkland dishes for dinner and have a chance for a typical breakfast with porridge, beans and ham.

Our hosts will try to fulfil any special requests, as far as possible on this remote location.

You will share the living room for dinner with Derek and his wife. Drinking water is available at all times. Bathroom with shower and toilet will also be shared with the host.

Due to this remote location we might face shortage on water, this can limit the comfort. So showers might not be possible every day.

Saunders Island

On Saunders Island you will land at the Saunders Island Settlement. Suzan and David are the owners of Saunders Island with both accommodations and the little “shop”, where you can get your food for the upcoming days. Between fresh farm products like milk, eggs or some veggies you also find a few frozen and canned products, like beans, instant soups or pasta. On Saunders Island you can drink the tap water without a problem.

Starting from the settlement you depart with a Jeep to “The Rookery” or “The Neck”. When you change the accommodation after 3 nights you will pass by the settlement again to get new food.

Saunders Island – The Rookery

On the cliffs right at the doorstep of our little cabin we find a beautiful colony of black-browned- Albatros. In march the breeding time is almost over and most parent animals are providing food for their already big chick. Here you are alone and you can observe these animals the whole day in a perfect distance to take pictures.

The chicks that survived should be currently in the moulting process and their feathers are fluffy and grey. At the end of the month the chicks usually leave their nest for the first time, so we might see some action of chicks trying to spread wings and take their first flight. The moment they take off they won’t come back to this place for at least 5 years until they breed their own first eggs. 2 Kilometers further you will find colonies of Cormorants and Rockhopper Penguins. The colonies are right around the waterfall that was filmed in the BBC Show “PENGUINS – SPY IN THE HUDDLE”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxnOkeLFgQY

After a short hike to this colony you can enjoy the colony life of these amazing creatures and you can observe different behaviours between the Penguins and the Cormorants.

The path to the little waterfall goes through the colony and is above very unstable rocks that might be slippery. You walk on them at your own risk. 

Towards the South East you will find a beautiful beach were you find some Gentoo Penguins as well as Magellanic Penguins. The little walk takes around 20-30 minutes. Beside the penguins you will find sheep, cows, Falkland Caracaras, different ducks and oyster catchers. Sometimes Commerson´s Dolphins can be observed playing in the waves.

Accommodation

Our small comfortable house is located on the cliffs and only 300m away from the Albatros colony. The house offers 2 bedrooms with 2 single beds each, a bathroom with toilet, a living room with a couch, dining table and a kitchen equipped with a toaster, microwave, oven and cutlery. The house is heated, has warm water and energy 24/h from a solar powered generator. In case the sun is not shining most of the time we have to start a diesel generator. Wifi and phone connection is not available. You can stay in contact with the Settlement via Radio connection. If we are lucky we might be able see whales from our kitchen window.

Saunders Island – The Neck

Right in front of our cabin we have one of the biggest colonies of Gentoo Penguins outside of Antarctic waters. The colony is divided into smaller colonies on little hills all over the “Neck”.  At the North Eastern end of the beach you find a small group of King Penguins, the size varies depending on the month. If you have a look into the waves along the beach you might be lucky to spot a local group of Commerson´s Dolphins playing in the waves. On both sides of the “Neck” we can observe penguins coming back from their feeding trips. Some Penguin chicks are already waiting for their return. You might witness adult penguins being chased by a group of younger penguins. On the cliffs at the north east end of the beach we can find a group of Rockhopper Penguins, Cormorants and some nests of Black-browned Albatross.

Accommodation

Our accommodation is a little cabin with two bedrooms, a kitchen with couch and table.

The kitchen is fully equipped with oven, stove, toaster microwave and cutlery.

A bathroom with shower and toilet. Solar panels and diesel generator are providing energy and heat for the house. At the house you will be already welcomed by Caracaras. Wifi is available in the Settlement at a cost of 10 pounds per hour.

Carcass Island

It is a dream island for photographers, with all kinds of animals. Rob, the owner of the island, will be waiting for you at your arrival. He will be your constant companion and advisor for the best photo spots on the island. On one of the days we will go on a boat tour to Westpoint, a small offshore island, where there is another gigantic colony of albatross. With a little luck, dolphins or even whales will show up on the way. The “Leopard Beach”, in the Southeast part of the island is a great place to watch Gentoo Penguins or Magellanic Penguins in the water.

Accommodation

You will be staying in a shared guest house. At dinner you can talk with Rob or other guests about the best places to take pictures on the island. A Chilean cook has been working here with his family for around 15 years, which is why both typical Falkland dishes and Chilean specialties are offered here, a great culinary experience.

Wifi can be purchased for £10 / 1h.

Sea Lion Island

The small island is the Southernmost of the Falkland Islands and has been protected as a nature reserve since 2009.

Since sheep farming is no longer permitted here, the population of wild animals has recovered surprisingly quickly. Large areas of Tussock grass provide perfect shelter for many animals.

Among other things, there are Gentoo Penguins, Magellanic Penguins and Rockhopper penguins, a few breeding pairs of King Penguins, a large population of sea lions that lie close to the beach, as well as Cormorants, Turkey vultures, Caracaras and various Skuas, Songbirds and Waders. In the waters around the island (especially in a naturally created pool), you may be lucky enough to spot orcas patrolling in search of inexperienced seals or penguins. Sea leopards are also spotted from time to time. But the Highlights on this Island are the gigantic elephant seals and their pups.

The fights of the bulls, which can weigh up to five tons, are spectacular, defending their territories – and above all their harems – to their death.

Accommodation

The Sea Lion Lodge is located further inland. The 9 km² island is about 7.8 km long and 2.3 km wide and in just a few hundred meters around the lodge we can find all the natural attractions of the island. Micky Reeves, the manager of the lodge, and his team are very welcoming and will help you make your stay as pleasant as possible. The Sea Lion Lodge is a 3 star hotel which can accommodate up to 25 guests and the southernmost British hotel in the world.

IMPORTANT!:

Due to capacity on site and the different seasons, the above Locations vary and may be exchanged for the following two locations:

Bleaker Island

The Gentoo penguin colonies are only a few minutes walk away from our lodge. With a little luck, we can even see a leopard seal on the beach. Cormorants and a colony of Rockhopper Penguins can be found in the immediate vicinity. The cliffs, where the rockhopper penguins are nesting, and the beach, where we find the gentoo penguins, are a perfect for beautiful sunrise pictures with penguins. We can explore the island on a small hiking trail and go to the colonies of the Magellan and Gentoo Penguin, which is about 2 kilometers from the settlement. On request, we can even go to the giant petrels’ nests (1/2 day).

Accommodation

You stay overnight in the settlement, which is designed for up to 8 people. All the rooms have their own bathroom. The house is powered by solar energy, has hot water and even floor heating. We get full board in this accommodation.

Pebble Island

One of the biggest Islands in the Falklands offers space for a Lodge, an Airstrip and a lot of wildlife. Between a a few sheets we find thousand Gentoo, Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins. Year round we can find up to 42 different species of birds. Sea Lions and Commerson´s Dolphins are found fairly often on the beach. Elefant seals and leopard seals are rare visitors on the island. Peale Dolphins and whales can be seen from the shore once in a while.

Accommodation

Our Accommodation is a freshly renovated farmhouse that was is now the only Lodge on the Island. Comfortable living areas and our big rooms will be our home for the next 3 nights.

Port Stanley

In Port Stanley a few places can be interesting to visit, such as the war memorial of the Falklands War, the museum directly in front of the hotel or a shipwreck which can be seen well from land is a nice photo opportunity just a 30-minute walk away from the hotel. Alternatively, you can also take a tour of the Penguin and Elephant seals colonies from here (you can inquire very well in the hotel or in the tourist information).

The last night serves as a back up, as it can get so stormy in this region of the world that the small aircraft cannot fly. The whole group will meet here in the evening. You will stay in a simple 3 star hotel with a restaurant. WiFi can be purchased for £10 per hour.

Itinerary

The travel group will be divided into 4 groups with each 4 persons. We rotate on every location, so that everyone visit each spot. The reason for the rotations are that some of the prime locations only offer space for max 4 persons. But small groups especially make it perfect for nature lovers and photographers.

Group 1

Port Stanley (1 Night)
The Neck Saunders (3 Nights)
The Rookery Saunders (3 Nights)
Carcass Island (3 Nights)
Volunteer point (3 Nights)
Port Stanley (1 Night)

Group 2

Port Stanley (1 Night)
The Rookery Saunders (3 Nights)
The Neck Saunders (3 Nights)
Volunteer point (3 Nights)
Carcass Island (3 Nights)
Port Stanley (1 Night)

Group 3

Port Stanley (1 Night)
Carcass Island (3 Nights)
Volunteer point (3 Nights)
The Neck Saunders (3 Nights)
The Rookery Saunders (3 Nights)
Port Stanley (1 Night)

Group 4

Port Stanley (1 Night)
Volunteer point (3 Nights)
Carcass Island (3 Nights)
The Rookery Saunders (3 Nights)
The Neck Saunders (3 Nights)
Port Stanley (1 Night)

Travel Dates

18-02-2023 – 04-03-2023
04-03-2023 – 18-03-2023
25-11-2023 – 09-12-2023
17-02-2024 – 02-02-2024
02-02-2024 – 16-02-2024

Services

Services included:

• 3 nights on Saunders Island – The Rookery with self catering
• 3 nights on Saunders Island – The Neck with self catering
• 3 nights on Volunteer point in a farmhouse with full board
• 3 nights on Carcass or Sea Lion Island with full board
• 2 nights at Hotel Malvinas House with breakfast
• All accommodations in a twin room
• All park fees
• Flights to the Falkland Islands with 15 kg baggage allowance (excl. Additional baggage approx. 2 euros per kilo and way must be paid on site)
• Meals according to the announcement (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner, self-catering)
• Transfers as advertised
• Local contacts are the owners / tenants of the respective locations

Service not included

• Scheduled flights to / from Mt. Pleasant
• Additional luggage on flights between the Islands approx. 2€ per kilogram and way
• Tips

General notes

Arrival / Departure:

Every Saturday, a LATAM aircraft flies from Santiago de Chile via Punta Arenas to Mt. Pleasant. 

On Sundays and Wednesdays, a Royal Air Force plane takes off from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and  after stopping on Ascension Island (mid-Atlantic) it lands at Mt. Pleasant Airport about 18 hours later.

Falkland Airport is under military command.

IMPORTANT: 

Please be prepared that due to the constantly changing weather conditions in the South Atlantic, flight cancellations can be expected. Here you may have to reckon with additional costs (overnight stays in the hotel approx. € 100 per night and person). These documents and invoices can then be submitted to LATAM afterwards (but do not expect to receive a refund).

Inter-island flights

The flights within the Falklands are operated with the local company FIGAS. 

The flight time between the islands and locations is between 10 min (Carcass Island and Saunders Island) to one hour (Carcass to Stanley Airstrip). You will find out when the small aircraft takes off the day before around 6:00 p.m. Free baggage allowance is 15 kg per person, the additional baggage costs approx. 1 to 2 € per kg and per way. 

Accommodations

The accommodations are the only place to stay on each location we visit. They are simple and functional. A five-star service can therefore not be expected here, but a five-star nature experience. All accommodations have 24 hours electricity and hot water and each have a bathroom. The hosts are very helpful and are always available for any advice.

Weather

You travel to the Falkland Islands in autumn Indian summer or in spring. Temperatures can be between 5 ° C and 15 ° C. The weather changes between sunshine, cloudy skies and rain. Sometimes violent winds occur, which in exceptional cases can cause flight cancellations.

Clothing

Functional outdoor clothing is highly recommended. Please use natural colours and avoid bright outdoor clothing. Long-johns and warm pants are important because you sometimes sit on the floor for a long time to watch animals. A pair of gumboots and even waders are helpful on every island and useful kit to make the perfect photograph from different perspectives. A pillow to sit on is also very useful. Warm, windproof hat, scarf, bandana, gloves and good walking shoes are important. A lunch box is a good idea so that we don’t produce plastic waste and can take our lunch with us. In addition a water bottle as well as a thermo cup so that you can carry a warm drink with you. Walking sticks can also be helpful.

Photography equipment

You need the entire range of lenses for this trip. A wide angle for the breathtaking landscape or to photograph the impressive albatross up close is just as essential as a telephoto zoom with a focal length of up to 400mm in order to photograph any sea lions that may be hunting in the waves. Time-lapse recordings are also possible everywhere. Therefore, it is best to carry both a good tripod that can withstand a bit of wind as well as a one-leg. Rain protection for the camera backpack is definitely recommended. 

Entry requirements

A passport is required and should be valid for at least six months. There should also be two free pages for official stamps in the passport. If you are not from an EU country, please check whether a visa for Chile or Great Britain is required. Ask us if you are unsure or look on the website of the Federal Foreign Office. 

The import of fruit, sausages or dairy products to Chile, the Falkland Islands and Argentina is strictly prohibited. Therefore, refrain from taking these products with you from Europe, as they will be confiscated when you enter Santiago or Buenos Aires. You can buy locally and get all the essentials. The only thing we can recommend are energy bars that are not affected by the import ban. Further import conditions can be found on the customs websites of the corresponding countries that you visit. Please inform yourself about the import of alcohol and tobacco.

Fin whale, sei whale, common minke whale, southern right whale, commerson’s dolphin, peale’s dolphin, sea lion, sea bear, sea elephant, king penguin, gentoo penguin, macaroni penguin, rockhopper penguin, magellanic penguin, white-tufted grebe, Sslvery grebe, black-browed albatross, southern giant petrel, rock cormorant, imperial cormorant, black-crowned night heron, black-necked swan, kelp goose, upland goose, ruddy-headed goose, flying steamer duck, Falkland steamer duck, chiloe wigeon, speckled teal, crested duck, yellow-billed pintail, cinnamon teal, turkey vulture, variable hawk, crested caracara, striated caracara, peregrine falcon, magellanic oystercatcher, two-banded plover, rufous-chested dotterel, Falkland skua, kelp gull, dolphin gull, brown-headed gull, South American tern, tussacbird, dark-faced ground-tyrant, Falkland pipit, Falkland thrush, Falkland grass wren, long-tailed meadowlark, black-throated finch, black-chinned siskin.