Having recently joined AITO (www.aito.co.uk), the Association of Independent Tour Operators, we at Wildlife Trails are keen to be actively involved in their current campaign to promote family-friendly tour ideas that offer good value for money during the school holidays.

We have plenty of first hand experience of the logistics involved in such trips as Allan & Kirsty Blanchard, the owners and directors of Wildlife Trails, regularly visit wildlife destinations around the world with their two young daughters. Last year they visited both India and Western Canada as a family, and we have drawn on their personal experiences to put together 3 tour options that will remain well-priced during holiday periods and allow a family of four to enjoy some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities India and Canada have to offer. The emphasis of these tours is on accommodation options that represent particularly good value for money for families, and wherever possible on wildlife activities that are significantly discounted for children.

Our first suggested itinerary focuses on Ranthambhore National Park in India, using larger rooms with extra beds, use of a swimming pool between safaris, most meals included, and passing on the benefit of 4 of you sharing safari transport. Ranthambhore is by far the most photogenic of all of India’s National Parks, not just for the wonderful scenery, 3 beautiful lakes and impressive cliff top fort, but also for the fact that you will have so much more to see in this park than any other location. In an effort to reduce the impact on the fragile core area of the park, we are always looking for additional excursions to explore different areas and connected sanctuaries.