Naturetrek Traveller Reviews

My son (aged 13) and I had a private day out on the Somerset Levels with Naturetrek and Chris Griffin. The day was perfect - Chris is hugely knowledgeable, interesting and very easy to chat to...he engaged with my son brilliantly and we learned a huge amount, as well as having a really lovely day, ending with the starlings coming in to roost over the Levels.

Extremely responsive and easy to deal with

It was a day of bird watching in the Somerset Levels. We spent time on nature reserves with a wonderful guide who showed us things we'd never have seen alone. The day culminated in a spectacular murmuration of starlings.

He was unbelievably knowledgable and a brilliant teacher, and very generous in setting up his telescope to make sure we had the best close-ups at every turn. He was very patient with all our questions and lovely company for the day.

A two centre holiday over Christmas spent in two fabulous hotels with lovely food and wine. The guides were excellent very caring and knowledgeable. The birds were fantastic, I’ve never seen so many little bustards in one place before, that’s just one example of the quality and quantity of the birds in the Algarve that we saw. Entirely possible due to the guides. We had to take covid tests but this was done very professionally. I would thoroughly recommend this holiday.

The offices of Naturetrek kept us regularly informed regarding the covid situation and everything pertaining to the trip. Everything was arranged perfectly.

One of our best holidays - fantastic exploration of a fascinating island with an exceptional leader (a delightful individual with a depth and breadth of knowledge on all aspects of the island - nature, history, culture, archaeology, geology, geography), great hotel, perfect climate.

We have been on 2 European trips a year with Naturetrek every year since 2013 (and several shorter UK trips), cannot speak highly enough of the company - superb organisation, responsive to clients' needs, excellent naturalist leaders and the company has been extremely innovative and enterprising in designing programmes during these past 2 difficult years.,

A natural history holiday on Gran Canaria based at Agaete for the whole week. Excellent guides who knew their subject. Some local history content too. Good & quiet hotel in a 'non touristy' part of the island. Very well organised: Naturetrek even checked in with EasyJet, so we had our boarding passes with the welcome pack.

This is the fourth occasion that I have used Naturetrek. Their communication is very good, which is more than usually important given the Covid situation. Local guide, although Spanish, fully up to speed with UK Covid regulations. Everything well organised at the Gran Canaria end.

Bird watching in Extremadura Spain - excellent guides ad home cooked meals

Had all the info required. responded very quickly to any questions

It was exciting to see wildcats at such close quarters. Our guides were excellent at spotting them. Lovely little hotel and great food - we're veggie and we were catered for at least as well as the meat eaters.

The holiday definitely fulfilled its promise - not always easy with nature watching

If you are considering or have booked a wildlife or tailor-made excursion with Naturetrek read this first. If Naturetrek have quoted for, or included any of the following in its offer to you, make sure that you are not being misled! GUIDE SERVICES If you do not have a working knowledge or are reasonably fluent in the language of the country you are visiting, insist that the guide being offered to you is fluent in your own language. A zoom meeting / whatsapp conversation directly with the guide prior to your booking with Naturetrek is recommended. HOTEL SERVICES Make sure that the hotels you are staying at are of a good standard and that the melas/mealtimes fall in line with the itinerary that Naturetrek is proposing. Contact the hotels directly before you confirm / pay your bookings to check this, otherwise you will pay for meals that you will not get. Ensure that the standard is what you believe you are paying for! WILDLIFE SERVICES If you are going on a wildlife trip, make sure that you are properly equipped. Do NOT assume that the guide will have the following: - maps of the areas you are visiting - wildlife, flora, fauna and bird books / literature - any protective shelter or covering for bad weather - campstools or similar t sit on (you may be standing for hours) Also, do NOT assume that the guide will be prepared to walk any distance. The guides that Naturetrek make use of seem to prefer wildlife viewing from main / tarred roads or where the walk to a particular viewing point is minimal. The wildlife experience may be with cars and motorbikes hurtling past you! WILDLIFE VIEWING If your main objective if wildlife viewing (birds, animals), try and make sure that the species are in fact in the areas that Naturetrek is proposing - AT THAT TIME OF THE YEAR! - Bird species may have already migrated elsewhere. - Animal species may have moved to other areas to obtain food / forage Try and obtain a second opinion prior to booking. Naturetrek are trying to sell and profiteer from your trip. Whether you see the wildlife you had hoped for, does not concern them. TRANSPORT SERVICES Make sure in advance that the transport service Naturetrek is offering you is fit for purpose. Ask to see an image of the vehicle that is to transport you. If satisfied, obtain confirmation that it will be used for the duration of the trip. Do NOT assume that Naturetrek will pay much attention to your transport arrangements. CONCLUSION Think twice before booking with Naturetrek. You may be sold a package that could turn out to be very disappointing. AND REMEMBER - the people / guides taking you on tour may well be one-man operators, freelance guides or fly by nights. In other words, second or third parties, far removed from Naturetrek!

As described above

A few days at a lovely hotel near Weston super Mare, with daily visits to nature reserves and other places to search for wildlife,

Ive been on a few trips now and the organisation, excellent guides and great hotels provide an overall fantastic experience

wonderfull organised wildlife experience with lots of Lynx sightings topped with otter, moeflon, ibex and many many birds!

Naturetrek did a very well organised trip with focus on the wildlife