Naturetrek Traveller Reviews

This was a 6 day, escorted, group wildlife watching holiday orgainsed by Naturetrek. There were 10 clients accompanied by two expert guides / leaders. After flying from London to Madrid we were met by the leaders and transferred in two mini-buses to our base for the holiday, the Casa Rural Las Canteras near to Trujillo. This was a warm and comfortable guest house, not luxurious, but well suited to our needs. Breakfast and evening meals were taken at Las Canteras. A fixed menu was served in the evening and over the 6 days we had a good variety of dishes all of which were well received by the participants. Vegetarian options were also provided. The days were spent exploring the plains and some reservoirs of the surrounding area. Typically 30 mins to an hour were spent observing the wildlife from each location. The guides were excellent in pointing out the birds and other wildlife sighted and made great efforts to ensure that all the participants had good views through the available scopes. The guides organised picnic lunches and also a daily coffee stop. One day was spend at the Monfrague National park, which provided stunning and unexpected scenary as well as close views of the raptors, especially vultures. The holiday also included a late afternoon / evening visit to the old town of Trujillo to visit the castle and provide a shopping opportunity.

Naturetrek provided a typical itinerary for the tour in advance together with reports from previous tour groups. This together with the pre-departure information pack prepared us well for the holiday. Naturetrek also provided excellent information on the Covid-19 related entry requirements for Spain, the requirements for returning to the UK and links to the relevant web-sites. We were kept up to date as UK requirements changed. Overall we were well supported throughout the trip. We have travelled with Naturetrek before, and will do so again.

Martin was a very informative guide, explaining historical and geographical features of the area as we set off on our Naturetrek circular walk. We saw 50 birds, some of which were first time spots for us. The pace was just right and a very enjoyable day was had by all.

We appreciate the efforts of staff to provide the day trips.

With a little trepidation as I am not a Birder, I booked Naturetrek Best of South Devon Land and Sea. The group size was ideal and whilst almost everyone else was an experienced birder , it was welcoming and friendly from the start . Trip leader Mike instantly put us at ease and very approachable and no detail was too much ( he had already rung pre trip purely to check on preferred filling for a pasty for lunch). The itinerary was well balanced with 2 excellent private boat charters . I happily and easily learnt a lot about local wildlife including birds even though that hadn’t necessarily been my objective. A new interest for me which I will continue . It was lovely to have a leader who knew his area so well and it was charming each time he bumped into fellow enthusiasts on our trips and were welcomed into their accounts of what could be seen where. Booking was an easy experience as the lady in the office did all the hard work for me as the trios were selling out faster than the website could update and she found choices as they were appearing . Perfect customer service I have travelled with a few good companies including JulesVerne, Just You etc but my experience with Naturetrek is making me reappraise my preferences as the itinerary was so well balanced over such a few days and the service was impeccable throughout. I must add in COVID times that I had already booked with Naturetrek earlier in the year but a lockdown had meant trip could not go ahead. Refunds were received promptly with no hassle.

Excellent. Covered this really in previous comment not realising this was a subsequent question .

A day trip to see the bird migration on the Ribble Estuary and later to see an area of fresh water habit.

They are always helpful and provide plenty of information.

We had, after two years of postponement due to Covid, our safari in the Masai Mara. Things were arranged very efficiently by Naturetrek. We arrived at the lodge after flying in from Nairobi and were welcomed by the staff, who did everything to make our stay comfortable. I was even presented with a birthday cake as I celebrated it whilst I was there. Our driver and guide was exceptional. He focused on what we wanted to see, was professional and enthusiastic, as well as being very knowledgeable about all the mammals. We saw all the big five which included four cheetahs walking along the track towards and straight past our vehicle. How incredibly lucky is that! All in all a wonderful time with masses of photos and all the memories.

We have been on various safaris with Naturetrek and have never been disappointed. They are always professional, helpful and obliging. As a client you are kept completely up to date with arrangements and all written information and instructions for the journey are clear and concise. I would definitely have no problem in recommending them to others.

It was a photography trip to the Masai Mara. Everything about it was amazing - I don’t have the language to fully describe how good this trip was. Everything from the administration to the accommodation, the photographer, guides and staff on the camp were brilliant. We were one of the first post-Covid groups to arrive on the Mara after all of the lockdowns and restrictions. We were welcomed as if we were royalty - and had one of the best trips I have ever experienced. My travelling companions felt the same - we were constantly delighted by every aspect of the holiday. The wildlife must have missed the tourists too - because they put on a spectacular show to greet us. I cant praise this trip and all of the people involved in delivering it, highly enough.

I travelled with Naturetrek - and have done so a number of times before. When I received an email saying that Kenya had opened up for travel, I immediately called them to book this trip. I had not intended to travel so soon - so didn’t have ready access to the cash to pay for it. When I explained, it was agreed that, despite this falling out with their terms, and conditions, they would accept my booking and I arranged to access the cash within a week or so. They also arranged a higher weight allowance, free of charge for us as we had photography gear with us. They could not have been more helpful with all of the Covid/testing/PCR requirements etc.. Booking with Naturetrek was altogether a really positive experience.

Conforms to all the NatureTrek short and long trips I’ve been on: Absolutely fabulous. If you love seeing the natural world in beautiful places, then go with NatureTrek. I will be booking with them yet again and very soon.

NatureTrek offer day trips in the UK through to long breaks in exciting places all around the world; invariable led by expert and personable nature guides.

Very enjoyable trip to the Canaries - Tenerife, La Gomera and Fuerteventura. Away from the coastal developments, wonderful scenery and landforms plus unique pine and laurel forests hosting a special range of birds, plants and insects.

Very well organised with 2 outstanding guides ably managing individual personalities. All pre-departure information very comprehensive and particularly appreciated organising direct flights from Edinburgh. Selected accommodation was first class.

A birding holiday in Fuerteventura led by the dream team, Matt and Bob. Good to be travelling abroad again. An opportunity to explore the island from North to South, West to East.

Specialists, passionate and efficient.

I love France anyway and had spend the year 1996 in Nantes, so it's always a delight to be back there. I enjoyed seeing all the Common Cranes flying in over the Lac du Der Chantecoq and hearing the trumpeting/bugling calls of the adults and the whiffles of the younger birds. An incredible feeding frenzy of Cormorants when a fishing boat appeared, while waves of Common Cranes continued to fly overhead. Wonderfully close views of the numerous Great White Egrets, especially from the hides where they could be observed just feet away. White Storks were quite numerous, and then there were all the ducks (pochard, redhead pochard, widgeon, teal .....), waders and often good views of Kingfisher. Black Woodpecker eluded us, even though our guide tried his best and could only come up with a larger than life poster of one in a forest. We had a super & prolonged view of a Middle Spotted Woodpecker while we were having our picnic lunch in the village of Lentilles; although they were heard often throughout the trip. A Green Woodpecker was a first for me as I don't think we get them in Scotlland.

Our guide was such good fun, very relaxed, yet so knowledgeable and organised. Suspect he underestimates himself sometimes. Excellent trip leader, and he coped well when I left my binocular case at Mesnil St-Pere; contacting both the auberge and Naturetrek while keeping me updated. He went out of his way to show us things and to share the vast amount of information he has gained about the Champagne region. Nice guy; good French and a wealth of knowledge. Over the years I have always found Naturetrek to be a very professional and extremely diligent and helpful tour operator. Their pre-departure information is excellent, as well as their curiosity as to how their tours could be improved; I've found the Naturetrek people to be very open minded. Obviously, each guide has their own personality, but without exception all have been incredibly knowledgeable in their field of expertise and eagerly imparted their knowledge and enthusiasm to their clients.