Naturetrek Traveller Reviews

We stayed for 2 nights at the Swan Hotel in the lovely city of Wells. On our first evening we were given interesting information which covered the history and geography of the area we were going to visit in the following days. Everything was very well organised and the two leaders were knowledgeable about the wildlife we could possibly see. Nothing seemed too much for them and when on the first day we saw a spectacular starling roost we were offered the chance to return the following morning at dawn to watch the starlings leave their roost. It was a beautiful sunrise and a thrilling sight.

Good information and useful details were given before the holiday. Very helpful people on the phone answering queries and also a personal email when I asked about the amount of walking that would be involved during the break.

A fantastic birding trip west and east Andes and an add on to the Amazon. All the accommodation was good with Sacha Lodge being excellent.

The trip was well organised down to the finest detail, even suggesting an extra trip were I would have been sitting around.

Another excellent 'Naturetrek' holiday which gave us brilliant birds including Andean Condor, Humboldt's Penguin, Inca Tern, Giant Hummingbird, Diademmed Plover and Many-coloured Tit-Tyrant. Not only excellent birds but terrific views and with the best leadership from Jose our guide. Peruvian scenery was stunning and the group both entertaining and knowledgeable.

Our tenth trip with 'Naturetrek', with usual excellence throughout and in all departments. Trip ran smoothly, was well organised and had both scenery and birds vying for attention on many occasions. Leaders brilliant as usual, local knowledge and professionalism being essential.

The travel arrangements including airport assistance worked well throughout. The accommodation at all the locations was very good. The guide showed us lots of birds and also my first wild elephant. The food was mainly too 'hot' for us but we managed to choose acceptable dishes. The other members of the group were friendly. An enjoyable trip.

All the arrangements were done in good time including airport assistance at all the airports. All my queries beforehand were answered promptly and in a friendly manner.

A well planned and excellent trip which enabled us to see rare raptors, such as Bonnelli eagles and many kinds of birds not seen in the UK. A small group experience makes for great opportunities. Best of all though is the sight and sound of the wonderful cranes over wintering in the marshlands.

Everything is well planned and thought through. It is the quality of the guides which in my experience is second to none.

This was a tailor made bird watching weekend, as I have MS and have difficulty walking. Neither I nor my husband could identify many birds, certainly not from their calls. It was guided by Tom of Naturetrek, who very successfully chose the localities in the Forest of Dean. Initially he spread a lot of mixed seed on fallen trees and tree stumps, or we visited places with bird tables, attracting birds I particularly wished to see such as nuthatch and coal tit. We also saw tree creepers on the nearby oaks. This was great, as it entailed minimal walking. On other occasions we parked next to fields or clumps of trees, viewing a buzzard worming in the early morning and flocks of redwing amongst many other birds. As Tom was constantly listening out for bird calls, we got to see 3 hawfinch feeding in a hornbeam(?), a really wonderful moment and apparently a rare treat for any ornithologist. He identified a flock of lesser redpoll flying overhead and we were subsequently able to watch them feeding on birch catkins. Similarly, we saw some magnificent crossbill sitting at the top of a spruce. We saw lots of other birds that weekend, all those that I'd wanted to see. Tom’s scope was a godsend, as binoculars simply don’t show the details of many faraway birds. Tom was most accommodating to our wishes and very helpful with managing my 4-wheeled rollator. Lastly, as we had wanted to see the elusive wild boar Tom suggested that, after parting, Andrew and I drive down certain roads after dark : we struck lucky after the first turning. We were as startled as the herd of wild boar in our headlights. It was a thrilling trip and we saw and learnt so much and of course we would love to return.

Very good and efficient organiser giving us a good price and an excellent locality for bird watching.

A group of 7 including our tour leader, a well travelled naturalist with Royal Photographic distinction, spent two weeks hopping around the Falkland Islands using the local FIGAS Normander light aircraft, an experience in itself. On land around the islands 4x4 vehicles were used to convey us to wildlife hot spots where we were able to explore the flora and fauna at leisure. The birds on the Falklands are more confiding than most, were relatively indifferent to our intrusion and provided great photographic opportunities at close quarters.On two separate days we saw King, Gentoo, Rock-hopper, Macaroni, and Magallenic penguins. We sampled the excellent Falklands hospitality at lodges on Carcass, Sea Lion, and Pebble Islands as well as at Port Howard with our final stop over at a hotel in Stanley.Overall the weather was very kind to us. The wind speeds were a little higher than normal for November but this added to the drama of seascapes and our amusement as we observed silvery and white crested grebe appearing and then disappearing on the crests and in the troughs of waves of the inland pools.

I have been on several trips with Naturetrek in the UK but this was my first trip abroad. Handling of all the administrative details was first rate. Where changes in the original itinerary were required to meet with accommodation requirements around the lodges we were informed appropriately. I remain impressed by the feedback at all stages from booking to departure and then follow up on return

On group trips you hope for (a) an interesting destination, (b) good leaders, (c) a fun group, and (b) good accommodation and food. Achieving all four isn't guaranteed, but on this trip all four were outstanding. As we zig-zagged across North and South Islands and visited smaller islands, we saw an astonishing variety of scenery, vegetation and wildlife. I learned so much about New Zealand (both on land and at sea), and each day we had a perfect balance of travelling, walking, wildlife-watching and coffee-drinking.

This was my second holiday with Naturetrek and I continue to be impressed with their pre-trip admin as well as the high standard of the overall experience.

I joined this trip, at short notice, when an original booking couldn't proceed. It was primarily designed as a birding tour. My main interest is mammals. However, as I had anticipated, there was plenty of opportunity to view and photograph all kinds of wildlife. Once again, I was more than satisfied by the experience provided by Naturetrek and, in this instance, their local agents Letaka Safaris.

I have travelled many times with Naturetrek and already have a booking for 2017. They have yet to disappoint me.

So many new experiences, animals, places, locations (beautiful scenery) and best of all fantastic birds, especially the 5 different species of Penguin. All accommodation was clean and homely, with excellent home cooked meals and even home made cakes and cookies were taken out on day trips to have at elevens's. The FIGAS flights, choppy boat trips, and off road vehicles made this a fun packed holiday to remember for ever.

Excellent pre trip information, itinerary, and day to day gen. It all added up to our high expectations of a Naturetrek Tour. This holiday was made even more fun by our Trip leader Kevin, who was very informative, new everything about Cameras and photography, but above all was a great laugh.