Naturetrek Traveller Reviews

A well thought out and executed small group tour, firstly visiting birding hotspots in south-west South Dakota, including: the Badlands, Black Hills, Mount Rushmore & Spearfish Canyon, with an excursion into Wyoming to see the iconic Devil’s Tower National Monument. Then, after a detour along scenic backroads, we ventured into little-visited North Dakota, to explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park and several wildlife reserves close to the Canadian border. A brilliant holiday for any bird or mammal enthusiast, whether an expert or a beginner.

Naturetrek take care of all the arrangements efficiently and without fuss. There is always someone to speak to in their office and their local expert guides are extremely friendly and knowledgeable.

Sailing from Oban to the Inner and Outer Hebrides and visiting St Kilda watching wildlife on the water and on land with walks on the islands to look and listen for various wildlife as well as looking into the history of St Kilda. Seeing (and hearing) the sometimes abundant wildlife and viewing the stunning scenery of Scotland's west coast and islands was all part of this tour. The tour leader showed excellent knowledge of the wildlife and scenery and the crew of the ship was always helpful. For those of us less able to walk on the sometimes challenging terrain they organised trips on the inflatable boat along the coast to watch the birds and seals.

Naturetrek organises wildlife watching trips to stunning locations and chooses tour leaders with very good knowledge of the area and what to look out for. (I have been on several tours with this operator and enjoyed them all.)

The Uists, situated in the Outer Hebrides, offer an abundance of wildlife watching opportunities. Our visit in May with Naturetrek provided opportunities to see many raptors including White Tailed Sea-eagles, Golden eagles, Short-eared owls, Hen Harriers.. Other bird species included less confiding birds such as corncrake and dotterel; we had views of red-necked phalarope and 3 species of Diver. Often, we were torn as to which way to look – otter in one direction, porpoises in another and, look, there’s a great Northern Diver! The amazing expertise, patience and organisation of our guide was crucial to ‘being in the right place at the right time’. Much of the wildlife viewing was in beautiful unspoilt scenery. Our accommodation and the superb dining (fresh crab, hand -dived scallops amongst the specialities of the house) complemented the wild-life watching.

We have travelled with Naturetrek many times before and have found the company so helpful and reliable. A phonecall to the office invariably links one to someone who is keen to help and will do their best to do so. The expertise of their wildlife guides is incredible – not just the knowledge of wildlife and where to find it and how to recognise/ distinguish similar species, but also their abilities to share their love of the places visited incorporating cultural sites as well as places of especial scenic beauty, and great lunch spots. Do their guides ever sleep? – must do as they always seem refreshed, patient, enthusiastic, personable and great behind the vehicle wheel! Our guide in the Uists was no exception- brilliant!

This short holiday was with Naturetrek the compamy of choice for wildflife holidays. They are always excellent.

I've had many holidays andused for various various groups and all the exeriences have been excellent. The guides in particular are first class, second to none.

A 10 day trip staying in four different places with trips to from each. Had UK guide, local guide and special guides at all the cultural/historic sites,

Naturetrek is a delight to deal with while making booking etc and organised the whole trip very well

We visited South Pembrokeshire in early summer hoping to spend a day on Skomer with the puffins and many other sea birds, weather permitting. The Beggars Reach hotel was comfortable and provided a good base from which to travel by mini-bus. We had wonderful weather throughout the week. Each evening a moth trap was set up in the hotel grounds which was opened before breakfast each morning. We were very fortunate that one of our guides was an entomologist and was able to identify all the moths and explain their favoured habitats. The day on Skomer was spectacular with thousands of puffins almost within arm's reach and other sea birds nesting on the cliffs. The red campion was in full bloom further enhancing the beauty of Skomer. The day on the coast of mainland Pembrokeshire provided wonderful scenery with a succession of birds, jelly fish, plants etc. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and also sensitive to the needs of older guests with minor mobility difficulties.. Our day in the wetlands provided the chance to see an amazing variety of insect life, including damsel flies and dragon flies. Birds and wildflowers, including orchids also featured. A truly wonderful holiday!

The booking process was easy. Communication with the clients was excellent with plenty of information provided before our departure. A feedback form was provided to review the experience. We would book with Nature Trek again.

A really lovely combination of 3 days on board the MV Monadhliath, a converted former fishing trawler, sailing around the Minch, and 4 days on land exploring the Isle of Lewis and Harris. The cruise element was perfect - the small boat gave us access to some really remote and inaccessible lochs along the east coast of Harris/Lewis and north Skye, as well as the west coast of the mainland. We were also really privileged to be able to land on the Shiant islands, as well as anchor there overnight, and spend the evening watching the spectacular flocks of puffins and auks returning to their nests on the islands in great wheel-like formations, to avoid predators. Our guide was so knowledgeable, and patient, and also helped us build a really good group together. The food on board was amazing - hard to believe it came out of such a small galley kitchen. The adventure continued on land as we were able to listen to and actually see corncrakes, red phalaropes and lots of eagles, as well as explore the archaelogical and cultural heritage of this part of the Hebrides. A really lovely experience.

I love travelling with Naturetrek. The staff are friendly, helpful, pay attention to detail, and have their own expertise in the regions and in wildlife, but mostly, you know you will be travelling with like-minded people in terms of sharing an interest in wildlife and wild places. I've found that the guides enjoy sharing their knowledge, and generally can't do enough for you. The holiday was well priced - really good value for money, with just 6 of us and one guide all to ourselves, plus the crew on the boat. I'm already trying to decide where to go with them next.

Excellent Naturetrek day trip on the Suffolk Coast, lots of birds and a variety of butterflies in the various habitats visited. Knowledgeable and entertaining guide and the organisation, as usual with Naturetrek, was excellent

I have travelled on two overseas trips and 14 day trips with Naturetrek. The organisation and communication has always been excellent and the value for money is good

Unique holiday covering both the culture and wildlife of Uzbekistan. As well as seeing the marvellous architecture of Bukhara, Tashkent and Samarkand and learning the history of this area, you see the natural world in the different climatic zones this country covers in terms of mountains, deserts and plains. With first class guides and drivers it really was an exceptional trip.

Naturetrek consistently provides first class holidays at reasonable prices to interesting part of the world. The back office has always provided first class service and their employees on the ground have never been less than excellent.

A week in eastern Poland with a Naturetrek group observing birdlife and other wildlife in the ancient Bialowieza forest and Biebrza marshes areas.

Have travelled with Naturetrek over many years to many different destinations and types of holiday. I have found them to be professional in their approach and well-organised with superb leaders.