Wildlife Trails Traveller Reviews

We spent 8 nights/9 days on Safari in the Masai Mara in Kenya at the Mara Intrepids camp in mid June. The holiday was perfect, everything went well, all the travel and logistics were very smooth and we enjoyed a great time in this wildlife haven. We saw the Big 5 and more and took hundreds of photos. The camp was great, well appointed tents, really friendly and helpful staff, the restaurant and staff were excellent. Nothing was too much trouble. Made to feel very welcome.

We have booked many holidays through Wildlife Trails and they have all been excellent. Allan and Kirsty are extremely professional and friendly. This was our first big holiday after the pandemic and they provided all the necessary information for travel and entry requirements into Kenya. We would not hesitate to use them for all our wildlife holidays in the future.

Our trip was just the best holiday we have ever had. All the information we had been given was accurate and the service we received from pick-up drivers to the Intrepid staff was brilliant, everyone was genuinely pleases to help us and could not do enough and it was truly meant, not artificial like in the US. Would recommend this holiday to all.

I was a little wary as we had several transfers planned and the thought of standing at an airport with no-one to meet us, well this didn't happen and the service we received from the drivers every time was excellent. The accommodation was exactly as described and the daily safaris were just awesome. I could not have asked for more from a travel agent when planning a trip and will definitely use the again and certainly recommend them, as we were, to friends and family with full confidence of them getting an excellent experience.

Because of Covid we waited 2½ years for our holiday but it was well worth the wait. Each phase of the holiday had its own joys and it got progressively better. We started at the delightful Thamalakane Lodge, hippos in the river and goats and cattle along the banks plus lots of birdlife to identify and the most glorious sunsets. Then to Oddballs Camp in the Okovango by small aircraft to the dirt airstrip that was walking distance from the camp. More basic, but still comfortable. Being under canvas meant we got wildlife noises at night. Plenty of hippos calling from the river and an elephant crashing though the bushes near our tent. Being poled along the river channels in a makoro meant we got really close to crocs, hippo and elephants with little effort on our part. The food was lovely and the atmosphere sitting around a big table with other guests was special. Best of all was mobile camping. Three nights at each of three sites in different areas of the Botswana parks. Excellent care from our very own staff, a large comfortable tent with its (basic) en-suite loo and shower and a warm comfy bed to keep out the cold. The animal noises each night. The camp-fire and breakfast were ready when we were woken at 6.00am. Wonderful game drives with a very knowledgeable and empathetic guide. Breakfast lunch and dinner (with wine) plus morning coffee and biscuits, and afternoon tea with freshly baked cakes were not what we expected. Best of all the large gin and tonic, with ice and lemon, by the campfire when we returned from the afternoon game drive. Then at the end Chobe Safari Lodge for some luxury and the chance to get properly clean for the flights home but still close to nature with the lovely sunset boat trip.

He put together an itinerary for us based on his experience and our wishes. It flowed well building throughout the trip. All parts worked well, using quality local companies, with no hitches whatsover - which in Africa takes some doing.

This was our fifth trip organised by Allan & Kirsty at Wildlife Trails and once again exceeded our expectations. They put together a tailor made trip to Costa Rica from the cloud forests in the north to the pacific coast in the south which suited us down to the ground. Mayer our guide and Naturalist was with us every step of the way. His knowledge about the flora, fauna, social and political history of his country was second to none. He taught us so much and we know without him the holiday would not have been such a success. We count ourselves lucky to have had him as our guide. The organisation of the whole trip was excellent. Most of the lodges had their own USP, some were up in the cool cloud forest and some on the hot steamy coast. This meant we were able to see a whole range of birds, mammals, amphibians, lizards and insects etc. Everyone we met was friendly, kind and helpful. Costa Ricans are proud of their country and certainly know how to make visitors feel at home.

Wildlife Trails once again excelled in organising our trip. They were always there to answer questions and went the extra mile to make sure everything went smoothly. One of the keys to their success is that they listen to what you want and organise a trip that suits you not them. They also ensure all their ground agents and guides are first rate which means your holiday goes without a hitch. We can't recommend them highly enough. We're looking forward to our next adventure with them.

Every detail about the Mara Predator Conservation Programme trip was well thought out and executed. The camps were beautiful and very comfortable, and the food delicious. Our tour leaders, Trai Anfield-photographer, and Niels Mogensen-research scientist were very knowledable and helpful. I learned so much about photography, the wildlife, and conservation efforts in the Mara region.

I would book another trip with Wildlife Trails. I received quick feedback to my inquiries and help in organizing days pre and post trip. I felt well prepared for my trip, with every detail worked out.

This was our fourth trip organised by Allan at Wildlife Trails and once again didn't disappoint. We had a great start to the trip with a visit to Ridings Mountain National Park. Whilst late in the season our group still managed great viewings of Bison, Black Bear and Beaver. Then onto Churchill for the highlight of the trip. We had fantastic sightings of the Polar Bears coming down to the ice with over 90 bears spotted in the six days, many very close to the vehicles including mothers with cubs. We were also treated to amazing views of sparring polar bears. Wildlife Trails also organised some Road & Trails excursions for us and again a fantastic experience. Our guide, Gerald, with his indigenous heritage was brilliant. His love and appreciation of the countryside and wildlife was exceptional as was his ability to spot wildlife. He enabled us to have great opportunities to see not just polar bears but also ptarmigan, cross and red foxes and snowy owl. All in all this trip exceeded our expectations and we'd recommend it to anyone.

Allan & his staff at Wildlife Trails once again proved they can organise a memorable holiday. Everything went smoothly and we particularly like the fact that they support for the local community as much as they can. We're looking forward to our next wildlfe adventure with them.

We spent 8 lovely days watching wildlife on the Isles of Skye and Mull. The local guides were excellent, very knowledgeable about the local wildlife and the best locations to see things. As always with British wildlife it took some perseverance, but we had some wonderful sightings of otters, short-eared owls and sea eagles. The weather was hit and miss, but you have to expect that in Scotland and we tried to minimise it's impact. The accommodation in both locations was comfortable and staff friendly with good food every night. We appreciated supporting local businesses. And all well overseen by or tour leader Allan!

We have travelled with Wildlife Trails on a number of trips now, normally somewhere more exotic than Scotland! Their service is always excellent, with good advise on activities, locations and making the most of our time, while keeping our trip responsible and supporting the local communities. The guides they book are always first rate, which is what really makes a trip for us as that really effects the quality of your wildlife sightings.

A great visit in August to the isles of Skye and Mull in Scotland organised by Wildlife Trails. The two local guides were superb and knew their subjects well and just where to find them. Had good sightings of Sea Eagles, Otters, Buzzards, Short Eared Owls and much more. Thank you Allan for the great organization.

Excellent organization from beginning to end. Would certainly use again.

We had an excellent three week holiday touring Costa Rica in January/February 2020. We planned and booked our trip with Allan from Wildlife Trails. We spent our time exploring the various national parks photographing the wildlife and the amazing scenery. We had a private tour which included visits to Manuel Antonio, Corcovado, San Gerardo do Dota, Monteverde and St Elena. We saw lots of amazing wildlife including Tapirs and various Monkeys and the stunning birds. The accommodation was all of a good standard in some great locations. All the transfers worked like clockwork, we travelled by road and saw a large part of this wonderful country. This was our seventh holiday booked with Wildlife Trails and they are always a great experience.

We have used Wildlife Trails since 2008 when we first visited India for our first Tiger safari. They are now our first stop for all our long haul holidays. They are a small family run company who have taken great care of us during the whole process of initial thoughts and plans through to the actual holiday and beyond. We are looking forward to our next trip to Canada in September 2022, third time lucky due to the impact of COVID-19 on international travel. We have a long bucket list of future holidays and look forward to discussing and planning them with Allan and Kirsty. We regularly recommend them to other travellers on our holidays when we say where we’ve been and what we’ve experienced.

The holiday exceeded expectations. The hotels used were ideal for the trip. The Portree Hotel was in a good location in the centre of town with easy access to shops restaurants etc. The hotel was bustling and busy most of the time. The staff were cheerful, helpful and efficient. Pennygael Hotel was in a great location set in nice gardens overlooking the loch. It has a homely feel with a bar with a nice lounge area with leather sofas. Joy the owner is a real character and an excellent host. The guides were two very different characters but were equally passionate and very knowledgable about the range of wildlife on the islands. They worked very hard to find the best locations to view birds and mammals, never giving up till the last minute of the day. They were willing to answer questions no matter how obscure and appeared to be as disappointed as we were if things didn't turn out as expected. The length of the itinerary was about right and as it turned out it was advantageous to have longer on Mull than Skye as the wildlife viewing was more successful. However this could easily change as we learnt a lot of luck is also involved and the weather also plays a part. Full days out with the guide worked well as this enabled us to be flexible we could spend longer at a site if the viewing was going well or move on if not. The boat trips were were a good opportunity to see sea eagles up close. Overall, an excellent, well organised and very enjoyable holiday we'd happily recommend to anyone

Allan from Wildlife Trails accompanied us on the tour and ensured everything went smoothly. His knowledge and enthusiasm rubbed off on us all. This is the third holiday we have been on with Wildlife Trails and once again showed what a good company they are. To still be able to organise such a successful trip during the pandemic proves we are right to have faith in their abilities. Cannot recommend Wildlife Trails highly enough.