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Wildlife Trails

Wildlife Trails Traveller Reviews

Reviews of Wildlife Trails

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Reviews Submitted: 136
Reviews Accepted: 136
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136 reviews
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Wildlife Trails by Derek, 7 Sep 2020
Holiday Rating:

Fantastic exprience

We chose Zambia for our safari as the national parks offered range of diverse habitats with a real chance of superb game viewing. The lodges and camps we stayed in were all different in terms of the style of the building and the facilities available but what was not different was the standard of service and the care taken to make our stay as memorable as it could be. Every member of staff was friendly helpful and always willing to go the extra ...

We chose Zambia for our safari as the national parks offered range of diverse habitats with a real chance of superb game viewing. The lodges and camps we stayed in were all different in terms of the style of the building and the facilities available but what was not different was the standard of service and the care taken to make our stay as memorable as it could be. Every member of staff was friendly helpful and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure our needs were met. The guides and drivers who took us out on the early morning and afternoon game drives were superb. Their knowledge of the animals large and small was exemplary and their determination to find the best spots for viewing game was remarkable. From us landing at Lusaka to us leaving at the end of our fabulous holiday everything ran like clockwork. Our pick-ups were on time and the vehicles we travelled in were appropriate for the journey. One never goes hungry on safari, the standard of the food and drink was excellent and there was always plenty of it. This trip provided us with many fabulous memories of the people we met and the privilege of seeing the animals in their natural environment cannot be underestimated.

Rating for tour operator:

We chose Wildlife Trails to plan and organise our safari to Zambia as we had been with them to India and that holiday was fantastic so it was really a no brainer. Allan listened to what we wanted from our trip and gave us several options before we settled on the one that seemed to suit us best. Africa gets into your blood and it is constantly pulling you back, we will be going again in the future and Wildlife Trails will be the first port of call to organise our next African Safari.

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 07 Sep 2020:

We are incredibly lucky to have Derek and Sandra as regular clients and not only do we enjoy organising their safaris; they also provide superb feedback and photographs about their wildlife experiences. We very much look forward to putting together their next African adventure!

Grizzly Bear Safari at Katmai by Dawn, 10 Sep 2019
Holiday Rating:

Brilliant

We went to Alaska, which Wildlife Trails sorted out for us. I chose Wildlife Trails because Allan was more knowledgeable than others I emailed, and more helpful. We went to Anchorage, Seward, Homer, Nikiski, Kodiak and Katmai. At Nikiski we stayed at Daniels Lake Lodge B&B in a log cabin by the lake. It was an amazing place and was the wildest and most remote of our journey. We saw a black bear and 3 coyote on the road. Had a great day ...

We went to Alaska, which Wildlife Trails sorted out for us. I chose Wildlife Trails because Allan was more knowledgeable than others I emailed, and more helpful. We went to Anchorage, Seward, Homer, Nikiski, Kodiak and Katmai. At Nikiski we stayed at Daniels Lake Lodge B&B in a log cabin by the lake. It was an amazing place and was the wildest and most remote of our journey. We saw a black bear and 3 coyote on the road. Had a great day out with Alaska West Air near there. We had bears right beside our boat at Big River Lakes near Wolverine Creek, saw bald eagles and plenty of salmon in the river. They gave us a scenic flight on the way back flying right over double glacier and its ice field - so close we almost landed on it. Really breath-taking. We booked up Juneau Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour ourselves through Alaska Shore Excursions - local tour operator was Liquid Alaska Tours. This was excellent. We did canoeing, went in an ice cave under the glacier and used crampons to climb on top of it. A fantastic day out. Would recommend these. Also had a great day out at Brooks Falls watching the bears catching the salmon that were jumping up the waterfall. Well worth the trip. Wouldn't recommend Jayleen's Alaska whale watching trip. We didn't see anything but a lighthouse for most of the morning. Cost us a fortune for 6 hours when we saw more on the 2 hour cruise with Alaska Tales for a fraction of the cost. These are a new company. We didn't have many on the boat so didn't have to fight the crowds to see the whales and they took us straight to them so didn't waste any of our time. To see black bears close up we went to AnAn Bear observatory. A mother and cub came very close to where we were standing on a platform. At the other places we saw brown bears. A great trip all in all.

Rating for tour operator:

As I stated above Wildlife Trails are very knowledgeable and helpful. They always replied quickly to any emails I sent asking them a lot of questions (some I should have been able to work out myself). When we had problems they were always contactable to help us sort them out. The ferry they booked for us went on strike but Wildlife Trails had sorted us out a flight in its place before we even knew there was a problem, so the holiday ran very smoothly. I would recommend Wildlife Trails to anyone and I have already booked another trip with them next year.

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 10 Oct 2019:

What an incredible months wildlife viewing you experienced in Alaska this July/August. It was a real delight to organise such a complex and action-packed itinerary.

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 10 Oct 2019:

Thank you so much for your kind words and we are looking forward to your India tiger safari in 2020!

Grizzly bears Vancouver Island by ChrisPugh , 29 Aug 2019
Holiday Rating:

Fantastic Canadian adventure

We had a two week holiday on Vancouver Island.. we went on a whale watching tour and saw Orcas, Humpbacks, Dahl porpoises, white striped Dolphins, seals and Sea lions. We then did a Grizzly bear tour and saw lots of Grizzlies as well as loads of Black Bears. The highlight of the holiday was a three day kayaking trip which was fantastic. Kayaking with Orcas and Humpback whales was incredible

We had a two week holiday on Vancouver Island.. we went on a whale watching tour and saw Orcas, Humpbacks, Dahl porpoises, white striped Dolphins, seals and Sea lions. We then did a Grizzly bear tour and saw lots of Grizzlies as well as loads of Black Bears. The highlight of the holiday was a three day kayaking trip which was fantastic. Kayaking with Orcas and Humpback whales was incredible

Rating for tour operator:

Our holiday was completely organised by Wildlife Trails, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.. everything was planned to perfection and they made the entire holiday exactly what we asked for

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 10 Oct 2019:

The experience you had with the Orcas on your kayaking tour, is one you will never forget.

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 10 Oct 2019:

It was our pleasure to organise that wonderful mixture of wildlife and adventure that certainly lived up to its billing.

India wildlife tour to Satpura by SarahM, 11 Feb 2019
Holiday Rating:

Outstanding from planning, throughout the whole trip and home again

We had a 13 day tour to India, mostly wildlife as this was what we wanted and a little element of city & culture. Day in Delhi staying at the Imperial, apart from noisy traffic getting to the hotel it was an iconic place to be, so much hitory and staff who had been there 30yrs and proud of what they did. then onto 5 days at Ranthambor - 2 incredible Tiger sightings with so many other species, onto Agra and the Taj mahal and then teh Saptura ...

We had a 13 day tour to India, mostly wildlife as this was what we wanted and a little element of city & culture. Day in Delhi staying at the Imperial, apart from noisy traffic getting to the hotel it was an iconic place to be, so much hitory and staff who had been there 30yrs and proud of what they did. then onto 5 days at Ranthambor - 2 incredible Tiger sightings with so many other species, onto Agra and the Taj mahal and then teh Saptura National Park -

Rating for tour operator:

Great time was taken in the planning, we were given lots of options as to how to make the trip up including time of year and how to maximize wildlife sightings

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 12 Feb 2019:

WOW Sarah! We love detailed feedback about our clients special wildlife holidays and this is just perfect.

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 12 Feb 2019:

It was our great pleasure to organise your first visit to India and share some of the magic of its incredible wildlife and cultural treasures.

Wildlife Trails by Surrey13, 25 Oct 2018
Holiday Rating:

A life changing experience

The main part of the trip was gorilla trekking in Uganda and Wildlife Trails had organised this very well and provided me with a comprehensive list of what to take which was great. The lodges were lovely and seeing the other animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park, brillient

The main part of the trip was gorilla trekking in Uganda and Wildlife Trails had organised this very well and provided me with a comprehensive list of what to take which was great. The lodges were lovely and seeing the other animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park, brillient

Rating for tour operator:

Wildlife Trails organised the trip, including my flight very well. They also booked a hotel for me in Entebbe for the first and last night before flying home

Grizzly Bears and Whales Katmai by Jonworld, 18 Aug 2018
Holiday Rating:

Thoroughly bearable

Great itinerary Jeaunau, a good start to be introduced to the quirkiness of Alaska We self-added Barrow and glad we did as it was culturally exotic as well as seeing the ice of the Artic Ocean The Kodiak area had ups and downs due to weather; Alaska needs a weather disclaimer! Highlights were Frazer Lake and Katmai Wildnerness Lodge (when the weather was good) Homer was a great last stop as loved the hippie vibe and the trip to brooks from ...

Great itinerary Jeaunau, a good start to be introduced to the quirkiness of Alaska We self-added Barrow and glad we did as it was culturally exotic as well as seeing the ice of the Artic Ocean The Kodiak area had ups and downs due to weather; Alaska needs a weather disclaimer! Highlights were Frazer Lake and Katmai Wildnerness Lodge (when the weather was good) Homer was a great last stop as loved the hippie vibe and the trip to brooks from there was fantastic The overall theme was bears and each bear experience grew on the previous Brooks was the icing on the cake. A last morning in Anchorage sealed the oddidity of this amazing sate. (really feels like a seperate country)

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent for planning and knowing the best spots as had done the trip himself. He had booked out the katmai wilderness lodge for his clients which was great as we fall a small party for 4 days. The wether disruption caused a lot of stress and Kodiak should katmai Wilderness shpul;d be marked with a high risk stamp We particularly hadn't realised with Katmai Wilderness the limited transpot links and lack of flexibilty to try and pre-empt detriorating weather

Grizzly Bear Safari at Katmai by Pansyjan, 18 Aug 2018
Holiday Rating:

Walking with Bears

A 7 night stay at Katmai Wilderness Lodge which was amazing both for accommodation, food, very friendly and helpful staff and of course seeing bears in their natural habitat. A 4 night stay in Juneau which included a visit to Pack Creek where we had good sighting of bears and 2 Whale Watching tours where we saw Humpbacks and seals and Stellar Sealions.

A 7 night stay at Katmai Wilderness Lodge which was amazing both for accommodation, food, very friendly and helpful staff and of course seeing bears in their natural habitat. A 4 night stay in Juneau which included a visit to Pack Creek where we had good sighting of bears and 2 Whale Watching tours where we saw Humpbacks and seals and Stellar Sealions.

Rating for tour operator:

Wildlife Trails a small family concern run by Allan and Kirsty Blanchard. Very efficient and helpful. Listened to what we wanted and put together a good itinerary.

Wildlife Trails by Foxy Lady, 15 Aug 2018
Holiday Rating:

Africa changes you forever and you will always yearn to return to the bush.

How do you describe being on safari in the African Bush ? That is hard because it is not just about seeing animals in their natural environment ; it is about experiences, feelings , smells and all those things that fill the senses. We stayed in a tented camp and this is the only way to truly experience Africa, hearing the sounds of Hyena and Lion whilst you lay in your bed at night. Making sure you get excellent guides is key to getting the ...

How do you describe being on safari in the African Bush ? That is hard because it is not just about seeing animals in their natural environment ; it is about experiences, feelings , smells and all those things that fill the senses. We stayed in a tented camp and this is the only way to truly experience Africa, hearing the sounds of Hyena and Lion whilst you lay in your bed at night. Making sure you get excellent guides is key to getting the right experience and we were so lucky in this respect. They impart so much of their in - depth knowledge of the wildlife and ensure you get wonderful sightings of some amazing animals and birds but with care and consideration for their environment You just have to go there !

Rating for tour operator:

I have given Wildlife Trails repeat business since I first used them. They are a small company but with a wealth of experience and customer service. They are prepared to give a lot of time in helping to put together a holiday itinerary that will tick all the boxes. In addition their quoted costs are very fair and not over inflated like some operators. I recommended friends to use them , which they did, and they were not disappointed.

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 13 Oct 2018:

Glad that you had such a rewarding time at Kicheche!

Wildlife Trails by Andrew Davison, 28 Jun 2018
Holiday Rating:

A truly stunning holiday, wildlife and photography experience

Three weeks in India with the fantastic wildlife photographer and teacher, Trai Anfield, concentrating on finding and photographing tiger and leopard, as well as experiencing all the cultural wonders of this extraordinary country. The trip exceeded all expectations. We stayed in a wonderful selection of safari lodges, tented camps, forts and palaces, experienced the food and customs of the regions, visited and spent time with the local people ...

Three weeks in India with the fantastic wildlife photographer and teacher, Trai Anfield, concentrating on finding and photographing tiger and leopard, as well as experiencing all the cultural wonders of this extraordinary country. The trip exceeded all expectations. We stayed in a wonderful selection of safari lodges, tented camps, forts and palaces, experienced the food and customs of the regions, visited and spent time with the local people and were in Udaipur to celebrate the paint festival, Holi. Out of all the game drives we did over the three weeks, on only two did we return without having seen either tiger or leopard. A truly outstanding experience in every respect, made even more special by the dedication of Trai Anfield to make sure that her clients had the best possible tuition and opportunities to take the photograph of a lifetime.

Rating for tour operator:

Excellent in every respect. Everything worked perfectly. The booking arrangements, information and assistance before the trip, local guides and local arrangements all worked extremely well and the trip content, compiled in collaboration with Trai Anfield, was outstandingly brilliant.

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 26 Aug 2018:

After two hugely successful India photo groups, Trai Anfield is planning a photography trip to Alaska in July 2019 - watch this space!

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 26 Aug 2018:

Our pleasure - especially having seen your fantastic photos from Tadoba!

Diverse India: safari & cities by DC1, 23 May 2018
Holiday Rating:

Fantastic Trip to India with Wildlife Trails

We have recently returned from a 16-night trip to India, organised by Wildlife Trails. It was a tailored trip, encompassing safari in Kaziranga and Corbett with city breaks in Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi to catch some IPL cricket. Essentially we were on a 16-night, 5 centre itinerary, no more than 3 nights in any one location, involving many and varied transfers by road, rail and air. The chaos which characterises India, and is certainly part ...

We have recently returned from a 16-night trip to India, organised by Wildlife Trails. It was a tailored trip, encompassing safari in Kaziranga and Corbett with city breaks in Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi to catch some IPL cricket. Essentially we were on a 16-night, 5 centre itinerary, no more than 3 nights in any one location, involving many and varied transfers by road, rail and air. The chaos which characterises India, and is certainly part of its charm, can cause frustration for travellers – unless they are travelling with Wildlife Trails, who have partnered with ground agents in India who have the knack of short-circuiting the chaos and arriving everywhere with comfortable punctuality, every time. A thoroughly professional service, enabling our party of 4 to fully enjoy the wonderful experiences India has to offer. We had dedicated wildlife drivers/guides during our stays at both Kaziranga and Corbett – in both cases they were very friendly, we were very well looked after by them, and they greatly enriched our experience of the wildlife. We were blessed with tiger sightings at both Kaziranga (2 different tigers on 2 different days!) and Corbett – where we close enough to the tiger to consider it an encounter rather than a sighting. And Rhino galore (including being amongst a sizeable herd on elephant safari), and wild elephant galore, and deer, and monkeys, and fabulous birds. Accommodation at both National Parks was very good, as were the meals. During our city breaks we had guided tours of each city. Our guides were all punctual, very knowledgeable and friendly – our experience of all 3 cities was certainly enriched by our guides. The agents and drivers who assisted with our transfers to and from airports and railways stations were unfailingly polite and helpful – we were delivered to our seats on the train in Kolkata and met at the carriage door when we arrived 19 hours later in Delhi. Kirsty from Wildlife Trails worked with us over several iterations of our itinerary – always offering positive suggestions and responding promptly and fully to our questions. Putting the trip together with Wildlife Trail was a pleasure in itself – and I’m very happy and impressed to be able to say that everything went according to plan. We would all four have no hesitation in recommending Wildlife Trails to anyone considering a wildlife adventure in India.

Rating for tour operator:

absolutely first-rate in every regard

Wildlife Trails responded to this review on 05 Jul 2018:

it was a pleasure putting together something so diverse and different- a 'best of' rhinos, cities and cricket