I woke up before sunrise to nature's alarm clock - red howler monkeys - and began gathering up my gear for an early boat ride to circumnavigate Indian House Island. While waiting to board the boat, I got some good shots of kiskadees and pied plovers (or lapwings), and spotted a pair of red and green macaws high in the canopy but too far away to photograph. During the boat ride sighted an orange winged macaw, several green kingfishers, a few pygmy kingfishers, a green ibis, an orange breasted falcon and Muscobe ducks. Still no jaguar!
We returned to the River Lodge for breakfast to refuel for a 2 hour hike up Turtle Mountain. At the foot of the trail, we were greeted by the aptly named roadrunner lizards scurrying about the grass at incredible speeds! Along the trail to the peak, I kept a look out for red howler monkeys. I could hear them in the distance but only got a glimpse of one high in the canopy. A few black spider monkeys rustled amongst the branches above but were moving too quickly for me to get a good photo. After two hours, we reached the peak of Turtle Mountain, dripping of perspiration due to the over 90 degree heat and even higher humidity! But it was worth it! I gazed down upon the Irokrama River and the rainforest canopy which stretched out endlessly. Quite a breathtaking sight!
The hike back down was a bit easier than the trek up and a cold beer at the lodge never tasted more satisfying! After lunch and a brief siesta, we were back on the river to view Kurupukari Falls and Amerindian Petroglyphs on nearby rocks. Of course along the way, we were frequented by kingfishers and other birds. We then pulled our boat ashore and strolled through the Amerindian village of Fairview on the way to a butterfly breeding farm. Darkness was rapidly falling and by the time we reached the butterfly farm, only a few of the colorful residents were still awake. I wish I had suggested to visit the farm before the trip to the falls and petroglyphs but thought about it too late. We concluded the day with a short hike back to the lodge, still hoping for a jaguar. I guess another agouti would have to do for this day.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.