I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a huge wildlife person. Love it, don't get me wrong, but it's not often the sole reason for selecting my next destination. I can now confidently say that the Galapagos has made a believer out of me! Travelers are able to interact with the wildlife in a way that very few places in the world can offer. This is not a spotting-from-afar-in-binoculars kind of experience, this is a in-your-face-try-not-to-trip-on-the-iguanas kind of thing. When was the last time you went snorkeling with playful sea lions who swim circles around you and curiously bite your snorkeling fin? Yep, THAT good.
I'm sure you've heard of the Big 5 in Africa? Well, the Galapagos has the Big 15, and for most visitors to the islands, the goal is to see as many species as possible.
Here are the Galapagos Big 15:
- Galapagos Albatross
- Blue-Footed Booby
- Nazca Booby
- Red-Footed Booby
- Flightless Cormorant
- American Flamingo
- Frigatebirds
- Galapagos Hawk
- Land Iguana
- Marine Iguana
- Santa Fe Land Iguana
- Galapagos Penguin
- Galapagos Sea Lion
- Galapagos Fur Seal
- Galapagos Giant Tortoise
In just a 5-day cruise, I checked off 13 out of the Big 15 species! And that's not even including the wildlife that didn't make the list - sting rays, dolphins, Darwin's finches, reef sharks, and more.
Does your list include any must-see species that are endemic to a specific island? Then let's find a cruise that includes the albatross on the island of Espanola, or the red-footed booby on Genovesa. But if you're like me and just want to have a good time and see as much as possible, you really can't go wrong! There's really no set of islands that is inherently better than another. The wildlife is everywhere in this nutrient-rich paradise, and it may have just changed the way I think about traveling for wildlife. Who knows, maybe gorilla tracking in Rwanda or polar bear spotting in the Arctic is next!
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
2 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.