This tour is limited to just 5 clients.

In early March, Poland’s wild landscapes take on a quiet, wintry character that is ideal for wildlife observation. Snow-dusted forests and open wetlands provide exceptional visibility, drawing out a rich variety of birds while increasing the chances of encountering some of Europe’s most iconic mammals. This thoughtfully paced journey centers on two of the country’s most important natural areas—Bialowieza and Biebrza—where ancient habitats and seasonal movements combine to create a rewarding and immersive wildlife experience.

Guided by renowned naturalist Gerard Gorman, we spend unhurried days exploring prime habitats in search of European Bison, moose, and a range of forest and wetland birds, including owls and an impressive diversity of woodpeckers. Comfortable accommodations and short travel distances allow for both focused wildlife viewing and time to appreciate Poland’s cultural traditions, regional cuisine, and the understated beauty of its winter landscapes.

Tour Highlights

  • Track European Bison through the ancient, snow-dusted forests of Bialowieza, home to the world’s largest wild population of this iconic species
  • Search for a remarkable diversity of woodpeckers and owls, including specialties such as Boreal Owl and White-backed Woodpecker
  • Explore the vast wetlands of Biebrza National Park, a haven for wintering waterfowl, raptors, and early returning migrants
  • Spot iconic mammals such as moose, Red Fox, Wild Boar, and—if fortunate—Gray Wolf in pristine natural habitats
  • Savor traditional Polish cuisine and culture while staying in comfortable lodgings in the heart of these remarkable landscapes

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Fri., Mar. 5      Arrivals in Warsaw

Welcome to Warsaw! This is a stunning, vibrant city that is rich in culture and history, and offers delicious food, a beautiful mix of rebuilt historic architecture and was even the birthplace of Marie Curie and Frédéric Chopin. We encourage you to come in early or stay on after the tour to explore local museums, enjoy a Chopin concert, or simply wander the city center and enjoy local foods, drinks, and shopping. Our tour begins this evening with a meet up at our hotel and an opening dinner with your fellow travellers and guide to go over the plan for the days ahead. 
Accommodations in Warsaw (D)

Sat., Mar. 6     Bialowieza National Park 

After breakfast we drive east to the Bialowieza National Park in the Podlaskie region, around a three hour journey if done direct, but we take our time and stop for any wildlife we see and a lunch break. Lying on the border with Belarus, Bialowieza  Forest is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the forest here is primary, old-growth, composed of both conifers and deciduous trees and littered with both standing and lying deadwood, criss-crossed by small rivers and creeks. It is regarded as the best preserved natural lowland forest in Europe. Ironically, the forest here initially survived as it was set aside as hunting estate for Polish Kings and Russian Tsars and only later came under protection. 

The biological diversity of Bialowieza is extraordinarily rich, with innumerable insects, fungi and a host of birds and mammals but ultimately, this forest is famed for being the home of the largest wild population of European Bison. Also known as the Wisent, between 800 – 900 individuals survive here. Compared to their nearest relative, the American Bison, European Bison are on average taller, owing to having longer legs and they are not as “hairy” or “woolly” as their American counterparts. Seeing this iconic species, the biggest and heaviest European land mammal, is one of the highlights of our trip.
Accommodations in Bialowieza (B,L,D)

Sun., Mar. 7 – Wed., Mar. 10       Bialowieza National Park 

We have several days to explore the forested habitats of Bialowieza. We stay at the heart of the area in the village of Bialowieza itself and we travel by a small vehicle and on foot on marked trails which enables us to get right into the forest. Dress warmly and in layers! With the in-depth knowledge of our guide and his local friends, we search in particular for the magnificent European Bison, Red Fox, Red and Roe Deer, Wild Boar, Pine Marten, Red Squirrel and, though often more challenging, Gray Wolf. 

Another curious animal here is the Racoon Dog that has established itself after being initially introduced into Russia for the fur trade. It is not a relative of the Raccoon, but a canid more closely related to foxes. At this time of year, special birds include the tiny Goldcrest, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush and Northern Nutcracker. The chickadee family are well-represented, too, with Great, Blue, Willow, Marsh and the delightful Crested Tit all likely to be seen. Other possible birds are Bohemian Waxwing, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Siskin, Brambling, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch and Eurasian Bullfinch. There are a total of eleven species of woodpeckers in Europe and eight are resident in Bialowieza: Black, Great Spotted, Middle Spotted, Lesser Spotted, White-backed, Eurasian Green, Gray-headed and Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker. The tiny Eurasian Pygmy Owl and Boreal and Tawny Owls are also high on our agenda. 

In addition to wildlife, Bialowieza has a rich cultural history and Slavic folk heritage. For example, its Tsar’s Palace and Park was built in the late 1800s and a wooden manor-house from 1845 still stands. And, last but not least, we sample some fine local Polish cuisine such as Zurek (sour rye soup), Borscht (beetroot soup), Pierogi (savory dumplings), Golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls) and Paczki (yeast doughnuts).
Accommodations in Bialowieza (B,L,D)

Thurs., Mar. 11        Biebrza National Park

This morning we drive westwards to the Biebrza National Park, the largest protected area in Poland. As we go, the landscape changes, becoming more open and less forested. We stop as we see raptors and Great Gray Shrikes and Corn Buntings, which typically sit atop roadside trees or on roadside posts and wires. We also visit sites for the often urban-dwelling Syrian Woodpecker, which is the ninth woodpecker species on our journey. Biebrza is typified by marshes, peat bogs, meadows and non-intensively farmed land in the valley of the meandering Biebrza River and we have two full days here to explore and search for its wildlife.
Accommodations near Biebrza National Park (B,L,D)

Fri., Mar. 12 & Sat., Mar. 13        Biebrza Region

The various habitats of the Biebrza wetlands and farmlands are another haven for wildlife. Eurasian Beaver, Eurasian Otter, Brown Hare and Eurasian Moose all do well here. The Moose here are the same species as the one in North America, but individuals are usually slightly smaller, lighter in color and have less palmated antlers. Eurasian Beaver are, however, not the same species as their cousins in North America and the two cannot even interbreed.

Once again, we stay in the very heart of the region, which means we only make short drives each day. In contrast to our previous base, at Biebrza we start to find more wetland birds: Greater White-fronted, Tundra Bean and Graylag Geese, Whooper and Mute Swans, Common Goldeneye, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Tufted Duck and Smew, which is always a favorite. As spring is breaking through, we may see the first Common Cranes, Great Egrets and Great Cormorants that have arrived back from their wintering areas further south. We keep our eyes open for Common Kingfishers, a small but dazzling blue gem, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers. Raptors like the huge White-tailed Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Kestrel, Eurasian Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Hen Harrier are all probable, too. Corvids like Eurasian Magpie, Eurasian Jackdaw, Hooded Crow and Rook are common and widespread.
Accommodations near Biebrza National Park (B,L,D)

Sun., Mar. 14    Departures

After breakfast we head to the airport in Warsaw, where our tour ends. Please make flights out in the afternoon. (B,L)

  • Birding the Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    European Green Woodpecker by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    European Bison by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding the Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Great Spotted Woodpecker by Carlos Sanchez

  • Birding the Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Moose by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Boreal Owl by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Yellowhammer by Kim Nelson

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    European Bison by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    White-backed Woodpecker by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    European Greenfinch by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Polish Wolf by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Mute Swan by Arlana Powell

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Coal Tit by Carlos Sanchez

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Lesser-spotted Woodpecker by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    European Bison by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    European Beaver by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Bialowieza Forest fungi by Gerard Gorman

  • Birding Poland, Bird watching Poland, Europe, European birds, Naturalist Journeys, Wildlife Tour, Wildlife Photography, Ecotourism, Specialty Birds, Endemic Birds, Birding Hotspot

    Red Deer by Gerard Gorman

Cost of the Journey

The cost of the journey is per person, based on occupancy: $6990 DBL / $7450 SGL, from Warsaw. This cost includes: accommodations for 9 nights, meals as noted in the itinerary, professional guide services, local guides, local park and reserve entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. All tips other than your local guide are included (this includes tips for your driver, lodge and staff, day activities, meals and other services).

It does not include roundtrip airfare to and from Warsaw, or items of a personal nature such as laundry or drinks from the bar.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: Lotnisko Chopina Warszawa (WAW) in Warsaw

Arrival Details: Please plan flights to arrive March 5, 2027, by 5:00 PM in time for dinner. You will need to taxi to your hotel. 

Departure Details: Plan flights to depart March 14, 2027, after 2:00 PM as we have have a 2.5 hour drive back to Warsaw in the morning. 

Travel Tips: If you arrive early to explore Warsaw or rest up from your travels, you can book an early night at our first night tour hotel, the Barceló Warsaw Powi?le Hotel. It's located about 20 minutes from the airport. There is a park across the street if you want to stretch your legs after a long flight and the Vistula River is a block away. There are also many things to see in Warsaw including the Old Town area, the Palace of Culture and Science, and several fascinating museums. 

  • Gerard Gorman

    Gerard Gorman is a deeply experienced birding and wildlife guide, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe where his knowledge of the wildlife sites of the region is second to none, having visited every country from the Baltic to the Black Sea. In recent years he has led several Naturalist Journeys groups across Europe and Africa. Gerard is also an author, and his books include Central and Eastern European Wildlife (Bradt, 2008) and Birding in Eastern Europe (WildSounds, 2006). His main ornithological interest focuses on woodpeckers, and he is regarded as an authority, authoring an unprecedented seven books on the family, including the acclaimed Woodpeckers of the World (Bloomsbury, 2014) and Woodpecker (Reaktion, 2017). His latest works include, The Wryneck (Pelagic Publishing, 2022), the definitive monograph on this fascinating species, and The Green Woodpecker (Pelagic Publishing, 2023). Gerard is also interested in wildlife tracking, and his Pocket Guide to Tracks and Signs of European Wildlife (Bloomsbury) was published in 2014.

    Photo credit: probirder.com

    Other trips with Gerard Gorman

Essential Information +

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have Read more

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Make sure your passport will be valid at least six months after the date of your scheduled return to the U.S.

  • Starting in late 2026, US travelers to European countries, including Poland, will need to apply for ETIAS authorization (European Travel Information and Authorization System.) 

  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.

  • Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to Poland and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.

  • Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Passports, Visas & Documents

You must have a passport that is in good condition and has at least three months remaining validity after your scheduled return to the U.S.; we recommend six months as it’s the typical standard for international travel. You should have at least one blank page per stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. If you are from another country, please contact the Poland embassy websites for guidelines. Click the link for information for U.S. citizens for Poland. 

It is recommended to check for changes 60-90 days before your tour departs but, at the time of writing, a tourist visa is not required of US citizens for stays of this length. For trips to Europe in 2027, you will need to obtain an European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) authorization. Learn more about ETIAS here. 

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Please, thoroughly read the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the country you will travel in. You may contact them by phone at (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636 if you have any unanswered questions.

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of medical emergency.

Vaccinations: Although at the time of writing there are no other required vaccinations to enter Poland, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine vaccinations and basic travel vaccines (such as Hepatitis A and B) before traveling to any destination. Please check with your doctor for recommendations at least 4-6 weeks before departing on your trip.   For other helpful information, check the Poland webpage or contact by phone at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of your prescription glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription(s) and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. Your doctor may also recommend some prescription medications to bring with you to treat possible illnesses that might occur, depending on your destination, such as an anti-malarial medication or an antibiotic. You’ll want to keep all medications in their original, labeled containers.

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, motion sickness, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Weather & Climate

In March, Poland experiences a brisk early spring with highly changeable weather. Average daily temperatures range from lows of 28°F to highs of 48°F. Conditions may fluctuate, and it is common to experience a mix of sun, rain, and occasional snow within the same day. Other factors to consider include muddy areas caused by snowmelt and the possibility of cold wind in open areas. Be sure to pack layers! 

Annoyances & Hazards

Always listen carefully to any advice given by your local guide regarding pests and other biting insects as they should have a good read on whether it’s a concern in the area you’ll be in. Mosquitoes and biting flies should not be much of an issue this time of year, as the temperatures will still be too cold for their emergence. Ticks should also be inactive in early March, but can be present in some of the forested areas - it may be helpful to wear loose clothing, long sleeves, and long pants in those areas. 

Food & Drinks

Polish food is a delight! On this trip, expect to sample some fine local Polish cuisine such as Zurek (sour rye soup), Borscht (beetroot soup), Pierogi (savory dumplings), Golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls) and Paczki (yeast doughnuts). Soups, hearty “comfort foods”, and meat-forward dishes are commonplace, but there will be a great variety for all to enjoy.

Tap water is generally not considered unsafe to drink in Poland and is okay for brushing your teeth - ask your guide if you’re unsure in any particular area. We recommend also bringing a refillable filtering bottle. There are some great reusable water filtering bottles on the market today that are great for travels abroad such as Lifestraw or GRAYL Ultrapress or SteriPen. 

One of the many ways we strive to do our part for the environment is by intentionally reducing our consumption of single use plastics (such as bottled water), so we appreciate you bringing a reusable water bottle.  Purified drinking water will be made available to refill your bottle, however, bottled water will be available for field trips where refilling your personal bottle is not an option.

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

See “Packing List” tab for more detailed information and checklists, but in summary, we emphasize that you pack light in soft-sided luggage (easier to load in vans and charter planes), plan for dressing comfortably in layers (for managing varying conditions in any given day), and please pack your personal medication, travel documents, optics, and other essential items in your CARRY-ON, not in your checked luggage. Laundry services are available, but be prepared to hand launder if you need to.

Spending Money

Poland does not use the euro - the official currency is the Polish z?oty. We advise you to carry a mix of different types of payments, such as cash, an ATM card, and a credit card. For the current exchange rate, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com, or your bank. U.S. dollars in good condition (no rips or tears) are taken as a form of payment but shopping for smaller handicrafts may necessitate using local currency. Bring large U.S. bills ($50 or $100) that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency.

When using the ATM to withdraw cash, keep in mind it might only accept cards from local banks or not allow cash advances on credit cards. Many U.S. banks charge a fee of $1 - $5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Check with your bank before departure. You must become familiar with how to use your ATM card and PIN number ahead of the journey.

We suggest you have more than one card available, if possible. You may want to bring more than one brand of card (VISA and Mastercard are commonly accepted; American Express is less common). You can use credit cards at hotels to pay your bar and gift tabs. Not every shop will accept every card. Some smaller shops and restaurants, or taxis require cash, so it is always a good idea to ask before making a purchase. Also, we recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be traveling abroad to avoid questions, card freezes, or charges. If you have a choice of cards, bring one with no foreign exchange fees.

Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted. They can be difficult to exchange. We do not advise you to use them.

Gratuities

All tips for all services of your tour are now included in your tour price, with the exception of your main guides. The local guide is your main guide, if there is more than one, they will share your gratuity. The recommended rate is $10.00 - $15.00 per day per guest. You may also wish to tip your Naturalist Journeys guide/host if you have one on your tour; this should be done separately and the same suggested rate applies. We suggest you bring two envelopes or cards to make it easy to share your gratuity at the end of the tour. 

Tipping to your guide(s) to show your appreciation is entirely at your discretion and should reflect your level of satisfaction with the service provided. If you wish to offer a tip, know that they appreciate anything you care to give. Of course, you are welcome to give more in recognition of exceptional service.

Please note recommended tips are quoted in U.S. dollars. Tips should be converted and paid in local currency.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a cell phone, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts.

If you plan on using your cell phone on this trip, please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country. Ask for “international roaming” to be activated on your phone. Or you can buy a local SIM card at the airport and insert this in your mobile phone (just make certain your phone can accept one). Newer phones are transitioning to eSIM cards. 

If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi, is to use smartphone apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free. If bringing a laptop or tablet, get a good dustcover to protect it at all times.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well.  Your hotels and most local restaurants provide Wi-Fi at least in their common areas. Although it is generally a reliable service, it can be affected by adverse weather conditions due to the remote location.

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

Poland uses Type C and Type E outlets, with 230V electricity at 50Hz. Visitors from the US and many other countries require a plug adapter to fit these sockets. Voltage converters may be needed for single-voltage devices. More information can be found here. 

Time

Poland uses Central European Time (CET) in winter. Check www.timeanddate.com before leaving home for your conversion.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone at our office: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

 

Pace & Protocols +

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of Read more

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 


Photo credits: Banners: European Bison by Gerard Gorman