Birdwatching Programs Abroad

Wow, can't say much for now until we are done, but so far in our 7th day on 10 days safari, I can't hesitate to say we are enjoying each minute of our journer. Our guide sounds like university lecturer not missing a single details in his explanations on animals, plants, he seems to know every bird we see, every person we meet they seem to know him even at the maasai village seemed like his second home and made us feel like we belonged there. I recommend every bit of Astute Africa Safaris

Our 4th safari in Africa turned out to be the most memorable safari in Kenya as family ever. Thank you, Astute team for a well-executed holiday, from planning, booking to the actual 7 days safari to Samburu, Aberdare, Naivasha and Maasai Mara before flying to Diani beach (the best beach, friendly people everywhere). Our guide Simon is the best of all very calm but jovial all the way.

We were looking to book a 1 week safari in Kenya and after some research, came across Astute Africa Safaris. From the start, communication was quick, clear and very smooth with various options to choose from. They helped us organize the entire trip, including whole safari as a package. We spent 2 nights at Masai Mara with great game drives daily where we had incredible experience both with our guide and interacting with Masai people at the Masai village. We then headed to Lake Nakuru and then Lake Naivasha where we did boat ride and crescent Island walking tour. We ended we 3 days at amboseli, wow, the view of mt. Kilimanjaro every morning was amaizing. Overall our guide made it all possible and shared a lot of interesting information about animals we sighted and about the country. Thank you Team Astute Africa safaris from reservation who made communication very easy and smooth to Moses our friendly guide.. We highly recommend them and maybe next time we shall add an extra night at maasai mara and amboseli

I truly went inside Iceland, I did not just do the superficial or touristy stuff, I felt that I truly went inside and deep into Iceland. I went from the most common city, to some truly unique places. I truly lived Iceland.

My son went to Belize with Rustic Pathways summer 2025. He said he had a great time and enjoyed experiencing new things. He said Snorkeling was a favorite. As a parent I felt well informed and I enjoyed the fact they uploaded pictures for us to see

Rustic Pathways responded to this reviewOctober 10, 2025

Hi Latoya! Thank you so much for sharing this! We’re so glad your son had such a great experience in Belize. We loved having him travel with us, and we’re happy to hear the photo updates helped you follow along on his adventure.

🌟 Exceptional Safari Experience with Astute Africa Safaris! 🌟 I recently had the privilege of embarking on the *10-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari Ultimate Wildlife Immersion* tour with Astute Africa Safaris, and I must say, it was an unforgettable adventure! From the moment we set foot in the savannas, our guides showcased unparalleled expertise, passion, and dedication to ensuring an immersive experience. Highlights of the Tour - *Expert Guides*: Our guides were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and truly passionate about wildlife. - *Immersive Experience*: The small group size allowed for a personalized experience, and the carefully planned itinerary ensured we made the most of our time. - *Stunning Landscapes*: Witnessing the majestic lions lazing in the sun, observing elephants roaming freely, and seeing the breathtaking sunsets over the Serengeti was truly awe-inspiring. What Set Astute Africa Safaris Apart - *Attention to Detail*: From accommodations to transportation, every aspect was meticulously organized. - *Responsible Tourism*: Their commitment to sustainable tourism practices and community involvement was evident throughout the tour. Final Verdict Astute Africa Safaris exceeded my expectations in every way. If you're looking for a safari experience that combines adventure, education, and unforgettable moments, look no further. I highly recommend Astute Africa Safaris for their exceptional service, expert guides, and immersive experiences. Can't wait to plan my next adventure with them! *Rating: 5/5*

Team led by William were very instrumental in the planning and advice if the best family itinerary. Our driver Moses, very entertaining, friendly and accommodative to our children many questions answering all. Climax was at Masai mara watching the wildebeest in thousands while Amboseli was so cool and morning refreshing watching Mount Kilimanjaro while having breakfast.

Just say yes and they will do the rest! We did a 2 week visit to Namibia- one week touring the beauty that the country has to offer- living desert tours, climbing sand dunes and visiting Dead Vlei. There were pockets of free time, and our guides help us make the best of it- exploring towns and kayaking with seals- outstanding!! The second week was safari rides with breathtaking animal sightings. Our guides were knowledgeable about the land and animal behavior. There was no question that they couldn't answer for us! The amount and variety of animals we saw during our time was incredible- herds of zebra at a watering hole, night sightings of rhinos and elephants, leopard and so much more! Our accommodations were first class throughout, and the tour company does a great job with lodging, food variety and being mindful of food allergies/intolerances. The attention to detail in planning the trip, outlining what we needed to do/where we needed to go was seamless. Once we arrived, all the decisions were fun. Highly recommend Nature Travel Namibia and will travel with them again.

Incredible journey through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia with Nature Travel Africa. All of our questions and concerns were taken care of and answered in a timely fashion.prior to our trip. From pickup to drop-off all our needs were addressed. We had great guides who were well versed in the geography and animal behavior which led to amazing sightings. This included seeing the Big 5 in the first few days of the safari. I will be returning to Africa and will use Nature Travel Africa.

I was nervous about the decision to take a gap year. Pacific Discovery facilitated a life changing experience that not only made me a better person but connected me with life long friends. I’ll recommend this program to anyone who will listen.

Pacific Discovery was recommended to us by parents of a PD alumni (Aus/NZ) and it made a huge difference to us in our review of alternative programs. The points highlighted by the parents that appealed to us centered around personal growth, world/cultural/travel experience, great planning, and excellent guides; our student's experience was terrific in all these aspects, and we so appreciate the guidance he received during the program to help contextualize all of the amazing and mundane experiences he had on the progam. The opportunities and emphasis on the 'discovery' aspect of the program particularly for his individual development, was, for us, the main reason for selecting PD, and we couldn't be more pleased with how that purpose was achieved.

We loved the communication between Pacific Discovery and parents. The portal offered detailed information and forms prior to the trip. During the trip, the weekly summaries gave us a window into the activities and the spontaneous discoveries the group was making in their towns, service sites, and local hosts.

The South America Gap Semester pushed me out of my comfort zone both mentally, physically, and socially. Pushing my body beyond what I thought it could do, opening up to - and being vulnerable with- a new group of people, and communicating in a different language in a place so vastly different than I’m used to, were all challenging and rewarding experiences. I feel like I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot about myself from stepping out of my comfort zone and opening myself up to new opportunities and possibilities.

My Putney Iceland trip was an amazing experience I will never forget. I made many great friends and memories I will never forget. Through Putney’s guidance I was also able to see great personal growth in myself.

In this one month adventure trip in Ecuador I have all type of new experiences in different places and situations, all the factors I build up during the trip has also strengthen my personality and independence that made a new strong version of me. One of my favorite schedule is the week in The Galapagos, to live on a yacht with a group of friends and caring people, and experiencing new aspect of the world such as through snorkeling. This trip to Ecuador have a unbeatable special place in my heart with tons of unforgettable memories, I am extremely thankful for everyone that made this trip happen, and special thank you to our two leaders, local leaders, and group members that made this trip one of the most wonderful things in my life.

When I first found out that I was accepted for the Experiment’s Ecuador trip, I was absolutely overjoyed. However, I don’t believe it actually hit me that I was going away for an entire month without anyone that I knew. It certainly was a bit overwhelming and daunting when I came to that realization. Now, after having experienced what I did, I should have never been even a little apprehensive about going. Being spoken to and forced to speak Spanish every day was at first annoying and made me nervous, but I quickly realized that it was extremely beneficial for my Spanish skills. I was forced to understand Spanish and speak it constantly, as opposed to learning Spanish in school, where you have to understand and speak it very little. At the end of the trip, my Spanish comprehension and speaking fluency had drastically improved, and I learned twice as much in one month as I have in all of school. We got to go to three of the four regions of Ecuador. The four regions are the coast, the highlands, the Galápagos, and the Amazon, and we went to the highlands, Galápagos, and Amazon. Doing so allowed us to experience the country from many different perspectives. The activities and learning that we participated in in every location added to the experience and understanding of where we were and the culture and norms. The home stay was the most culturally immersive experience of the trip because we got to spend a week with an Ecuadorian family and part take in their everyday lives. It showed me what the average day of an Ecuadorian family looks like, how they live, family norms and traditions, etc. It was incredibly engaging and an amazing experience. Going to the Galápagos was a truly unforgettable and amazing opportunity. I had read a lot about the islands, and seen countless documentaries, but never did I ever think that I would be able to go there for myself, but it happened. We got to stay on a boat for four days while touring the islands, and we explored and learned about the diversity of the life and unique ecosystems, and learned about the historical significance of the islands, and it was an unbelievable experience. Overall, with all the other locations, things we did, people we saw, and the things we learned, my Experiment experience has unequivocally changed my overall appreciation for and perspective on other countries all around the world and their cultures, and has made me a better, more independent individual.

When I first signed up for this trip, my biggest fear was missing out on my summer because of this four week long trip with people I didn’t know. Now, when I look back on that fear, I am glad that it didn’t stop me. This trip has been the highlight of my summer and if I had the option to go back, I would. From playing Uno with my host family to snorkeling with sharks, penguins, and sea lions I enjoyed every second. I was able to do things I never imagined myself doing and that made for a memorable trip. The Experiment did an amazing job picking activities for us to do. One of those activities was traveling to the Galapagos Islands and living on a boat. Everyday we snorkeled and every night, the entire group would sit, talk and stare at the countless stars that we could see due to our proximity to the equator. This trip has made this summer my favorite by far.

It was very interesting but in a good way. I enjoyed every second and would do it again if I had the chance to. In the Galapagos, snorkeling with sharks, fishes and penguin was something I wasn’t able to do in Missouri. I can happily check off my buck list a lot of activities that I wasn’t able to complete in Missouri.

Our Outward Bound Costa Rica experience was amazing. The kids bonded as a group, pushed themselves and each other and grew up before my very eyes. It was amazing to to watch how much transpired each day. Mauren and Diego were amazing leaders, coaching and encouraging the kids, opening their eyes to new experiences and inspiring them to learn more. We are profoundly grateful to have had the experience!

All great, except the fact that patrol 2 did not do the chicken kill. Maybe transport for evacuation a little pricey?