New Zealand Nature Explorer

A very important feature of our New Zealand ecotourism expedition is the limited group size, as nature travel is most meaningful when experienced in the company of fewer travelers.

• Trip price includes: Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s), local guides and lodge staff, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, private boat tour in Milford Sound, private boat tour to Mou Waho Island, all kayaking equipment, some gratuities, airport transfers for those arriving by air on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

• Internal air fee includes: Flights from Invercargill to Stewart Island and back to Invercargill, and private chartered scenic helicopter flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown, including scenic glacier and alpine lake landings, plus any additional taxes and fees on these flights (this will be listed separately on our invoicing).

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Moderate
This itinerary includes several walks of approximately two to three miles over several hours each in varying conditions and environments that can include steep, uneven and/or slippery terrain. Travelers must be able to walk a minimum of two miles at a time in order to participate on this trip. Many days involve long drives on winding roads over mountain passes; the highest altitude we reach is 3,000 feet. We spend a moderate time on boats, where conditions may be rough. Guests prone to motion sickness may wish to take precautions. Guests are required to embark and disembark from water taxis and small planes unassisted which will involve steps. There are a variety of night walks offered throughout the itinerary. The group will be led at times by a dim light carried by the guide. Depending on how much time it takes to locate the elusive Kiwi birds, it is possible that we will be walking in the dark for several hours. Travelers may have the opportunity to participate in optional kayaking, weather permitting. Though no prior kayaking experience is required, general fitness and mobility, including the ability to get into and out of a kayak, are essential. Those travelers who would like to take longer or more strenuous hikes may have opportunities to do so. While travelers are not required to participate in all activities, should you opt out of the day's scheduled activities, we cannot always guarantee that alternatives will be available.

On custom or private departures with smaller groups, our ability to accommodate varying levels of physical abilities or interests is limited, since these trips are staffed with a single Expedition Leader who may be assisted, pending availability, by local guides.

The South Island of New Zealand is vast, and we attempt to take in as much of this beautiful land as possible without rushing, from mountain passes to ocean fjords. Our comprehensive exploration covers more than 900 miles, and the trip involves a fair amount of driving. There are three days with more than three hours of driving and several other days where we will be in the vehicle for two to three hours. These are scenic drives that we break up with activities and short stops. They’re always worth the windshield time, allowing us to visit iconic nature destinations like Steward Island, Milford Sound, Lake Wanaka and the beautiful Wilderness Lodges at Lake Moeraki and Arthur’s Pass. Our Expedition Leader knows the land and its flora and fauna intimately as well as its less-visited sites.

New Zealand’s climate is quite complex and varied. Travelers should expect a cool, temperate climate on the South Island, with alpine conditions in the mountainous areas. Mountain chains extending the length of New Zealand provide a barrier for the prevailing westerly winds, dividing the country into dramatically different climate regions. The west coast of the South Island is the wettest area of New Zealand; thus, when traveling in this region, you should be prepared to encounter some rain. The areas just to the east of the mountains are the driest. Keep in mind you should be prepared for chilly wet weather.

Most of New Zealand experiences between 23 and 63 inches of rainfall spread throughout the year, with a drier period during the summer. Parts of the west coast can get 300 inches a year! The temperatures during your adventure will range from 45°F to 90°F.

There are varying benefits based on seasonality traveling to New Zealand from their spring to fall. During our trips the following seasonality can generally be can be expected:

October and November: spring transitioning to summer
December and January: summer
March: summer transitioning to fall

Sunshine hours are relatively high in areas that are sheltered from the west, and most of New Zealand experiences at least 2,000 hours annually. The midday summer solar radiation index (UVI) is often very high in most places and can be extreme in northern New Zealand and in mountainous areas. Autumn and spring UVI values can also be high in most areas.

Please arrive in Dunedin by 4 pm on Day 1 in order to join your group for a welcome dinner beginning at approximately 7 pm. For those who wish to participate in an optional tour of Dunedin (at no additional cost), please plan to arrive no later than 1 pm on Day 1 and you will be met by your Expedition Leader at 3 pm in the lobby. For those that are traveling on the North Island pre-trip extension, you will be joined with the group in time for the start of the optional tour. You may depart Christchurch any time on the final day.

If your trip begins after August 2025, please plan to arrive in Dunedin by 12 pm on Day 1.

We can serve you best if Natural Habitat Adventures’ Travel Desk makes these reservations for you, as they are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient and cost effective travel for you. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.