546 stories
Traveler D. Wilson captured the following photographs during a Natural Jewels of Costa Rica tour with Natural Habitat Adventures in February 2017. — D. Wilson | Natural Jewels of Costa Rica | February 2017 Do You Have a Travel Tale of Your Own?
Like many people I have always dreamt of traveling to Africa. After spending the last 15 years working in international development and conservation, I’ve had the wonderful opportunities to travel extensively in the Americas and in Asia, but never to Africa.
What fascinates me most about traveling is experiencing a completely different way of life in other cultures. Different food, different climates, different ideas of what’s “normal.” On my Classic Polar Bear Adventure in Manitoba, Canada, last October, I definitely got a glimpse into a different world.
The islands of New Zealand are lands full of surprises, contrasts and sensory overload! These differences are found in the varied landscapes, from glacier-covered alpine peaks to subtropical rain forests to sparkling, 21st-century cities contrasted with the vibrant and ancient Maori tribal culture. Even the weather ranges from fierce snowstorms to balmy sunny weather.
Sweat drips down my forehead, back and legs. We are walking as slowly as possible, but the full sun, 90-degree heat and 90-percent humidity make it feel like we are melting.
The Galapagos Islands, or “Enchanted Isles,” are, indeed, enchanted. Magical, mystical, magnificent. I’ve heard this from other travelers, but until I stepped foot on the islands, I simply didn’t understand the depth of that truth. The camaraderie of our group started on day one, when one of our fellow travelers overslept.
“Wonderful trip, particularly the numerous lion and cheetah sightings. Will always remember the lions roaring right outside our tent at night.”
“Please don’t change your watches,” said our expedition leader Giancarlo Toti, as we stood around the baggage claim at the steamy San Cristobal airport in Ecuador. “While we are in the Galapagos, we are going to stay on mainland time.” I contemplated the rationale of such a request. “Not change our watches?”
WWF Senior Writer, Deborah Ackerman had a rare and thrilling sight while accompanying a Nat Hab trip through Botswana: a mother leopard carrying her newborn cubs across the KAZA landscape during green season—the time of year when most animals in Botswana’s Okavango Delta give birth.
“Nat Hab always makes your trip worry free and interesting. We enjoy photographing wildlife of all types and in Costa Rica, there are all types. Thanks for great memories and photos!” — D. Beach, Natural Jewels of Costa Rica Do You Have a Story to Share?
“The trip to India was fantastic. We saw six tigers, including a mother with two cubs. The first sighting was especially thrilling, partly just because she was the first, but also because of her stunning beauty and poise as she strolled casually toward us, but the others were just as beautiful.
“One evening, after a long day of safari drives in the bush, we came upon a young male lion right as dusk was falling. Rather than head back to camp, we decided to follow him for a while.
