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FAMILY WILDLIFE ADVENTURES
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OUR TAILOR-MADE FAMILY ITINERARIES

Our itineraries are meticulously planned to afford ample time for full appreciation of each location with minimum travelling.

They will appeal to nature-loving families who relish the feeling of discovery in travelling to wild destinations well off the beaten track.

Who appreciate warm, tropical islands; exuberant rainforests and lush foliage; seeing birds, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates and marine creatures  in their natural habitats.

Who enjoy gently rafting down rivers, walking in nature reserves, hiking in wild highlands, zip-lining from tree to tree, traversing canopy walkways, canoeing, boating, four-wheel driving, photographing animals and exquisite landscapes, being pampered in a jungle lodge or coastal resort.

Who love a beautiful beach, especially if it has a coral reef offshore for snorkelling and diving.

For each destination we offer a selection of sample Family Wildlife Adventures giving good indications of what are effective, family-friendly combinations of locations and activities, all arranged on an individual, bespoke basis. You may take them as they stand, or we can alter the itineraries to create new ones to suit your individual requirements and interests. The choice is yours.

OUR FAMILY ACCOMMODATION

  •  We like small to medium size, friendly, well-run establishments, preferably owned and managed by the same people – we generally eschew hotel chains or large complexes (although these may be used when absolutely necessary).
  •  We look for specific accommodation that will suit a family of four comfortably – either one room or cabana which converts satisfactorily, a suite, two inter-connecting rooms or two adjacent rooms (if your family consists of fewer or more than four, we shall find the most suitable room combinations).
  • On the coast, we prefer beaches without large breakers or rip tides, although some may have these present, sometimes in specific seasons of the year (check locally always).
  • We like beachfront or near-beach locations, with shade provided by palms and other trees.
  • Where possible, we choose marine locations where snorkelling and diving are available, either directly off the beach or by boat – children love seeing the teeming life below water.
  • A good swimming pool with a safe shallow area is a prime consideration, although not always possible, or indeed necessary if there is a good, safe beach.
  • Inland, we look for interesting habitat, ease of trail walking, accessible wildlife viewing, good populations of colourful bird life, a wide variety of activities and excursions, and availability of enthusiastic English-speaking guides who can impart their knowledge of nature’s wonders in an inspirational manner.
  • Flexible catering arrangements are important, so that young children can be fed early in time for bed, and establishments should serve good, wholesome cooking using fresh ingredients.
  • Babysitting, often by trusted female hotel staff, should normally be available, usually with a day’s advance notice given.
  • We often choose the best available accommodation in any given location – standards may vary, but there will not normally be better comparable options in the vicinity (although we do generally steer clear of large five-star hotels and resorts).

PLEASE NOTE: Our choices may not possess all the above attributes, but will satisfy us on a number of counts and thus qualify to be included on this website.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Although the vast majority of our tours operate entirely satisfactorily, because of the undeveloped nature of most of our destinations, minor mishaps can and do occur. All clients should be aware that, although we use trusted local representatives and have done everything in our power to ensure itineraries run smoothly, various factors can conspire to cause disruptions. Where these occur, we or our representatives shall do the utmost to rectify any adverse situations wherever possible. In addition, airlines may cancel flights without warning or overbook seats – we are not in control of airlines’ policies in these matters. The same applies to the policies adopted by  some hotels, lodges and resorts. Bookings shall only be accepted by us on condition that clients understand and accept the above.

WHAT OUR TRIPS ENTAIL

Our tours are normally full service, with international and domestic flights, many meals and numerous tours and excursions usually included. On arrival you will normally be met and transferred to your first location, and then subsequently to each thereafter.

You will, with a few exceptions, have private transfers, usually with a driver only (as opposed to a qualified guide who drives) who may not speak English particularly well but who is employed primarily to transport you.  There may also be boat transfers, and charter or scheduled domestic flights in some small to medium size aircraft, such as Twin Otters and Cessna Caravans – sometimes these will be private charters, but most will be scheduled flights.

If staying at a wildlife lodge, you will normally be looked after by resident guides and staff, who will organise any tours or excursions you may choose optionally, or have already included in your price.  You will not normally have a private guide accompany you throughout your tour (although that can be arranged at extra cost).  Activities such as nature walking, horse riding, mountain biking, canoeing, white-water rafting, canopy walks, bird and animal watching, and excursions to nearby sites of interest are usually offered or included.

When by the sea, you are generally left to your own devices, with options such as snorkelling, diving, boat trips or visits to turtle beaches all being possible to book at your hotel or nearby.  Otherwise, you may simply relax on the beach or by the pool.  We aim to offer the maximum possibilities whilst maintaining a gentle, unhurried pace.

HOW WE BENEFIT OUR HOST COMMUNITIES

We profoundly believe that by visiting areas of natural beauty and integrity such as those on our website, many tangible benefits accrue to our host populations. Apart from increasing local employment prospects and improving overall standards of living, your visit will clearly demonstrate that there is a highly desirable alternative to clear-felling rainforests and destroying pristine wilderness for timber, cattle raising and other commercial pursuits.  By encouraging the preservation of a country’s natural treasures, traditional ways of life can be maintained and future generations will be able to share in their precious natural heritage which, once lost, can never be regained. Only by revealing to governments and landowners that they stand to gain more from conservation than destruction can intact wilderness have any chance of survival – and by extension, the whole of our precious living planet.

OUR ATOL BONDING

We have again been granted an annual Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).  This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements.  All those offering a package of international flights with accommodation must be in possession of an ATOL, whether they be tour operators or companies connected with charities. The CAA levies a charge per passenger which is paid into a fund as security against monies paid by you to this Company in the event of this Company’s insolvency. To obtain an ATOL we have had to satisfy the CAA’s strict financial criteria once again, so you can book with us with complete confidence.  ATOL protection equals peace of mind.

MAKING A BOOKING AND PAYMENT

To make a booking for a specific sample Tailor-Made Itinerary as detailed on this website, simply fill in a booking form, and send it to us duly completed and signed with a cheque for £250 deposit for each person (non-returnable). Please ensure you read the Terms and Conditions of Booking first.

If you wish to alter one of our sample Tailor-Made Itineraries, we shall be glad to create a new itinerary based on our discussions regarding your requirements, and submit it to you in writing with a price quotation. Should you wish to book the newly designed tour, the above procedure applies. Should you wish us to modify it again, we shall require your completed booking form and deposit, after which we shall submit a third, and even a fourth, itinerary for your approval, giving a price concomitant with the first quotation, bearing in mind any material changes.

IMPORTANT NOTE: No reservations for any flights, accommodation or services can be made or confirmed until a deposit and completed booking form are received. Credit cards are accepted without surcharge only for deposits; only cheques, debit cards or bank transfers will be accepted without surcharge for full payment. This policy is to maintain our competitive pricing. If credit cards must be used for final full payment, a charge of 2% of the entire tour price will be made to cover card company costs.

OUR PRICES

Prices for all specified Tailor-Made Itineraries are based on a family of four people travelling (two adults, two children up to the age of eleven) and sharing one room.

The prices are based on available rates at the time of going to press, and may be subject to change at the time of booking to take into account rises in domestic airfares, fuel surcharges, taxes and accommodation costs. We will always provide a definitive quotation at the time of booking.

Meals included are specified by the following abbreviations: RO - Room Only; BB - Breakfast; L - Lunch; D - Dinner; HB - Half Board (Breakfast and Dinner); FB - Full Board (All Meals). Other abbreviations: Tfr - Transfer;  O/n – Overnight; Rtn – return.

Our itineraries are usually full service tours. That is, the prices generally include: many meals, private transfers, many tours and excursions, accommodation with private facilities, taxes, service charges, guide services, international and domestic flights and reserve entrance fees.  After full payment is made, there are usually few other expenses to be incurred, chiefly entry visas (if applicable), drinks, other meals, tips, optional excursions, the occasional taxi, souvenirs, personal items and airport departure taxes.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Throughout the website, prices for our Tailor-Made Itineraries are quoted inclusive of international scheduled flights. We fully appreciate that our clients may wish to organise their own flights, for whatever reason, and we are perfectly happy to provide a ground-only quotation on request.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The prices specified relate to specific air carriers and specific booking classes for economy seats. Owing to the nature of tailor-made tours, when the time comes to book, such seat classes and carriers may not always be available for the requisite dates. In such cases, alternative carriers or seat classes may need to be booked instead, in which case previously quoted prices may alter. Please note also that fares over the Summer, Christmas and Easter periods tend to rise substantially, and that booking flights (and tours) very early for these periods is strongly advisable to avoid disappointment. A definitive quotation will be supplied once dates of travel and itinerary are agreed.

BABYSITTING SERVICES

It is often desirable for parents to have the evenings to themselves once the children have been put to bed.  In most of the hotels we choose, babysitting services can be arranged on the spot.  Usually a day’s notice is required.  The babysitters will often be female employees of the hotel, and mothers themselves.  Please check with the individual hotels concerned, as availability can vary.

HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is a condition of booking that adequate travel and health insurance is taken out by the Client prior to departure, and we shall require proof of this.  The Client must ensure that all ‘dangerous’ activities such as scuba diving and white-water rafting are covered.  

VACCINATIONS, PASSPORTS AND VISAS

We shall be glad to advise you to the best of our knowledge about vaccinations and visa requirements for the specific countries we offer.  However, these requirements can change from time to time to account for alterations in political climate and health needs, and thus we strongly urge you to contact your local medical clinic and the relevant embassy/consulate for up-to-the-minute advice at least four weeks in advance of departure.  All British children should possess their own passports.  All passports should have a minimum of six months’ validity from the return date.  Visas are usually available on arrival at all our destinations – please check, as the situation can change without notice.

HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Of our family destinations, Seychelles is the safest from a health viewpoint.  There is no malaria, and, being just outside the cyclonic belt, there are few violent storms. The wildlife is also benign, with no poisonous fauna.  When in Ecuador, if you only visit Quito and the Galapagos, malaria should not be a problem.  All our other destinations (that is, Madagascar, Borneo, Sri Lanka, Belize, Costa Rica and Panama) have malaria present in varying degrees.  Prevention is better than cure, so it is advisable to take malaria prophylaxis (see report below); cover up at dawn and dusk using closely-woven cotton long-sleeved shirts and long trousers (taking care to tuck trousers into your socks); and make liberal use of insect repellents and take portable mosquito nets. By taking such precautions, mosquito bites can largely be avoided.

Furthermore, some destinations, such as those in Central and South America and  Borneo, have poisonous snakes and other potentially harmful wildlife (please contact us for more details), but they tend to avoid humans and thus it is rarely the case that anything untoward occurs.  In all our own family trips spanning ten years or more, nothing worse than the odd tummy upset has ever happened to us or our children.

IMPORTANT: In all instances, we strongly advise consulting a medical professional who will be able to indicate appropriate vaccinations and other preventative measures to ensure a safe holiday for all the family.  Some helpful tips are given below.

New Malaria Prophylaxis For Children: 

Dr Richard Dawood, the author of Travellers’ Health and based at the Fleet Street Travel Clinic (Tel: 020 7353 5678), wrote in the Daily Telegraph of 23 November, 2002, that "anti-malarial tablets for children will revolutionise long-haul family holidays." He went on to report that "the approval this week of the anti-malarial drug Malarone opens up many new opportunities for families wishing to travel to the tropics.  Malorone was first licensed in Britain for adults last year (i.e. 2001). It is 98% effective against Plasmodium falciparum – the most dangerous strain of the malaria parasite…The new children’s tablets are much easier to use, and come in appropriate doses…Studies confirm that the side-effects of Malorone in children are few…This long-awaited anti-malarial option will enable families to travel farther with much greater safety and peace of mind."  Malorone effectively replaces Larium (which allegedly caused harmful side-effects) and can be used by adults too.  

Autan Active:

For those parents who dislike deet-based repellents, this alternative from Bayer is usually effective, smells less and is available from most chemists.

Mosi-Guard:

This is a repellent produced from naturally-sourced chemicals, and so will appeal to parents who dislike synthetic chemicals in their repellents.

Portable Mosquito Nets:

Please be aware that mosquitoes are present throughout the tropics. We strongly recommend taking these nets with you wherever you go in the tropics – we like the ones from LifeSystems the most.  Use for children and parents alike.

High Factor Suncream:

We recommend using very high factor sun protection initially, then gradually changing to lower factor products as the skin  becomes more accustomed to the sun’s rays.  Cream should be applied at least 30 minutes prior to exposure to the sun, and should be re-applied regularly, especially if swimming.


PLEASE NOTE: Reef and Rainforest Tours cannot accept responsibility for any advice given in good faith concerning health or other matters, however it is given. Clients are strongly urged to seek appropriate advice from relevant expert sources, including embassies, high commissions, medical clinics and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.