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Wonderful experience, knowledgeable guide. Very organized. Sandy was very personable and had a great knowledge of bird calls as well as everything else about Ulva and its flora and fauna. When she knew we were looking for one bird specially, she made sure to point it out. Alison B 
Matt Jones, Bill Oddie and Ulva Goodwillie in 2016 - an evening at Stewart Island listening to "Follow that bird", Bill's birdwatching tales.
A wonderfully informative and relaxed experience. Our guide Leah was great and our Kaka experience was one out of the box. It was also great to learn about life on Rakiura. Exceeded expectations. Wendy M Emma was great in pointing out hidden birds! We had a great walk with Emma, she was knowledgeable about the birds, plant-life and history of the islands. Great fun to walk with. John D |
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"Our deepest gratitude goes to you for our personal tour (I know we had a small group but it felt really personal) of your island. Obviously without the drive from people such as yourself and DoC the originality of our flora and fauna would die out very rapidly. Honestly, Brian's mouth has not closed from awe of the environment apart from ... to vociferously crow about the wonderful scenery and friendliness of yourself and your ability to be able to see and find birds before we possibly could." Peter & Brian, New Zealand |
A truly wonderful experience. Thank you so much. One of the highlights of our NZ trip and hope our travels next year can produce something comparable. You are a wonderful ambassador for New Zealand but especially for Stewart and Ulva Island. A passionate advocate for the rare and endangered flora and birds. Mick and Lyn, UK. |
We wanted to thank you for preparing us for 3 weeks in your stunning country we will never forget. You gave us such an invaluable grounding of the bird-life and flora we were to enjoy throughout the trip, really enhancing our enjoyment and our accumulation of knowledge. I've got the Lancewood sussed, and we've made very good headway into birdsong identification! We've only been back home a few days, but are already missing the dulcet tones of the Tui, and the Bellbird! We had so many marvellous 'nature moments' during our visit; a just fledged Cuckoo being fed by it's 'mother' - a Grey Warbler - was fascinating and, at the other extreme, a Black Backed Gull eating a Blue Penguin for lunch brought the natural world into a healthy perspective!!" Bill & Robyn, UK
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... I wanted to take your tour twice! Thank you again for a wonderful tour – its hard to describe to others the colours of the birdlife and forest. I’m sending everyone to you…..". Marilyn B, USA |
"Thanks for the wonderful walk around Ulva Island the other week – definitely the highlight of my time in New Zealand. We were in the group that looked up from the log of lichens and mosses to see the kiwi looking at us!! Still struggling to believe what we saw, we are planning to come back, just to make sure". Bill & June, USA |
This was the best afternoon we have spent since being in NZ! an amazing magical time! The only downside is the afternoon was too short!!! Outstanding!!! Todd, Canada |
"..I just wanted to say that your guided walk around Ulva Island was the highlight of our NZ tour. We have always used guides in our many travels around the world and I have to let you know that, in comparison to other guided trips, your walk has surpassed anything we have experienced before. You have an outstanding ability to pass on humour, history and education in such a way that we have not been able to go for another walk without noticing everything you have shown us to look for. The best thing you have done for us is to make us realise our beautiful environment and pass this on to others. Thank you, and we are sending everyone we know to your Island - but not all at once!" SJW, Canada
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From Zac, an 11-year old, who cycled 850 kilometres around New Zealand's South Island to raise money for the endangered kakapo. Our environment and conservation in New Zealand is in safe hands when we have young men like this! "Ulva's Guided tours were awesome. Definite recommendation. Thanks Ulva, from Zac" |
We couldn't have wished for a better guide! With your warmth, enthusiasm and your welcoming, embracing nature, even the most non-bird person couldn't help but catch the contagion of your love for the birds and Ulva Island! JRH, Canada. |
"We’ve just arrived back home and wanted to thank you again for the Ulva Island tour we took with you. Your knowledge and passion won us over and we have become ‘born again birders’. Without your ability to notice the smallest orchids to the penguins at the beach – we wouldn’t have seen all the hidden gems. We have to say that your commitment to ensuring everyone saw as much as possible made your walk the highlight of our five week trip through NZ. It sure has provided us a lot of great memories now we are back in our winter." TSH, UK
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Many, many thanks for the awesome trip. It was quite amazing to see the increase in the bird life since my last visit some 4 + years ago. It’s a real credit to you and the dedicated team that you are a part of. I really enjoyed my trip with you and will be de briefing the team here over the next few days. Matt B. NY |
We recently spent a spellbinding trip 19 days touring the South Island of New Zealand. The highlight of the whole trip was going to Stewart Island, at the bottom of the South Island... |
I must say [Ulva Island] was amongst the most magic time that we had in NZ. Time and things we do together as a couple are precious now, so when there is a magic majestic place like Ulva Island revealed to us by someone with knowledge and passion that you have for the place, it is just perfect." Glynn & David, Australia |
