Passionate Expertise
Wildlife Travel Planning
INTRO TITILE
Wildlife Travel Planning, Done Thoughtfully
Wildlife travel isn’t one thing.
Seeing grizzly bears in Alaska, trekking to see gorillas, joining an expedition ship in Antarctica, or heading out on safari all require very different planning, but they share one essential requirement: intention.
I specialize in wildlife-focused travel planning that helps travelers experience animals in their natural environments, ethically and responsibly, across land and sea.
Species-Specific Wildlife Travel
This is wildlife travel with a very clear focus:
you want to see a particular animal, and you want to do it well.
Examples include:
- grizzly bears during salmon season
- gorilla or chimpanzee trekking
- polar bears or penguin colonies
- gray whales in Baja
- orcas in the San Juan Islands
- belugas in Hudson Bay
Timing is essential for these kinds of experiences.
Planning these trips also means understanding:
- seasonal behavior and migration
- habitat and viewing conditions
- permit systems and visitor limits
- ethical distance and observation practices
There are no guarantees in wildlife travel, and anyone who promises them is overselling. My role is to put you in the best possible position, with realistic expectations and responsible operators.
Expedition Travel
Expedition travel is about immersion and flexibility.
These trips are typically:
- small-ship
- led by naturalists and guides
- adaptive to weather and wildlife conditions
- focused on education and time on land
Expedition travel often includes, but is not limited to:
- Antarctica and polar regions
- Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland
- Galapagos Islands
This style of travel prioritizes:
- daily landings or Zodiac excursions
- wildlife encounters shaped by nature, not schedules
- learning as part of the experience
It’s not for everyone, but for those who value depth over predictability, it is transformative.
Safari Travel
Safari travel deserves its own category because it operates under a completely different rhythm.
A great safari balances:
- landscape and habitat diversity
- skilled guides and trackers
- camp location and mobility
- time spent observing behavior, not just spotting animals
Safari planning varies dramatically by:
- country and region
- season and rainfall patterns
- camp style (mobile vs. permanent)
- conservation model
Whether you’re planning a first safari or a return trip, thoughtful routing and pacing make the difference between a rushed experience and a deeply memorable one.
Ethical Wildlife Travel Is Non-Negotiable
I work with partners who:
- respect wildlife distance and behavior
- limit group sizes and visitor impact
- support conservation and local communities
- prioritize education over spectacle
No ethical wildlife experience guarantees sightings. Wildlife doesn’t work that way, and that’s part of the magic.
A portion of my earnings is donated to marine mammal initiatives that support research, and habitat protection.
How I Plan Wildlife Trips
Every wildlife trip starts with a conversation — not a template.
We talk about:
- what animals or experiences matter most to you
- your comfort level with uncertainty, weather, and physical activity
- how much structure vs. flexibility you want
- timing, budget, and travel style
From there, I design an itinerary that balances budget, ethics, and opportunity, and work with trusted local partners to bring it to life.
READY TO PLAN A WILDLIFE-FOCUSED TRIP?
If you've been dreaming of a bucket list trip to the Galapagos Islands or seeing the polar bears of Arctic Svalbard, I can help you plan a trip that’s thoughtful, ethical, and deeply rewarding. Let's chat.