For the last six years I have worked as a Tour Leader for Quest Nature Tours, a Toronto based ecotourism company. My first trip with Quest was a tour of western Cuba in February, 2015, and I was hooked. Since then, I have led tours throughout Cuba (x3), Borneo (x2), Galapagos, Colombia and Spain.
Below I have listed my upcoming tours that I have scheduled with Quest Nature Tours. Click on the photos to learn more about each departure!
Below I have listed my upcoming tours that I have scheduled with Quest Nature Tours. Click on the photos to learn more about each departure!
Colombia: Bird Paradise Among and Beyond the Andes
February 09 - 23, 2021 Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Approximately one-fifth of the world's bird species can be found here, along with an incredible array of other wildlife. Join us as we travel to rich and diverse landscapes in the center and north of the country in search of some of this biodiversity. The eastern and central chains of the Andes will feature prominently on this tour, while we will also visit the Santa Marta mountains and Guajira desert in the far north of the country. Birds will be a main focus on this tour but we will also search out interesting mammals, reptiles and amphibians, insects and more. There will be several night-hiking opportunities as well (one of my favourite aspects of exploring in South America). We will be offering a post-trip excursion to Los Llanos - the savannas and wetlands of eastern Colombia. I led our inaugural Colombia tour in 2020 and am excited to return! |
Spain in Spring
April 16 - 29, 2021 There is no country in the Mediterranean quite like Spain, with its rich birdlife, stunning scenery, ancient hilltop villages and diverse habitats (as well as excellent food and drink!). Late April is the ideal time to visit this sun-drenched land, as bird migration is in full swing and the plains are alive with wildflower colour. On this tour we will begin along the south coastline near Gibraltar, work our way to the diverse forests and wetlands of Cota Doñana, explore the vast plains of Extremadura, and finish by the rushing rivers and stately beech forests of the Pyrenees Mountains, where Lammergeiers (Bearded Vultures) soar overhead. Blog post: Five Reasons to Go to Spain in Spring |
Borneo: Spectacular Biodiversity and Orangutans
September 30 - October 13, 2021 Borneo is one of the most exciting places on earth for a naturalist! The combined spectacle of biodiversity and evolution is perhaps unparalleled in the world. In the steamy lowlands, massive tropical trees provide the ideal grounds for the evolution of various "flying" species to occur, while hornbills, pythons, and an array of primates and other mammals can be found. We will begin our tour in the Kinabalu highlands and foothills where we will search for endemic birds, orchids, butterflies and the world's largest flower - the Rafflesia - among ancient oak and chestnut forests. We will spend time along the Kinabatangan River, searching the tributaries by boat for Proboscis Monkeys and Bornean Pygmy Elephants. The second half of the tour will take place deep in lowland rainforests, where we have a chance at seeing various pittas and the incredible Bornean Bristlehead by day, and huge stick insects, fantastic treefrogs and flying squirrels by night. |
Photo © Worldwide Quest
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Ethiopia: Bone-breakers, Bleeding Hearts and More
October 22 - November 6, 2021 A rich and eye-opening experience is promised on this tour of Ethiopia. Bisected by the legendary Great Rift Valley, Ethiopia's topography is varied and includes lush forests, mountains, savannas and deserts. We will venture from one side of the Great Rift Valley to the other to experience the enchanting flora and fauna that call it home. Among the many rare and highly localized birds and mammals found along our route, we will search out endemic Gelada Baboons at the monastery of Debre Libanos, and the Ethiopian Wolf in the Bale Mountains. Our visit will occur during the Ethiopian spring, and the vibrant colours of the plant life will compete with the various sunbirds, turacos, and trogons that we will seek out. This tour is perfect for those who have visited the African continent before, and would like to return to experience another dimension of this great continent. |
Discover Jamaica
March 5 - 13, 2022 Jamaica is an ideal entry point to discovering the flora and fauna of Tropical America. As a Caribbean island, it has its own special flavour, punctuated by many endemic species found nowhere else. In fact, its 28 endemic bird species are the most of any island in the West Indies. A big reason for Jamaica’s ecological richness is the multitude of habitats born from an impressive mix of altitude, topography and climatic influences. We have specially designed this tour to include a broad range of Jamaica’s most unique habitats, including lowland rainforest, wooded foothills, moist cloud forest, dry lowland forest, arid scrub, coastal mangrove lagoons, and freshwater wetlands. Covering such diverse terrain means we will develop a keen sense of the Jamaica’s natural history as a whole, while giving ourselves great opportunities to observe its signature species. Join us for this special small-group tour that promises an intimate and eye-opening view of this Caribbean gem! |
Baja California and the Sea of Cortez
March 24 - April 4, 2022 Baja California offers a surprisingly opulent environment for nature lovers. The juxtaposition of a rich marine environment with a diverse and well-adapted complement of desert flora and fauna creates a singularly varied experience! We’ll cruise down the coast of Baja and into the Sea of Cortez aboard our exclusively chartered vessel and appreciate this unique combination with sea and land excursions. Our visit coincides with the congregations of Gray Whales as they gather to calve, and a highlight will be the opportunity to encounter them at close range along with a number of other whale species! We’ll watch for seabirds such as Blue-footed Booby and albatrosses by the coast and at sea, look for desert birds and other wildlife among imposing cacti, snorkel with gorgeous fish, watch for huge schools of dolphin, and perhaps see the Whale Shark, the world’s largest fish. |