Reviews and travel ratings on Okarito Kiwi Tours in New Zealand (99% from 118 reviews) Come see a kiwi in it's natural habitat
South Island > West Coast > Okarito
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Okarito Kiwi Tours gives you a realistic chance of seeing a kiwi in it's natural habitat and environment.
Our success rate in seeing the rarest kiwi in New Zealand is a staggering 98%.
This is only possible with professional guides and responsible attitudes.
Utmost care is taken in ensuring minimal disturbance while eavesdropping on the lives of such iconic and mysterious birds.
99% of New Zealanders have never seen a kiwi in the wild !
Email: [email protected]
Website: Okarito Kiwi Tours
Phone: +643 753 4330
Okarito Address:
The Strand, Okarito
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes Walk
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90%(out of 100)
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Three Mile Lagoon - Okarito
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89%(out of 100)
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Franz Josef Glacier - Terminal face walk
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88%(out of 100)
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Roberts Point Track - Franz Josef Glacier area
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88%(out of 100)
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Fox Glacier - Terminal face walk
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88%(out of 100)
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Cape Foulwind Seal Colony to Cape Foulwind Lighthouse walk
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88%(out of 100)
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The Hokitika Glowworm Dell
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90%(out of 100)
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Punakaiki Cavern walk
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13%(out of 100)
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Mount Taranaki Summit Track - Egmont National Park
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91%(out of 100)
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Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk
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Cape Reinga Walk
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90%(out of 100)
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Tongariro Alpine Crossing
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90%(out of 100)
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Cathedral Cove Walk
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88%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Old Coach Road - NZ Cycle Trail
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88%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Old Coach Road - NZ Cycle Trail
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88%(out of 100)
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The Redwoods - Mountain Bike tracks
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84%(out of 100)
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Mangapurua Track - Bridge to Nowhere - NZ Cycle Trail
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72%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Mountain Road - Cycling
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65%(out of 100)
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42nd Traverse - NZ Cycle Trail
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65%(out of 100)
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Fishers Track - NZ Cycle Trail
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55%(out of 100)
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Otago Central Rail Trail
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87%(out of 100)
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Queen Charlotte Track - Cycling
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73%(out of 100)
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Clutha River Track (Alexandra to Clyde)
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67%(out of 100)
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McLeans Island Park and tracks
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64%(out of 100)
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Christchurch - Little River Railtrail
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60%(out of 100)
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Moonlight Track - Arhturs Point to Moke Lake
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55%(out of 100)
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Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes Walk
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90%(out of 100)
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Three Mile Lagoon - Okarito
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89%(out of 100)
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Franz Josef Glacier - Terminal face walk
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88%(out of 100)
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Roberts Point Track - Franz Josef Glacier area
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88%(out of 100)
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Fox Glacier - Terminal face walk
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88%(out of 100)
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Cape Foulwind Seal Colony to Cape Foulwind Lighthouse walk
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88%(out of 100)
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Mountain Helicopters |
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Glacier Helicopters |
90%(out of 100)
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The Helicopter Line West Coast Glaciers |
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Fox Glacier & Franz Josef Heliservices |
82%(out of 100)
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West Coast Flightseeing |
71%(out of 100)
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Mount Cook Ski Planes Franz Josef |
67%(out of 100)
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Jacksons Retreat Campervan Holiday Park |
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Fox Glacier Holiday Park |
88%(out of 100)
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Franz Josef Mountain View Top 10 Holiday Park |
84%(out of 100)
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Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation - Hokitika |
83%(out of 100)
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Punakaiki Beach Camp |
83%(out of 100)
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Greymouth Seaside Top 10 Holiday Park |
82%(out of 100)
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Okarito Camping Ground - Okarito |
92%(out of 100)
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Lake Mahinapua Camping Ground |
86%(out of 100)
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Kohaihai Camping Ground - Kahurangi National Park |
84%(out of 100)
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Gillespies Beach Camping Ground
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75%(out of 100)
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Lake Paringa Camping Ground |
74%(out of 100)
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Gentle Annie Mokihinui Holiday Park - Summerlea |
73%(out of 100)
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magpiemareth
Ranking: 9/10
I had a great time with this tour - Ian is a superb wildlife tour guide. My tour, was, unfortunately, one of the 5% of…
I had a great time with this tour - Ian is a superb wildlife tour guide. My tour, was, unfortunately, one of the 5% of tours that didn't actually see a kiwi - although we heard the birds calling several times. Also, just being out for a hike after dark and listening to what was going on in the forest was a great experience.
And not only was the tour great, at $75 it is one of the cheaper-priced wildlife tours I have come across in New Zealand. If you are at all interested in seeing a wild kiwi, or experiencing the kiwi's environment first-hand, I would strongly encourage you to consider this tour.
You can read a longer account my experience on the kiwi tour at my blog. http://notesfromanaccidentalnaturalist.blogspot.co.nz/2012/01/call-of-kiwi.html
topshotone
Ranking: 10/10
This tour is just amazing. You´ll need a bit patience, but seeing a kiwi in it´s natural enviroment is worth the price…
This tour is just amazing. You´ll need a bit patience, but seeing a kiwi in it´s natural enviroment is worth the price. The guides are very professionell and know everything about the birds. We were very lucky - B.Z. (name of the bird) came out of the bush direct in front of us, so we had a really good view. It´s an absolut must-do on a New Zealand-trip.
Trip Date : 30 Dec 2011
Thanks Chris/Claudia for the review.
BZ was seen again, this time he took his time getting to the track.
At 10.42 he popped out onto the track, crossed over. Within 2 minutes he called for the first time that evening....right infront of us. Great timing.
This was a trip where patience was the key. I had a feeling BZ was making his way along a gully, I then anticipated his exit point. We waited, then, then the excitement rose as we all heard him in the bush getting closer and closer.
He stepped out onto the track and almost ran into Claudia !Another stonking trip. Another great group. Thanks - Ian
KandJ
Ranking: 10/10
As a NZer - it was so amazing to be able to see a kiwi in the wild. You have to really want to see one, and be willing t…
As a NZer - it was so amazing to be able to see a kiwi in the wild. You have to really want to see one, and be willing to be patient. But the wait is well worth it. It's an experience I will always remember.
Trip Date : 9th Jan 2012
Thanks Karen and John. This was a tough trip as it started to rain at 10.30. This made it real tough for me to predict where BZ was going to come out onto the track.
20 minutes after the rain started I could hear BZ getting closer, out he popped.
As always - Patience is the key. Karen - you have touched on it also...you need to really really want to see one in the wild and YOU must make the effort.
Thanks for the review.
Ian
trentworr
Ranking: 10/10
This was one of the highlights of my 3 1/2 weeks on the South Island in Dec. 2011, during which I did a lot of birding. …
This was one of the highlights of my 3 1/2 weeks on the South Island in Dec. 2011, during which I did a lot of birding. Ian and his fellow guide Paul really know the Okarito brown kiwis. They provided lots of information on the birds and the ongoing efforts to recover this rare species before we began our search. They also did an excellent job of training the small group on this night tour how we needed to act together to optimize our chances of seeing these rare nocturnal birds in the wild. The proof is in the result: We saw 2 birds very close up. Ian seems to know how the birds think and can accurately pinpoint where they'll emerge from the bush onto the trail, a remarkable feat. This tour is a must for anyone who would like to see New Zealand's iconic bird in the wild.
Trip Date - 19 Dec 2011
Thanks Trent for this great review. I was blown away with your comment..." Ian seems to know how the birds think and can accurately pinpoint where they'll emerge from the bush onto the trail, a remarkable feat "
It's through years and years of study, patience, dilligence that enables me to predict what a wild bird is going to do.
It's great when it all pans out and the birds behaive as I expect, however,.......it's not always like that, these birds still surprise me with their speed and stealth.Thanks again, I am really pleased you got to see BZ first then Beaumont.
Ian
thebraininjane
Ranking: 10/10
This is a long overdue review for Ian's kiwi tour. My friend and I visited him in October for a tour, and we were lucky…
This is a long overdue review for Ian's kiwi tour. My friend and I visited him in October for a tour, and we were lucky enough to be just the two of us (it was quite early spring, so there were not many tourists around yet). Ian gave us a great rundown on our responsibilities during the tour and then took us to the spot where we would be seeing the kiwis. We were very lucky in that Beaumont came tramping along quite quickly and we got a great view of her when she stopped right in the middle of the path on her way across! Ian then asked if we wanted to try to see some other birds, but we were less lucky. That's okay, though, because we had a great time listening and learning with Ian. He's very knowledgeable and was able to teach us a lot (my friend is a kiwi and she learned a lot herself!). I highly, HIGHLY recommend this tour, but BE WARNED! It requires lots of patience and effort (you have to help spot the birds!), but if you are patient and contribute, you will be greatly rewarded. DO IT!! :) We had a great time and were rewarded for our patience with a wonderful view of the southern hemisphere night sky.
Trip Date : 22 Oct 2011
Thanks Jane for the very informative trip report/review.We saw Beaumont at 8.45pm, then, as Jane mentioned we walked further into the bush to see if we could fine any other kiwi.
We did find Husky walking around in the undergrowth for 20 minutes - however, Husky is the most shy bird I look for.As mentioned, this trip involves Patience, ownership and participation - be prepared to work. Without your participation we won't see kiwi in the wild.
I am glad Margot learnt more about kiwi. Empathy is the key - the more you learn the more you care.Ian
eboese
Ranking: 10/10
We joined Ian on his Kiwi Tour 2 weeks ago and his passion and enthousiasm and the opportunity to see the rarest kiwi in…
We joined Ian on his Kiwi Tour 2 weeks ago and his passion and enthousiasm and the opportunity to see the rarest kiwi in the wild made this Tour into a great experience. At the start of our evening BZ and Beaumont were in a perfect position and we had good hopes of seeing at least one of them crossing the track. Several hours of patiently listening and waiting later neither of them had come close to the track though and as rain started to set in we made a final move further down the track trying to catch a glimpse of Fancy and/or Joeline. Although things started to look grim in the end our patience was greatly rewarded when we heard them snuffling in the bush and both came out on to track together. A magical moment! Funnily enough, after we returned to the car park, we heard one of the kiwi's we waited so many hours for, BZ, actually moving around in the bush a few meters from our cars. Great ending to a great evening. Thanks Ian!
Cornelis and Katarina
Trip Date : 13 Dec 2011
Another really really tough, but, rewarding night.
We started off looking for BZ and Beaumont. They didn't come close and we got no calls from them either.
I decided to walk in a couple of kilometres to look for Fancy and Joeline......it started to rain, my hopes faded and the trip increased in difficulty.
I then heard a bird in the bush.....Fancy, then, snuffling....Joeline and Fancy together. A few minutes later and they both appeared on the track. What a wonderful end to a very tough trip.
Too date, that is the last time I saw either of those birds !Thanks for a great review and thanks for trusting me.
Ian
Garlu
Ranking: 10/10
Hi Ian,
Without a doubt the best experience I have had in New-Zealand.
With a nice British couple we waited around 20 m…
Hi Ian,
Without a doubt the best experience I have had in New-Zealand.
With a nice British couple we waited around 20 minutes on a chair in a religious silence, we were listening for Kiwis going out of their burrows. Then, the magical moment came...2 kiwis popped-up from the bush just 2 meters from us. Just unbelievable!!
Apart from the kiwi sighting, you will learn a lot of stuff about this animal, and you will experience a truly unique moment that makes Aotearoa even more mysterious...Thanks for all Ian (I mean for the Kiwis & for towing me out of the sand with my campervan in the morning).
Hope to come back one day in your little paradise.
Flo (from France)
Trip Date 4 Aug 2011
Thanks Flo for the glowing review - This was one of the last times Fancy and Joeline were close to the track at the start of the trip.
I really like going out in Winter time ( my favourite time of the year ) and it was great to share a little bit of paradise with you.I was glad to help you get your camper out from the ditch !
Ian
Sander
Ranking: 10/10
It is beyond doubt that spotting and hearing the kiwi in the wild as it wanders through the forest is our most unique ex…
It is beyond doubt that spotting and hearing the kiwi in the wild as it wanders through the forest is our most unique experience in New Zealand and Ian made it happen. His enthousiasm and dedication are absolutely remarkable. He thought us how to make the most of our own sensors in an effort to increase the chance of experiencing a miracle. As a result, on the evening of November 26th we enjoyed the characteristic call of BZ, just after he crossed the path right in front of our very eyes. Thank you very much!
Sander and Maria.
Trip Date 26 Nov 2011.
Thanks Sander for the flowing and glowing review. This trip I will remember for quite some time. Not much action, however it was pretty good.
BZ crossed the track infront of us at 9.58 - while feeding I had THAT feeling that he was going to call and I mentioned it to you - within 5 seconds........he called, that's what I am going to remember for some time !
I have just read a book called Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. I think what happened that night has some strange paralells with that book ?
Thanks for being part of a great team - I was outnumbered by the Dutch that night !
Trace
Ranking: 10/10
Hi Ian
Claire and I were just bubbling over with extreme joy - tears of happiness when we were treated with a wonderful…
Hi Ian
Claire and I were just bubbling over with extreme joy - tears of happiness when we were treated with a wonderful sighting of Fancy, foraging the forest floor, only to learn from yourself he had been released from nesting to re-coup energy levels, having to return to duties come dawn. Great call to move up along the track! I recall a team of 2 Aussies and an amazing starry night sky, an experience that will live with me for a lifetime and is shared with many!
Thanks a squillion for taking us out and sharing with us your knowledge and years of experience and research, your passion for life and all things living is infectious!
All the best for the great work your doing!
Still Smiling - Trace :)
Trip Date - 2nd Dec 2011
Thanks Tracey for the great review. I will remember your great reaction at seeing Fancy feeding in the bush.
I still get goosebumps everytime I see a kiwi in the wild and its great to see that some things in nature can still bring a tear to the eye.
This was an all exclusive Aussie night.
For your info - Fancy and Joeline have abandon the egg they have been sitting on - The second time they have done that this season.
Ian
willemenlilian
Ranking: 10/10
This is the real kiwi experience! Ian puts in a lot of effort to spot the kiwis. It was great to hear the calls and see …
This is the real kiwi experience! Ian puts in a lot of effort to spot the kiwis. It was great to hear the calls and see a male als well as a female. Awesome!
Willem and Lilian
Thanks for the Review - Trip date 28th Nov 2011.
2 Birds seen on this trip - We saw White Eyes at 9.52, then, walking home we heard Beaumont call, then saw her 2 minutes later.
Nice trip with 4 from The Netherlands and 3 from the UK.
dgi3005
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent evening seeing and hearing BZ and Beaumont calling to each other on a beautiful evening.
Excellent evening seeing and hearing BZ and Beaumont calling to each other on a beautiful evening.
Pretty good night I think ! Thanks for the review - Ian
damaca
Ranking: 10/10
very enjoyable night walk with Kiwi expert Ian, and 5 other guests, we were patient and saw a kiwi close up in the wild.…
very enjoyable night walk with Kiwi expert Ian, and 5 other guests, we were patient and saw a kiwi close up in the wild. Brilliant !
Many thanks for the review - I am glad you had a great night.
Louise Bush
Ranking: 10/10
Hi Ian,
Better late than never!
Alex and myself had a great time on your tour back in September, it was without a dou…
Hi Ian,
Better late than never!
Alex and myself had a great time on your tour back in September, it was without a doubt the highlight from a holiday touring the South Island which was full of amazing highlights.
Seeing the rarest bread of Kiwi and in the wild was an opportunity we could not pass up and after a long time stood very quietly in the cold we got the view we had been waiting for, first a beak, then the whole head, then the Kiwi as he stepped out on the track and made his way across the past to the safety of the bushes on the other side. We also got to hear both male and female call to one another earlier in the night. Ian is not lying when he says you need patience to go Kiwi spotting, but it is more than worth the effort!
The tour is completed with the utmost respect for the Kiwi at all times which was great to see, and Ian gets you involved throughout; something a number of wildlife tours we have been a part of in the past often miss, and was really appreciated by us both.
It was a pleasure to go Kiwi spotting with you Ian and we have been talking about it to ALL of our friends and family. Thanks again for a great and memorable night!
Louise & Alex
Thanks for the descriptive review, always great to hear your thoughts and feelings.
I am glad you both got so much from the tour. Up to this point ( Nov ) that was the last time I saw Fancy, as he has now gone into incubation mode - meaning he is sitting on an egg and not being that active.
It was a night for patience as we did not get a call for an hour, then, it took another hour before we saw Fancy sprint accross the track.
Cheers - Ian
Dud Grossmann
06 August 2010.