Reviews and travel ratings on Okarito Kiwi Tours in New Zealand (97% from 53 reviews) Come see a kiwi in it's natural habitat
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France s
Ranking: 10/10
Many Kiwis don't ever get the chance to see the birds they are named for, let alone living naturally and undisturbed by …
Many Kiwis don't ever get the chance to see the birds they are named for, let alone living naturally and undisturbed by humans in the forest. The fact that Ian helped us to do this, sharing his knowledge and love for the Rowi so well made this the highlight of our trip.
His ethos of not impacting on the Kiwi's nightly routines at all, just observing carefully, is hugely appreciated.
We were so motivated and curious to test our own kiwi finding skills that we made a small detour in our roadtrip - with an element of success too!
Thanks Francis - Another great night in the bush - well done for putting in the effort on a cold night
Cbarrass
Ranking: 10/10
My thanks to Paul who took my wife and Daughter along with myself into the bush to view the Kiwi, with great success.
…
My thanks to Paul who took my wife and Daughter along with myself into the bush to view the Kiwi, with great success.
What an experience of nature rare breed protected by dedicated and expert team, with great results over years of protecting this weird and wonderful bird.
We visited in April and on the day at Franz josef rang the tour on the off chance we could fit in that night, and we did
There were plenty of Mozzies targeting us and the odd possem but to see the Large Kiwi and hear their screams
was superb, long may this continue and if you get chance do it, be patiant and quiet and you wil be rewarded.
nicovm26
Ranking: 10/10
The best wildlife experience in my life! The guides are very passionate about the birds and they sure know how to transf…
The best wildlife experience in my life! The guides are very passionate about the birds and they sure know how to transfer it to you!
Even on a rainy night they find the birds an you see them without them knowing you are there. They are professional and really care about the birds.
It pays of to be patient even if you get wet.
Marcia & Bruce
Ranking: 10/10
We saw a kiwi! Excellent guide - Ian. Great walk & fascinating information, money helps support recovery program.
We saw a kiwi! Excellent guide - Ian. Great walk & fascinating information, money helps support recovery program.
Stephanie K
Ranking: 8/10
good guide, small group, exclusive, long waiting to see a kiwi.
good guide, small group, exclusive, long waiting to see a kiwi.
One of the best trips of the season !
A pair of kiwi, oblivious to us snuffling away to each other on the track for over 5 minutes. Really great to see the interaction.
Well worth the 40 minute wait !
DavidLapointe
Ranking: 10/10
The Okarito kiwi tours was definitely my best wildlife experience ever! Ian shared with us his great passion of these so…
The Okarito kiwi tours was definitely my best wildlife experience ever! Ian shared with us his great passion of these so unique birds. It was more than a classic guided tour, we worked it out as part of a team. As Ian said: it's a team work...and so it was...in a truly respectful way of kiwis inhabitat. Generous of his time and knowledge, we've learned with Ian that above the people, we all have the responsibility of preserving our precious but so fragile earth and his wildlife. This tour is more than seeing kiwis, it's experiencing wildlife. Keep it that way Ian!
Jim Scarff
Ranking: 10/10
As one who has led many wildlife tours, I was impressed by Ian’s and Paul’s ability to find kiwis, and to communicat…
As one who has led many wildlife tours, I was impressed by Ian’s and Paul’s ability to find kiwis, and to communicate what is so special about the Okarito kiwi. Minimal-impact close observation of wildlife, particularly when the life histories of individual animals is known, is a catalyst in changing generic concern for endangered species into a personal commitment to work for their preservation. I also saw Kiwis in captivity at several wildlife parks and on Steward Island. All were good, but Okarito Kiwi tours was the highlight of my four weeks in NZ.
My guide, Paul, knows many natural history subjects well, is highly skilled at field work, and is very enthusiastic. The night’s highlights:
9.55 Joline stomped out of the brush onto the track < 5 meters away, probing with her bill, paying no mind to us. She wandered slowly in our direction nearly stepping on my boots, walked a couple of meters, paused, as if remembering some meeting, and trotted off down the track, unaffected by our presence.
10.17 BZ came out his burrow; Paul shined a flashlight w/ a red filter on BZ just as he let out an amazingly loud call, his whole body shaking with the effort. (very rare sighting)
10.17 BQ called, then a few seconds later BQ answered (out of view) - equally loud, but different. BQ came out onto the track near us, and trundled off down the road in the most ungainly, uncoordinated, lop-sided canter I have ever seen.]
10.25 BQ came out less than 5 meters away from where we were standing, and paying no attention to us, trotted off down the track in the same direction BZ had gone.
10.45 Joline called (not seen) Later we came upon yet another, unidentified kiwi feeding at the edge of the track about two meters away from a brush-tailed possum which was also feeding. Although they were physically close to each other, and no doubt aware of each other's presence, we saw no interaction. Morepork (owl) were calling around us.
Linley Faulkner
Ranking: 10/10
If you want to see a kiwi in the wild not just any old kiwi but the Okariko Kiwi then look no further than a tour with I…
If you want to see a kiwi in the wild not just any old kiwi but the Okariko Kiwi then look no further than a tour with Ian. An unforgettable experience not just to see a little more about them and the environment that they inhabit. Oh yeah and a lot of patience goes a long way to achieving your goals, right Ian.
Mike & Kirsty Wilmott
Ranking: 10/10
We came over from the UK for a month to see some of the geographical features and wildlife that NZ is famous for and wer…
We came over from the UK for a month to see some of the geographical features and wildlife that NZ is famous for and were recommended this trip by a group of birdwatchers we met on an Elm Wildlife Tour of the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin.
My wife is not a keen birdwatcher, but this trip was one of our highlights. Ian clearly has the welfare of the Kiwi at the heart of this operation and gives a good briefing before setting out. This is not a 'twitch' but a patient search, aided by Ian's equipment that can detect where the birds are by transmitters attached to them (not done to help birdwatchers but to build up more knowledge of the movements and habits of this endangered bird - and it is currently working, with numbers increasing - ask Ian). We were able to see three birds, appreciating their size, gait and appearance. We were also able to hear them crashing through the bush close to our position on the trackway, smell them and hear their calls - as well as listen in to a noisy territorial scrap between two of them.
The walk back to the cars with the NZ night sky overhead was fantastic, and as a bonus we got to hear several Morepork and see one.
Both my wife and myself loved this trip, and Ian's approach is one that should be at the heart of nature tours - not a tick list but a genuine trip of discovery. You will need patience, teamwork and have to put up with buzzy mossies (Ian provides the protective clothing to prevent you being bitten), but the rewards are immense. Don't miss out on this trip if you have any interest in Kiwis at all - my wife reated it higher than whale watching at Kaikoura.
Keith Martin
Ranking: 10/10
One of the most fun evenings I have had in the bush. Seeing the kiwis is of course a highlight, indeed the main motivati…
One of the most fun evenings I have had in the bush. Seeing the kiwis is of course a highlight, indeed the main motivation to go, but I found Ian's group dynamic management and his whole approach to taking a bunch of strangers into the Okarito night quite unique and really worth experiencing. I have bird watched in many places with different people, but I haven't experienced anything quite like this before.
It is MUCH MORE than a kiwi hunt. Go along and find out why!
soldenborg
Ranking: 10/10
One of the highlights of our holiday in New-Zealand was the Kiwi tour with Ian. We were hoping to see a kiwi, but our ex…
One of the highlights of our holiday in New-Zealand was the Kiwi tour with Ian. We were hoping to see a kiwi, but our expectations were exceeded. We saw BZ and BQ interacting on the path and calling out for eachother. This was amazing to witness. Ian makes the whole tour a thrilling experience. You have to interact as a group and help localize the kiwi which adds to the excitement. The scenery (although in dark) is very beautifull.
Ian, thanks for this great experience.
snodge
Ranking: 10/10
I'm a bit tardy in posting my review. We went out with Okarito Kiwi tours in a party that included my elderly mobility i…
I'm a bit tardy in posting my review. We went out with Okarito Kiwi tours in a party that included my elderly mobility impaired mother. Ian organised a specially tailored trip to enable mum to participate. We did see the kiwi and it was wonderful.
You do need to be prepared to be patient and be prepared for your sightings to be fairly brief,
My other recommendation is to wear very quiet clothing or take up the offer of the polar fleece jumpers when they are offered at the beginning of the tour. It will make your waiting more comfortable.
susanne brighouse
Ranking: 10/10
I never really expected to see a live kiwi but was happy to have the fun of looking and a night walk through the bush w…
I never really expected to see a live kiwi but was happy to have the fun of looking and a night walk through the bush with a kiwi guide as expert as Ian. He coached us well before hand and I found the whole trip to be superbly organised with wondeful mosquito proof hats and we did see two kiwis, one really close and heard 2 others. I now belong to the very elite group who have seen this rare bird in the wild.
Some on our group were not so ecstatic and I think their expectations were far too high. You will see the bird in its wild habitat behaving naturally which is often very rapidly. You will not see it as you do in the zoo like conditions at Rotorua and other places where the birds are kept in captivity.
I loved the way Ian was in love with the birds and how he knew all their sounds and behaviours and shared his knowledge wonderfully. I reckon if their was a tidal wave he would be out their saving the birds and leaving us to fend for ourselves. Not that he didn't care about us, he just knows these birds are very special. He takes great care not to disturb them at the same time allowing us to see them if at all possible. A truly worthwhile trip and a very professional operator. Even if we had not seen a kiwi it would have been a great night watching the half moon set and seeing the beuatiful stars in the unpolluted night sky and seeing the little freshwater crayfish in the side creek. Thank you Ian. I recommend this to any one with a serious interest in wild life in their natural state.
West Coast (South Island, NZ)