We feel fortunate to be a part of our clients’ New Zealand journeys, and we cherish their travel stories and comments. We highly encourage feedback so that we can continue to exceed expectations and offer unforgettable wilderness adventures.
Joe and Sue (Australia)
The Greenstone Track covered a great variety of sights–starting in farmland, through forest to a beautiful lake for lunch, across a small scree slope, across rivers and back home in a 4WD vehicle. We learned so much about native plants and birds and received great photography tips. Dean was wonderful. He adjusted to our pace, and we never felt rushed. He is a very experienced guide and photographer, as well as a really likable person–by the end of the day, we felt like we had known him for years rather than a day. Wildlight Safaris worked with us to find a walk that suited us, and this was exactly what we wanted.
Andy (USA)
I had traveled with Dean in the past, and and he and his team had gone so far beyond my expectations. Once again, I was taken to stunning locations many that most people had never heard of, learned how to capture the beauty in ways that captivate both friends and fellow photographers, met exceptional people that went beyond cursory obligations of a normal tour, enjoyed culinary delights in every area, and overnighted at places where fantastic photographic opportunities were waiting just outside your room. You won’t have a finer experience anywhere, much less in New Zealand.
Mike (USA)
To walk and learn with an educated guide through the forest, over streams, and surrounded by indigenous birds and plants was all it took to capture our entire New Zealand experience. The South Island scenery is as varied as it is spectacular, but when someone like Dean explains the terrain, native flora and fauna, his knowledge and passion for the environment embodies the spirit of New Zealand. We opted for the day hike out of Queenstown, which was perfect for us, allowing enough time to learn nature’s ways and much about the New Zealand lifestyle, family values, school system–anything we were curious about. It is so refreshing when, after many trips to Europe, in New Zealand the forest canopy becomes your cathedral, and plantlife becomes the museum pieces, alive and thriving, with great pains to keep it so. This was a great experience that still lives on.
Glenda (NZ)
Following my 2-day workshop, I now have a wealth of knowledge and feel I have refreshed my bird photography. This was the first time I had taken a “tour” within my own country, and I am now sold on the idea. Dean and Patricia were very welcoming hosts. Their knowledge of New Zealand and conservation, along with their initiatives, should be applauded. They even plant a native tree in honour of each of their clients–now that is one great honour!
Karen (USA)
I highly recommend this day tour with Wildlight Safaris–it will be the highlight of your trip. From the moment I was in contact with Patricia, the reservations manager, I was treated like a dear friend. She went out of her way to assist with our plans, and we are so glad we took her recommendations. Our guide Dean–photographer, artist, teacher, conservationist–was so inspiring and knowledgeable. Both he and Patricia have great attention to detail and a wealth of inside information that they were more happy to share. Dean took special time with each member of our family, so everyone had a great day. We soared over breathtaking Glenorchy by helicopter, and then Dean led us on an incredible walk about through old-growth forest and some private property with a glacial run-off lake, which Dean has permission to access. We learned so much about New Zealand, we were treated to a fantastic lunch, and I learned to take my photography to the next level. This tour was certainly the highlight of our entire trip.