Before You Book

Absolutely. Many of our holidays are ideal if you're new to wildlife watching or birdwatching. Our experienced guides are friendly, patient and always happy to share their knowledge, whether you're identifying your first bird or building on years of experience.

If you're unsure which holiday would suit you best, please get in touch. We'll be happy to help you choose.

No. While birds are a major focus on many of our holidays, we enjoy all aspects of wildlife. Depending on the destination and season, you may also see mammals, whales, dolphins, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, dragonflies, plants and much more.

Each holiday itinerary highlights the wildlife you're most likely to encounter, so you'll know what to expect before you book.

Our holidays are designed to be enjoyable, relaxed and rewarding. We certainly make the most of every opportunity to see special wildlife, but we don't believe in rushing from place to place simply to build a long species list.

Our guides know the best places to look and will always aim to give you memorable wildlife encounters while ensuring you have a genuine holiday to enjoy.

The amount of walking varies between holidays. Some involve only short walks from vehicles or accommodation, while others include several miles on paths and tracks.

Each holiday page includes information about the expected level of walking, helping you choose the trip that's right for you. If you'd like more advice, our team will be happy to help.

During Your Holiday

We believe smaller groups create a better wildlife experience. Most holidays have a maximum of 12 guests. If the group size exceeds seven, we provide two guides and two vehicles - allowing everyone to enjoy a more personal experience and better wildlife viewing opportunities.

Yes. Many of our guests travel independently and enjoy the companionship, reassurance and shared experience of travelling with a small group of like-minded people. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy quiet moments in nature, while also sharing memorable wildlife encounters with fellow guests and our guides.

Usually, yes. Many holidays stay in one location for several nights, giving you the flexibility to take some time to relax or explore independently if you wish. If you'd like to spend a day doing something different, speak to your guide and we'll do our best to help.

Evenings are generally relaxed and informal. After dinner, many guests enjoy sharing the day's sightings, chatting with the guides or simply unwinding. On some holidays, there may also be optional evening excursions to look for owls, mammals or other nocturnal wildlife.

Most holiday costs are included in the price, including accommodation, transport during the tour and any entrance fees listed in the itinerary. You'll usually only need spending money for drinks, souvenirs and any personal purchases.

In most cases, yes. Please let us know about any dietary requirements when you book, and we'll pass this information to the accommodation and restaurants we'll be using during your holiday. Some remote destinations may have more limited options, but we'll always discuss this with you in advance and do everything we can to accommodate your needs.

For the comfort of everyone in the group, smoking and vaping are not permitted in our vehicles, accommodation or while with the group during the holiday.

Yes. Towels are provided at your accommodation unless your pre-tour information states otherwise. Your pre-tour information pack will include everything you need to know before you travel.

Facilities vary between accommodations and countries. Your pre-tour information pack will tell you exactly what to expect for your chosen holiday.

Hairdryers aren't available in every accommodation, particularly in more remote locations. If having one is important to you, we recommend bringing your own, along with the appropriate travel adaptor if you're travelling overseas.

Laundry facilities are available on some holidays, particularly where we stay in larger hotels or for longer periods. Your pre-tour information pack will advise whether laundry facilities are available during your holiday.

Booking & Travel

We accept major credit and debit cards, as well as bank transfers. If you're paying by PayPal, additional verification may be required once total payments exceed £1,000.

Yes. All of our flight-inclusive holidays are protected by the ATOL scheme. For holidays that don't include flights, your payments are protected through our independently administered Trust Account. Full details can be found in our Terms & Conditions.

Often, yes. For many overseas holidays we can arrange flights from regional airports or discuss alternative flight options where available. We use London departures for many tours because group fares often offer the best overall value, but we'll always do our best to arrange the most convenient travel options for you.

In many cases, yes. If you'd prefer to arrange your own flights or use air miles, we can often provide an excluding-flight price. Please contact us to discuss the options for your chosen holiday.

We'll provide full joining instructions before you travel. If you're flying, your guides will meet you at the designated airport meeting point wearing Speyside Wildlife clothing, and they'll help you through the departure process. If you're joining us by train or at another agreed location, your guides will meet you there and transport will be arranged as outlined in your joining information.