Testimonials

Friday, 15 August 2014

BORNEO TOUR 2014

Prior to going on the Borneo Wildlife tour I scrolled through these testimonials and was surprised not to find reference to Elm’s Borneo Tour. 
This wildlife tour to Borneo (June 14) can be summed up as excellent.I saw lots of wildlife. There were so many highlights - Turtle laying eggs, Orang Utans, Long tailed and Pig Tailed Macaques, Proboscis Monkeys, Cats, Flying Foxes (in action), Birds, and more. There was always plenty to see and do. Sabah has great scenery. All the people we had contact with were very nice. I never felt unsafe or in markets was harassed to buy.
This Borneo tour would suit anyone interested in wildlife and viewing nature in general and who doesn’t mind it being hot and humid. I thoroughly enjoyed the river cruising especially viewing the antics of Proboscis Monkeys on cables that were put between a river bank for Orang Utans to cross the river. Lots of activities are on every day. There are also some early morning activities like the river boat or guided walks and some later afternoon and evening activities too like night safaris or guided jungle walks. The grounds of the places where we stayed were lovely to explore and the wildlife close to see. We had local guides, all outstanding and proficient at spotting wildlife as we went about.  
Our accommodation varied from basic on Turtle Island (but well worth the visit) to first rate at Darnum Valley. We stayed a night in Lahad Datu and visited the street markets and had some fun days at the end of the tour in Kota Kinabalu where you can get an hour long lower leg and foot massage for about NZ$15. 

This was a delightful trip. It was the 3rd visit to Sabah for one of our fellow travellers (2nd with Elm Wildlife) you can easy to see why. 
Sabah is very hot and very humid so do take the right clothing. Things that can be rinsed out at night and will dry on inflatable coat hangers - light cotton tops/shirts and quick drying underwear. Take a good camera (burst shots will reward) and lightweight good binoculars are also worthwhile.
So all in all a wonderful experience in so many ways. A big “Thank You” to Brian Templeton for organising this adventure. 

Barbara Stevens

Wednesday, 30 July 2014

BORNEO TOUR 2014

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

BORNEO 2014

Dear Brian,

I wish to email you my thoughts and compliments on the excellent tour we just completed with you to Borneo 2014 and hope you can use it as feedback for your future clients.

We were busy everyday with 3-4 safaris, either walking, by boat or by truck with adequate time in between to cool off and rest. 

I wish to email you my thoughts and compliments on the excellent tour we just completed with you to Borneo 2014 and hope you can use it as feedback for your future clients.
My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the rainforest tour despite the heat and humidity of Sabah. Don't expect to go comfortably but expect the unexpected on safari, the fabulous wildlife, fascinating rainforests and interesting town culture. The accommodation ranges from comfortably adequate to the luxurious Danum Valley Rainforest Lodge. We made some good friends on tour and ate some excellent meals. I would highly recommend thin cotton clothing as adequate, plenty of underwear changes and do take some long sleeved shirts for the forest walks if you don't like leaches. The mosquitos weren't that bad but we took precautions at all times.
A few hints for those interested in going. I'm an amateur photographer but I was happy with my Panasonic DMC-FZ200 camera which captured many subjects that vanished within seconds or moved quickly as I did not need to change lenses, used the burst function successfully many times, captured many animals and birds that were mostly and at least 30-40 metres up in the trees and managed to successfully photograph the sea turtles at night with just the ranger's torch for lighting. One thing to remember is to ensure the humidity doesn't fog up and damage your camera as you go outside from your too cool air-conned room every day.We were busy everyday with 3-4 safaris, either walking, by boat or by truck with adequate time in between to cool off and rest. 

Thursday, 05 June 2014

Brian,

Having trouble getting the kakariki pictures off the card, but here are a few from our trip so far, including the kiwi out for a midmorning snack on Ulva I.  They're free for you to use as you see fit.  If you somehow make a million with them, send us a carrot cake and a bottle of Merlot. I'll send the kakariki once I get time to troubleshoot things.

The Elm Tour was hands down the most amazing part of our trip, you're great company and gave a great tour. Thanks again for everything,

Matt and Kristen Anderson
Frederick, MD, USA

Monday, 13 January 2014

Gentlemen:

On December 9th, 2013, my wife Patty and I went on a wildlife tour with one of your fellows.  His first name was John. I need to know his last name for two reasons: (1) I should like to add our testimonial to your web page, for John was a most gracious and pleasant and knowledgeable host and showed us a larger collection of NZ animals than we could ever have seen on our own, and (2) I should like to give him full and accurately named credit in the report I am writing for my kids, all of whom will, I am sure, eventually get to NZ.

John L Dyer  USA

Thursday, 26 December 2013

Thanks a lot for a wonderful tour. Worth every penny.
We did get wet in the end but were rewarded with a gorgious rainbow
Merry Xmas and a happy New year

Gesendet von Lotus Traveler

Friday, 15 November 2013

Hi Shaun

Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the trip today. It was everything we hoped it would be. I will have some very envious friends at home when they hear about it. Hopefully we will have a few good photos to show them.

The facts that you and Donna were able to tell us were really interesting and informative, I only wish I could remember them all!

Thank you both for making the trip so special.

Regards
Margaret Lawes UK

Sunday, 06 October 2013

Hello Andrew & Brian
This is just a really quick note to say a big thank you for providing my Peninsula Encounters tour with you in September. Shaun, the driver/guide was excellent very knowledgeable and the variety and numbers of wildlife seen very prolific; with Sea lions, Fur Seals, Royal Albatross, Royal Spoonbill, Giant Petrel, about a dozen Yellow Eyed Penguins and many other birds seen.
I very much enjoyed the whole experience and I can highly recommend your tours to our clients.

Cheers
Ian McLean 
Southern World New Zealand
Auckland

Tuesday, 17 September 2013

Dear Andrew,
We absolutely loved our trip with Elm Wildlife Tours!  It was a highlight of our trip! Everything went just as described.  The guides were both exceptional, full of information and really pleasant to be with. They were sure to keep everyone involved. 
We were happily surprised to see 2 couples we had met the previous day (someplace between Queenstown and Dunedin)  and had told them about your company and the trip. They were traveling with a tour group and hadn't decided on their tours in Dunedin.
And, the day after our tour,we were at Shagger's Bay, we recommended your tour to another couple coming into Dunedin.  So, we were spreading the very positive word!!  Many thanks to you, we'll continue recommending your company.  Thanks again for one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand.

Sincerely yours,  
Carl and Judie Eaves,    Airport Travel Agency, South Carolina, USA

Monday, 01 July 2013

Dear Elm Wildlife Tours

We want to thank you all for the very successful field trip on the Peninsula for our NZ Birds Conference. From all accounts the albatross, penguins, spoonbill, pukeko all put on a good show. Thanks for the detour to Tomahawk to see the white herons-this is an unprecedented number to see together here. We have had many favourable comments about helpfulness of everyone.So thank you.

Yours sincerely

 Mary Thompson, Regional Representative, Otago Branch, OSNZ