Testimonials

Wednesday, 09 March 2011

Hi guys!

I really wanted to thank you again for the awesome time I had with you, the albatrosses, the pinguins, the sea lions and the fur seals! :-) I took part in the tour on March, 2nd and I loved all of it: the whole scenary is wonderful and the explanations provided by the guide were fascinating! - I've been travelling for more than a month in New Zealand and this was my best encounter with wildlife! One question to you: Is the little lazy pinguin on the path to the beach finally gone fishing by himself or is it still waiting for his parents to feed him?
Naïma

Wednesday, 09 February 2011

Hello Elm Wildlife tours,

We are a couple from Barcelona (Catalonia) that some days ago came to your tour, and we wanted to say that we really enjoyed it and think that every cent is well invested. The guide, I think that the name was Shaun, had enless knowledge about the wildlife and the area, and you could notice that he really enjoys what he is doing; in other tours they tell you that it is going to be 3 hours and is exactly 3 hours, but, in this one the guide was not interested in finishing it, he was interested in show you lots of things and explain them.
We had a little question and maybe you could help us, the last days around Kaikoura we have kept seeing the animal in the photo (2 days in different places) What is it ? Thank you very much for everything!!!
Dani and Anna

Tuesday, 18 January 2011

Hi Elm
Hi, a belated thank you for the Christmas Eve wildlife tour to the Otago peninsula. I had a fantastic afternoon, with some incredible views of the Yellow-eyed penguins and the Royal albatrosses, which will stay with me for long after my New Zealand birding trip has ended. Some of my photos aren't too bad either! Special thanks to Josh for his knowledge and enthusiasm, especially as it was Christmas Eve. He may remember I was asking about the Stewart Island Shags - I found out there are 'Bronze phase' birds as well as the pied ones so I think these were what we were looking at. Also, Sooty and Buller's Shearwaters out to sea. Hopefully there will be a next time when I can put my bird book to the test!
Best wishes,
Vicky York, UK

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

Dear John - Elm guide
A few days ago we were lucky enough to have you as our guide when we got off the cruise ship. Its Cassie and David (I'm the guy with the limp). The tour was just us after you had to turn down a group of 10 as they could not manage the walking. Now we are home and have time to reflect on the cruise the highlight for me was your tour.
The reason for the email is to let you know that the day following our departure from Dunedin, whilst I was sitting on our balcony watching the sea, an Albatross flew in close to the ship and then flew out of sight but came back a couple of times just skimming the waves. What a sight.
Thanks again.
David Miller

Sunday, 19 December 2010

Dear Brian,
We LOVED today!
You have an excellent operation, with great staff, and it is perfect for our guests! - I look forward to sending you our clients!
Yours in Adventures that Count
Christopher Hill - Hands Up Holidays

Friday, 09 July 2010

Hi Shaun,
We have just arrived back home in Sydney and want to thank you very much for the great tour that we had with you on Monday. You probably know this but we wanted to tell you that in our opinion you really are very well suited to your job because we have had many a guided tour and yours was really a stand out in all regards. At all times we felt that our interests and needs were a priority. You are also very friendly and easy to get on with. Furthermore we appreciated the fact that you were also interested in the rest of our time in Dunedin and took the time to make suggestions and give us some great advice for more great scenery and wildlife.
Kind Regards
Jackie & Gerard Williams

Monday, 01 March 2010

Brian,
I just wanted to send my thanks to you and to Tony and Donah for two fabulous days touring Catlins and Otago peninsula. They were knowledgeable, engaging, interesting, and interested, and we couldnt stop sharing and learning in the two days we spent together. You have a beautiful peice of earth to share with us and others. The weather was perfect, especially for the albatross colony. (couldnt have planned it any better) and we shall always have wonderful memories and pictures of our stay.
Thanks again
Michele Edelman USA

Monday, 08 February 2010

Hi,
We were in Dunedin on Dec. 26 and my family had the opportunity to take a tour with Elm Tours- you folks were incredible! Our day with you was truly one of the highlights of an amazing three week 'once-in-a-lifetime' vacation that we took through NZ and Australia. Thank you for helping my family make some incredible memories- the photos I have of our day there are unbelieveable- and our children's experience was so educational and fullfilling.
Warmly,
The Peicker Family - Bedford NH USA 

Wednesday, 03 February 2010

Hi Brian,
We spent the day with you in early December. We wanted to let you know that it was one of the best days of our entire lives! It is hard to express in words just how much we enjoyed getting to know you and the places you love. We are already saving up for our next visit. Our daughter is a PhD student at Iowa State University, focused on ornithology and currently studying morphology of hummingbird bills using some new analytical methods as they relate to ecology. She is interested in broadening her focus and wanted to learn more about you and your projects (we told her as much as we know and infected her with our enthusiasm!!). Again, Brian, we can't say thank you enough! We look forward to spending time with you again!
All the best,
Don and Pam Berns

Sunday, 31 January 2010

Hi Brian, Shaun and Josh

Just to say how much John and I enjoyed our tour with you the other evening. It was great to be part of a small group watching the penguins and sea lions and we were very impressed with your planting and the position of the hides. We appreciated having plenty of time to enjoy the animals and not feeling rushed. We were last at your beach area almost 30 years ago, and it was a delight to see the area managed so well for both the wildlife and the visitors. I'm glad we waited for a perfect summer evening to come out with you!

Many thanks
Moira and John - Otago peninsula