Leader Bios | Frequently Asked Questions | Trip Pictures
Montana | Newfoundland | Galapagos | Panama | Cuba | So. Florida | Costa Rica | Nebraska | Botswana
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The Audubon Naturalist Society's Nature Travel Program offers exciting opportunities to search for wildlife and explore the wonders of nature in places outside the mid-Atlantic region. Group size is typically limited to 15 persons and many trips fill early. For more information call the Travel Desk at 301-652-9188 x11 or email Beth Cranmer.
Here's just a sample of what ANS travelers are saying about their journeys!
"The leaders' respective and complementary strengths combined to make for an outstanding team."
"The trip was extremely well-run and organized. Our time was very efficiently used. Sites chosen were all very engaging and rich."
"I know from experience that ANS puts together very safe well-planned trips."
"The trip totally exceeded my expectations- I can't stop talking about it since I've returned home."
| Check out these new trips for 2014! |
ANS Nature Travel Pictures & Videos!
STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR MONTANA!!
By Plimun Website Design
Photos of Costa Rica 2011 taken by ANS traveler Richard Orr
Montana and the Journey of Lewis & Clark
July 13-21, 2013
Leaders: Mark Garland & Gregg Trilling
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The famous Lewis & Clark Expedition traveled through the land that is now Montana in 1805 and again in 1806. Forthis nature travel program, we’ll search for birds and other wildlife at key locations along the route traveled by these intrepid explorers. We’ll see the Great Falls of the Missouri River, the confluence of the Missouri and Marias Rivers, the high Bitterroot Mountains, the site of the encampment known as “Traveler’s Rest,” the “Gates of the Rocky Mountains,” and other historic sites that are also outstanding areas for nature study.
Cost is $2,600, double occupancy from Missoula, for ANS members.
Itinerary | Cost Sheet | Registration Form
June 23-30, 2013
Leaders: John Bjerke & Dave Snow
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Newfoundland is the easternmost landmass in North America, a huge island along Canada’s east coast. Its landscape of glacially-carved bedrock and rugged sea cliffs has given the island the simple nickname, “The Rock.” Seabird colonies include thousands of Atlantic Puffins, Northern Gannets, Common Murres, and smaller numbers of Razorbills, Thick-billed Murres, Northern Fulmars, Black Guillemots, and others. Whales and spectacular icebergs are also usually seen from shore and on boat trips. Inland Newfoundland is home to nesting songbirds, wild orchids, moose, caribou, and other wildlife. The scenery is spectacular and the culture, seasoned with distinct cuisine and a love of traditional music, makes travel to Newfoundland an absolute joy. Our local leader, Dave Snow, has pioneered studies of whales and seabirds along the Newfoundland coast. Members’ cost is $3200, double occupancy from Saint John’s, which includes most meals and three boat trips.
Itinerary | Cost Sheet | Registration Form
Galapagos: Darwin’s Enchanted Isles
Space may still be available! Call for update.
A trip to Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands is one of the world’s greatest natural history excursions. Follow Darwin’s footsteps and discover a world where exotic animals seem oblivious to your presence and where stunning scenery becomes the norm. The Audubon Naturalist Society is teaming once again with industry leader Victor Emmanuel Nature Tours to charter the Isabella II for this journey, unquestionably the very best vessel touring these islands today. Itineraries are strictly controlled by the Ecuadorean Park Service, and the Isabella II is permitted more visits to key islands than is any other ship, and this year the itinerary has been expanded from 7 to 10 nights! She offers the highest level of accommodation, food, and comfort for her passengers, and the naturalist guides working on this vessel are the very best. Simply put, we believe a trip to the Galapagos is a “once-in-a-lifetime”experience for most people, so we are offering our members the very best possible trip, the most comprehensive tour of the Galapagos. Cost is $7,695 per person, double occupancy.Panama: A Week at the Iconic Canopy Tower - Second Panama Trip of 2013!
Premium trip with ANS Executive Director Neal Fitzpatrick
October 3-10, 2013
Leaders Neal Fitzpatrick & Carlos Bethancourt
Panama is the link between South and North America, and species from both continents mix here to create a land of remarkable diversity. We’ll spend a week at a former U.S. Military facility that has been ingeniously transformed into an ecotourism and birding lodge, called the Canopy Tower, enjoying day trips into the amazingly rich rainforests that are located nearby. The Tower is located in the Canal Zone, land that for many years was U.S. territory and left undeveloped. Now most of this land is protected as a National Park, and the variety of birds and other tropical wildlife found here is almost overwhelming. Our trip mixes bird and nature study with glimpses of cultural and historical sites, including a ride on the railroad that parallels the Panama Canal, a boat trip on part of the Canal, and a visit to the Miraflores Locks. Cost for ANS members is $2950, double occupancy from Panama City. Single rooms available only with shared bath; cost for the single is slightly less than for shared occupancy rooms with private bath.
Itinerary | Cost Sheet | Registration FormCuba: Bird Surveys I with the Caribbean Conservation Trust
Leaders: Rob Gibbs & local leaders
We’re offering our members another opportunity to participate in US Government approved bird surveys at several locations in Cuba. These studies are coordinated and conducted by the Caribbean Conservation Trust, our partner for this trip. We will search for many of the characteristic birds of Cuba, which include 30 endemic species and subspecies.
* 13-Day Program with 1 day/night extension option
Itinerary & Cost Sheet | Registration Form
This program is being managed by the Caribbean Conservation Trust, under authorization of the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control.
January 25-30, 2014 **Revised Dates**
Optional Extension to February 2
Leaders Tom & Judy Gire and John Bjerke
Escape winter and enjoy the biological richness of southern Florida. Our trip visits a variety of natural areas in Everglades National Park, along with the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and the Wakodahatchee Wetlands near West Palm Beach. We are sure to see a lot of birds and other wildlife, but we also take a holistic approach, looking at the complex interwoven character of the many habitats of the Everglades ecosystem. Learn about the major conservation efforts that have recently been implemented to hopefully restore and protect this national treasure. An optional extension continues the trip to February 2 with visits to Corkscrew Swamp, Rookery Bay, Tigertail Beach, and Everglades City. Members’ cost for the basic trip is $1550, double occupancy from West Palm Beach.
Itinerary | Cost Sheet | Registration Form
Planning is just about finished. Call for information and to receive a trip information packet as soon as it’s available.
February 2-16, 2014
Leaders Stephanie Mason and Carlos “Charlie” Gomez
Costa Rica has long been considered one of the world’s top ecotourism destinations. On our more than 20 years of trips here, we always visit several different habitats in our search for birds, plants, and all manner of wildlife. Lessons on tropical ecology and conservation engage us every day. Our upcoming trip explores Caribbean lowland rain forest, cool mountain highlands, southern Pacific foothills and coastline, and other tropical wild lands. Call to receive an itinerary and registration packet when they are available. Limited to 12 participants.
Nebraska - Sandhill Cranes & More
March 15-23, 2014
Leaders: Hal Wierenga & Stephanie Mason
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Half a million migrating Sandhill Cranes gather along Nebraska’s Platte River each March in one of North America’s most impressive wildlife spectacles. Marvel at the abundance of these regal birds and discover a region that is surprisingly rich in bird life. East meets west in Nebraska, and we will search for birds representative of both realms. We will also watch courting Greater Prairie Chickens, see great flocks of migrating waterfowl, and prowl the prairies and sandhills in search of wintering raptors and other wildlife. Experience all the wonders of early spring in America’s heartland. Call to receive a registration packet when it is available.
Botswana - Africa's Wilderness Wetland
April 8-18, 2014
Leaders: Mark Garland & Graham Johansson
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Botswana is a stable, peaceful nation in southern Africa with great appeal to wildlife enthusiasts. Savannahs are home to zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, gazelles, and others – the classic guild of African wildlife – but Botswana has something special: the Okavango Delta. Here the African savannah meets the continent’s largest freshwater wetland, creating truly one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife viewing destinations. Our itinerary visits two different small lodges in the delta for maximum immersion into this spectacular ecosystem. We also offer an optional pre-trip extension to Cape Town, South Africa, and an optional post-trip extension to Victoria Falls, Zambia. Cost of the basic tour is $6995, double occupancy.
Future Destinations? Help Us Decide!
We currently offer about seven Nature Escapes each year, but there are dozens of great nature destinations we consider. Help us choose!
Call 301-652-9188 x11 or email Beth Cranmer with your selection, and if we choose that destination you'll receive advanced notice and have an opportunity to register early. Current candidate destinations include:
- West Texas
- Alaska
- Galapagos Islands
- Kenya
- Quebec
- Southwestern deserts of Arizona and California