Traveler Testimonials
B. Block
"The ample opportunities to observe jaguars and all the wildlife of the Patanal far exceeded my expectations. To observe a mother jaguar and her cubs sleeping on the riverbank in northern Patanal for over 2 hours was an experience of a lifetime. I will never forget watching giant river otters feeding on fish, the anteaters with baby anteaters on their backs, a toucan feeding on wild figs, jabiro storks wading in the wetlands and macaws feeding on palm nuts. I loved all the many wildlife sightings we experienced on this trip. Also, the sky watching program at our last night at Caiman Lodge was another experience that made this entire trip a fascinating adventure. A special thank you to all the NH staff for a well-planned and highly organized trip."
B. Neist
“OMGoodness... GREAT, GREAT TRIP... Great people, great place, great food... Everything about this trip was great! I had no idea the Pantanal was so AMAZING and full of wildlife. I knew we would see animals, but there were so many endangered species – the whole experience was incredible! You need to promote this trip, as it far exceeded our expectations!"
M. Sellers
"An unforgettable dramatic adventure – a vintage Indian Jones expedition! Thank you so much for your excellent company. I love Natural Habitat and your small groups, your guides and your total emphasis."
E. Wetten
"Helder was an outstanding expedition leader. His knowledge of the Pantanal, including the birds and mammals, was extraordinary. Boating and safari excursions were certainly enhanced by the Helder's good eyes and experience. The jaguar sightings, the variety of birds and the wonderful flight over four regions of the Pantanal were all highlights."
M. Adler
“Unbelievable food preparation and presentation, especially at the Caiman Ecological Refuge lodge. All accommodations were terrific. And of course Zapa is absolutely a gem. Indispensable. His knowledge and professionalism were top notch. He was always affable, courteous, helpful, and ALWAYS put our needs and attention before his. I feel that he made the trip much, much more memorable and enjoyable. His ability to function as a guide went beyond any of my expectations. This was one of the best overall and most memorable trips of my life!”
K. Schneider
"Seeing the (four!) jaguars and (two) families of giant otter from the boat was a true highlight. I have no complaints about the trip -- it exceeded our expectations!"
E. Rosenthal
"Zapa was an amazing guide - he was on top of every last detail of the trip. He is great with logistics and does not get the least bit upset when things go wrong (i.e. - broken bus and no A/C) therefore we don't get upset. He is very knowledgeable of the area and I don't think there was anything else he could have done to make the trip better!!!!!!!!!!! He knows everyone in the Pantanal and makes things happen. He also knows his birds and animals as well as the environment of the Pantanal. I cannot say enough positive things about him."
U. Jacob
"The high quality of the guides is one of the main reasons I choose NatHab tours and Zapa is another good example for this. Great photography tips from him too!"
P. Labay
“Zapa was an exceptional tour leader. He had a great enthusiasm for all aspects of the role, from ensuring the travel to and from each activity to informing us about all of the wonderful environments and their inhabitants that we encountered. He was very patient, took the time to answer all of our questions, and even made time to help the novice photographers on the trip take better photos. I am hoping to do another trip that he leads, either to Patagonia or the Galapagos…hopefully both!”
R. Kewer
“Seeing so much wildlife in the Pantanal exceeded my expectations. Zapa can only be described in superlatives. He is an outstanding leader and his passion for wildlife and the Pantanal is infectious. Nothing is too much for him, no problem without a solution. A great trip was made even better by Zapa. Marcelo and Isabel were excellent as well, and I think its fair to say that our driver (Guarana) in the Pantanal was a favorite by the entire group. His warmth and sense of humor are able to cross any language barrier.”
V. Feuerstein
"The Pantanal is entrancing. I fell in love with the frolicking river otters and solemn capybaras. The brilliantly colorful tropical birdlife makes for a birder's mecca. Probably because I love water, I loved the skiff rides the best. I didn't need to see wildlife to be happy on the peaceful skiff rides, yet on one day we saw four jaguars and a den of river otters with their babies, not to mention more birds, swooping night hawks and bats than one can count. For me, the Pantanal rivals Botswana in its beauty and magic."
"The ample opportunities to observe jaguars and all the wildlife of the Patanal far exceeded my expectations. To observe a mother jaguar and her cubs sleeping on the riverbank in northern Patanal for over 2 hours was an experience of a lifetime. I will never forget watching giant river otters feeding on fish, the anteaters with baby anteaters on their backs, a toucan feeding on wild figs, jabiro storks wading in the wetlands and macaws feeding on palm nuts. I loved all the many wildlife sightings we experienced on this trip. Also, the sky watching program at our last night at Caiman Lodge was another experience that made this entire trip a fascinating adventure. A special thank you to all the NH staff for a well-planned and highly organized trip."
B. Neist
“OMGoodness... GREAT, GREAT TRIP... Great people, great place, great food... Everything about this trip was great! I had no idea the Pantanal was so AMAZING and full of wildlife. I knew we would see animals, but there were so many endangered species – the whole experience was incredible! You need to promote this trip, as it far exceeded our expectations!"
M. Sellers
"An unforgettable dramatic adventure – a vintage Indian Jones expedition! Thank you so much for your excellent company. I love Natural Habitat and your small groups, your guides and your total emphasis."
E. Wetten
"Helder was an outstanding expedition leader. His knowledge of the Pantanal, including the birds and mammals, was extraordinary. Boating and safari excursions were certainly enhanced by the Helder's good eyes and experience. The jaguar sightings, the variety of birds and the wonderful flight over four regions of the Pantanal were all highlights."
M. Adler
“Unbelievable food preparation and presentation, especially at the Caiman Ecological Refuge lodge. All accommodations were terrific. And of course Zapa is absolutely a gem. Indispensable. His knowledge and professionalism were top notch. He was always affable, courteous, helpful, and ALWAYS put our needs and attention before his. I feel that he made the trip much, much more memorable and enjoyable. His ability to function as a guide went beyond any of my expectations. This was one of the best overall and most memorable trips of my life!”
K. Schneider
"Seeing the (four!) jaguars and (two) families of giant otter from the boat was a true highlight. I have no complaints about the trip -- it exceeded our expectations!"
E. Rosenthal
"Zapa was an amazing guide - he was on top of every last detail of the trip. He is great with logistics and does not get the least bit upset when things go wrong (i.e. - broken bus and no A/C) therefore we don't get upset. He is very knowledgeable of the area and I don't think there was anything else he could have done to make the trip better!!!!!!!!!!! He knows everyone in the Pantanal and makes things happen. He also knows his birds and animals as well as the environment of the Pantanal. I cannot say enough positive things about him."
U. Jacob
"The high quality of the guides is one of the main reasons I choose NatHab tours and Zapa is another good example for this. Great photography tips from him too!"
P. Labay
“Zapa was an exceptional tour leader. He had a great enthusiasm for all aspects of the role, from ensuring the travel to and from each activity to informing us about all of the wonderful environments and their inhabitants that we encountered. He was very patient, took the time to answer all of our questions, and even made time to help the novice photographers on the trip take better photos. I am hoping to do another trip that he leads, either to Patagonia or the Galapagos…hopefully both!”
R. Kewer
“Seeing so much wildlife in the Pantanal exceeded my expectations. Zapa can only be described in superlatives. He is an outstanding leader and his passion for wildlife and the Pantanal is infectious. Nothing is too much for him, no problem without a solution. A great trip was made even better by Zapa. Marcelo and Isabel were excellent as well, and I think its fair to say that our driver (Guarana) in the Pantanal was a favorite by the entire group. His warmth and sense of humor are able to cross any language barrier.”
V. Feuerstein
"The Pantanal is entrancing. I fell in love with the frolicking river otters and solemn capybaras. The brilliantly colorful tropical birdlife makes for a birder's mecca. Probably because I love water, I loved the skiff rides the best. I didn't need to see wildlife to be happy on the peaceful skiff rides, yet on one day we saw four jaguars and a den of river otters with their babies, not to mention more birds, swooping night hawks and bats than one can count. For me, the Pantanal rivals Botswana in its beauty and magic."
