About us
About WILDFOOT Travel
WILDFOOT Travel was born out of Arctic and Antarctica Bound, an organisation established for 25 years, where the dedicated team of wildlife and adventure specialists had the urge to expand their horizons beyond the Polar regions to encompass other spectacular parts of the world where those seeking out of the ordinary travel experiences wish to travel.
As a company, we are dedicated to wildlife conservation and the protection of the environment and give our support to numerous organisations and campaigns such as the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), Save the Albatross and South Georgia Habitat Restoration Project. In addition, we are members of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).
Meet the team...
Simon Rowland
Managing Director WILDFOOT Travel
Simon in his younger years backpacked his way across Europe and Australasia and has always been inspired by the world's wild places. Numerous wildlife adventures in Antarctica have really created indelible memories - seeing icebergs for the first time at 2 am whilst crossing an uncharacteristically calm Drake Passage, with the sun's low rays reflecting crimson hues. Landing on the Antarctic Peninsula, one day in shirtsleeves, watching a leopard seal with its kill and the next in a howling blizzard with near zero visibility. On a more recent expedition, experiencing kayaking through the ice allowing super wildlife encounters, penguins jumping in and out of the water plus whale watching at close quarters was exhilarating. Arctic in Spitsbergen (Svalbard), observing Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, Whales and a good selection of migratory birds in this great wilderness for the first time was a life changing moment. But Galapagos Islands and Falklands are his first choice destination ticking every wildlife, wilderness and adventure box. These unique destinations never fail to impress, both offering unbelievable, close encounters with wildlife, bird life and marine life. Simon has travelled to India for wildlife and conservation familiarisation (February 2016). Spending time with leading Indian conservationists and visiting various National Parks within Rajasthan, Gujarat and Assam and enjoying big cat sightings - Tiger, Leopard and Asiatic Lion not to mention excellent birding and mammal close encounters.
Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe inc Victoria Falls has been a recent focus for Simon has already enjoyed incredible wildlife encounters during a recent trip. “I cannot recommend these regions enough and im so enthused about going back this this year”.
John Swindell
John has been in the travel business all his working life, spending time with both airlines and tour operators. He has travelled all over the world in every continent and, as a matter of principle when going on holiday, never goes back to the same place twice, because there's always somewhere else to see and something else to experience.
In the last two years, John has been to Yellowstone in the winter to see the wolves roaming free in the snow, has travelled overland through China and Central Asia, following the Silk Road to Samarkand and has toured the islands and highlands of Papua New Guinea. He has also visited both polar regions including Franz Josef Land in the Russian High Arctic and a return trip to Antarctica.
The most remote place visited – Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic. His favourite – far too difficult to say, but he is a great fan of the Falkland and Galapagos Islands and the Russian Far East for amazing wildlife, and Australia for its diversity. John has seen a lot of the best and a lot of the worst the world has to offer and is passionate about the environment, wildlife and habitat protection.
Debbie
Started working in the travel industry at the age of 16 and has travelled extensively worldwide to places such as Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Lombok; Mauritius, Abu Dhabi and Dubai; many of the Caribbean Islands; Florida and most of Europe.
She ran her own ski chalet in Austria for 6 years and became a regular on the Austrian and Italian slopes. Swapping her boots for a bike Debbie took up cycling and has biked the mountains of Carinthia, Greece, Italy and more recently Puerto Pollensa in Majorca. As a keen cyclist she has raised money for a variety of charities. Action Girl Debbie has hiked in Slovenia, snorkelled in the Caribbean and Med, been deep sea diving in Mauritius and even kayaked in the rivers and seas around the UK. Debbie has just come back from an exciting in depth Polar Bear expedition in and around Spitsbergen high in the Arctic Circle. So what’s left on her bucket list? Places to visit - Iguazu Falls, Fjords and glaciers cruise to Cape Horn, Galapagos and Antarctica …. so far.
We are more than delighted to welcome Debbie and her wonderfully adventurous spirit to our Team with her vast experience in the industry.
What Debbie says
“After nearly 40 years in the travel industry it’s refreshing to find a company that’s so passionate about adventure and wildlife and I am thrilled to be working alongside Simon, John, Sharon, Tina & Anthony, the Wildfoot Team, and sharing my experiences with our valued customers.”
Anthony Gregory
From a young age, Anthony has always seen travel as a way of life; by the time he turned 18 he’d already lived in eight different countries and travelled 5 continents. This only increased as he got older and became more independent, preferring to travel light and backpack through the less explored places of the world. He considers South Africa his home, having lived there on and off for the past twenty years, but can easily settle anywhere it’s warm!
Trained as a field guide, teacher, tracker, and snake handler, he did a variety of jobs while living around the world before settling back in the UK to work for British Airways. After some time with them, he decided to move on to a position with WILDFOOT, where his experiences make him a mine of random information! He comes from a family of birders so he’s handy to have in the office for info on ‘lifers’.
Some of his most memorable experiences have involved dangerous animals: walking into a pride of Lions on a kill on foot, cage diving with Great White Sharks, removing a Black Mamba from inside a hydroelectric dam, and chasing elephants out of his garden at 3am! He’s also trekked through Patagonia, followed the Hejaz Railway in Saudi Arabia, canoed through the Okavango, and cycled through Thailand. Next on his list is to wild camp through Scandinavia and finally see these Northern Lights he keeps hearing about!
Sharon Humphries - Administration & Customer Services
Sharon is responsible for the day to day office administration, processing customer bookings and special requests to provide our customers with a full concierge service to ensure that we exceed their needs and expectations.
Her calm and friendly “can do” attitude is a huge support to the Sales Team. Sharon also liaises with our Management Companies to ensure WILDFOOT TRAVEL information, rates and availability is up to date.
[email protected] 01625 581110 (from outside UK 0044 1625 581110)
Tina Moorcroft - Accounts
Accounts
Tina Moorcroft runs our efficient company accounts department.
[email protected] 01625 581111 (from out side UK 0044 1625 581111)
British Airways Appointed Operator
We are proud to be an appointed operator for our national carrier British Airways, offering a wide range of products from one of the world’s most prestigious and trusted airlines. Read More...
Travel Resources
We fully understand that our exciting and unique trips are usually once in a lifetime for most of our customers. One of the most common joys of travelling is preparing for the trip whether it be reading recommendations, searching for specialist clothing, taking out important travel insurance or perhaps donating to a charity to offset carbons or an important conservation project...
WILDFOOT are proud to be a member of the following associations:
What Our Customers
Say...
Superlatives abound – a truly amazing experience...awesome. Thanks to all for making it such a memorable experience.
We had the time of our lives on board ship...if anybody wants to go to Antarctica, we will certainly advise to go with you.
The best way to describe the entire experience. 1. Top rate service...we would not hesitate to recommend you to others and use you again.
Thank you and your team for arranging what was a fantastic holiday in Argentina...Iguazu falls was exceptional with our guide knowing an awful lot about the falls and the wildlife. Could go on forever, but had better stop.
I’m sure you get plenty of compliments, but I just wanted to follow up by telling you what a great time we had...If we are planning on one of the other regions you serve, we’ll definitely be in touch!
I wanted to drop you a note to say a big “THANK YOU” for all your organizing of my travel arrangements and the holiday itself. Everything flowed perfectly. The holiday was breath-taking and is hard to express in words...
It was even better than I expected, so I am grateful that you made the call (back). I will certainly recommend your services
Thanks again for helping me select the best trip and for all your help with the admin and my questions along the way, it all made for an even better experience.
Thank you for all your help. Great service, very efficient, flexible...We feel looked after when setting off into the unknown. I feel it is my duty to tell fellow travellers and birders/photographers how good you are!
Price
Information
All information and prices shown are subject to change without notice. Also, all itineraries should be considered for guidance only and are dependent on local weather conditions, availability of accommodations etc. Nothing is guaranteed and the final itinerary will be determined closer to trip date. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
Offering Unbeatable
Value & Price Promise
Our close working partnerships with all the finest cruise operators and adventure trip providers allows us to pass on the best prices, special offers and exceptional value for money. In fact, we are so confident that you will not find the same value anywhere else that we offer a PRICE PROMISE and will refund the difference if you find the same expedition/cruise/trip for less!*
Unsurpassed
first-hand knowledge
Unsurpassed first-hand knowledge of all of our adventure and wildlife regions allows us to give the very best advice and guidance.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
WILDFOOT Wildlife & Adventure Specialist
Lines are open from 9am -5.30pm
Monday - Friday
Simon Rowland
Managing Director