nature tours & travel, wildlife tours, adventure travel and general travel to Australia, Southeast Asia, South America and Alaska

Nature Travel Specialists LLC is a small company specializing in responsible and active nature and wildlife travel to Australia & the Pacific, South America, Southeast Asia and Alaska. The company was founded by Andrew Haffenden in 2003, who has been in the travel industry since 1986, (and from time to time prior to that), as company owner, tour operator, guide and, back in 1968, chief bottle washer and occasional cook. Prior to 1986 he was a wildlife researcher with the Queensland, Australia, National Parks & Wildlife Service. He continues to maintain his interest in conservation and wildlife both here in the US and during his travels around the world.

Nature Travel Specialists LLC is an IATAN accredited seller of travel; a member of ASTA, The American Society of Travel Agents; a member of The International Ecotourism Association, and we carry $1million E&O insurance consumer coverage. Andrew is an accredited Tourism Australia Premier Aussie Specialist, the highest level of Aussie Specialist with just 109 Premier accredited specialists in the entire US. He is also a certified Specialist for all states of Australia, Kiwi Specialist, Fijian Mitai Specialist, Peru Specialist and Singapore Specialist.

Our Accreditations:

Nature Travel Specialists' philosophy is to provide a travel experience for our clients that reflects their personal preferences and budget. Our committment is to do this fairly, looking for the best value and products to meet our clients needs and expectations. While we have preferred products - hotels, tours, activities and airlines - with whom we have closer ties through experience, preferred rates and product quality, we will always determine which products best suit our clients, and choose them regardless of any affiliations we may have. We will advise our clients honestly regarding their travel plans, costs and suitabilty of activities. Our contribution to our clients' travel plans is our extensive and detailed knowledge, through first-hand experience, of both the destination and the means of getting there. At times certain products, including air fares, may be available through resources such as the Web at rates we cannot match. We feel our contribution to our clients' travel more than compensates for any small differences, but if the difference is significant we bring such differences to our clients' attention, and will usually incorporate these separate purchases into the overall itinerary.

Throughout our website hotels, activities and tours usually have direct links to the individual operators, enabling direct booking by our website visitors. Naturally we prefer that visitors work through us, but by providing these links not only do our clients have a better understanding of our suggested products, and their itinerary, but visitors who do not work with us this time may come back when they feel some assistance would enhance their travel. And, many of our friends in the destination itself will be able to welcome them as independent travelers.