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Natural History Travel Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of the Mass Audubon Natural History Travel Program?
The travel program serves three purposes: First and foremost, it is an educational program designed to share knowledge about the world’s bird species, ecosystems, and conservation concerns. Second, the travel program raises revenue for Mass Audubon’s conservation efforts. And finally, the program gives Mass Audubon members (and nonmembers) an opportunity to spend time in the field with our world-class naturalists.

How long has the Natural History Travel Program been in existence?
Mass Audubon has the oldest continually operating natural history travel program and has pioneered trips to many of the international destinations that are now standard with nature tour operators. The program began in the 1950s with one or two trips each year to the Neotropics - offering opportunities to follow the seasonal migration of “Massachusetts” birds. Early destinations include Cuba, the Isle of Pines, and Jamaica. Since then, groups have traveled the world.

Do I have to be a member of Mass Audubon to be on your tours?
No. Although, once you spend time with our staff, we hope you will consider supporting our conservation efforts. For those first-time travelers who have never been a member, we give you a one-year free trial membership after you return from the tour.

Who leads your tours?
Our tours are led by our Mass Audubon staff naturalists - who are chosen for their love of teaching and enthusiasm for sharing secrets of the natural world. They are also experienced program leaders, travelers, and all-around personable companions. Our leaders partner with local guides on each tour. It is important to support the local economy and guides. Local guides add greatly to your travel your experience. Our local guides are very knowledgeable and love to share their “insider’s information” about their community.

How large are Mass Audubon tour groups?
The average size of our tours is 11 to 12 people. Our land trips usually have fewer than 14 passengers, with some trips being even smaller. It is important to keep group size to a minimum because it is easier for everyone to see and hear the wildlife and guides. Our cruises are on small (fewer than 150 passengers) ships and are often shared with other nonprofit groups.

Do I have to be an experienced birder to join your tours?
No. Most of our trips are designed to accommodate beginner and experienced birders alike. Our leaders are flexible and skilled educators who are happy to share their knowledge and enthusiasm. And most new birders will benefit from the excitement and shared experience. Some destinations are particularly fun for new birders: Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, and Belize, as well as the nature cruises all offer a opportunity to “ease into” the delights of birding.

How strenuous are your trips?
All travelers are expected to be in reasonably good health and should notify us prior to booking of any concerns or health-related issues. However, most of the trips are only moderately rigorous. Birding and wildlife watching often involve slow walks along rough trails and getting in and out of vans often. Long strenuous hikes are rare and travelers are always given the option to do something else when they are offered.

What kind of accommodations might I expect?
We work hard to find the best accommodations available that are close to the sites we want to visit. For almost all itineraries, our accommodations have comfortable rooms, private bathrooms, and excellent dining. There are a few tours to more remote locations where the accommodations are much more modest and rustic. As always, we will provide you with complete details before you sign on.

Can I book a private, customized trip?
Yes. Sometimes your schedule may not allow you to join one of our planned tours. Or perhaps you would prefer to travel with your own group of friends and family. The Natural History Travel office can work with you to create your own customized tour. You can pick the destination and departure date, and invite your friends and family to join you. We can provide the rest. Pricing and logistics tend to work best with a group of six or more, but we are willing to plan for smaller groups as well. Contact our office and let us know how we can assist you: 781-259-2166 or nhtravel@massaudubon.org.

Can you arrange my international flights as well?
Most of our customers prefer to arrange their own air, so most of our tours do not include international airfare. However, we work with quality tour operators and an excellent local travel agent who are happy to assist you with your arrangements. You will receive specific flight recommendations for your tour after you book, but questions are always welcome in advance.

Should I purchase trip cancellation insurance?
We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase trip cancellation insurance and will send you detailed trip cancellation insurance information after we receive your trip deposit. See our webpage “travel resources” for details about travel insurance.

Can I have a single room if I am traveling alone?
Single accommodations are available on most trips on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Will there be any other groups besides the Mass Audubon travelers on my trip?
Our land-based itineraries are always exclusive to Mass Audubon travelers. However, we often share our cruises with either tour operators or other nonprofit groups, simply because we cannot run this type of trip on our own. To find out if other groups will be present on a particular trip, please call us 781-259-2165.

How can I reach the Mass Audubon Travel Program?
We are available by telephone 800-289-9504, Monday – Friday 9:00 to 5:00 EST. You may also e-mail us at nhtravel@massaudubon.org.