Note: We went on the Everglades Day Safari from Fort Lauderdale.
My wife and I are educators and chose to stay in Pompano Beach during our Spring Break since it is close to many places of interest in South Florida but mostly we were hoping to visit the Everglades. I went online and was overwhelmed with the myriad number of options and range of prices. The concierge where we were staying (Wyndham Palm Aire) gave me several brochures and we immediately were drawn to the Everglades Day Safari Ecotour (Ft. Lauderdale).
I called the phone number and spoke with Pete who walked me through the itinerary. He was so informative and helpful. It pays to call for information. We parked at the alternate site and were picked up about 7:45am and returned about 5pm. Our driver Karl, (with a "K") was very impressive. He kept everybody on time without ever feeling rushed, was exceptionally knowledgeable about the history of the native peoples, mistakes made in managing, invasive species and their impact as well as current programs working to correct them and ongoing improvements to protect and preserve the Everglades for future generations. Karl talked about multiple species of wildlife and pointed out many as we traveled. He quizzed us periodically about what we saw and things we learned and gave plenty of time to ask for and answer everyone's questions. He was very personable and took time to engage each person individually. We always knew where we were going and what we would be doing. Karl made sure we knew when there was a bathroom available and how long until the next one. The 45 minute Airboat ride was literally a blast and exciting with several gator sightings. There was no "fly by and look, back there was a gator". Captain Manny always slowed, stopped and informed about everything "gator". He rocks! Karl drove to our next stop which was an approx. 1/3 mile each way nature walk to a "cypress dome" along a raised Boardwalk. He stopped periodically and pointed out sights of interest and entertained questions. Sawgrass, blooming air plants, cypress knees, animal life and more. We saw animal tracks in a muddy place and several juvenile gators and turtles on a fallen tree branch. Back on the Tamiami Trail with Karl until arriving at the Big Cypress Welcome center with restrooms (yay!) and a short boardwalk with multiple gators and assorted species of fish easily visible. Gator pictures galore! Next we and Karl were back on the "Trail" to Everglades City where we ate a tasty lunch. Karl had us previously select from a menu with a number of choices to suit everyone and arranged to have lunch ready when we arrived. The food was tasty and we ate under cover in open air beside a waterway. It was a few minute ride to the location of our approx. 90 min scenic pontoon boat ride. Captain Vic and Ranger Rick along with a young man as crew were very knowledgeable regarding the islands, waterway, history and customs of native peoples and absolutely excellent at sighting and assisting each passenger with viewing wildlife throughout the "cruise". Numerous variety of birds including oyster catchers, brown pelican, cormorants and many more as well as multiple Dolphin sightings all around the boat and swimming along side as we sailed and during several stops to give everyone photo ops. We had a slim possibility of seeing a manatee but the time of day and temperature didn't cooperate. Everyone had a great time and helped accommodate space for kids and adults alike to have many opportunities to see and take many pictures/videos of the dolphins. If you don't know that the Everglades is not the original name, the difference between a cormorant and anahinga bird, which native peoples used to live and still do live in the "glades", what a slough is, the names of several invasive plant and animal species that exist, the difference between a cypress strand and dome is, book an Everglades Day Safari trip and you will know all that, enjoy an all inclusive trip filled with memories and last but not least, leave the driving to Karl!!! Be Blessed. KB