If you're looking for an authentic trip to the Everglades, to see it in all its forms, this trip is for you. Our guide, Garl, was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, you can really tell he lives and breathes the Everglades.
Our trip started with slogging out into the river to two alligator holes, their beauty blew my mind. Not what I was expecting at all, it was straight from a scene out of Jurassic Park.
Then it was off to some freshwater kayaking through the beautiful mangroves. This is where we saw the huge 15ft crocodile, "The King" as Garl called it, wow, won't get that image out of my head for a while!
Then we headed south for a little saltwater paddling, equipped with wine to soak in the beautiful sunset. Ahhh, what a nice way to end the day... but wait, we weren't done yet! On our way out of the park, we stopped for a night walk. This was awesome! We were like detectives... searching for reflecting eyes in the dark!
Wildlife highlights: lots of alligators (including babies on the night walk!), American crocodile, barred owl, Florida softshell turtles, a bobcat, lemon sharks, brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills, snowy egret, many toad, frog, bird and fish species, and a sawfish for the first time!
At the end of the day, I felt completely satisfied that I had got an authentic experience of the Everglades. There is so much to see, most of which we would have missed without the help of Garl's extensive expertise. I'm looking to do another trip with them soon to see what else the glades has to offer!
Thanks Garl!!