If you want to see what it’s really like in the Everglades, go with Garl. We saw more wildlife, and got more of an understanding of the ecosystem that is the Everglades in one day that we would have prodding and poking along by ourselves for a week. For context, the Everglades - the mangrove tunnels, the cypress domes majestic and teeming with bromeliads are hard to really see on your own, because that’s where the snakes and gators hang out too.
We were so lucky to be able to have someone like Garl, who has an intimate knowledge of the place and its animals to give us a really close look at what the Everglades is about. We saw lots of gators, a brown water snake, a barn owl and birds of all types. I even joked that Garl must have these animals on his payroll because it looked like they came out on cue!
If you’re hesitating because you think it’s pricey, don’t. It is the biggest bang for your buck if you really want to see the Everglades. We were just bummed that we didn’t get to see the bioluminescence of the Keys in the end, it got too windy so we couldn’t do the saltwater kayak.
Not for the pampered or squeamish ir the faint of heart. Also probably not a good idea for kids under 10. There are creepy crawlers abound. The footing while walking on the swamp can be slippery (I fell) and the gators might get very close - which to my 16 year old teen, was the highlight of the trip.
Thank you for guiding us into the Everglades and showing us some of its magical secrets Garl! The tour is definitely the highlight of our Florida trip. Can’t wait to see your pictures!!