What a superb week I spent with Naturetrek on this beautiful island. It helped of course that the weather was excellent, but the leader had planned every detail of the holiday to ensure all the group got the most from the experience. The accommodation and food were wonderful too. I can recommend Naturetrek as coming up trumps yet again.
E.A. Vale of Glamorgan, Jun 24
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Go Slow in Sark
Tour Code: GBR312An 8-day holiday of wildlife walks, history and relaxation on the serene Channel Island of Sark.
£2,195 (Inc flights)
£1,995
Highlights
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Summary
Step away from our fast-paced modern-day life to enjoy this 8-day holiday of gentle mid-summer wildlife walks, history and relaxation on this simply wonderful Channel Isle. This holiday stays at one of the island's traditional farmhouses, complete with heated indoor swimming pool and extensive, beautiful, sheltered gardens. With no cars, airport nor light pollution, we'll delight in Sark's rich tapestry of wildflowers, butterflies and other thriving wildlife. After an enjoyable day in the field, we will retreat back for a delicious meal based around Sark produce, before venturing out once more to enjoy the final delight of the day... Sark’s incredible unpolluted night skies!
- Gentle natural history walks in search of the flora and fauna of this serene island
- Excellent migration possibilities in spring and autumn
- Colonies of Guillemots and Razorbills, with a chance for Puffins (spring and summer departures)
- Wonderful butterflies
- Beautifully peaceful island, with no cars
- Moth-trapping and bird ringing undertaken, with a chance to add to the island’s natural history records!
- Optional visit to the exhibition of the Occupation of Sark
- Enjoy the mesmerising night sky on Sark, designated the World's First Dark Sky Island
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We’ll stay in one of Sark’s traditional farmhouses, set in extensive, beautiful, sheltered gardens with an indoor swimming pool, dining in the luxurious Georgian hotel next-door each evening. All rooms en suite.
- Food:
The tour price includes a wonderful 3-course meal on each of our evenings. Lunches are not included in the tour price and will be taken at cafés featuring local produce, and where light lunches such as soups and sandwiches are available, as well as more substantive plates of food.
Reviews
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I enjoyed the whole holiday and can't think of anything I would change. The B&B was very comfortable with the most lovely gardens. The owners were friendly and did all they could to make us feel at home. The leader was very keen for us to see as much in the way of wild life as he could going above and beyond to facilitate that. His knowledge of just about all wildlife is second to non and he was so patient if we forgot names of things he had already told us numerous times! All this with a sense of humour too. He is a real asset to Naturetrek.
D.M, Somerset, June '23
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Trevor Bourgaize
Trevor Bourgaize was born and brought up in Guernsey where his life-long interest in the natural world began at a young age. Although his primary focus is on birds and moths, Trevor is interested in all aspects of natural history and he has good knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Bailiwick. Trevor’s interest in bird watching led him to train as a bird ringer and he has held a ringing permit for over 40 years. He bought his first moth trap when aged 19 and has been running traps ever since, including, in recent years, during his regular trips to France.
His interests led him to join La Société Guernesiaise in 1975, an organisation similar to the UK Wildlife Trusts. Trevor has served on its governing body both as an ordinary member and as Section secretary of Ornithology for 12 years and more recently as Entomology Section secretary. He also serves on La Société's reserves committee and since his retirement has taken on a more practical role, in particular helping to manage 2 orchards owned by the society. He is always keen to pass on his knowledge and helps to organise and lead outings for La Société's ‘Nature Guernsey’ group, which is aimed primarily at families.
A possible threat to their habitat has led to his recent work in assessing populations of Atlantic Scaly Crickets in the Bailiwick. In addition to organising surveys on Guernsey, he has also been able to confirm their continued existence on Sark and has discovered new populations on Alderney and Herm.
Trevor’s birding has taken him to many places, and some of his favourite memories include sitting just inches from Red-necked Phalaropes in Iceland and watching flocks of Rainbow Bee-eaters migrating across the Torres Strait from Cape York in Queensland, Australia.
2026
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Our programme of Go Slow wildlife holidays allows guests to enjoy the natural world at a more leisurely pace than on one of our conventional wildlife holidays. There will be more time to relax, more time to potter, excursions will be optional and we hope you will return, not only having enjoyed a fascinating mix of birds, plants and other wildlife, but also feeling refreshed and relaxed!
Our Go Slow tours range from week-long holidays that offer warm spring sunshine and gentle natural history excursions in Portugal, the Camargue and Mallorca, to tours which take on a more cultural air each afternoon, such as Go Slow … in Istria in Autumn and Go Slow … in Southern Spain. Our Go Slow holidays in the Swiss Alps and Cyprus both combine the best of the region’s botany and birdlife, or, if you would like to travel a little further afield, why not join us for a leisurely-paced exploration of India’s Tiger Country, Kenya’s Masai Mara, or South Africa’s Western Cape?
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Go Slow holiday?
On each Go Slow holiday we aim to offer as many of the following as possible:
- A single-centre holiday
- Direct flights with sociable timings
- Comfortable hotel of high quality (with swimming pool if possible), serving meals of a high standard
- Leisurely paced walks on gentle terrain
- Expert leaders, as ever, with more time for interpretation & explanation
- A maximum of 6 hours in the field each day (9.30am-3.30pm with picnic lunch or two 3-hour excursions)
- Morning and afternoon toilet/comfort stops
- Minimal long drives
- Back in time for afternoon tea
- All excursions optional
- All-inclusive cost (except bar drinks & laundry)
- Time to relax, read, paint, potter, swim or enjoy anything else that you might wish to do!
Our specialist recommends...
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!