The Holbrook Explorer
Natural History
Earth Day 2023: Nature and Travel Books That Inspire
Special guest post by Andrea Holbrook This Earth Day, I would like to share a few special books with you. Each book, either directly or indirectly, involves an appreciation for the nature and people of our planet. And each book was written or co-authored by a leader that works with Holbrook to...
Great Animal Migrations of the World
When we picture migrations in North America, often we think of songbirds heading south for the winter. But there are lots of other animals that make seasonal treks on a large scale. Read on to discover some of nature’s most amazing phenomena. Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) When and where:...
Behind the Scenes of the Monarch Migration Expedition with Stephanie Kowacz
Ever wonder how a travel provider manages field operations to make trips go smoothly? Or handles a challenge in the field? Holbrook’s COO, Stephanie Kowacz, has experienced it all in her 30-year Holbrook career. Back from a week in Mexico, she shared how she prepares local partners for groups...
Back from the Field: Kenya Trip Report with Reinier Munguia
Tracking the Big Five in COVID times: Guest post by Reinier Munguia Holbrook Travel connected with our friend and travel leader, Reinier Munguia of Wildstock Photography, upon his return from a safari to East Africa. His story follows and is an example of how, with proper safety guidelines and a...
The “Big 15” of Galápagos Wildlife
Lots of people are familiar with the Big 5 game animals of Africa, but did you know the Galápagos Islands have their own special claim to fame—the Big 15? This list of the archipelago's must-see wildlife is by no means comprehensive, but it's a great starting point for learning about the islands'...
Manitoba: Attracting Scientists, Wildlife, and Charged Particles
Guest post by Kevin Van Dien High up in Manitoba’s vast province lies Churchill, a city that’s had a long history of visitation from humans, wildlife, and even tiny charged particles emitted by the sun! People have been attracted to Hudson Bay and the Churchill area of Manitoba for thousands of...
Five Places to See Sharks in the Wild
When it comes to public relations, sharks face an uphill battle. They’ve been unfairly stigmatized with a menacing reputation, and as a result many are illegally killed by humans each year. In reality, of the world’s hundreds of shark species, the vast majority pose little to no threat to people....
Photo Gallery: Wildlife of the Far North
What our planet’s northernmost latitudes lack in biodiversity, they make up for in charismatic fauna. From polar bears to large cervids like moose and reindeer to marine mammals like narwhals and walruses, the Arctic and Subarctic beckon with species uniquely adapted to the region's extreme...
Tracking the Monarch Butterfly Migration
Where are they going? Mexico bid its farewells to the monarch butterflies overwintering in the oyamel fir forests, and the spring season welcomes them into their northern migration. There are two populations of monarch butterflies divided geographically by the Rocky Mountains. The western...
Our Favorite Nature & Wildlife Webcams
Experiencing an animal in its natural habitat can induce pure awe and amazement in even the most cultured travelers. For those of us who dream of a rare bird or animal sightings but don’t have the time or means to travel thousands of miles across the globe to achieve it, wildlife webcams are the...
Focus on conservation: Sea Turtle Conservancy
The world’s sea turtles have existed for over 100 million years, but their numbers are rapidly declining, largely due to human activity. Almost all species are classified as endangered, and threats include poaching, ocean pollution and debris, coastal development, accidental capture in fishing gear...
Ten Fascinating Facts about the Great Migration
What you might not know about one of nature's oldest and most extraordinary events. The annual migration of wildebeest from the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania to the grasslands in Masai Mara, Kenya is perhaps one of the greatest natural phenomena to be witnessed. Not only is it the world’s...