United States

The natural wonders of the United States have long captivated visitors in rapt attention. It was here in the U.S. that the world’s first national park was established at Yellowstone in 1872.

Today, there are 62 national parks in 29 different states, protecting approximately 52 million acres of land, ranging from the sandstone chasms of the Grand Canyon to the sawgrass marshes of the Everglades. Because of the United States’s vast size, there are myriad offerings to choose from.

Alaska enchants with its majestic mountain peaks, temperate forests, and coastal waters; visitors can expect to encounter abundant wildlife, go kayaking and hiking, and discover the region’s importance in conservation and ecology. Maine boasts its local jewel of Hog Island, where birding and wildlife viewing is spectacular, and the local preservation of the Atlantic Puffin is a global success story. Hawaii beckons with its lure of tropical paradise, and enriches travelers with its extraordinary cultural heritage, unique geology, and dazzling marine life. The vistas of the American West, from Arizona to Wyoming, present an opportunity to stand in reverence before jaw-dropping scenery, just as European settlers and Indigenous peoples did for centuries before.

Because of Holbrook’s deep roots in Florida, we are proud to offer enriching Florida experiences beyond the typical tourism. Our home state tells a story of land, people, and conservation across singular environments like cypress and mangrove forests, pristine wetlands, and freshwater springs. Visitors can even make a stop in our hometown of Gainesville, where we’re delighted to show off Paynes Prairie Preserve, Sweetwater Wetlands, and the Ichetucknee River, our local treasures.

No matter the region, Holbrook’s mission in the United States is to offer new perspectives on familiar territory, with itineraries that are as educational and transformational as our programming around the globe. Put your passport aside, and imagine the experiences that await you in our own backyard.

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Entry & Exit Requirements

U.S. travelers age 18 and over are required to carry valid government-issued identification—such as a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, passport, permanent resident card, or other acceptable form of ID—for air travel within the U.S. A passport is required if traveling to Alaska through Canada.

To enter the U.S. by air, Canadian citizens need a passport or valid NEXUS card; to enter the U.S. by land or water, Canadian citizens need a passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, enhanced driver’s licence (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC) from a province or territory where a U.S.-approved EDL/EIC program has been implemented, or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status.

If you are not traveling from the United States or Canada, please check with the U.S. Embassy for requirements based on your nationality.

Health Information

IMMUNIZATIONS

The CDC recommends that all travelers be up-to-date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to the United States

Please consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.

Wildlife

Follow all instructions from your guides regarding wildlife. Animals may attack to protect themselves, their young or their mates, or to guard a food supply. Do not make sudden movements either toward or away from them, as this may be interpreted as aggressive or territorial. Avoid approaching or remaining near wildlife, including birds, within any distance that disturbs or displaces the animal. If any wild animal changes its behavior due to your presence, you are too close.

ANIMAL BITES/RABIES

Avoid wild animals that seem curious or don’t run away from humans. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and other mammals are known to carry rabies. In the unlikely event of being bitten, clean the wound and control bleeding. Seek medical attention immediately. The CDC advises if you wake up with a bat in your room, assume you might have been exposed to rabies (even if you don't detect a bite) and see a doctor right away to find out if you need treatment.

Insect-borne illnesses

More than a dozen disease-causing pathogens are known to be carried by ticks in the U.S. To protect against tick bites, cover exposed skin with lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants, consider treating clothes with permethrin, and use an insect repellent containing an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin. Apply sunscreen first, followed by the repellent (preferably 20 minutes later). 

After spending time outdoors, especially in grassy or wooded areas, the CDC recommends showering and conducting a full-body check for ticks. If you find a tick attached to your skin, safely remove it as soon as possible.

Sun Exposure

The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.

Currency

Currency is the U.S. dollar. Check a currency converter like xe.com for current exchange rates if you are visiting from another country.

Electricity

The electrical current is 120V / 60Hz AC throughout the country. Sockets are type A and B.

Time Zone

The contiguous United States uses four time zones, with two additional time zones used for Alaska and Hawaii.

Most states observe Daylight Saving Time.

Departures and arrivals on flight schedules are always listed in the local time.

 

Our trip was a mixture of fantastic birding (134 species) and valuable interactions with conservationists, biologists, naturalists, and local groups working to conserve the natural resources of their country and sharing the love of the beauty of nature and birds with the next generation.

- Monica I.
"The leaders and staff at Hog Island and from Holbrook were professional, friendly, and very helpful. The volunteers were amazing and the property, excursions, and presentations were all enjoyable."
- Bert Alm
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