Nature’s Tapestry Photo Tours Reviews
A few short years ago I started seeing these beautiful photos of hummingbirds especially but many other great subjects and I just had to follow the pictures of Judy Malloch of Nature’s Tapestry. The more of her items I saw the more I wanted to see and went on her website which she shares with her husband Gary and found wonderful photo galleries of trips that they ran in Africa or Central and South America and I just know that Janyce and I had to take a trip with them and see these amazing birds and animals and learn more about how to be better photographers.
In 2017 we saw that Nature’s Tapestry was running a trip to Costa Rica so we signed up and met them there. It was a small trip with just six of us and we moved around many different places in the country where we photographed different types of birds and animals from the mountains to the coastal areas. It was wonderful. Our guide was wonderful providing not just guiding services but also he was a well-known photographer who seemed to know everyone we all areas and also where to find the special things like the frogs and lizards that put extra definition to the days and made it very interesting. All of the different places they we stayed were very comfortable with great food and all of the amenities that we desired while still in a rural setting where we found many things that you could only find in the more unsettled areas. We had many cultural experiences exploring the towns and villages when possible and meeting the wonderful people of the areas we went through.
We have been on many tours and trips over the years but this trip was very well suited to us and allowed us to see and do what we came to desire and there was no waste of time or resources on any unnecessary things. It was designed for people who are used to traveling and the group was full of great stories and memories that made the time fly. We saw many things that we never would have seen on other excursions that were not so well planned.
We enjoyed the experience so much that when they put out a trip to Ecuador in 2019 we could not wait to sign up. That trip had a larger group but was also executed flawlessly by Gary and Judy. Our friends could not believe the things that we saw and did and I feel we owe it all to them. Every day was a great experience and treasure our memories of it.
I highly recommend them to anyone interested in nature photography and travel in general. They will be in good hands. When this pandemic is finally over I can not wait to see what their next trip will be so that we can join them on the road again.
Paul Spiessbach and Janyce Petitti
New Jersey, USA
I have been on four trips with Judy and Gary Malloch, twice to Costa Rica and once to Namibia (Africa) and once to the Pantanla in Brazil. Every trip was excellent. Every aspect was prearranged in detail, transportation, lodgings, meals and each day’s schedule. The groups were always small (generally less than a dozen) with a wide range of photographic skills from novices, enthusiasts, and serious amateurs. Gary and Judy are great hosts and outstanding photographers, always available with answers to every question. They really take care of everyone. Each trip was like a family affair. Namibia was a wonderful trip. We spent the entire time in Etosha, a wildlife park. We stayed at three compounds within the park and the accommodations were excellent.
Each day we would leave early, as soon as the gates opened, and roamed the countryside taking photos of all the wildlife, usually returning just before the gates closed for the evening. The food was superb on every trip. I repeated the trip to Costa Rica because of the variety of birds and wildlife and the many locations they took us. And then the trip to Brazil! What a great experience, a photographer’s dream. There was a wide range of exotic wildlife. I can’t decide which trip I liked best, but I can say if you want to be guaranteed shooting photos of hundreds of beautiful birds and animals in their natural habitat then I would highly recommend Nature’s Tapestry for any of the locations. A 10 out of 10!
Dennis P. Burlington
Ontario, Canada
I want to thank you both for organizing and leading your highly successful nature photo tours in Costa Rica (2015) and Namibia (2016). These were characterized by superb logistics, communication, and transportation. We stayed on schedule for both tours, but the atmosphere was relaxed and at all times I felt safe.
Your suggestions for photo opportunities were especially valuable, for example finding a cheetah family in Etosha and the iconic resplendent quetzal in Costa Rica. I came away with some superb photographs and my expanded knowledge of wildlife to boot. Your love of nature photography is contagious, making these tour unforgettable. I hope I can join you again for another tour shortly. Best wishes to you both.
Keith C. Hadley
Massachusetts. USA
My photo trip with you to Costa Rica was simply “fantastic”. Every detail was planned and coordinated perfectly so all I had to do was take pictures. In addition, it was a tremendous learning experience for the simple reason that Judy Lynn Malloch is not only a world-class wildlife photographer but an excellent teacher who is so knowledgeable and willing to help by sharing her techniques throughout the entire trip. I am looking forward to future photo trips with you.
Ken L.
Delray Bearch, USA
O am fortunate to have traveled with Nature’s Tapestry Photo Adventure Tours on five of their trips, two to Costa Rica and one each to the Pantanal in Brazil and Namibia, Africa. Each time the tour leaders, Judy and Gary Malloch, demonstrated extreme attention to detail in all of the planning and execution of each one of their trips. The lodges we stayed in and the meals we enjoyed were all first-class. I happen to have a food allergy and the Mallochs made sure that the kitchen staff was aware of my situation in each of the lodges and countries I visited. The daily excursions to explore and see wildlife were exciting and different each time we went out. We were out in the field all day seeing incredible birds, animals, reptiles and insects. I saw wildlife action I only dreamed of seeing prior to traveling with Nature’s Tapestry to these far-off places.
If you want to have a superb experience, join a tour with the Mallochs and see what a quality tour company can make in your overall experience. I came away with so many photographs that I can truly call my time on tours with Nature’s Tapestry Photo ‘Adventure Tours “trips of a lifetime.
Kevan S.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Thank you to Judy Lynn and Gary Malloch for a wonderful Nature’s Tapestry Photo Adventure tour to Namibia! Gary did a great job of arranging all conditions for optimum shooting. Namibia is a very different African experience, and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. There you drive your own trucks instead of being driven by a guide or driver in a Range Rover.
It was wonderful to have someone experienced with the venue that “knows the ropes” do all the planning. They also made an extraordinary effort and went way out of their way to make sure I got to take the trip since my planned roommate canceled at the very last second. We had a great group of people who shared this experience, most of whom will remain lifelong friends.
Patsy H.
DICK HALL PRODUCTIONS, INC.
Bradenton, Florida, USA
The trip I took with the Mallochs to Namibia was my second trip to Africa. I had been a huge fan of Judy Lynn Malloch via her postings on both 500px and Facebook. Her photography was excellent and we quickly became Internet friends. I was fortunate to arrange a trip with Judy and her husband Gary. The Mallochs are two experienced photographers and tour leaders who have been planning tours and taking photographers on international trips for almost ten years with their company Nature’s Tapestry Photo Adventure Tours. The Mallochs are really great people to travel with. They want all who go with them, to have a special experience. They insure the atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and above all, fun at all times. They meticulously plan and execute every detail of the tour so that all you have to concentrate on is taking great images and enjoying every minute of your tour. Meals and accommodations in all of the lodges were first class.
The first part of the Namibia trip was to Etosha National Park, one of the largest wildlife parks in all of Africa. We spent six days here from morning to sundown taking pictures primarily of birds and animals. We saw huge herds of plains animals and quite a few predators as well on all days in Etosha. The different lodges we stayed at all had waterholes attached to the perimeter of the camp. Here animals came into drink day and night. Lights illuminate the waterhole at night and all kinds of animals visit to drink. Rhinos and elephants with their reflections in the water are really exciting to see.
The second part of the tour was to the beautiful desert dunes of West Central Namibia call Sossusvlei. Here we saw desert animals and the magical sand dunes that change color with the changing sun’s rays moving over the countryside. A special treat was our excursion to Dead Vlei. Here we saw trees over 900 years old standing in the pan of this beautiful place. The trees are naked and stark and provide excellent photo opportunities.
I was sorry when the tour ended but happy that I decided to join Nature’s Tapestry Photo Adventure Tours to Namibia. It was a trip I will remember all my life. I loved every minute of my trip and made friends for life with the other guests on the tour.
Roni C.
Glen Cove, New York, USA
I have been on two major foreign photo tours with Nature’s Tapestry Photo Adventure Tours. Both trips were well-organized, eventful and professional. I was impressed with the abilities and knowledge of the tour leaders, Gary and Judy Malloch.
My first trip was to Costa Rica in 2016. We were escorted in a very nice air-conditioned bus throughout the trip. In addition, we were accompanied by a native Costa Rican guide (an invaluable resource and an excellent photographer himself), a Costa Rican bus driver and about eight other photographer guests on the trip. The number of photographers included on the trip was just right to allow important and valuable interaction between them and the two tour leaders and the guide.
The tour leaders, Gary and Judy Lynn Malloch were very knowledgeable about the specific locations to obtain superb photos of the wildlife and the incredible scenery. All three of the tour leaders were always available to offer advice about equipment and technique. At one point, I could not get my tripod head to accept one of my lenses, so Gary and Judy were kind enough to allow me to uses one of their tripods. I later was able to fix my tripod. Gary and Judy were exemplary in placing us at the right places and at the right times to get the best photo results. They did not just drop us off and expect us to fend for ourselves. The leaders also photographed along with all of the guests providing advice about the correct lenses to use and the changing camera settings that were best to utilize.
My second trip was to Namibia, Africa in 2017. Again, the tour was professionally organized and run. The trip was incredible. There were only six people on the trip and again that allowed for excellent interaction and guidance. The lodging in each of the camps we stayed in was excellent along with the food. The weather in Namibia was excellent at the time we were on tour, very dry and not humid. The afternoons were in the mid 70’s and most comfortable. We drove ourselves on this tour in 4-wheel drive trucks and only had two photographers in the truck, one in the front and one in the back.
Ample room was available to store our entire camera gear on the seat beside us. This was great as each photographer could shoot out of each side of the truck. The tour incorporated visiting Sossusvlei, including Dead Vlei, a private cheetah reserve, the Skeleton Coast where we saw the flamingos and a monster seal rookery and the trip highlighted Etosha National Park. Again the tour leaders were extremely knowledgeable about where to be and when. They provided everyone with excellent photographic opportunities every day of the trip. I came away with about 6,500 images, which one year later, I am still sorting through.
Overall I highly recommend Nature’s Tapestry Photo Adventure Tours.
William Spruance
Former President and current Webmaster of the Broward Camera Club
Current Member of the Pines West Camera Club
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA