Today, we launch a new series of interviews with the people behind the UK’s finest tour operators. Here, we speak to Alan Godwin, Managing Director of Reef and Rainforest Tours, which operates wildlife tours to Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Alan founded the company in 1989 from a flat in west London. After extensive travels with his wife Caroline and their children, Tom and Tilly, he has a keen insight into what makes a perfect family wildlife holiday.
When not working or travelling, Alan enjoys time with his family, rides motorbikes, listens to music, plays pool, badminton and tennis, walks on Dartmoor and around the scenic South Hams, and (in summer) swims off the Devon coast.
• Where are you planning to go on holiday this year, and why?
“I’m going on a motorbike trip in July around France with two friends, then in August to the Galapagos Islands (for the third time) with my 12-year-old son, Tom, on a seven-night dedicated family cruise aboard the Eclipse.”
• What is your favourite getaway in the UK, and why?
“I love the Isles of Scilly, especially Tresco. Island-hopping using the various ferry boats is sublime.”
• If you could spend a long weekend in any city abroad, which would you pick, and why?
“Rome, as I haven’t been there yet, and a friend has recommended a city-centre serviced apartment, which sounds ideal.”
• Please tell us three items that are always found in your luggage.
“My camera, binoculars and Swiss Army knife.”
• What one thing would most improve people’s overall holiday experience?
“A really good, well-researched guide book containing high-quality maps. For wildlife trips, a species guidebook really helps.”
• What has been your worst holiday experience?
“Having my passport stolen in Bali in 1987. Apart from the hassle and expense of getting it replaced, it contained all the entry stamps and visas for all the destinations I had visited during my Gap year, which I was sad to lose.”
• Tell us your favourite hotel: in the UK; in mainland Europe; in the rest of the world.
“In the UK, the New Inn on Tresco, which is also the island’s only pub and the hub of its social life. In Europe, I’m not sure. I haven’t been for a few years.
“In the rest of the world, it is the Uakari Lodge at Mamiraua in the far western Amazonia region of Brazil. It’s an isolated 10-room, floating rainforest lodge. The main attraction is the startling uakari monkey – with its bald florid visage and long white fur coat it is called the “macaca ingles”, or English monkey.”
• What is the most exciting project your company is working on right now?
“We are currently devising a collection of attractively-priced ‘Bare Bones Itineraries’ for many of our destinations. These will contain our usual high-quality accommodation and service, yet without international flights, meals and tours/excursions.
“We are planning to feature a selection of expedition cruises using mainly small- to medium-sized ships (12 – 50 passengers), for such destinations as Antarctica and the Arctic, Costa Rica and Panama, Baja California, Amazon and India.”
• Thank you, Alan.
Visit the Reef and Rainforest Tours website for more information.
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