Franz Josef Kayak Walking Tour to Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary: A Personal Look

Okay, so you’re thinking of visiting New Zealand’s South Island and maybe you’ve heard something about Franz Josef and the glaciers, that is, very spectacular glaciers. But listen, that entire area actually has so much more, too it’s almost as if, to see and explore! Now, I actually had the incredible opportunity not long ago to experience a guided kayak walking adventure that combined pretty amazing views and unbelievable chances to see rare local wildlife. That adventure took place near Franz Josef, leading to the incredible Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary.

And, honestly? It completely exceeded all my hopes. This really isn’t just any old trip; it’s an adventure that links calm kayaking through beautiful waterways with the thrilling search for New Zealand’s national bird, that little Kiwi, deep in a protected sanctuary. Here’s a rundown of my experience, to sort of give you a heads-up on exactly what you can look forward to, must you decide to add this incredible tour to your own trip.

Setting off from Franz Josef

Okay, so it all kicks off near Franz Josef, that’s the famous glacier town, basically, where lots of tour groups meet and start. What is really wonderful about this particular adventure, though, actually is that it quickly moves you away from all the big crowds to, really, a much calmer place that showcases the region’s natural splendor, as a matter of fact. The bus trip to the kayak starting point took maybe about twenty minutes, if that, really, winding past farmland and the edge of, you know, the rainforest. That view alone was a stunner and a reminder of exactly how striking that West Coast actually is.

Once you actually get to the kayak launch location, you’ll find very experienced guides who are waiting to, I guess, sort of get things moving along, to be honest. After a short safety speech and, clearly, getting outfitted with all the things needed — life jackets for everyone, naturally, plus waterproof bags, you know, those are always helpful to have, people — everyone got very comfortable inside their kayaks. Even if you haven’t done anything like that previously, it really is not hard, so do not fret. The kayaks are honestly stable, very stable in reality and easy to maneuver. Then, that’s it: your mini waterway adventure starts.

Calm Waters and Incredible Reflections

Okay, so the kayaking bit honestly takes place within Okarito Lagoon, now that’s the West Coast’s biggest unmodified wetland area and is, basically, a home to plenty of different types of birds, alright? Think quiet waters, completely surrounded by local plant life, that just create a seriously gorgeous scene for gently paddling along. The waters, they’re more or less calm, and that, plus with reflections of the Southern Alps off in the distance? Absolutely picturesque. I really found myself just continuously looking around, sort of taking everything in.

Because you’re paddling, it really allows a chance to, you know, sort of get away from it all, and it has a unique feel as compared to being on a boat. The kayak honestly glides with no problems, and, by the way, I was able to get seriously close-up views of a bunch of local birds without upsetting their habitat, as a matter of fact, almost. That really adds to it, as a matter of fact, is that the guides really do have all kinds of knowledge on that particular local ecosystem. They share the story and a whole bunch of info, more or less, regarding the plant life and birdlife with passion, too it’s almost as if every little tidbit actually increases the richness of the experience. You know, the entire kayak part normally takes about 2 to 3 hours, yet the moment does seem to zip right on by because there’s a lot to take in.

Walking into the Kiwi Sanctuary

Right, so after the kayaking, the tour really keeps on by moving towards the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Alright, this place is seriously special, a protected spot where, literally, the rare Okarito kiwi are safeguarded. Now, seeing a kiwi out in the wild happens less and less, seeing as they are literally shy and rare. Most people can only view the Kiwi within sanctuaries.

That sanctuary is, mostly, reached through, by the way, a short walking trek by a part of the rain forest; the route goes straight through plant life and is genuinely pretty fascinating. What increases it all is that these guides share information on the steps underway, for example, with Kiwi preservation attempts, sharing anecdotes regarding the different Kiwi they have, like your, personally learned all about. Honestly, I feel that hearing those experiences honestly helps develop a deeper passion in helping look after such outstanding but vulnerable animals. I even observed many native birds, really a big treat, plus really striking plant life! This honestly helped it feel as though the Kiwi haven’t even been the only high point of this trip, it’s a lot more about having a deeper understanding of, your know, everything on that specific land.

Kiwi Spotting (Fingers Crossed!)

I need to honestly address something: Kiwi are seriously difficult to spot out in nature, basically. These little guys honestly are nocturnal, plus that bush country can get, more or less, pretty dense. I personally didn’t manage to spot any of them when out trekking, in reality, so it goes to prove just how rare these encounters basically are.

Yet, listen, that doesn’t diminish, not even just a bit, exactly how cool that entire Sanctuary walk and tour happens to be, you know? Understanding the safeguard projects, seeing the kiwi protection efforts taking place in real life– I basically discovered so much regard the work being done in protecting the precious bird type and their habit. Despite not actually seeing a kiwi during this particular trip doesn’t actually reduce any learning.

What Makes This Tour Unique

What actually sets that kayaking and walking visit apart is truly its emphasis on education together with environmental obligation. Trip groups generally seem small, ensuring a close trip and enough time to, you know, question guides about all that native area stuff. That really shows commitment that’s not nearly focused solely regarding taking tourist around; the tours make donations regularly, so they assist in supporting the kiwi protection programs for Okarito actually.

Additionally, the blending between a relaxing kayak bit and one involving some exercise regarding finding and seeing nature is pretty spot on, to be honest. As someone who had a wish for experiencing more during Franz Josef but getting frustrated at loads regarding standard glacier adventures that only felt very touristy I found the Kiwi Sanctuary explore truly ideal for one seeking the less well traveled areas and those less visible natural gems hiding nearby.

Honestly I will acknowledge however there’s need relating physical levels when attending these tours, by the way, from being fit sufficiently for taking kayak a number of time through also needing endure strolling across a couple of hours.

Some Tips

If perhaps deciding such tour appears of any interest keep, too it’s almost, to note about that, things for adding that into trips go fairly effortless through being planned: Remember packing waterproof attire, really including perhaps windbreakers plus hiking type boots also insect sprays cause insects round sanctuaries can occur sometimes. It probably makes being simpler on having additional photographic cam since sceneries could turn exceptional.

In Conclusion

If a mix relating adventurous touring merged deeper environmental discovering through rare animals seems ideal maybe schedule such exploration: kayaking then going with into Kiwi sanctuaries round Franz Josef does offers outstanding prospect involving discovering something completely new far different those popular traveler “go-to” hotspots all provide yet guarantees someone remembers memories longer soon beyond. Its unique for people genuinely valuing respect from planet also animals along side exciting excursions: do be ready in getting transformed via experiences around with Franz Josef.