Travel broadens children’s horizons

The eleven-year old son of Alan Godwin, managing director of specialist long haul natural history tour operator Reef and Rainforest Tours has been awarded the runner-up prize in the prestigious Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

Tom Godwin, a pupil at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School, entered the "Ten Years and Under" category with his picture of a young puma, taken when he was nine years old, at the Hato El Cedral wildlife lodge in the Los Llanos region of Venezuela, whilst on one of the wildlife holidays in which the company specialises.

Alan Godwin has successfully been running bespoke wildlife holidays to exotic long haul destinations since 1989. The “Family Adventures” programme, a very successful addition to the company portfolio, aims is to educate and delight both children and parents alike.

This programme was developed by Alan because he felt there was a gap in the market for a tour operator to offer safe, yet stimulating and exciting long haul family holidays, since he found from his own experience that many people do not want to stop exploring adventurous destinations just because they have young families.

Commenting on his son’s prize, Alan said: “Tom’s achievement has really proved our whole philosophy of undertaking and providing educational long haul family travel.

“Tom has been travelling with us to long haul destinations since he was one year old, during which time he has developed a strong love for wildlife and natural history. We are delighted that he is the runner up in such a well regarded competition and that he was able to use his experience of travelling to Venezuela in such a creative way.

“Children can benefit greatly from travelling and can learn so much about different cultures and the wonders of the world that it literally brings the world ‘alive’ for them – something that can’t be achieved by books and TV alone, but only by first hand experience. Children can put up with a lot more than parents often realise, especially if they get used to long haul travel early in life, and they gain so many benefits – chiefly a love and respect for the world we live in.”

The family programme focuses on Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Seychelles, Ecuador/ Galapagos, Borneo, Madagascar and Sri Lanka featuring a variety of itineraries for the adventurous, nature-loving family, the majority of which have been personally sampled and given the stamp of approval by Alan and his family.

A sample 17-day trip to Ecuador includes a seven-night cruise in the Galapagos, with talks aimed specifically at children, plus a stay in a jungle lodge to explore bird-filled cloud forests of the lower Andes and to learn about active volcanoes. Prices are from £3,296 per adult and from £2,228 per child under 12 and include international and domestic flights and transfers, accommodation, plus guides and entrance fees.

Reef and Rainforest Tours also offers two itineraries to Venezuela as part of their standard programme. A 16-day tour that includes visiting the Los Llanos flatlands area (where Tom took his photo of the young puma), cloud forests and Caribbean beaches of Venezuela is from £1,996 per person (child prices on request).

For further information visit Reefandrainforest.co.uk.