Shetland Wildlife
Shetland Wildlife
5
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About
With over 25 years of experience we are the No.1 choice for birding, mammal-watching, botanical, photographic & walking holidays in Shetland. Not surprisingly, we are the only award-winning eco-tourism holiday business resident in Shetland. Visit us online - our site is packed with wild ideas and a choice of 40 wildlife-filled holidays. Day tours plus tailor-made & bespoke packages also arranged for individuals / groups plus boat trips, exclusive hide photography and wildlife sound recording. We also operate a portfolio of wildlife-watching and photography holidays to Orkney, Mull and overseas to Finland, Norway, France, Spain, Poland and Hungary.
Sumburgh, Scotland
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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5.0
286 reviews
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janebarrett12
Peterborough, UK5 contributions
Jun 2021
This trip was the perfect mix of both learning about Shetland and its wildlife, and a stress free holiday. Everything was catered for - hotels, meals and transport, Our guide was very knowledgeable and tailored our visits to the needs and knowledge of the group and the weather!
We were extremely lucky to get 3 Orca sightings, a Minnie Whale, several Otters and many different bird species. All this in a beautiful setting with a great guide.
I thoroughly recommend this holiday to anyone interested in nature, whatever their level of knowledge.
We were extremely lucky to get 3 Orca sightings, a Minnie Whale, several Otters and many different bird species. All this in a beautiful setting with a great guide.
I thoroughly recommend this holiday to anyone interested in nature, whatever their level of knowledge.
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ExtremeHoney
4 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
I had an excellent Ultimate Shetland trip in July. Having travelled with Shetland Wildlife in 2023 to experience Up Helly Aa, I was keen to return and based on that experience, I had no hesitation in booking with them once again. The booking process was very efficient and communication excellent. I was extremely impressed with how quickly my booking and requests for additional pre and post trip accommodation were handled. Excellent and informative pre-travel information was provided.
As for the trip itself, it was very well organised and managed, exceeding all expectations. The itinerary was extremely well put together and gave us the opportunity to experience the unforgettable beauty of Shetland and its amazing flora and fauna. The accommodation used was very good, as was the quality, quantity and variety of food. Hotel staff were friendly and helpful. As for David our guide, I struggle to find words to express just how good he was. His knowledge of birds, wildlife, flowers and Shetland itself was incredible and his enthusiasm and passion for nature and wildlife infectious. I was frequently amazed at his ability to spot and identify hard-to-see subjects, often some considerable distance away!
I am extremely grateful to Hugh, David and everyone else involved for their part in arranging yet another memorable trip for me and I would thoroughly recommend Shetland Wildlife to anyone thinking about booking a trip with them.
As for the trip itself, it was very well organised and managed, exceeding all expectations. The itinerary was extremely well put together and gave us the opportunity to experience the unforgettable beauty of Shetland and its amazing flora and fauna. The accommodation used was very good, as was the quality, quantity and variety of food. Hotel staff were friendly and helpful. As for David our guide, I struggle to find words to express just how good he was. His knowledge of birds, wildlife, flowers and Shetland itself was incredible and his enthusiasm and passion for nature and wildlife infectious. I was frequently amazed at his ability to spot and identify hard-to-see subjects, often some considerable distance away!
I am extremely grateful to Hugh, David and everyone else involved for their part in arranging yet another memorable trip for me and I would thoroughly recommend Shetland Wildlife to anyone thinking about booking a trip with them.
Written 10 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
candacejeyes
Greater London, UK4 contributions
Jan 2023
This was my third Shetland Wildlife trip and stay at the Sumburgh Hotel so I had some idea what to expect and wasn't disappointed. I arrived a couple of days before the tour began so I could take the number 6 bus to go shopping in Lerwick and buy some of the locally made knitwear and soap and visit the museum again as there's so much to see and it has a lovely café for lunch, and take a circular walk up to the lighthouse from the hotel to take in the spectacular views and breathe in the pure air. I enjoyed a couple of days being driven around Mainland. Our driver and guide had an excellent knowledge of the area and where we might find sea otters, seals, various birds and more, and pointed out places of interest, with opportunities to get out to stretch our legs and take photos. The highlight of this tour was Up Helly Aa which had been cancelled for the previous two years due to the pandemic. The day got better and better until in the evening about 1,000 people carrying flaming torches, dressed in various costumes many as Vikings, walked around the roads before setting fire to a replica long ship by tossing their torches into it and the flames leaping high into the night sky. One had to be there to fully appreciate the spectacle. My ensuite room at the hotel was comfortable and warm with lovely views southward and I slept well. The dinner menu changes daily and includes a vegetarian option and the portions are generous and well presented. The hotel staff helpful and pleasant. Shetland Wildlife pays attention to detail and ensures those going on their tours have a good time and memorable experience.
Written 7 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelsedona150
Sedona, AZ173 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
I had dreamed of visiting Shetland for many years and Shetland Wildlife made this come true. I learned about the tour via Facebook and felt that the booking process and communication with the company was excellent. The material they provided prior to our visit was outstanding, including listing birds, flowers, mammals, plants, marine mammals an much more information, helped us to be prepared for our visit. Excitement grew as our tour approached and we discovered such personal and kind attention to us from the moment of our arrival into Sumburg. Tour owner Hugh is very organized and on top of things and his knowledge of Shetland is unsurpassed. Our amazing tour guide Mick was patient, thoughtful, skilled in driving throughout the islands, and his knowledge of wildlife and birds was spectacular. I loved the fact that there were only 8 of us on the tour which helped us to learn from each other as many in our group was bird experts and master photographers. We loved the flexibility of arrangements when changes needed to be made due to weather conditions but we were able to see everything on our itinerary, and much more! The Shetland network helped us to see a pod of Orcas and Hugh was on top of their location allowing us to experience them at a very close distance. I cannot say enough about this tour and this tour company. I would highly recommend them to anyone wishing to experience all that Shetland has to offer.
Written 8 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill W
3 contributions
Jan 2024
A brilliant wildlife tour, despite the weather being distinctly breezy. We had the opportunity to see many birds and mammal including the Mountain Hare, Harbour Porpoises, Common and Grey Seals, Otters, Eiders, Great Northern Divers, Glaucus Gulls, Whooper Swans, to name only a few and to attend the famous Up Helly Aa, which we have wanted to do for a long time. The tour was well organised and the guides were extremely knowledgeable, knowing the landscapes and habits of all the creatures and birds to enable us to watch and photograph them. Also, the scenery is marvellous and incredibly dramatic. Everyone went above and beyond when the weather deteriorated the day we were due to leave and accommodation, care and feeding were efficiently organised. We finally managed to get a flight 2 days late, but it was no hardship to stay for the extra time. It would be wonderful to come back in the Summer to see the landscape in a gentler mood, and the wildlife that visits then, such as Puffins.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth T
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Friends
It was a truly memorable trip. We saw amazing wildlife at close quarters, stunning scenery, enjoyed comfortable accommodation and good food and were generally well looked after.
Our guide was excellent-he was knowledgeable about the wildlife and where best to see it, well connected locally to know about any local sightings and flexible and helpful. He allowed us some wonderful sightings in his scope and was helpful about getting us to where we needed to be for onward travel. He also had a good sense of humour.
Booking the holiday was straightforward and efficient with all the information we needed.
Overall it was an incredible adventure that will stay with me.
Our guide was excellent-he was knowledgeable about the wildlife and where best to see it, well connected locally to know about any local sightings and flexible and helpful. He allowed us some wonderful sightings in his scope and was helpful about getting us to where we needed to be for onward travel. He also had a good sense of humour.
Booking the holiday was straightforward and efficient with all the information we needed.
Overall it was an incredible adventure that will stay with me.
Written 19 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz J
Sheffield, UK3 contributions
Jun 2023
The week was absolutely amazing from start to finish and I can honestly say that I have nothing but good things to say about the tour. Mick, was a fantastic guide. He was very approachable, knowledgeable & I learnt a lot from him during the week. One of the impressive things was the way that he and Hugh worked during the week, throughout the days, to make sure that we got the best opportunities to see the wildlife that we were hoping to see and also some unexpected visitors.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passenger22677712848
Potsdam, Germany2 contributions
Jan 2020
This was my second trip with Shetland Wildlife and I can really recommend it. It was so well organsised that I didn't have to worry about anything. Booking the trip was easy and I always got friendly replies. The pre-departure information was helpful and interesting. Sumburgh Hotel was lovely. My room was nice and so clean. The food was very good.
Hugh was the guide of our small group of 7 people and he knows everything about Shetland. We have been to beautiful places to see wildlife. He really cared for us.
At Up Helly Aa he knew the right places where to stand to get fantastic pictures. The atmosphere was fantastic and I'm so glad I've been there. Something I wanted to see for years.
I really enjoyed the whole trip and cant thank you enough.
Will travel with Shetland Wildlife again next year.
Cheers Sylvia
Hugh was the guide of our small group of 7 people and he knows everything about Shetland. We have been to beautiful places to see wildlife. He really cared for us.
At Up Helly Aa he knew the right places where to stand to get fantastic pictures. The atmosphere was fantastic and I'm so glad I've been there. Something I wanted to see for years.
I really enjoyed the whole trip and cant thank you enough.
Will travel with Shetland Wildlife again next year.
Cheers Sylvia
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davesT5999IS
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
We'd been on one Hugh's trips in January for Up Hellyaa which had ended in a monstrous storm so we were very keen to see the islands again, but in summer. The weather was excellent, Mick our guide was so knowledgeable and the itinerary showed us new things as well as places we had been before. The accommodation was very good and the hotel staff very helpful. The food was very good and plentiful and the only things we had to think about was our choice of sandwiches and evening meals. The trip was a very immersive experience and the walking was well planned. We had a good group of fellow walkers and we were well led by Mick. We would definitely recommend this trip.
Written 2 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda D
7 contributions
Jun 2021
A wonderful week on Shetland with guide Tim who worked very hard to ensure we saw as much as possible from Sumburgh Head in the south to Hermaness Gannet Colony in the north. Scenery stunning, wildflowers beautiful, birds galore. We loved everything about this trip. Highly recommend to anyone interested in wildlife and scenery.
Written 28 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi I am looking to come to Shetlands on August 19 and 20. What wildlife will still be there and what are the options for tours? Thank you
Written 12 June 2018
Dear Christine - many thanks for contacting us.and delighted to hear you will be visiting Shetland. So that we can best answer your questions could we ask that you kindly email our office (details above) so one of our staff can assist and perhaps arrange a tour. Still plenty of wildlife here at that time and wonderful landscapes. We look forward to hearing from you.
Written 13 June 2018
Hi! We will be cruising and arriving July 5 - 4 people. Do you have availability for a tour?
Written 26 May 2018
Good morning and thank you for contacting Shetland Wildlife. I'm afraid we are fully booked for 5 July 2018 but wish you a pleasant journey and visit to Shetland.
Written 29 May 2018
Hi, do you have availability on whale watching trips on either 27th, 28th or 29th?
Thanks
Written 21 May 2018
Hi - thanks for your message. We don't run dedicated whale-watching trips as such but can arrange 3hr trips to the seabird cliffs at Noss. Whales and dolphins are occasionally seen from these trips. Please also indicate which month your question relates to. Thanks!
Written 22 May 2018
On a cruise arriving on sept 4. Do you have any tours that day?
Written 6 August 2017
Hello. I'm afraid we are fully booked for 4 September 2017.
Written 9 August 2017
Hi we are on a cruise arriving on the 1 September - do you have any tours available for that day? Many thanks
Written 29 April 2017
Do you have anything on the 26th of July I am on a cruise. Love birds and castles. I am a travel agent. Can you pick us up at the port.
Written 26 June 2016
Hi - I'm afraid we are fully booked for that date. In future best to email us via our website
Written 29 June 2016
Do you have anything available for 8/14/16? That is when we will be there on our cruise
Written 3 April 2016
I'm afraid we are already fully booked for that date with other customers. Thank you however for contacting Shetland Wildlife.
Written 3 April 2016
Do you have anything available for 8/14/16? That is when we will be there on our cruise
Written 3 April 2016
I'm afraid we are already fully booked for that date with other customers. Thank you however for contacting Shetland Wildlife.
Written 12 April 2016
We are planning a Scotland vacation in May 2016. Are these tours available and worthwhile to go on in May?
Thank You
Written 25 July 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.