PUMA QUEST – PATAGONIA PHOTO EXPEDITION

“I had an adventure of a lifetime on my recent trip to Chile with Roy Toft and Roy Toft Photo Safaris! Our small, six person group spent six amazing days photographing wild pumas in the rolling hills of Patagonia. Thanks to Roy and our local guide and puma spotter, we saw at least 12 individual cats in a variety of settings, including beautiful ridgeline portraits of the cats with the magnificent Torres del Paine mountains in the background. These cats are wild, but they were relaxed around our quiet group, and we were able to spend many hours watching the interactions between a mom and her two young cubs. This is definitely an active trip as well, with good hiking boots and ability to walk long distances with gear essential. Roy has been leading trips to Patagonia (as well as other “big cat destinations”) for years and he knows the locations, guides, and behaviors of his subjects extremely well. I highly recommend traveling with Roy – I know I’ll be going back on future trips!”

— J. K. Jessen

“Traveling with Roy to photograph pumas in Patagonia was one of the best experiences of my life. It is not an easy trip. But how many people in the world have the opportunity to trek side-by-side with wild mountain lions? I feel so fortunate to have had that experience. Roy has years of experience photographing pumas in Torres del Paine. He is respected by all the guides. Speaking of guides, we had the most amazing guide for our trip. Maurcio was an expert tracker and shared his knowledge of the pumas we encountered. He took the time to educate us on the culture and history of his home country. Best of all he was full of joy and enthusiasm every single minute of our time with him. The images I captured during this trip will be cherished for as long as I live. They are more special because we had to work for them. Harsh weather and long days hiking make those photos mean more.

Torres del Paine is a special place and Roy is the leader you want to take you there”

— Boon

JAGUARS OF THE PANTANAL PHOTO EXPEDITION

This is THE trip of a life time. My experience a few weeks ago so far exceeded my expectations that my words don’t do justice. This is not just a wildlife viewing vacation, this is an exceptional, professionally run, tropical wildlife photography trip. The scenery, habitat and wildlife of this Pantanal paradise are like from a jungle fantasy book.

Wildlife was literally EVERYWHERE! Our group saw, and got unbelievable photographs of no less than 7 different Jaguars, Hyacinth Macaws, Giant Otters, Marsh Deer, Red Brocket Deer, Anaconda, Caimans, Kingfishers, Trogons, Toco Toucans and myriad tropical birds and wildlife. Some of the jaguars were so close that my 100-400 was almost too much lens! Highlights were Jaguars swimming, hunting and even catching prey like Caimans and Capybaras.

And Roy has such a manner of careful instruction combined with patiently working with the guides to get us GREAT views of this wildlife that I still can’t believe that I took the photo’s I did. All in all perhaps the most memorable photography trip of my life. Would I do it again? You bet! I’ll be there next year with Roy’s group!

— James Adams