Donald
United Kingdom
Customer
Rating
9
Customer Rating On return from their adventure we ask customers: “On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the highest, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?”
Donald's Trip Date:
5th Oct - 11th Oct 2025
What was your most memorable moment?
Time spent with a mating pair of pumas on the estancia. Please see my attached trip report file for more details.
Which of the following best describes your adventure?
Great holiday
On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?
9 out of 10
Something Else?
See my attached trip report.
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Patagonia?
If it's pumas you're after, be aware that the rules have changed regarding approach distances. No more really close encounters unless the animal(s) come to you. (This is understandable bearing in mind the increasing pressure on the cats due the burgeoning numbers of visitors to the Park and the Estancia.) And don't let your expectations get too high as the weather can have a huge negative impact if you drop unlucky.
Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?
See No 1 above. We would not visit again as we were spoiled on our first trip (2018) and realise that it is never likely to be as good as that again. If only our camera had not stopped working in 2018, but we will always have those memories. High on the list would be our time spent with Sarmiento and her 3 beautiful cubs at that time. The same goes for questions 5 - 9 below. With the exception of Ireland, we've been lucky enough to be able to visit all of the places you mention - some several times - and had some really great experiences in each. We feel now that perhaps our luck is running out and to go back again and be unlucky, would result in a lesser experience than first time around.
Do you have any recommendations for Swoop, or feedback about the team?
Apart from the caveat above (No. 1) for anyone really hoping for get great puma sightings, everything else was all very positive. Can't fault the team or our splendid guide Michelle.
How prepared and excited for Patagonia did you feel?
Very, to both questions. Maybe too much, bearing in mind the way it worked out in the end.
Would you consider another trip to Patagonia with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to Antarctica with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to the Arctic with Swoop?
No
Would you be interested in travelling to Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya or The Galapagos, with one of our trusted partners?
No
Would you like to receive our email newsletter about our other destinations?
No
When are you thinking of taking your next trip?
Within 12 months
