EcoVentures Travel
Safaris and nature tours for discriminating individuals

Meet Your Guide, Patrick Cardwell 

Patrick has always been passionate about wildlife, and birds in particular. At the age of 10 he started birding enthusiastically, armed with an inexpensive pair of binoculars, and he hasn’t stopped yet! Over the years his interest in wildlife and nature in general has expanded
significantly and he now holds the highest level of Field Guide accreditation in South Africa (Fgasa 3).

The last 25 years of Patrick’s corporate career were spent in the Wine, Spirits and Beer industry in South Africa, working with local and imported brands, starting with Stellenbosch Farmers Winery and ending at Uganda Breweries. Upon his retirement in 2003 he embarked  upon a new career  in tourism, joining Marie-Louise, his wife, who had started a Safari business in 1988, committed to running birding and wildlife tours with the personal touch throughout Southern Africa.

Besides Patrick’s formal background in the wine and spirit industry, he is an avid collector of South African wines.  He has an excellent knowledge of both the historical and current developments in the local industry, and he and Marie-Louise share a love of drinking wines, so tours in the Winelands were a logical extension to the safari business.

Patrick takes great delight in communicating his knowledge and enthusiasm for both wine and wildlife to his clients, resulting in tours that regularly exceed expectations! This is a tribute not only to his fountain of knowledge but also to his very good communication and logistical skills, and his commitment to detail, ensuring his clients have a highly enjoyable trip and a superior experience in all respects.

Some of his recent client comments demonstrate this:

“Guiding exceeded our expectations - fountains of knowledge, good communication skills, listened and responded to requests and questions, sensitive to needs and always a pleasure to be with.”  
DC & BC,  Canada  6/4//09

“Patrick contributed to the enjoyment of the trip. His interests and ours meshed beautifully. He’s a keeper.”
BS & JS, California  5/20//09

“Patrick’s approach contributed to the enjoyment of the trip. Professional yet casual and friendly. A wonderful, well planned birding and wildlife trip.’ KM, Canada

“I was continually amazed at Patrick’s grasp of all aspects of natural history. He was always pleasant company and was sensitive to his client’s needs and personal preferences”. GB, Alaska