PELICAN SAFARIS PROFILE

Pelican Safaris specialises in conducting small groups of natural history enthusiasts on tours in Africa and New Zealand. Bird watching is the main specialist activity but many groups request a more broad-based itinerary incorporating the rich mammal & botanical diversity in many of the areas visited.

In part, the tremendous success of Pelican Safaris is due to the fact that Mark & Jean Caulton organise & personally conduct all tours. Thus they are able to ensure that every safari is of the same high standard and that every visitor gets the maximum enjoyment out of their holiday. They are both qualified biologists with university degrees and for the past 16 years have worked full time as professional natural history guides through Pelican Safaris. Mark & Jean are both certified with the tourism authority of South Africa and are authorised to conduct safaris in all provinces of South Africa. Since starting Pelican Safaris in 1992, they have accompanied some 850 international visitors from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Europe and the United States of America. Most of the more than 90 safaris undertaken by these international guests have been of 21 days duration while many shorter weekend & day excursions have been conducted for South African birdwatchers. Pelican Safaris does not advertise as all business is repeat/referral based and their calendar is provisionally booked 2 years in advance.

Pelican Safaris NZ is also the ground agent of choice for a number of well known international birding & nature tour companies who book tours on an annual basis for their clients.

PELICAN SAFARIS TEAM

OUR GUIDES

Dr Mark Caulton. MSc. DPhil.

Born in England (1947) and moved to Africa (Tanganyika then Rhodesia) as a young schoolboy. Mark has had a lifelong exposure to, and love for, wild places. Mark is a trained biologist with an exceptional academic record of achievement. His doctoral research produced groundbreaking results in the field of African ecology for which he received the Gold Medal Award. His outstanding leadership has secured Mark a faithful following who appreciate his broad knowledge, charisma and enthusiasm for his chosen profession. Having worked for a number of years on Lake Kariba and along the Zambezi valley, Mark has a wonderful repertoire of wilderness tales of past experiences, some horrific, some hilarious. He is able to communicate equally effectively with research scientists and beginner birders. After 12 years full time guiding, Mark remains a leader in his field, well liked by clients and competitor guides.

Jean Caulton. BSc.

Born in the beautiful, rural Transkei, South Africa (1950) and lived in Southern African countries up to present. Jean trained as a biologist gaining a BSc degree (Zoology & Entomology) from Rhodes University. She subsequently undertook research in the fields of aquatic organisms and hydrobiology in areas as far afield as Kosi Bay & Lake Sibaya in northern Zululand, the rivers and lakes of Rhodesia and finally to join Mark at Lake Kariba. Jean contributes to the guiding and identification of flora & fauna on the tours as well as taking care of the catering. One of the features of Pelican Safaris is that we try to provide good quality home prepared food wherever possible at our lodges. These meals are always appreciated and enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere. Occasionally we use restaurants or guesthouses to balance the culinary experience on holiday.