Kiwi Spotting

We booked two kiwi walks on Stewart Island in our three nights there: one with Beaks and Feathers and one with another company. We should have booked two with Beaks and Feathers. Based on our experience, I would highly recommend you spend a night with Ange looking for kiwi. We found two birds very quickly and got extended looks at both. I think it also speaks volumes that everyone that we talked to on the Island seemed to know Ange and everyone gave positive reviews.

We did a night tour last night and saw four Kiwi with one coming right up to us, even resting its beak on my wife’s shoe! We saw large females, baby’s and young males. Ollie was awesome, was full of great facts, made everyone slow down and we all benefited. Superb night – thank you!

Kenneth B

We took a 10.00 p.m. trip with a very knowledgeable guide and saw four Kiwis, very small, smallish, a bit bigger and mature. It was a great experience, very well organised and well led and we were delivered back to our bnb afterwards. This really is a must see with this company which is the best on the island.

Ange is the best Kiwi-spotting guide you are going to get on Stewart Island. she is knowledgeable, delightful and will look after you like a long time friend. My wife needs a walking stick for mobility and we had our 9 yr old son, and none of the other Kiwi Tours on Stewart Island were willing to work with that. Angela was fantastic and we saw 1 male and a juvenile kiwi. She even got the rain to hold off for us!!!

Ollie our guide for the evening was a great guy with good knowledge. Took our group of 7 to the airport where we quickly encountered our first Kiwi, able to get really close without disturbing the bird. During the tour we saw a total of 8 Kiwi on the airport and a 9th very close to the town on our way home. Highlight was the scene of a male on male Kiwi fight and chase through the bush, most entertaining!. Saw plenty of other wildlife and a spectacular Milky Way. So 10 out of 10 for this trip well worth the money.

Ange and her team were one of the best parts to our Stewart Island experience. An awesome guide who is relaxed and super knowledgeable with a shop full of beautiful local goods. We saw 3 kiwi on our tour with Ollie. Thank you so much for your hospitality we had an amazing time.

Emma L

I kept on telling my friends about how many kiwi I saw (7) on the night spotting tour, and added in all the facts and emotion that Mel (the tour guide) provided and now they’ve stopped talking to me. I know they’re just jealous but it still hurts a tad. It’s fine though because every time I close my eyes my new constant companions are there with their cute lil beaks and fluffy lil feathers, and in truth I doubt I will ever feel lonely again.
Yeap on the whole a great tour with a super friendly and knowledgeable guide who had a genuine passion for the critters. Best tour on the island of the kind by far and the best way to get yourself that kiwi tick and validate yourself as an Aotearoan. Now all I gotta do is persuade my friends to go and maybe they’ll start talking to me again.
Chur.

Alex

We had the absolute pleasure of doing the early morning Kiwi spotting with Ang and the Ulva Island walk with Johnny.
Ang was the all knowing Kiwi expert and we managed to spot 10 Kiwi on the morning we happened to go out with her.
She was full of amazing Kiwi and Stewart Island facts and we finished up knowing far more than we did before, as well as seeing Kiwi in their natural habitat for the very first time.
The Ulva Island walk with Johnny was just as enjoyable and full of all the local forna and bird life.
This is definitely the company to do these things with.
Apparently Johnny does snorkelling tours in the summer and if they are even half as good as the island walk was with him, it’ll be fabulous!!
A must do!

Glen & Caz

Our party of three went on the Kiwi Spotting Tour: PHENOMENAL!!!!!!!!!! Our guide – Mel – was awesome: really knowledgeable, super friendly and lots of fun! I didn’t expect to see (and hear) such amazing kiwi activity, right from the very first minute on site – truly extraordinary!!! Couldn’t ask for a better experience – thanks again Mel. Definitely a mega highlight that everyone needs to experience if they can 🙂

Nicola