2024
A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT Dear Friends, I hope that you and your loved ones are well and thriving. 2023 was a difficult year: I lost my Mom, who was also my best friend and the founder of Holbrook Travel and Selva Verde Lodge and Private Reserve. Many of you knew her personally or have heard stories of her. They are all true! She was so many things – visionary, passionate, fierce, courageous, and loving. She was the heart of the Holbrook Family and she left us with so many beautiful memories. Her legacy is something we are very proud to carry forward. Since I work in the world that she created with many people whom she knew and who cared for her, I believe I have felt her absence less and feel very fortunate in that. Here, in this spread of pictures, you can catch a glimpse of the wonder that was my Mom, or Mrs. Holbrook as we called her in the company. And speaking of carrying on her legacy, here at Holbrook we are almost in disbelief that in 2024 we will be celebrating our 50-year anniversary! There is a very great deal to celebrate. We celebrate the support of all of you, our clients, who continue to put your trust in us. We celebrate our providers and partners in the field, who work hand-in-glove with us to make the magic happen. And we celebrate the team here at Holbrook, which is in many ways like
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A Tribute to the Legacy of Giovanna Holbrook: Past, Present, and Future.
Giovanna trusts in Humanity. She trusts in me.” When a person lives such a full life, with every second crammed with evocative experiences and heartfelt anecdotes, it is almost impossible to summarize the breadth of their legacy and the reach of their magic. The above quote, from Frank Richmond as told by Fernando Icaza, encompasses a great sentiment that seems to be shared by everyone who regaled us with tales of Mrs. Holbrook from all around the world – she was the most influential person in many people’s lives, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Her abundance of love, care, passion, wisdom, and generosity were driving forces not only for her but for everyone she encouraged personally or by example.
It is an immeasurable loss to no longer have Mrs. Holbrook physically with us, but receiving countless accounts from family, friends, colleagues, and travelers has ensured her presence and light have not diminished since her parting. Helen and John Springer, who traveled with her to Kenya in 2001, defined her as “a combination guide, nurse, entertainer, tour director, food maven, storyteller, and friend.” They reminisced about their great adventure together, where Mrs. Holbrook, or Mama Holbrook as they called her, looked after travelers when they got sick, packed their lunches to the brim, and personally hired a big Range Rover to help their vans cross a swollen river in the Maasai Mara. Helen and John graciously shared a picture (above) that illustrates Mrs. Holbrook’s tirelessly curious and courageous spirit – she is perched atop a safari vehicle to photograph a pride of lions.
She never tired of witnessing these sights no matter how many visits she made to certain destinations. She treated each adventure with the same enthusiasm and sense of wonder, and her vast experience only made each trip more memorable and enriching for everyone participating. Teri Stickler, who also traveled with Mrs. Holbrook to Kenya, retold the story of how Mrs. Holbrook asked their driver not to stop to let the group observe some cheetahs in the grass because she knew they were just resting, and the real action would come later. The group continued on to marvel at other species crossing the Mara River, and when they returned to the cheetahs, they finally sprang into action. Teri and the group were impressed to realize things had happened exactly as Mrs. Holbrook had predicted, but this is not surprising for anyone who knew her.
a family. We are extremely fortunate to have in our midst so many longterm staff members. Our “oldest,” Laurie McLaughlin, has been with Holbrook for 36 years and counting! There are 14 people on our team who have over 20 years of service. And so it goes with our incredible group leaders and guides in the field, who share their passion and knowledge with you, our travelers. There is much truth to the expression “time flies when you’re having fun”; it has just literally flown for me as well in the 30 years since I joined the company. And this brings me to my final point, which is that this year and next are times we are particularly savoring, because we are thriving. Having survived the pandemic, we feel thankful and blessed not just to be continuing our work, but to be looking around at new opportunities and exciting things to come. Thank you to all of you from the whole team at Holbrook. We wish you and yours the very best for the holiday season and a very Happy New Year! With every good wish,
P.S. Keep an eye out – we'll be debuting a special video to celebrate our 50th anniversary soon! Special thanks to Helen & John Springer, Greg Miller, and Ellen Freund for use of their photos.
Her generosity and compassion toward all living beings were evident in every facet of her life. Her deep love and endless commitment to her family were mirrored in her approach to the causes she spearheaded and the brave teams she led. From growing up in a farm in the North of Italy with her parents and nine siblings, to galvanizing an entire community around conserving a vital piece of tropical rainforest in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica, Mrs. Holbrook’s essence and purpose were nothing short of magical but very real. She pioneered ethical practices in travel, which would later be referred to as ecotourism, because she wanted to educate travelers and support communities to ultimately improve the lives of everyone involved in these cultural exchanges. Her loyalty to these causes and ideals led her to build teams in Gainesville, Florida; Sarapiquí, Costa Rica; and all across the world, because her conviction and empathy were inspiring. Dayan Yelena Zuñiga Castro fondly recalled being encouraged by Mrs. Holbrook to never stop pursuing education. Dayan expressed her gratitude toward Mrs. Holbrook for not only signing her up for English classes to broaden her professional experience, but also for teaching her about nature and life alike. There is no shortage of wisdom from a life as well-lived as Mrs. Holbrook’s, but this never stopped her from relentlessly seeking out more knowledge and experience and leading by example along the way. We at Holbrook Travel, the company she built from the ground up, feel Mrs. Holbrook’s absence, but we feel her presence even more. As we head into our 50th year, we are reminded of her legacy in every one of our projects and endeavors. We are so thankful for her guidance and the firm foundation she set for us to continue into a bright future on such a clear path with defined purpose. We hope sharing some of the numerous stories we received fills our community with as much warmth as Mrs. Holbrook radiated in her life.
ABOUT THE IMAGE Above: I like to add two or three new-tome places on each of my Holbrook tours. These gems are often small, mom-andpop family operations that have recently opened, and depending on location, have certain species of birds that show up regularly to their feeders. Some of the star attractions at Balcón Tumpiki are Plate-billed Mountain-Toucans, and right on cue, this one showed up and gave us a great photo op. Below: Although they’re fairly common in the highlands of Ecuador, Sparkling Violetears are always show-stoppers when they make an appearance. This one was turning heads at Wildsumaco in the Upper Amazon Basin. John Winnie, Jr. Ecuador | Birding & Photography with John Winnie, Jr.
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ABOUT THE IMAGE Nothing in nature is guaranteed. I was prepared to be disappointed. But, suddenly, swirlingly surrounded by the magical magnitude of the massing monarchs, the emotion welled up inside and burst forth with a flood of tears. As the flapping wings of the delicate, determined butterflies caressed and careened past my face, I could hear the indescribable sound of many thousands of fluttering wings. Standing still, I soon had half a dozen monarchs clinging to me, and one that stayed on my cheek for minutes by gently gripping my skin. I wished that I could stand there forever. Looking up, I saw many butterflies still enjoying the protection of the trees. The sunny sky was filled with the flying flowers. I will remember this always. Gail Keeler Mexico | Migration of the Monarch Butterflies with the Florida Museum of Natural History
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ABOUT THE IMAGE While on our first game drive in Samburu National Reserve, Kenya searching for elephants, we spotted a troop of giraffes. They were not bothered by our presence, and we enjoyed watching them munch on their acacia dinner. We were struck by their height and amazed by how they still managed to blend into the landscape. We captured a photograph of this reticulated giraffe that had separated itself from the group to eat in solitude. The Samburu National Reserve, Kenya was a fantastic location for spotting wildlife. Despite the severe drought in the area, we were fortunate to find a wide assortment of wildlife including this D’Arnaud’s Barbet (below). We were able to capture this beauty thanks to our excellent driver and guide Ben who spotted it while we were looking in the opposite direction. We were surprised later to find that only a few of us from our group were lucky enough to see this colorful bird. Rich Singiser Remarkable Kenya with Wildstock Photography
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ABOUT THE IMAGE This female motmot was waiting to access her nest, which was in the earthen wall of the trail at Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, as visitors passed by. Our guide spotted her and we made a few images before we realized that she was waiting to feed her young. We then moved along to clear the area and give her space to access the nest.
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ABOUT THE IMAGE Above: A fantastic hike up and behind the waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss, Iceland. Below: Walking atop the cliffs at Dyrhólaey, Iceland, we were lucky to see puffins preparing for their migration back out over the Atlantic. Kathy Sylvester Iceland | Dramatic Landscapes and Geological Forces
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ABOUT THE IMAGE After several trips to Africa, I had still never seen a leopard. Being the hardest of the big cats to find, it was not very surprising but was still a goal for this trip to Kenya. My group I was leading told our guide that we wanted to see all of the big cats on this trip, and as we arrived in the Maasai Mara he got word of a leopard being spotted in the area. As we arrived just before sundown, we saw a tree with a wildebeest carcass hanging in it, a sure sign that a leopard was nearby. As we were losing light, we positioned ourselves for the best possible angle and waited, hoping that the elusive cat would make an appearance before we were required to leave. Visitors must leave before dark and the ranger started to flash his lights, telling us it was about time to head back. Just then, movement in the grass gave us hope. The leopard emerged from the tall grass he was hiding in. He quickly made his way into the tree and began feeding on his prize. We were able to make a few photos before it was time to say goodnight. It was truly a gift to be in the presence of such a magnificent cat. Jennifer Leigh Warner Kenya | Great Migration: Wildlife and Conservation on Photo Safari with Experience Wildlife
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ABOUT THE IMAGE Above: A Galápagos sea lion swims close to the camera in the shallows at Concha de Perla on Isabela Island. Below: A group of leaders from Holbrook's January 2023 FAM trip onboard the Galápagos Legend departs the ship on a Zodiac for an excursion on Santa Cruz Island.
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Jay Fleming Ecuador & Galápagos | An Expedition to the Enchanted Islands
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ABOUT THE IMAGE Tanzania abounds with nonstop natural wonders such as powerful lions, lightning-fast cheetahs, and endless lines of migrating wildebeest. These incredible sights may overwhelm first-time visitors but return visitors to the Serengeti often begin to notice the intimate world beyond the “Big Five.” One such small wonder is the Mwanza flat-headed rock agama, Agama mwanzae, or as it is more commonly known, the Spider-Man agama. This comic book name comes from the colorful red and blue coloration of the male which resembles the suit worn by Spider-Man. Often seen basking on rocks, the male displays his prowess to females with deliberate push-ups and head bobs. After seeing and photographing the spectacular large birds such as African Fish-Eagles, Secretarybirds, and Lilac-breasted Rollers, return travelers to Tanzania begin to appreciate the smaller avian inhabitants of this biologically diverse land. With over 1,100 species of birds to spot, one of the most delightful groups are the sunbirds. Tanzania boasts over 50 species of these lovelies, which are similar to hummingbirds of North and South America. This resemblance is due to convergent evolution filling niches with similar traits and behaviors. With a slightly decurved bill, these flashy gems feed on nectar found deep in tubular flowers. One such tiny beauty, the Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis, can be found at Osupuko Lodge in Tarangire nectaring on aloes and other flowers on the property. Ann & Rob Simpson Tanzania & the Great Migration with Simpson’s Nature Photography
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ABOUT THE IMAGE I heard them before I saw them. The distant roar in the background hinted at their impending splendor. With each step, anticipation heightened until the curtain of foliage opened up, and before me were the majestic Iguazú Falls — a breathtaking expanse echoing the local Guaraní people’s essence of “water,” that exceeded all of my expectations. I had no words; just a gulp in my throat conveyed the magnitude of all of the movement around me! Etel Castillo Wonders of Chile and Argentina: Patagonia, Iguazú Falls and Splendid Cities (Road Scholar)
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ABOUT THE IMAGE It all started with an email about an optional trip extension to my Brazil jaguar trip. The extension…maned wolves. “What’s a maned wolf?”, I asked myself. Before I even had the answer, I knew I was going to sign up. Maned wolves are the largest canid in South America and the tallest of all wild canids. Their behavior, diet, and temperament are similar to the fox yet they are not related to either foxes or wolves. It is a distinct species and the only member of the genus Chrysocyon. Their closest living relative is the elusive bush dog which I happened to see, but the sighting is a story for another time. Maned wolves are active from dusk to dawn. Although I tried to wait patiently for one to appear in the darkness, there was always a point where I couldn’t keep my sleepy eyes open and I reluctantly headed off to my cabin. The camp managers advised if we heard the clank of a cowbell, a wolf was paying us a visit. Rest came a little easier knowing I wouldn’t miss an appearance. The night I took this photo, the soft sound of the bell awoke me from my sleep. I jumped out of bed, put on my hiking boots, and grabbed my camera. I slipped out of my cabin and slowly made my way to the lights of the dining pavilion. My heart was pounding as I gazed at the beautiful animal with her sleek red coat and bushy black mane. It appeared as if she had given herself a good brushing just for the occasion. I was so excited to capture a photo, but there seemed to be something wrong with my camera! There was nothing but black darkness! It only took a few seconds to realize the lens cap was still on. After removing the cap and tempering my excitement, I shot as many frames as I could in the short visit. As the wolf gave a final glance over her shoulder before slipping away into the night, I put my camera down. I wanted to see her full beauty which could be not fully appreciated through a lens. It’s just one of the mental photos I have that I will cherish forever. As I sit here writing, all I can think of is how much I want to go back and see those gentle creatures of the night. I definitely need more cowbell. Janet Rigoni Brazil | Photography with Ann & Rob Simpson
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ABOUT THE IMAGE The range of the proboscis monkey has been severely restricted in Borneo, as a result of the widespread deforestation of their natural jungle habitat, for the plantation of oil palms. Thanks to a unique safari led by Todd Gustafson, we were able to visit Bako Island Preserve off the north Bornean coast, which has several groups of proboscis monkeys there. They are not easy to find as they prefer to travel high among the treetops and can move quickly. In the late afternoon, a large male appeared on the ground, but quickly retreated to the nearby trees. After much searching, his head became partially visible deep in the forest through a small tunnel of foliage. With the help of a long telephoto lens, I was lucky enough to capture this unique photo of him eating the foliage, and then, he was gone…. Sean G. Traynor The Wild Borneo with Gustafson Photo Safari
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Image by Todd Gustafson
ABOUT THE IMAGE Above: We were in the second week of a Holbrook photography trip to Costa Rica with Emily Carter when we arrived in the Talamanca Mountains along the spine of the country. In someone’s back yard setup near Savegre, we saw beautiful hummingbirds attracted to flowers set out for us. The bees were attracted as well, and I liked how the hummingbird was intent on feeding from the fuchsia but seemingly oblivious to the swarming bees. Below: This image was captured after dark at Selva Verde Lodge. Our leader, Emily Carter, took us out in the evening with flashlights to search for nighttime frogs. Our Costa Rican guide, Andrés Quirós, had arranged for the grounds near the dining hall to be watered in the late afternoon. As a result, we saw several amphibians attracted to the wet environment. I loved this side view of the red-eyed tree frog with the inflated white throat pouch, big orange eyes and feet, and blue- and yellow-striped side. Judy Kramer www.earthwitnessphoto.com Costa Rica | Photographing the Jewels of Nature with Emily Carter
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JANUARY | Ecuador
February | Mexico
March | Kenya
April | Costa Rica
May | Iceland
June | Kenya
July | Galápagos
August | Tanzania
September | Argentina
October | Brazil
November | Borneo
December | Costa Rica
ABOUT THE COVER IMAGE
COVER | Borneo
Borneo is an experience like no other. Having filmed and photographed in Costa Rica, Rwanda, and Madagascar, I can tell you the Bornean rainforest is humbling. The massive trees that create the canopy are home to specialized mammals, birds, and reptiles. One animal I was looking forward to photographing (with no expectations of seeing it) is the tarsier, a nocturnal primate with giant amber eyes and little primate hands and feet. On one of our first night walks in Danum Valley, our guide said “Stop!! Look!! A tarsier!” He was perfectly positioned to give us shots of a lifetime! That night I told our guide to come get us when he spots another tarsier...he just laughed at me. TODD GUSTAFSON | Gustafson Photo Safari
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