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Scheduled Nature Tours

Wilderness Southeast’s “Walks On the Wild Side” (WOWS) are expertly led nature tours that will have you saying “Wow!” about the natural resources of the Georgia coast!

Two ways to reserve your space(s) and pay:

  • [1] Click on the Add to Cart button below your chosen nature tour to pay by credit card online.
  • [2] Call 912-236-8115 and arrange to pay by check or cash.

Most, but not all, Scheduled Nature Tours are weekend tours. Don't see what you want? Contact us to arrange your personal nature tour at the time and place of your choice. For example, your private Alligators & Anhingas tour can often be arranged with 6-24 hours notice. Motorboat tours need at least 24 hours notice.

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |

Jan 2009

January 31, 2010: 9:00am – 11:00am
Ducks on Holiday

Coastal Georgia is the annual winter resort for countless waterfowl. Join your Wilderness Southeast naturalist guide to discover the different and fascinating habits of some of the 15 different species of ducks that hang out in Georgia for the winter. Fee: $20/person includes use of binoculars and spotting scope. Group size 4-15. Meet at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge; call for specific directions. Reservations recommended.

Adult


Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |

Feb 2010

February 06, 2010: 9:00am – 11:00am
Ducks on Holiday

Coastal Georgia is the annual winter resort for countless waterfowl. Join your Wilderness Southeast naturalist guide to discover the different and fascinating habits of some of the 15 different species of ducks that hang out in Georgia for the winter. Fee: $20/person includes use of binoculars and spotting scope. Group size 4-15. Meet at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge; call for specific directions. Reservations recommended.

Adult


February 14, 2010: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Valentine’s Day Paddle

Embrace the earliest signs of Spring with an easy paddle down this historic creek. After basic canoeing instruction, your WiSE naturalist will lead the way downstream past stately tupelo, cypress, and red maple. Their early spring foliage and dark trunks reflect perfectly in the mirror-dark water. We'll be on the lookout for turtles, herons, and noisy kingfishers diving for their next meal. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to spot a shy alligator sunning in the shallows. There's beauty around every bend of this peaceful, wild creek. Fee of $40/person includes canoe, paddle, and basic instruction. Tour size: 4-16 people. Meet in Rincon, GA. Reservations required.

Adult


February 21, 2010: 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Birding with Diana Series

The first of a new series of Avian Adventures! One weekend day of every month you get to go birding with Diana Churchill, author of the popular newspaper column, Birder’s Eye View. Diana is known for her ability to make birding easy, exciting, and fun for everyone, from novice to experienced. And she knows the best habitats for the best sightings of each season. To allow Diana to factor in recent sightings, and keep things exciting, as she chooses the best site for each month, we may change the location of this program, so be sure to give us your contact information when you call, click, or email to reserve your space. The fee of $30 includes use of binoculars and a spotting scope. We expect to be at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge for this February birding tour.

Adult


February 27, 2010: 10:00am – noon
Snakes Alive!

Meet, at a safe distance, some of the reptiles and amphibians that call this area home. Join our WiSE reptile specialist at the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Museum for a close look at our native turtles and snakes. How do they eat, sleep, meet a mate, and protect their babies? With luck, you’ll see the endangered gopher tortoise, too. You’ll see creatures you wouldn't see otherwise, and hear their life stories. The fee of $20/person ($10 for children under 12 accompanied by a parent) includes admission to the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum and Nature Center. Tour size 6-20 people. Reservations requested.

AdultChild



Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |

Mar 2010

March 6, 2010: 10:00am – noon
Tidal Creeks by Boat

Join a Wilderness Southeast naturalist guide for a new angle on the coast. Your open boat will meander the watery twists and turns between walls of bright green marsh grass. Discover the life that depends on the rich estuarine waters as you observe dolphins, egrets, crabs, and even oysters – all hard at work. $50/person fee. Tour size 6 people. BOAT SPACE IS LIMITED; RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!

Adult


March 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, 2010 (Monday through Friday): 1:30 – 4:30pm
Alligators & Others

These special weekday tour offerings celebrate the Grand Opening of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center! Venture just outside Savannah to discover alligators basking in the sun while great birds fish serenely nearby. Your legally permitted naturalist guide will tell you alligator stories, and you’ll discover secrets of historic rice plantations, and understand the importance to wildlife of maintaining the old rice paddies. Fee: $30/person ($10/child under 12 accompanied by a parent) includes use of binoculars and spotting scope, transport around Wildlife Drive, and tour of new Visitor Center. Meet at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge; call for specific directions. Reservations required.

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March 13, 2010 8:30am – 11:30pm
Alligators & Others

This special tour celebrates the Grand Opening of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center! Venture just outside Savannah to discover alligators basking in the sun while great birds fish serenely nearby. Your legally permitted naturalist guide will tell you alligator stories, and you’ll discover secrets of historic rice plantations, and understand the importance to wildlife of maintaining the old rice paddies. Fee: $30/person ($10/child under 12 accompanied by a parent) includes use of binoculars and spotting scope, transport around Wildlife Drive, and tour of new Visitor Center. Meet at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge; call for specific directions. Reservations required.

AdultChild



March 20, 2010: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Spring Equinox Paddle

Celebrate the official arrival of Spring! After basic canoeing instruction, your WiSE naturalist will lead the way downstream past stately tupelo and ancient cypress. Their bright spring green foliage and dark trunks reflect perfectly in the mirror-dark water. We'll be on the lookout for turtles, herons, and noisy kingfishers diving for their next meal. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to spot a shy alligator sunning in the shallows. There's beauty around every bend. Fee of $40/person includes canoe, paddle, and basic instruction. Tour size: 4-16 people. Meet in Rincon, GA. Reservations required.

Adult


March 27, 2010: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Native Medicinal Plant Walk

Useful plants, both gentle and powerful, abound in the sheltered zone along our coastal rivers. Find out what Native Americans, settlers and soldiers found to feel better and cure their ailments. Savannah’s specialist in naturopathic healing, Peter Brodhead, will lead your walk to forage for and learn both historical and current medicinal uses for native plants. Fee $20/person. Tour size 5-15 people. Meet at Savannah/Ogeechee Canal Museum & Nature Center. Reservations required.

Adult


March 28, 2010: 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Birding with Diana Series

Join birders of a feather on Wilderness Southeast’s new series of Avian Adventures! One weekend day of every month you get to go birding with Diana Churchill, author of the popular newspaper column, Birder’s Eye View. Diana is known for her ability to make birding easy, exciting, and fun for everyone, from novice to experienced. And she knows the best habitats for the best sightings of each season. To allow Diana to factor in recent sightings, and keep things exciting, as she chooses the best site for each month, we may change the location of this program, so be sure to give us your contact information when you call, click, or email to reserve your space. The fee of $30 includes use of binoculars and a spotting scope. We expect to be on Tybee Island for this March birding tour.

Adult


Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |

Apr 2010

April 10, 2010: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Blackwater River Paddle

After basic canoeing instruction, your WiSE naturalist will lead the way downstream past stately tupelo and cypress. Their bright, spring green foliage and dark trunks reflect perfectly in the mirror-dark water. We'll be on the lookout for turtles, herons, and noisy kingfishers diving for their next meal. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to spot a shy alligator sunning in the shallows. There's beauty around every bend. Fee of $40/person includes canoe, paddle, and basic instruction. Tour size 4-16 people. Meet in Rincon, GA. Reservations required.

Adult


April 17, 2010: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Earth Day Celebration

Visit us, and other organizations that care about the world in which we live, in Savannah’s Forsyth Park.

April 24, 2010: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Birding with Diana Series

Join birders of a feather on Wilderness Southeast’s new series of Avian Adventures! One weekend day of every month you get to go birding with Diana Churchill, author of the popular newspaper column, Birder’s Eye View. Diana is known for her ability to make birding easy, exciting, and fun for everyone, from novice to experienced. And she knows the best habitats for the best sightings of each season. To allow Diana to factor in recent sightings, and keep things exciting, as she chooses the best site for each month, we may change the location of this program, so be sure to give us your contact information when you call, click, or email to reserve your space. The fee of $50 includes boat transportation, use of binoculars and a spotting scope. We expect to be on Wassaw Island National Wildlife Refuge for this April birding tour.

Adult


Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |

May 2009

May 2, 2010: 8:00am – noon
Birding with Diana Series

Join birders of a feather on Wilderness Southeast’s new series of Avian Adventures! One weekend day of every month you get to go birding with Diana Churchill, author of the popular newspaper column, Birder’s Eye View. Diana is known for her ability to make birding easy, exciting, and fun for everyone, from novice to experienced. And she knows the best habitats for the best sightings of each season. To allow Diana to factor in recent sightings, and keep things exciting, as she chooses the best site for each month, we may change the location of this program, so be sure to give us your contact information when you call, click, or email to reserve your space. The fee of $30 includes use of binoculars and a spotting scope. We expect to be Webb Wildlife Management Area for this May birding tour.

Adult


May 8, 2010: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Garden Stroll

Late spring is a glorious time to stroll the streets and squares and become better acquainted with the rich plant life that gracefully adorns historic Savannah’s public spaces. Your licensed guide knows the history of plants and people alike, and will lead the way as these stories intertwine. Bring your sense of curiosity! Tomorrow is Mother’s Day; this tour would be an unusual gift, and one you could enjoy together. Fee is $20 per person. Tour size 4-12 people. Meet in Savannah at Forsyth Park; call for exact location. Reservations required.

Adult


May 15, 2010: 8:00am – noon
Wild Island Exploration (Wassaw Island National Wildlife Refuge)

Enjoy your motorboat ride through the estuary to the pristine wilderness of Wassaw Island National Wildlife Refuge. Your legally permitted naturalist guide will give you a new angle on the coast. Your open boat will meander the watery twists and turns between walls of bright green marsh grass. Discover the life that depends on the rich estuarine waters as you observe dolphins, egrets, crabs, and even oysters on your boat ride, then hike the spectacular beach and forest of this gorgeous island. $50/person fee includes motorboat transportation. Tour size 6 people. BOAT SPACE IS LIMITED; RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!

Adult


May 22, 2010: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Blackwater River Paddle

After basic canoeing instruction, your WiSE naturalist will lead the way downstream past stately tupelo and cypress. Their bright, spring green foliage and dark trunks reflect perfectly in the mirror-dark water. We'll be on the lookout for turtles, herons, and noisy kingfishers diving for their next meal. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to spot a shy alligator sunning in the shallows. There's beauty around every bend. Fee of $40/person includes canoe, paddle, and basic instruction. Tour size 4-16 people. Meet in Rincon, GA. Reservations required.

Adult


May 29, 2010 10:00am – noon
Refuge Reptiles

There’s lots of life visible in the Refuge in spring, including alligators and turtles basking in the sun. Meet, at a safe distance, some of the reptiles and amphibians that call this area home. Join our WiSE reptile specialist at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge for a close look at our native turtles and snakes. How do they eat, sleep, meet a mate, and protect their babies? You’ll see creatures you wouldn't see otherwise, and hear their life stories. Fee is $20/person ($10 for children under 12 accompanied by a parent) Tour size 6-20 people. Reservations required.

AdultChild



Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |

 
Walks On the Wild Side (WOWS)
Scheduled Nature Tours

For those wishing the savings and convenience of joining others on a nature tour, we offer an expanding schedule of coastal explorations. Designed for, but not limited to, Savannah residents, these weekend wildlife tours present a fun and easy way to get to know the wild things that live near you. WOWS are "soft adventures" which focus on several natural habitats near Savannah, GA. These nature tours provide an opportunity to gain new understanding about wildlife and habitats you may have walked right by for years. Most involve walking, some add paddling. None are strenuous.

Reservations are requested. Walk-ins are welcome on a space available basis. We keep a waiting list. For information and reservations, leave a voicemail message at 912-236-8115, or email.

Programs will run in a drizzle, cancel in a downpour. Scheduled programs are designed for from 4 to 20 participants; see individual "WOWS" descriptions for minimums, maximums and fees. Most scheduled "WOWS" are two hours long; some need a whole day.

You should wear sneakers and outdoor clothing suitable for the time of year. Bring insect repellant and sun screen, water, rain gear if rain is a possibility. Hats and sunglasses are recommended. Bring binoculars if you have them; cameras are optional. Let us know if you need to borrow a day pack. When fewer than our minimum number are reserved we reserve the right to cancel the program.


"Simply Terrific!"
     S. D. & B. D., Washington, DC
 

"Excellent Location; knowledgeable guide. What an enjoyable afternoon!"
     L.V., Falls Church, VA
 


"The tour guides were fabulous, wonderful people! The scenery was the best. If I lived in Savannah I'd come here every weekend."
     B.J., Indianapolis, IN



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
P.O. Box 15185, Savannah, Georgia 31416
Phone:  912-236-8115    Email:  info@wilderness-southeast.org
Our services are available to all without discrimination as to race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

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