What‘s Included

What To Expect

Reviews

• Highly recommended

  Sue G,

  Nov 12, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Our guide Farrah was brilliant. She was knowledgeable and very engaging. The weather was beautiful and the views were breathtaking. We were the only people on this trip so it was great to have such a personalised experience.

• Rejuvenating experience at Lake Mapourika

  Nomad01589733968,

  Nov 5, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Max of Wilderness Tours is an extremely knowledgeable guide. He and his colleague were lucid in their instructions, engaging in their conversations and helpful in every aspect of the kayaking and nature walk. Had a wonderful time at this beautiful lake of Mapourika. Highly recommended

• Beautiful and peaceful morning kayaking on Lake Mapourika and a fascinating walk through unique Okarito rainforest.

  N9597RQsimonk,

  Nov 3, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had a superb morning kayaking on Lake Mapourika. There were only two of us on our tour so I initially thought it might be awkward but the tean leading the trip were super friendly and welcoming and really did their best to make the day special for us. Ollie, who led the group, was a superb guide. He was really involved throughout the kayaking and walking tour and his passion for plants, wildlife and New Zealand life really shone through. The trail through the forest was excellent and we encountered so many cool plants and unique features of the Okarito forest. And thanks to Ollie’s superb insights we learned loads on our trip. We were extremely lucky to go kayaking on a beautiful sunny and clear morning so we had wonderful reflections on the lake and great views of the glaciers behind us. And we were lucky to see a white heron twice in the morning. Overall would recommend this activity and a big shout out to Ollie and everyone else on the team who made it into a fun morning for the two of us.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Not just in a magazine…we were there

  555kyliej,

  Jun 11, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  WOW! Our first time seeing snow and this is how we experience it. The lake was amazing, our guide was knowledgeable on the area which made our hike even more enjoyable. The nature we smelt, saw and touched was like it had never had contact with humans before. Defiant recommend this experience.

  

• Good trip

  Caitlin P,

  May 8, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Nice peaceful trip kayaking on the lake. Only saw a couple of other people& good walk through natural NZ forest. Kurt was a good guide!

• Excellent Kayak & Hiking Adventure

  W5210JPdianak,

  May 1, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Went kayaking on a beautiful lake that reflected the mountains and clouds like a mirror. Hiked through a lush and peaceful forest listening to bird song. Dale made sure everyone was safe. This adventure is highly recommended.

• Just that it is awesome!...

  Valerie E,

  Apr 16, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Just that it is awesome! We were fortunate to have perfect weather! Our guide Max was amazing. He was very knowledgeable about the lake and the rainforest hike.

• Awesome, a must!

  r82mee,

  Mar 27, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  One of the best excursions to date, the kayak and hike was one of the highlights of my trip to the South Island. The company and the guide Max were professional, knowledgeable and well prepared. I went on this excursion on a rainy day, and it did not disappoint. I was in a double with the guide, and had never before been on a kayak. They equipped the tour with waterproof gear, life vest, and even took photos which were later emailed. We got to see the kiwi conservation sites, trek through some parts of the rain forest, see the native birds, and enjoyed hot cocoa. Highly recommend this excursion and company.

• Do yourself a favour and book this tour

  Michelle B,

  Mar 26, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Birdlife, calm waters, magical views and an excellent guide. Franz Josef Tours was our choice for a kayak and guided walk to a Kiwi sanctuary. And how lucky were we to get Sydney as our guide. She is delightful and knowledgeable and kept us entertained for four hours. The kayaking was easy on perfectly calm water, we saw a lot of birdlife and on our walk we learnt of the conservation efforts to protect the birds and animals that inhabit this magical part of NZ. And bonus…we got a hot cuppa before kayaking back to home base. Worth every penny spent and more!

• Perfect weather for a perfect experience

  Ilovecrums,

  Mar 16, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I booked for the 12.30pm tour but the operator contacted me the day before to ask if I would switch or do a different tour as I was the only one booked on that time. I said I was happy to do the 8.30 timeslot and was I glad I did. Perfect company, a great guide and lovely still morning with blue skies, not a cloud and mirror like lake surface. The kayak trip was well managed, felt perfectly safe and secure all the time. The rainforest walk was unbelievable. A never to be forgotten experience. As a pretty flexible, solo traveller, I'm finding it easy to book the my experiences at last minute. I'm not sure this would be the same for couples or groups.

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