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Meet Your Guides

Juan Carlos Zambonino, or Zambo for short, was born on the island of Santa Cruz.  While in ecotourism program at the university, Zambo had the opportunity to study and travel through the Ecuadorian coast, mountains, and rain forest.  During this time he discovered his love of observing animals in their natural habitat.  After finishing his degree, he began volunteering at the Charles Darwin Research Station observing and documenting marine iguana behavior during the mating season.  At the conclusion of his research, Zambo continued in the ecotourism field and completed the Naturalist Guide Course in 2009.  "I decided to be a guide because I love sharing with people the experience, culture, everything the Galapagos has to offer the world from its unique biodiversity to the animals you will only find here that coexist in harmony.  I love to see people's smiles as they observe our ecosystem."  Zambo's love of his homeland and extensive knowledge about the wildlife and their habits and habitats is impressive.  His constant smile and never-ending energy have won him many accolades in the tourist world.  Zambo now lives on San Cristobal.

 

"In my beautiful National Park, there are many amazing and majestic animals.  You cannot imagine how close you can get to them.  Bring your cameras and let's explore!"

 

What our travelers say about Zambo:

 

"Zambo was amazing, we could not have asked for a better guide. He provided so much information and his enthusiasim was great. It is nice to have someone who genuinely loves their job looking after you. During our freetime he would offer to take us to different things just to ensure that we were always enjoying ourselves. He was very accommodating of any requests (when it was in his power to help) and extremely patient and professional." - Andrew Acton-Adams, New Zealand

 

"Zambo is number one in our minds! He could not have been better in any aspect." - Scott Murray, USA

 

"Zambo was very knowledgeable and obviously loves his job. He also has the patience of a saint when required." - Geordan Ganka, USA

 

"Zambo was amazing! He knew everything about everything. He answered all questions he was asked, and he was very patient with the group. This was my first time doing many of the activities, but Zambo made sure everyone knew what to do. His main goal was to keep us safe, but his second goal was to make sure the trip was the best it could be! He was able to do both!" - Jessica Lumpkin, USA

 

"Zambo was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and accommodating, and always looking out for the safety of the group. Great sense of humor as well!" - Jennifer Korb, USA

Zambo - Galapagos Naturalist Guide
Zambo - Galapagos Naturalist Guide
  • Kath Silvester, New Zealand - 10-day Galapagos Adventure, May 2017
    The x-factor with Galakiwi's tour, being land-based, is the insight you get into real life on the Galapagos. This was what lifted our trip beyond the expected 'trip of a lifetime' to see the natural sights of the Galapagos, to a really meaningful (though short!) experience in another country and culture.
    Kath Silvester, New Zealand
    10-day Galapagos Adventure, May 2017
  • Alison Gray, New Zealand - 6-day Land Galapagos Tour, March 2016
    We had a great land-based trip with Galakiwi -it as fun being ashore at night and wandering among the wildlife and with the locals in the street. And staying on an extra couple of days gave us time by ourselves but with full support from the Galakiwi team when we wanted it. The best of both worlds with a great professional approach. Thanks heaps as they say in NZ!
    Alison Gray, New Zealand
    6-day Land Galapagos Tour, March 2016
  • Jamie Jacobs, November 2015 - 10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour
    While I knew I would enjoy the Galapagos, the trip with Galakiwi became for me the highlight of our South American travels.
    Jamie Jacobs, November 2015
    10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour
  • Chi & Jay, New Zealand - Custom Ecuador & Galapagos Wedding Tour
    We just wanted to write a quick note to say a massive thank you to everyone in Galakiwi who have helped make this trip so memorable for us. Everyone had a great time and really enjoyed it.
    Chi & Jay, New Zealand
    Custom Ecuador & Galapagos Wedding Tour
  • Chris Urquhart, Canada - 10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour, June 2016
    We spent a month in South America and our time in the Galapagos was the highlight. There were new delightful surprises multiple times a day. Our guide, Pablo, shared his enthusiasm with us and kept us entertained with great stories and fascinating information each and every day. The land based tour from Galakiwi was definitely the right choice. We have spoken to others that took ship based tours and we feel that we made a great choice with Galakiwi. It was the trip of a lifetime!
    Chris Urquhart, Canada
    10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour, June 2016
  • Duly Lee, USA - Custom Galapagos Family Tour
    I had been planning a trip with my family for ages, and when the idea to go to Galapagos emerged, I thought what a better place to reunite with family and induce some very needed bonding opportunity. The fantastic natural setting was super conductive to this goal, but if it wasn't for GALAKIWI's immaculate service and attention it wouldn't have happened. So thanks to you guys for everything!
    Duly Lee, USA
    Custom Galapagos Family Tour
  • Larry Katz, USA - 10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour, December 2015
    We are three couples with different interests and abilities, but the trip was great for all of us. The activities were a blast, our guide was top-notch and everything went just as we had hoped. We really loved it and would highly recommend Galakiwi to anyone thinking of a land-based Galapagos trip.
    Larry Katz, USA
    10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour, December 2015
  • Rachel Mundy, New Zealand - Galapagos Biking Tour
    The Galapagos mountain biking adventure trip was an amazing experience. Having to dodge a giant tortoise in the middle of the road is not something that happens every day. A great way to see these beautiful and unique islands in a slightly more detailed way.
    Rachel Mundy, New Zealand
    Galapagos Biking Tour
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