Tristan Whitworth

I'm one of the Latin America specialists here at NWS, and I also co-manage our product for the region. I fell in love with the region on a 2009 backpacking trip around Costa Rica and the romance has been strong ever since. From tracking pumas in Chilean Patagonia and searching for jaguars in the Pantanal, to working behind a bar in the Bay Islands of Honduras and birdwatching in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, traveling through Latin America has given me memories to cherish forever.

Where have you travelled to in the last 12 months?

I’ve been lucky to visit Ecuador twice over the past 12 months, including my first trip to the Galapagos which was unlike anywhere I had ever been. I went back to the Pantanal recently as well to make sure it was still the wildlife haven I remembered.. spoiler: it is! Closer to home, I visited family in Devon and France with my wife and 3 year old daughter.

Where are you planning to travel in the next 12 months?

I’ll probably be sticking to the local supermarket and barber shop for a while as we’re about to welcome a little boy to the family. Any long-haul travel will be put on hold for the near future so I’ll be living vicariously through Netflix documentaries and my colleague’s fantastic trips!

What is your first travel-related memory?

Driving down to France to visit my mom’s family. We’d set off in our old Ford Fiesta, take the ferry and head down to the Mediterranean coast. I’ll always remember my parents arguing about which classical music tape to play (yawn), or searching for the perfect picnic area for hours until one of picturesque enough for my mom (motorway services were a no-go!).

Aisle or window seat?

I don’t really have a preference anymore. As any parent will know, a child-free flight is a rare opportunity for some shut-eye so I’ll sit anywhere and try to doze off.. (yawn again).

Do you have any travel habits or rituals?

A pre-flight beer (this made me feel so grown up when I first started travelling) and having to buy various items at the airport that I will have forgotten while packing. Every. Single. Time.

What are you most likely to splurge on while travelling?

Food. Not in the sense that I’ll look for the most expensive places to eat, quite the contrary. But I want to leave a country/city with a special meal or dish in mind that I can associate it with. Eating and travelling just go hand in hand. My favourite ever travel meal? A giant avocado picked before my eyes on a beach in Tayrona National Park (Colombia), with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Heaven!

What’s your favourite thing about working at NWS?

I absolutely love the level of knowledge and passion that transpires through our sales team and genuinely believe this is what sets us apart. I’m very proud to play a small part in this. When it comes to my own role, I hope that my passion rubs off on the rest of the team, and that long-term NWS is recognised as THE natural world experts for Latin America.

What do you like doing outside of NWS?

Spending time with my daughter.. so far the best part about being a parent (aside from the cuddles!) is seeing the world through her eyes. Constant amazement and this is just the beginning! Exercising and cooking are also a huge part of my life. My idea of self-care is cooking dinner with a glass of red wine or a good session in the gym.

If you could do just one NWS safari, which one would it be?

I’ll branch out of Latin America for once and will go with a Gorilla safari in the Congo..

Is there a standout destination in your mind?

When it comes to my destinations, Chilean Patagonia stands out. More specifically the area around Torres del Paine National Park to search for pumas. Their distribution stretches from here all the way up to the Rockies, but this is the best place in the world to see them in the wild. The reward of a sighting while feeling infinitely small in this vast landscape is absolutely exhilarating. There are some truly unique accommodations in the area as well so this is to me the ultimate wildlife experience in South America. Not to mention the possibility to combine this with exploring the Atacama Desert or the hidden gem of tranquillity that is Isla Chiloe.

What is the best travel advice you have received?

To just go with the flow. It’s a simple travel philosophy that I always try to stick to, no matter what comes up during my travels.

What is your spirit animal?

Definitely a sloth. There’s so much we could learn from those guys to cope with the crazy world we live in!

'My role here is to design the best safaris possible to show our customers the stunning secrets of the region, and I also look forward to creating new itineraries.'