Specialists in Small Group Travel

How often have you promised yourself. "When I win Lotto I'll travel to......drop your dream destination in here. "Yes we've heard it many, many times.

Well we didn't want to wait that long. We think life is a great adventure, much too good to trust to Lotto.

So in 1995 Rob Bickford, professional photographer headed to Africa to 'shoot' the wildlife he had long dreamed of photographing. His destination was Namibia. It proved so captivating that he returned the following year. Pretty soon friends, acquaintances and total strangers were lining up to join his travels. That's how in 1997 Rob Bickford Adventures was born.

For the last fifteen years, Rob and his wife, Maureen, have escorted a large number of travellers on tour to Namibia and South Africa, Peru and Bolivia, Galapagos , Turkey , the great train journey - the Trans Siberian Railway and our latest destination Alaska and the Great Bear Rainforest in Canada.

They love sharing their passion for discoveries and travel, to exciting destinations with like-minded adventurers. And they're now busy adding new destinations as a familiar request from previous travellers is:- "Where are you taking us to next?"

Rob is an old hand in the travel industry and both he and Maureen are seasoned travellers so they know the drill.

Along the way the company name changed - it happened like this. A game-spotters language in brief: "Zebra". "Giraffe". "Lion, two o'clock". So when our tour leader, Rob, instructed "mirror back", meaning flip the passenger side wing mirror back to its original driving position after taking photographs" his eager spotters were right on the case."Where?...what colour?...Animal or bird?"

So the elusive Mirrabac was spotted.

Real People  -  Real Adventure

Life's an Adventure - Be in it!

Rob Bickford

Rob has been tour escort on 37 of our Southern African safaris since 1997.  Twenty seven safaris to Namibia, nine to South Africa  as well as one safari to Zimbabwe in 1998 before Robert Mugabe 'lost the plot!'

Rob has also organised and led Mirrabac's South American adventures to Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Argentina, as well as our specific Galapagos, Easter Island and Ecuador tours.

Mirrabac expanded its reach to include Turkey and Egypt in 2005 and Turkey & Greek islands (2008). In 2007 Mirrabac added the Worlds longest single train journey - The Trans Siberian Railway, including visits around Moscow and St Petersburg.

Alaska and the Great Bear Rainforest is Mirrabac's latest offering, the first departure took place in September 2010.

Rob has taken all the images on the Mirrabac website, except his mugshot shown here which was taken in the Giants Playground Namibia by his wife Maureen McDonald - she got the good side!

Maureen McDonald

Maureen does much of our new itinerary /trip research. Her attention to detail and a passion to give our travellers a wonderful experience no matter where we are headed was reflected in our latest adventure Alaska and the Great Bear Rainforest. Not only did Maureen put the package together but she was also the group tour leader.

Maureen was tour escort for the first of our two departures to Namibia in 2011.

Maureen is also our newsletter writer and is often the person you liaise with over the telephone.

Maureen has previously assisted Rob on Mirrabac's Namibian Explorer and Wild on Wildlife safaris, and Zimbabwe in 1998, Turkey - Egypt tour in 2005, Turkey - Greek islands tour in 2008. and the Trans Siberian Railway in September 2007 as well as the Galapagos Islands in 2008.

Maureen is well travelled. Besides our frequent excursions to Africa, she has explored United Kingdom (many times), United States (lived there for a year), Europe (East & West)  South America and China. Closer to home: Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, the West Coast including Perth, the Red Centre including Uluru, Kings Canyon & Alice Springs). She led a corporate group to the Barcelona  Olympic Games and Seville Expo in 1992.

"A most memorable adventure where everyday had its own highlights. Superbly organised and Rob went the extra mile to show us all the wildlife and the Namibian vistas. We were able to relax and be enthralled by it all. Food was great and evening joke time hilarious." - Namibian Explorer 2009

"Wow - wildlife and birds - what a dream to be amid the Big 5 and several others both large and small. We watched it all unfold courtesy of our capable and patient guides, sometimes from the bridges, roads and dams. Trying to anticipate what wonder lie around the next corner kept the adrenalin pumping! The rest camps had their own charm and variety of small wildlife and wonderful lookout points. Loved it all! - Wild on Wildlife 2010

Glenda, Southland, New Zealand.

"Approaching shore after snorkeling around the rocks out in the bay I was suddenly joined by sea lions. Initial feelings of nervousness were soon replaced by wonder, awe and excitement as, first one then another swam towards me, then veered away, seemingly inviting me to swim with them. I joined in trying to keep up, twisting and turning as best I could and marveling at their speed and agility as they darted through the water. What a magical feeling, when I realised the tickling sensation along my arm and across my cheek was the light brushing of sea lions whiskers!"

It was great to be a member of a small group of 16 on a 16 berth launch dedicated to our comfort and pleasure. The trip was also a great way to make new friends.

Barbara, Ashhurst, New Zealand (Galapagos Explorer - 2008)

The South America trip was one of the most memorable trips I have ever done.  It covered everything I had hoped it would including the magnificent Amazon, Machu Pichu, Iguassu Falls and  the Bird Park, Lake Titicaca and its islands and people and La Paz , Rio and Buenos Aires and places in between.   The value for money was amazing and the hotels and inclusions were first class. Thank you for your attention to detail for our friendly small group. It was a wonderful trip.

Mirri M - Gold Coast, Queensland Australia (Splendours of South America - 2011)