Dear Mario,

Kind regards,

Julien & Aurélie

France-Swiss

Querido Mario :

Además de ser un tipo simpáticissimo, con tantos intereses, del design industrial a la permacultura pasando por la cerámica y la movida de Barcelona, tus fotos son divinas. Mil gracias per tu tiempo, energía, pilas. Si haremos publicidad !

Un abrazo grande.

Benoit Duplat

France

Arturo

New York

Hi Dany Clau

Kind regards

Mel and Ben

ENGLAND

Saludos,

Frank J. Leone

Dear Mario,

apologies for the late reply but life just caught up with us from the moment we landed back in London, every day we were saying: we must write back to Mario and thank him, but were too tired and jet-lagged to do so.  We just wanted to say a Big ‘Thank You”, the day was definitely the highlight of our trip and we left Mexico with some wonderful memories.  The places you took us to were incredible,  and we really enjoyed the 1-2-1 photography lessons.  We also loved the bee farm and learning more about the local bees and honey production. Thank you for taking us to places that are run by locals rather than international tourist companies. We thought you were very friendly and charming, well-informed and very enthusiastic about the local culture and photography. This week we will for sure post on Tripadvisor – we will let you know once it’s done, this is just a quick note to say sorry, we have not forgotten you and ‘Hello from London’!

Un abrazo

Simon & Eduardo

Germany and Venezuela

Maryam and Mario,

Kathleen

USA

Mario,

Chau Amigo

Miguel

New York / Portugal

Dear Mario,

Marta and Pietro

Hola Grecia!

Pure magic, unforgettable experience! Don’t think twice- book it!

If you’re not much into “tours” and prefer experiencing a place, then you’re in for a treat! I searched high and low for a 40th birthday gift for my girlfriend and it was only once I made a decision to book that I felt I had found the “right” thing. We set off in the wee hours of the morning, while it was still dark out, with the Milky Way in the sky and nervous excitement in our bellies. I won’t spoil the surprise but arriving at Chichen Itza before sunrise is something else. Being in such a magical place, which usually accommodated around 6000 tourists a day .. pretty much on your own is magical and quite an honor.

Bushman work with highly experienced local Maya guides and the passion which James showed as he took us around the site will leave lasting memories of that ancient special place. The team went the extra mile to make my partner feel special, coffee and cake on an ancient archeological site are a once and a lifetime experience. Daniel, our experienced guide and professional photographer was brilliant, and I believe the photography 101 in those varying lighting scenes is the reason I have now stayed off auto and am far more engaged with my DSLR. My partner and I now have some super special professional photos to remind us of our time together in Mexico.

We rounded the tour off with breakfast and a little shopping in Valladolid, a gorgeous colonial setting and a final detour to cenote on local Maya land where Bushman is supporting their efforts to make an income. Yucatán p has plenty cenotes but we were very lucky to explore one which is still relatively undiscovered and we felt like we were in a nat geo wonderland! Daniel went the extra mile with detours to local markets, suggesting weird and wonderful foods to try and answering our endless barrage of questions about Mexican culture. It’s worth every penny, thanks again, guys!

Carla Hattingh

Dear Danielle and Mario,

What an unforgettable experience it was being toured by you both.
Thank you so much.
Mario, you were so inspiring and genuine.
A free spirit with a huge and healing heart.
I am very thankful our path has crossed.
May your heart’s desire materialize.
And yes I hope we will see you again.
Danielle what a dedication you had to not only drive us at odd times of the day and night but also to share your knowledge in such an interesting way.

Wishing you both all the best.

Alexandra

Hello Mario!

What a precious memory this sweet and peaceful “balade” in the middle of the mangrove, in a perfectly clear and warm water with soul meeting and sharing….not to mention the guacamole under lightening and the fabulous cenote…and the way you tell stories and share your knowledge ….Thank you. I am sure our path will meet again!

Thank you. Big hug to you, Leah and Daniel.

Muriel

Ein Tag mit Mario in der Umgebung von Tulum ist etwas Besonderes.

Es ist die Kombination aus Besuch der Ruinen von Coba, der Aufenthalt in einer noch weitestgehend unberührten Cinote, das Zusammentreffen mit einer der westlichen Lebensweise noch nicht ergebenen Maya Familie, einem stillen, dafür umso eindrucksvolleren Sonnenuntergang an einem Binnensee garniert mit leckerem Essen. Das alles erlebten wir, meine Tochter (27 Jahre) und ich im Mai mit Ausgangspunkt Tulum.
Mario holte uns mit seinem SUV in Tulum ab, und wir fühlten uns unmittelbar willkommen. Während der Fahrten erzählte über die bevorstehenden Ziele, aber eigentlich noch mehr über das Land, die Menschen, die Umwelt, deren Bedrohung und Lösungsansätze, die er sich vorstellen kann. Er sorgt sich um die Natur, und er bemüht sich, seine Kunden zu sensibilisieren. Erstes Ziel unseres Ausflugs war eine Cinote, ein unterirdischer Fluss riesigen Ausmaßes. Beeindruckend waren die Höhlen voll mit Stalaktiten, die wir durchwateten oder durchschwammen, in herrlich klarem und gar nicht kalten Wasser, Der Wechsel von kompletter Dunkelheit und faszinierendem Lichteinfall war atemberaubend. Das alles dauerte weit mehr als eine Stunde, und doch verging es im Nu.
Das nächste Ziel war Coba, im Regen auf Fahrrädern durch die Ruinen und die Treppen hoch auf die Pyramide. Ein Spaß! Dabei begann ein anderer Schwerpunkt unseres Ausflugs, und das war das Lernen technisch guter Fotografie. Entweder mit eigener Kamera (möglichst hochwertig) oder mit einer von Marios Kameras. Der Umgang mit der Kamera ohne Automatik, dafür mit Blende/Verschlusszeit/ISO…das hat richtig Spaß gemacht.
Am späteren Nachmittag konnten wir eine Mayafamilie besuchen, die der westlichen Lebensweise (Coke und Burger) noch widersteht. Wir waren beim Backen (und Essen) von Tortillas dabei, probierten analgesierende Medizin (…taube Zunge), wurden mit viel Rauch gesegnet, und waren anschließend ein bisschen nachdenklich über unseren Lebensstil.
Den Abend verbrachten wir an einem abgelegenen See, mit Anmarsch durch etwas regenwald, an einem Steg, mit einem Gläschen Wein und Leckereien (und Moskitos). Unsere Fotografierkünste konnten wir gleich noch unter Beweis stellen.

Später am Abend kamen wir zurück, ein herrlicher Tag, danke Mario.

MICHAEL

GERMANY

Bushman was recommended to us by our hotel Nomade Tulum.

We chose the private trip to the cenotes and then onto Sian Ka’an national park. We were picked up from our hotel at 11 am and driven to the cenote. Mario our guide immediately felt more like a friend than a ‘guide’ he was knowledgeable, friendly and offered his advice and expertise on any questions we had. He explained that he had chosen that particular cenote as unlike many of the others it is owned and run by a Mayan family and it is relatively quiet in comparison. Sure enough, upon arrival, we were the only ones there! We were led through the cenote, Mario clearly explaining things as we went along, he then left us there together and went back to collect his camera. He took shots of us together and even taught us how to use the camera giving us one to take our own images of each other.
We went onto Sian Ka’an practically having the park to ourselves, this was down to Mario’s experience and research (he knows the best spots and the quietest times). He prepared the most amazing picnic with guac, hummus, crackers, fruit, and wine! It was set up for us after our swim and it was so romantic!
I would highly recommend his company. Every little detail made it so special for us. Mario is passionate about wildlife and photography and it clearly shows. We will most definitely be using Bushman for our trips again when we are back to Mexico and have already recommended the trips to our friends.
Best day ever!

LAURA K

LONDON

A truly remarkable experience. Thank you!

A day spent with Mario- whether it’s diving through the sacred cenotes, climbing the Ancient Mayan ruins or cruising through the magical sian kaan eating fresh guacamole as the sun sets, will most certainly be an unforgettable one. From the moment Mario welcomed us, his overwhelming kindness, passion and knowledge was instantly felt. His informative guidance about everything you could possibly want to know about the culture and history of the Mayan landscapes was impressive, and not to mention the incredible photographs he provides for the group. Mario’s warm spirit will stay with me for a long time and I can’t wait to return to do it all again.

Rebecca

Australia

Memories Captured Forever

I came across Mario and his Bushman Photography team via social media. After reading nothing but positive reviews and exploring his website I knew that I had come across something very unique and special. It wasn’t until I took my family on my incredible adventure with him that I knew how truly right I was.

He and his team of experts made you feel comfortable and completely taken care of the whole tour. He took the time and patience to make sure that everyone was enjoying themselves and adjusted to personal needs and schedules. From the drive, to the tour of Chichen Itza and historical explanations, to the personal photography lessons, lunch, conversations and the incredible swim in the cenote, the list goes on and on.

The entire time we were together, there were many pictures taken by him and from my family with the use of his personal photography equipment. Genuine smiles, laughs and memories were forever captured. I look back at the pictures and my time on this grand adventure can honestly say that it was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life.

If you are considering Bushman Photography, please stop thinking about it and just do it. You will be forever grateful that you did.

Thank you Mario and team for your hospitality and kindness. Your passion for your work and this project shows. I will never look at the world the same way again.

Michael, Marcela & Family