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Costa Rica: Photo Tour Tour Overview: Costa Rica has long been a favorite among nature lover’s and wildlife photographers; a system of excellent lodges and a long-established network of well-protected areas, combined with easy access from North America, have made this a natural destination for them. Costa Rica is frequently noted as one of the greenest countries on Earth, with a long history of protecting wildlife areas, meaning that many animals and species normally difficult to approach, are amazingly photogenic, and even tame there, making this a top notch choice for the nature and bird photographer. Although it is a small country (the size of the US state of West Virginia), it is varied, with mountains dividing the north (Caribbean), and southern (Pacific) slopes from each other. We will visit the Caribbean side and the Pacific side, as well as the mountains that divide them, in order to give us a varied list of bird and animals to photograph from one end of the tour to the other. Among the major targets on this tour will be an array of "technicolor" tropical birds like hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, parrots, and woodpeckers. And of course, no photo tour to Costa Rica would be complete without a visit to the highlands, and the realm of the resplendent Resplendent Quetzal, one of the most spectacular birds on Earth. Those with a wider interest than only birds, will also have the opportunity to shoot brightly adorned frogs too, within dedicated photo shoots for these, where such species as Strawberry and Black-and-green Poison Frogs and Red-eyed Treefrogs are likely to feature. Keel-billed Toucan Pablo Cervantes Daza Resplendent Quetzal Pablo Cervantes Daza Red-eyed Treefrog Sam Woods Collared Aracari Pablo Cervantes Daza Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth Sam Woods Red-headed Barbet Sam Woods Yellow-throated Toucan Pablo Cervantes Daza Northern Emerald Toucanet Sam Woods White-throated Mountain-Gem Lesson's Motmot Sam Woods Acorn Woodpecker Sam Woods Talamanca Hummingbird Sam Woods Flame-colored Tanager Sam Woods Fiery-throated Hummingbird Sam Woods White-throated Mountain-Gem Sam Woods White-nosed Coati Sam Woods Resplendent Quetzal Sam Woods Rufous-tailed Jacamar Sam Woods Pacific Screech-Owl Sam Woods King Vulture Pablo Cervantes Daza Great Curassow Pablo Cervantes Daza Orange-chinned Parakeet Sam Woods Masked Treefrog Sam Woods Green Honeycreeper Sam Woods Crested Guan Sam Woods Tour Details: 2027 20 February - 6 March $8740; single supplement: $1030 Length: 15 Days Starting City: San José Ending City: San José Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Focus: Bird and Wildlife Photography Group size: 6 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Please note: This itinerary is sometimes run in a different order than shown here, and we may substitute different lodges based on availability. Day-to-day activities may be modified at the tour leader's discretion based on various factors such as weather, recent sightings, etc. Day 1: Arrival in San José The tour begins this evening with dinner. After arrival in Costa Rica’s capital San José, you will be transferred to an excellent hotel. The hotel used is subject to availability, but many options have good chances to find birds right on the grounds. Day 2: San José to La Quinta Sarapiqui Today involves a bit of driving but before all of that, you will have a quick guided walk around some nearby hotspots with your local guide, targeting birds like; Spot-breasted Oriole, Rufous-naped Wren, Hoffmann's Woodpecker and potentially the very tricky Cinnamon Hummingbird . After this relaxing morning, we will spend the morning photographing at a little “hole in the wall” kind of place, but if you let the looks deter you, you would miss out on spectacular birds like Northern Emerald-Toucanet, Red-headed Barbet, Crimson-colored Tanager, Red-legged Honeyeater and if we're lucky, a Prong-billed Barbet. Hummingbirds are also on order here so we will be on the lookout for Violet Sabrewing, Green-crowned Brilliant, and possibly even the endemic Coppery-headed Emerald. This general vicinity is also home to another spectacular bird, the Bat Falcon. We will have lunch here and then move on to our hotel for the evening. Depending on time, we might have a little walk around a nearby garden where we might photograph Common Tody Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Elaenia and Mistletoe Tyrannulet. Day 3: Morning with Cope to Laguna del Lagarto We spend a great morning with local guide, Cope. This legend potentially has some great birds for us. His local spots often yield Crested and Spectacled Owl while his tremendous backyard pond and feeders offer a variety of birds like Red-legged Honeycreeper, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Chestnut-headed Oropendola and a host of colorful tanager species. After some food, we'll travel north towards Laguna del Lagarto where we'll spend the next three nights. Along the way, we may have time to visit "Frogs Heaven" where we can photograph Red-eyed Tree Frog and a variety of Poison Dart Frogs. Day 4: Laguna del Lagarto Today we will spend the morning in the King Vulture hide. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of watching vultures devour scraps of meat just feet from your face. You have to try this. Part of the afternoon will be spent photographing the perches around the lodge – it can be difficult to pull yourself away from these excellent setups! The targets here include Brown-hooded Parrot, Keel-billed Toucan and Collared Aracari. There will also be time free time to explore, have a rest, do some snake photography, or anything else you would like. Nights around the lodge can yield owls so we will take advantage of those opportunities as they come. Day 5: Laguna del Lagarto More time at Laguna del Lagarto is never a bad thing. We'll enjoy the feeders, and grounds for more incredible photo opportunities of the local tanagers, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and anything else we can get our lenses on. Day 6: Laguna de Lagarto to the Arenal Area Today we will drive to the Arenal area and hit several hotspots for photography. This will involve some easy walking but will hopefully give us chances as Broad-billed, Keel-billed and Rufous Motmots, White-throated Crake, a handful of common tanagers and a host of other typical forest birds like Hoffmann's Woodpecker, Gray-headed Chachalaca, and Barred Antshrike. We'll spend two nights near Arenal Volcano. Day 7: Three-wattled Bellbird and San Ramon Area Today we will spend a morning with one of the more iconic Costa Rican birds, Three-wattled Bellbird. We will link up with our local guide who will take us around and hopefully (it is of course never a guarantee) get our lenses on a great bird in a cool setting. Other birds typically available include the cute White-eared Ground Sparrow, Golden-olive Woodpecker and Yellow-faced Grassquit. After this lovely morning we will do a series of feeders to add to our photo collection. Birds like; Tawny-capped Euphonia, Speckled and Emerald Tanagers are all possibilities. Day 8: Arenal to the Volcan Tenorio region We will focus on two difficult hummingbirds, the Black-crested Coquette and the Snowcap. Other fun birds around include Yellow-throated Toucan, Tody Motmot and if we're lucky, we may set our eyes on a Baird’s Tapir or White-nosed Coati. We have one night in one of several lodges in the Bijagua area. Day 9: Volcan Tenorio to the Pacific We'll spend the morning in the Volcan Tenorio region, then we head to the dry Pacific. Here birds like Black-headed Trogon, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Boat-billed Flycatcher and Pacific Screech Owl await. We'll spend the night in one of the lodges near the Gulf of Nicoya. Day 10: La Ensenada to the Tarcoles Area La Ensenada is a large reserve with a lodge right on the Pacific coast. Along with a good variety of dry forest species, there is a lagoon out behind the lodge that can host a variety of great birds like Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, and Northern Jacana. In the afternoon we drive south to the Tarcoles area, where we spend two nights. Day 11: Tarcoles area Today we have an early start as we take a boat ride on the Tarcol River for about 3 hours. There are two areas in particular we need to visit, the mangroves and the main river. The early morning will be spent on the open river and then we will retreat into the mangroves as the morning goes on. The river will hold targets like Yellow-headed Caracara, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Amazon, Ringed, Green, and American Pygmy Kingfishers, Crested Caracara, a host of shorebirds, Scarlet Macaw and a few raptors like Plumbeous Kite and Common Black Hawk. We will then meet up with a local guide in Orotina, who knows spots for Long-tailed Manakin, Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Turquoise-browed Motmot and others. Year to year the spots and birds vary so we will just have to see what he has in store for us! Day 12: Tarcoles to the Talamanca Highlands After another morning with our local guide, we'll drive up into the Talamanca highlands and spend two nights at one of several excellent mountain lodges in the area. Day 13: Talamanca Highlands This scenic part of Costa Rica is wonderful, unique, and packed full of spectacular species. The first morning will be spent looking for our main target, the Resplendent Quetzal. During this time of year, the quetzals are typically nesting so we should have some great opportunities here, and should we not have any luck, we’ll have another chance tomorrow. We will spend the afternoon photographing the hummingbirds species, like Fiery-throated and Talamanca Hummingbirds, and also visit a lovely location down in the valley with more feeders that often bring in subjects like Acorn Woodpecker, several brushfinches and thrushes, and yet more hummingbirds, like White-throated Mountain Gem, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Scintillant Hummingbird, and a host of tanagers. Day 14: Talamanca Highlands to San José We have a number of options for our last morning, and we’ll make a plan based on whatever we are most eager to get better photos of. We may spend some time around our lodge photographing birds like Mountain Thrush, Fiery-throated and Talamanca Hummingbirds, Mountain Elaenia, Tufted Flycatcher, Black-capped Flycatcher, and Long-tailed and Black-and-Yellow Silky-flycatchers. We could try again for the quetzal if we weren’t lucky the day before, or we could revisit one of the feeding setups. It truly is a magical area. In the afternoon we drive back to San José for a final night. Day 15: Departure from San José The tour ends this morning with transfers to the airport; there are no photo shoots planned for this day, but you are welcome to do so on your own around the wonderful hotel grounds. Trip Considerations PACE: Relaxed. There may be some early mornings in order to capitalize on good light and activity, but most days will have several hours of downtime to relax or download photos – this is often in the late afternoon when the light may be poor and when it is more likely to rain or in the middle of the day at the lower elevations when it can be hot and slow. Drives of 3-4 hours are necessary on four days. These are done in the middle of the day whenever possible to maximize the use of the more productive morning and afternoon hours for photography. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. A lot of the time is spent near feeders which are accessed by only short walks. There will be longer walks for opportunistic photography, though many of these may be considered optional if you would prefer to stay near the feeders. Targeting some birds such as Resplendent Quetzal may involve a longer walk depending on the location of any active nests. Most of the trip is at relatively low elevation. We may reach 9000 ft (2700 m) for a short period on one day, but most of our time in the highlands will be at no more than 7000 ft (2100 m). CLIMATE: In the lowlands, it is quite humid and temperatures usually vary from about 68°-95°F (20°-35°C). At the higher elevations it is much cooler, with temperatures ranging from about 46°-75°F (8°-24°C). Rain is possible anywhere. While we do not intend to shoot in heavy rain, it is a good idea to bring rain protection for both you and your gear in case we get caught out in an unexpected downpour. ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent. All have private, en-suite bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24h electricity. Wi-fi is also available in all lodges, though often it only works in the public areas and not inside the rooms. WHEN TO GO: While we often schedule this tour from January to April (which averages drier), it can be run as a custom tour any time of the year. Even during the wetter months, rain typically comes in short, intense downpours, and bird activity can be superb when they finish. PHOTO PHILOSOPHY: Most of the time will be spent on birds coming to feeders and in areas near the feeders, with some time also spent in blinds. The rest of the time will be spent targeting birds along roads or short tracks/trails. This tour is all about getting nice photos of birds, and not about seeing large numbers of species. If you are a casual photographer and don’t want to miss seeing the harder forest species, you may enjoy one of our other Costa Rica tours more, such as the Costa Rica Introtour (a birding tour), or our Costa Rica Birding with a Camera , for something that sits between a birding tour and a photo tour. GEAR: A 500mm or 600mm is the best option for smaller birds and closeups, but a 300mm with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters also usually does a great job on this tour. A 500 or 600 may be overkill for some larger species, so a shorter prime lens or high-quality zoom is also very useful. A tripod is not strictly necessary, but if you have heavy camera gear, it can be nice to have so you don't have to carry your camera all the time. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and all EU countries. Visas are currently only required of nationalities mainly in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; if you are unsure, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge/restaurant staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 14; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 15 (if you have a very early departing flight, you may miss the included breakfast on the last day); safe drinking water during meals (if eating at a restaurant that includes no drinks, reasonable non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for that meal); Tropical Birding tour leader from the evening of day 1 to the evening of day 14; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they are on the same flight; if the San José hotel has a free airport shuttle, you will be encouraged to use it and private transfers will not be provided). Ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 2 to day 14 (for smaller groups the guide will drive and, for larger groups there will be a driver); one mangrove boat tour on the Tarcol River for the group; local guides where mentioned in the itinerary; entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters if you require their services; flights; airport departure tax; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it! Costa Ric Photo Review Anchor

Brazil: Birding Atlantic Rainforest Highlights Tour Overview: The Atlantic Forest region of Southeast Brazil is jam packed full of amazingly colorful and confiding endemic birds species. This short tour can be either an easy add-on to our Pantanal-Amazon trip, or a superb week-long getaway for people who can only travel for short periods of time. The tour concentrates on two distinct regions: the picturesque lowland rainforests around Ubatuba, which arguable has the easiest and finest lowland birding in all of Southeast Brazil along with some of the best hummer feeders known to man. We’ll then move into the mountains where a totally different set of birds await. We’ll stay in a hotel within Itatiaia National Park with feeders and great birding on the grounds, and use it as a base to explore both the lower and upper elevations of this vast park. Visits to several wetlands and savanna areas will add to an impressive list of birds possible on this short tour. Brazilian Tanager Andres Vasquez Saffron Toucanet Nick Athanas Frilled Coquette Nick Athanas Green-headed Tanager Andres Vasquez Surucua Trogon Andres Vasquez Brassy-breasted Tanager Andres Vasquez Brazilian Ruby Andres Vasquez Red-breasted Toucan Andres Vasquez Red-necked Tanager Andres Vasquez Saw-billed Hermit Andres Vasquez Yellow-fronted Woodpecker Nick Athanas Blond-crested Woodpecker Andres Vasquez Festive Coquette Nick Athanas Robust Woodpecker Nick Athanas Giant Antrshrike Nick Athanas White-eared Puffbird Andres Vasquez Yellow-fronted Woodpecker Nick Athanas Rufous-headed Tanager Andres Vasquez Black-cheeked Gnateater Andres Vasquez Black-hooded Antwren Nick Athanas Gray-headed Tody-Flycatcher Andres Vasquez Festive Coquette Andres Vasquez Black Jacobin Andres Vasquez Black-billed Scythebill Andres Vasquez Swallow-tailed Hummingbird Andres Vasquez Tour Details: 2026 27 July - 3 August* $3990; single supplement: $270 *This tour links up with Brazil: The Pantanal and Amazon . If you join both tours, Tropical Birding will pay for the flight between São Paulo and Cuiabá. Length: 8 Days Starting City: São Paulo Ending City: São Paulo Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birding Group size: 8-9 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Check out our Virtual Tour Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in São Paulo-Guarulhos The tour begins this evening in Guarulhos, a satellite city of São Paulo. We’ll have one night in a good hotel that provides a free airport shuttle. No birding is planned for today. This day is also the departure day for the Pantanal-Amazon tour, so it is easy to combine the trips. Day 2: Guarulhos to Ubatuba After breakfast, we’ll head west, first stopping at a small marsh that often holds White-faced Whistling-Duck, Brazilian Teal, Chestnut-capped Blackbird, Yellow-chinned Spinetail among others species. Nearby, we’ll target the very local Parana Antwren (The São Paulo race is often considered a separate species), with good chances to find Orange-breasted Thornbird in the same spots. Depending on road conditions, we also hope to visit a private reserve called Sítio Macuquinho. The owners have set up feeding stations that provide up-close views of shy species like Red-and-white Crake, Brown Tinamou, White-shouldered Fire-eye, and sometimes even Giant Antshrike. Fruit feeders and hummingbird feeders also can be teeming with birds. We’ll then drive over the coastal range and down towards the sea, enjoying spectacular views along the way if we are lucky enough to have clear weather. We’ll stop in at the amazing feeders at Folha Seca. Swarms of hummers are always present with the gaudy Festive Coquette often being the favorite. Others that visit include Saw-billed Hermit, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Brazilian Ruby, Sombre Hummingbird, Versicolored Emerald, and White-chinned Sapphire. The fruit feeders are less predictable, as sometimes they are very busy and other times rather quiet, but we should see at least a few neat such as Green-headed, Ruby-crowned, Brazilian, and Azure-shouldered Tanagers, and Violaceous Euphonia. We’ll then head to a suburb of the beach town of Ubatuba, where we spend three nights. Days 3-4: Ubatuba Area Forested-covered mountains that come down to the sea make this part of the Atlantic coast truly beautiful. Various private reserves and quiet side roads at the base of the mountains offer easy birding with some of the best species the Atlantic Forest has to offer. Numerous antbirds are possible, many of which are truly handsome and often surprisingly easy to see compared in other parts of the Neotropics – a few in particular that we will be looking for are Scaled and Ferruginous Antbirds, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Tufted and Spot-backed Antshrike, and Star-throated Antwren. Two of the strangest (and coolest!) tapaculos in the world also inhabit the forest here, the strikingly-patterned Spotted Bamboowren and the perky Slaty Bristlefront with its unforgettable song. This is the best place in the world to see the diminutive Buff-throated Purpletuft, an endangered species, and we stand a great chance of finding Black-cheeked Gnateater, one of the most distinctive members of this small family. Other possibilities here include Robust, Yellow-fronted, and Yellow-throated Woodpeckers, Swallow-tailed, White-bearded, and Pin-tailed Manakins, Bare-throated Bellbird, White-necked Hawk, Maroon-bellied and Plain Parakeets, Black-capped, White-eyed, and Ochre-breasted Foliage-gleaners, Crescent-chested and Buff-bellied Puffbirds, and Red-necked Tanager. Day 5: Ubatuba to Itatiaia National Park We’ll leave early and drive a couple of hours east along the scenic coastline. We’ll spend the morning birding a dirt road north of the town of Parque Mombucaba (formerly known as Pereque). There are a number of species not found in the Ubatuba area, most notable the handsome Black-hooded Antwren, an incredibly localized endemic. Other possibilities here include Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Orange-eyed Thornbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, and Riverbank Warbler. In the afternoon, we’ll drive several hours north to the Serra da Mantiqueira, one of the highest mountain ranges in Brazil. We stay three nights in a hotel inside Itatiaia National Park, the oldest national park in Brazil. The hotel is surrounded by forest and a great place for some easy afternoon birding, where we hope to find Frilled Coquettes feeding on flowers in the garden. Nectar feeders should attract a few different hummers such as Scale-throated Hermit and White-throated Hummingbird, and the fruit feeders often bring in Olive-green Tanager, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia along with many common species, but the “holy grail” is the unique Saffron Toucanet, which the locals appropriately call the “banana aracari” – we hope for at least one sighting during our stay. Dusky-legged Guans have lost almost all fear of people and strut and flap everywhere around. Day 6: Itatiaia National Park After breakfast, we’ll enjoy the activity around the hotel for a while, where we may find Slaty-breasted Wood-Rails in the garden or see Blue-winged Macaws depart their roosting holes. We’ll then spend the rest of the day birding roads and trails not far from our hotel. New antbirds await including truly pretty ones like Bertoni’s, Ochre-rumped, and White-bibbed Antbirds, and we’ll be on the lookout for the scarce White-bearded and Giant Antshrikes. Bamboo patches hold Black-billed Scythebill, White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Rufous-capped Spinetail, Fork-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant, and others, and we’ll try our luck with some tough birds like Such’s and Rufous-tailed Antthrushes. The elegant Swallow-tailed Cotinga is unpredictable this time of year, but with luck, we may encounter one. Tawny-browed Owl often lurks in the forest near the hotel in the night, and it’s not unusual to be woken up by its otherworldly calls. Day 7: Algulhas Negras Road After an early breakfast, we’ll drive about 1.5 hours to a rough road that accesses the higher parts of the mountains. The stunted forest and scrub here hosts a very different set of birds, and the eerie calls of Black-and-gold Cotingas ring out through the mist. Hearing them is easy! Seeing them often takes a lot of persistence and patience, but we usually find one in the end. We’ll target several species along the lower parts of the road like Rufous-tailed Antbird, Large-tailed Antshrike (two more amazing antbirds!), Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, and Black-capped Piprites. Forest patches can be quiet until a mixed species flock comes whirling through, and then we can be inundated with birds like Diademed and Brassy-breasted Tanagers, Buff-throated and Bay-chested Warbling-Finches, Pallid Spinetail, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Sharp-billed Treehunter, and White-browed Woodpecker. We’ll check a regular lekking site for Green-crowned Plovercrest, where several males of this superb-looking hummingbird usually perch and chirp incessantly. Farther up, the forest becomes shorter, and we’ll try various spots for the endemic Itatiaia Spinetail, and be sure to look for Araucaria Tit-Spinetail in its eponymous grove of trees. After a picnic lunch, we’ll bird a side road lower down the valley that passes through pastures and light woodland. The birding here is easy and offers very different birds like comical Toco Toucans, screeching Curl-crested Jays, handsome White-eared Puffbirds, dancing Streamer-tailed Tyrants, and the aptly-named Firewood-gatherer. Day 8: Itatiaia to São Paulo-Guarulhos and Departure We have one last morning to chase after anything else we are still looking for in the Itatiaia area. In the afternoon, we drive several hours to São Paulo. We will arrive at the international airport by 5:30pm, in time for evening departures on many airlines. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Most breakfasts will be around 5:30am-6:30am, and a bit earlier on two days. Days are fairly short in July (Sunset is around 5:30pm), and it usually does not get very hot, so there won’t be much downtime in the middle of the day; however we will also not be staying out late, so there will be some time to relax during the evenings. One lunch will be a packed lunch in the field; all other meals will be taken either in the hotel or in a roadside restaurant. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. Most of the birding is done from easy dirt roads and trails, but we’ll make some short excursions on slightly steeper trails that can be slippery in wet weather. You can expect to walk about 3 miles (4.8 km) on most days, and less on the days when we travel between sites. Most of the tour is spent between sea level and 4000 ft (1200 m), with one morning at about 6000 ft (1800 m). CLIMATE: Usually pleasant to warm in the lower elevations, and cool to occasionally cold in the mountains. Occasionally, cold fronts bring cooler temperatures into the region. Some rain can be expected. ACCOMMODATION: Very good hotels; all have private bathrooms, hot water, full-time electricity, and wi-fi (which can be quite slow at Itatiaia). PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but there are decent photo opportunities at various feeders that we visit. Photography is generally better on this trip compared to most other tours in Neotropical forest areas. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Starting in January 2024, Brazil will once again require visas for US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders .Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the UK, EU, New Zealand, and South Africa. For other nationalities, please check with the nearest Brazilian embassy or consulate for current requirements. Travel requirements are subject to change; please double check your visa requirements a few weeks before you travel. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers and lodge/restaurant staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 7; meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 8; some drinks (safe drinking water will always be provided, and reasonable non-alcoholic beverages will be provided during meals); Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the evening of day 1 to the evening of day 8; airport transportation on day 1 via the hotel shuttle bus; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary in a suitable vehicle, starting the morning of day 2 and ending the evening of day 8 in São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport; entrance fees to birding sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; passport and visa fees; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

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Malaysia: Birding the Peninsula Tour Overview: Southeast Asia has an identity all of its own. It is remarkably different from the northern Asian countries. The region is peppered with steamy lowland jungles with highly desired species like giant hornbills, ornately-patterned pittas and technicolor trogons. Southeast Asia can rightly lay claim to some of the dazzling and most wanted birds in all of Asia, from Malayan Peacock-Pheasant to Malayan Banded Pitta to Red-naped Trogon to the enigmatic Rail-Babbler, this part of Asia has its fair share of both the beautiful and the odd. This short tour visits the three premier sites on mainland Malaysia: Kuala Selangor for a dose of mangrove species and coastal birds, then Fraser’s Hill, one of the most famous sites in all of Asia, for an array of hill forest birds, before dropping down into the sweaty lowlands at Taman Negara, a park loaded with spectacular birds, the likes of which draw people there from all over the world, frequently to return again. This park is so rich in birdlife it is sometimes referred to as “Malaysia’s Amazon”! This is an especially rich region for woodpeckers, with some intensive, longer, tours in this area having yielded more than 20 species! Malaysia is a modern country, often at the cutting edge of technology in the region, with a high standard of living; thus the tour is undertaken while staying in comfortable lodging throughout. Scarlet-rumped Trogon Sam Woods Silver-eared Mesia Sam Woods Whiskered Treeswift Nick Athanas Ferruginous Partridge Sam Woods Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Sam Woods Malayan Crested Fireback Ken Behrens Streaked Wren-Babbler Ken Behrens Stork-billed Kingfisher Ken Behrens Malayan Laughingthrush Sam Woods Sultan Tit Sam Woods Wagler's Pit Viper Phil Chaon White-tailed Robin Sam Woods Streaked Spiderhunter Sam Woods Rusty-naped Pitta Sam Woods Malayan Whistling-Thrush Sam Woods Rufous-browed Flycatcher Sam Woods Pygmy Cupwing Sam Woods Large Niltava Sam Woods Mountain Peacock-Pheasant Sam Woods Little Pied Flycatcher Sam Woods Scarlet-rumped Trogon Sam Woods Silver-eared Mesia Sam Woods Whiskered Treeswift Nick Athanas Ferruginous Partridge Sam Woods Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush Sam Woods Malayan Crested Fireback Ken Behrens Streaked Wren-Babbler Ken Behrens Stork-billed Kingfisher Ken Behrens Malayan Laughingthrush Sam Woods Sultan Tit Sam Woods Wagler's Pit Viper Phil Chaon White-tailed Robin Sam Woods Streaked Spiderhunter Sam Woods Rusty-naped Pitta Sam Woods Malayan Whistling-Thrush Sam Woods Rufous-browed Flycatcher Sam Woods Pygmy Cupwing Sam Woods Large Niltava Sam Woods Mountain Peacock-Pheasant Sam Woods Little Pied Flycatcher Sam Woods Tour Details: 2026 27 June - 4 July $3590; single supplement: $490 This tour links with: Borneo: Broadbills and Bristleheads 2027 26 June - 3 July Price: TBA This tour links with: Borneo: Broadbills and Bristleheads Length: 8 Days Starting City: Kuala Lumpur Ending City: Kuala Lumpur Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding Group size: 8 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Kuala Lumpur You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Kuala Lumpur for the night. Day 2: Kuala Selangor Nature Reserve We will depart Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, very early to make it to the coastal plain of Kuala Selangor for dawn. The early start will be worthwhile though, as the mixture of mangroves, coastal scrub, and pools though are sure to add a suite of birds found nowhere else on the tour. Our morning targets in the mangroves shall include Mangrove Blue Flycatcher, Mangrove Whistler, and Golden-bellied Gerygone; while other species that may only feature on this day could include Brahminy Kite, Collared Kingfisher, Pink-necked Green-Pigeon, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Brown-capped Woodpecker, Greater and Common Flamebacks, Common Iora (a likely new family for many), and White-bellied Sea-Eagle. In the afternoon, we shall drive east into the hills and the former British hill station of Fraser’s Hill, one of the most revered birding sites in all of Asia. Three nights will be spent within the pleasant surrounds of Fraser’s Hill, where the well-manicured gardens and native forest hold plentiful hill forest species. Even after our late arrival, it is likely we will bump into some of the more conspicuous inhabitants around town before dark, like Streaked Spiderhunter, Black-throated Sunbird, Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Sibia and the spectacular Silver-eared Mesia. Days 3-4: Fraser’s Hill and The Gap With two full days in this enchanting birding location, we can explore both the top of the hill and the lower elevations around the base of the hill, known as The Gap. While the hill is by no means high (just over 1500m/4900ft. at its very highest point), the forests at the bottom and top vary distinctly in character, with species like Bamboo Woodpecker, Black-thighed Falconet, and Orange-breasted Trogon, for example, only occurring around The Gap. Up on the top, mixed flocks are a major feature of birding life, and these can contain such varied species as Red-headed Trogon, Greater and Lesser Yellownape, Green-billed Malkoha, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, Golden Babbler, and Blue Nuthatch in the mix. Merely walking the forest-lined roads at dawn can be a great birding strategy, as some normally shy interior forest species emerge at the edge and can be seen feeding along the roads; this can apply to Large Niltava and the handsome Rufous-browed Flycatcher. The rasping, near constant calls of the stunning Fire-tufted Barbet are a regular sound at Fraser’s, as is the “dripping tap” song of the Little Cuckoo-Dove, the deep hoots of the Mountain Imperial-Pigeon, and the monotonous calls of the Black-browed Barbet; during our few days here we are sure to run into some, or all, of these. The hill is crisscrossed by trails, which give access to shyer interior forest birds like Pygmy Cupwing (a possible new family for some), Lesser Shortwing, and Streaked Wren-Babbler. Some of the scarcer species found in this location include Red-bearded Bee-eater, Green Magpie, Collared Owlet, Silver-breasted and Long-tailed Broadbills, Sultan Tit, Mountain Leaf-Warbler, Malayan and Black Laughingthrushes, and the endemic Malaysian Whistling-Thrush. Overhead we’ll be on the lookout for aerial birds like the common Glossy Swiftlet, an ever-present; or the impressive Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle or Black Eagle; and, at the lower levels, the graceful Gray-rumped or Whiskered Treeswifts, likely new families for first time visitors to Asia, or even the Rufous-bellied Swallow, a Malaysian endemic. While we are birding in the lovely climate on the hilltop (a regular weekend retreat for modern Malaysian from the heat of Kuala Lumpur, and formerly for the British gentry during colonial times), we may also run into some of the mammals in the area, like a large black gibbon, the Siamang, or one of the regular troops of Banded Leaf-Monkeys that roam the hillsides. On one of these nights we may linger near The Gap at dusk to watch the emergence of Malaysian Eared-Nightjars, which hawk insects over the treetops at dusk. Day 5: Fraser’s Hill to Taman Negara On this day we will swap one of Southeast Asia’s top birding locales for another, of a very different kind. After a final period in the morning birding the hillforests around Fraser’s Hill we will set off for Taman Negara, Malaysia’s premier national park. Arriving in the afternoon, we shall check in to our comfortable resort on the edge of the forest and pick up our first birds right around the resort, many of which, will depend on what flowering and fruiting shrubs are present at the time. However, some of the exciting possibilities include the scarce Straw-headed Bulbul (along with an assortment of other bulbuls, including Red-eyed, Stripe-throated and Yellow-vented); Black-thighed Falconet, Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot, Dark-necked Tailorbird, Jungle Myna, Gray-breasted Spiderhunter, and Brown-throated Sunbird. Days 6 – 7: Taman Negara While this is a popular park, by taking a short boat ride, we will quickly leave the crowded trails behind and visit some of the less-visited ones, where not only are we likely to be alone, we will also be in the best areas of the park for birding, with achingly beautiful species like Green, Banded, and Black-and-yellow Broadbills, Malayan Banded and Garnet Pittas, and Red-naped, Scarlet-rumped and Diard’s Trogons all possible, along with hordes of babblers and bulbuls. One of the trails we will visit is also dotted with mature, giant Dipterocarp trees, which can be great for woodpeckers; and can produce Great Slaty, Banded, Checker-throated, Maroon, and Rufous Woodpeckers have all been recorded in this area! Our time will be split between walking forest trails, and checking for fruiting trees in the resort, which can attract birds like Gold-whiskered and Red-throated Barbets, Asian Fairy-Bluebird, and Asian Pied-Hornbill. The species list for Taman Negara exceeds 300 species, and so the varied and rich possibilities are entoxicating; we could find birds like Crested Fireback, Stork-billed, Banded and Rufous-collared Kingfishers, Crested Jay, Tickell’s and Malaysian Blue Flycatchers, Black-billed and Raffle’s Malkohas, and Black-and-red Broadbill. We may also find mammals around Taman Negara too, with possibilities including the spectacular Giant Squirrel, Malay Civet, and both Asia’s smalles deer (the tiny Lesser Mouse-Deer), and Asia’s largest (the hulking Sambar). The area is also rich in nightbirds, and so there will be optional nightwalks for birds like Sunda Scops-Owl, Gould’s and Large Frogmouths. Day 8: Taman Negara to Kuala Lumpur for DEPARTURE/START BORNEO TOUR As many flights leave from KL in the evening; after some final birding in Taman Negara we shall return to Malaysia’s capital, either for international departures or to fly on to join our exciting Borneo tour, for a swathe of Bornean endemic birds (it boasts more than 40 only found there), and the best mammal viewing in southeast Asia. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. We will be up and in the field by 06:00 am most mornings and enjoying the best of the days birding. However almost every day will be one where we can enjoy a post-lunch rest break and given the heat and humidity this gives both participants and the birds a change to recharge. In the afternoon we start around 3 pm and go out till dusk. There is no call for pre-dawn starts, although there may be a few optional nocturnal excursions at both Fraser’s Hill and Taman Negara, which have some great night birds and mammals. Peninsula Malaysia is compact, and there are no long drives on this delightful bird-filled tour. There may be a one or two packed breakfasts, but all lunches and dinners are sit-down affairs. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. At Kuala Selangor and Fraser’s hill, most of the birding is done from easy track or roads, with some short excursions onto hilly trails at Fraser’s Hill. At Taman Negara, almost all the birding is done from trails. Most of these are well laid out and fairly flat, but there are a few steeper bits, and if there has been rain overnight, the trails can be slick. You can expect to walk around 2 miles (3 km) per day on average. CLIMATE: Hot and humid at Selangor and Taman Negara (mostly 74°-88°F, 23°-31°C) and cool and comfortable at Fraser’s Hill (mostly 50°-68°F, 10°-20°C). June-July is not the rainy season, but rain can still come at any time, often in the afternoons in the form of thunderstorms. ACCOMMODATION: Good to superb, with private facilities throughout. All accommodations have private en-suite bathrooms, full time hot water, 24-hour electricity, and internet. PHOTOGRAPHY: Photography is quite tough on this tour in general, although some of birds around Fraser’s Hill can be quite approachable. WHEN TO GO: This tour can be run year round. We often run it in June/July because that is when it can connect to our Borneo tour. However, just about any time of year can be good, although we might recommend some tweaks to the itinerary if you want to run a custom tour at different times of the year. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Visas are not currently required for citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Visas are currently required only of a few nationalities, mainly in Africa and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; it’s always a good idea to double check six weeks before the tour, or ask our office for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers and lodge/restaurant staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 7; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to lunch on day 8; if any meal includes nothing to drink, Tropical Birding will pay for reasonable non-alcoholic drinks; between meals, only safe drinking water will be provided; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the evening of day 1 to the afternoon of day 7; one arrival airport transfer per person (transfer may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they arrive at the same time); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 1 to day 5 and on day 8; all required boat transport while at Taman Negara; entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary. WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters (if you require their services); flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews Malaysia Review Anchor *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Ecuador: A Photographic Tour of the North Tour Overview: Ecuador is famed for its extraordinary diversity. With a superb selection of lodges and reserves, many of them with excellent feeders, it is one of the premier bird photography destinations in South America. The jewels of the Andes, the hummingbirds, will feature heavily; fantastic feeder set-ups allow excellent photographic opportunities of these “winged gems”. While hummingbirds are undoubtedly a front and center feature of this tour, they will also be accompanied by other colorful tropical birds, including an assortment of tanagers, toucans, trogons, woodpeckers, and even the incredible, vivid scarlet Andean Cock-of-the-rock. An optional extension to Sani Lodge in the Amazon is also available. White-booted Racket-tails Pablo Cervantes Plate-billed Mountain Toucan Pablo Cervantes Daza Sword-billed Hummingbird Dorian Anderson Orange-breasted Fruiteater Pablo Cervantes Long-tailed Tit-tyrant Nick Athanas Blue-necked Tanager Andres Vasquez Blue-capped Tanager Dorian Anderson Southern Lapwing Dorian Anderson Rufous-throated Tanager Pablo Cervantes Andean Cock-of-the-rock Pablo Cervantes Daza Torrent Duck Pablo Cervantes Daza Inca Jay Pablo Cervantes Daza Many-banded Aracari Pablo Cervantes Daza Sparkling Violetear Pablo Cervantes Daza Hoatzin Pablo Cervantes Daza Scarlet-browed Tanager Pablo Cervantes Daza Mountain Velvetbreast Pablo Cervantes Daza Green-tailed Trainbearer - Pablo Cervantes Daza Rufous Motmot Pablo Cervantes Daza Carcunculated Caracara Sam Woods Scarlet Macaw Pablo Cervantes Daza White-booted Racket-tails Pablo Cervantes Plate-billed Mountain Toucan Pablo Cervantes Daza Sword-billed Hummingbird Dorian Anderson Orange-breasted Fruiteater Pablo Cervantes Long-tailed Tit-tyrant Nick Athanas Blue-necked Tanager Andres Vasquez Blue-capped Tanager Dorian Anderson Southern Lapwing Dorian Anderson Rufous-throated Tanager Pablo Cervantes Andean Cock-of-the-rock Pablo Cervantes Daza Torrent Duck Pablo Cervantes Daza Inca Jay Pablo Cervantes Daza Many-banded Aracari Pablo Cervantes Daza Sparkling Violetear Pablo Cervantes Daza Hoatzin Pablo Cervantes Daza Scarlet-browed Tanager Pablo Cervantes Daza Mountain Velvetbreast Pablo Cervantes Daza Green-tailed Trainbearer - Pablo Cervantes Daza Rufous Motmot Pablo Cervantes Daza Carcunculated Caracara Sam Woods Scarlet Macaw Pablo Cervantes Daza Tour Details: 2027 Main Tour : 15 - 25 January $4850; single supplement: $480 Extension: 25 - 30 January $3670; single supplement: $690 Length: 11 Days (16 Days w/ Extension) Starting City: Quito Ending City: Quito Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Bird Photography Group size: 6 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Check out our Virtual Tour Detailed Itinerary This itinerary is sometimes run in a different order than listed here due to availability in the lodges and other factors, but all sites will be visited. Day 1: Quito The tour starts this evening in Quito, and you will be transferred to an excellent hotel for the night. If the extension is run before the main tour, this will be the last day of the extension. Day 2: Antisana to Guango Lodge Our first morning of the tour will be truly spectacular and for good reason, as we visit the open grasslands surrounding the enormous Antisana volcano. This is often voted as the favorite site of the tour by many, for the wonderful surroundings in which we will be shooting. The towering peak of the Antisana Volcano itself is impressive, with a large snow-covered top, and dramatic rocky sides. The páramo (grassland) is interspersed with rocky outcrops and scenic high Andean lakes dotted with high altitude waterfowl. Indeed the scenery itself may be our biggest photo asset. Aside from these breathtaking Andean scenes, the upper páramo is carpeted with Carunculated Caracaras, a striking pied raptor that occurs here in impressive numbers. Black-faced Ibis patrol these high plains as do Andean Lapwings and large flocks of Andean Gulls. It is a site that will leave a lasting impression, and provide ample shots for processing at the end of the tour. After lunch at a hacienda on site, we shall drive to Guango Lodge, where we will spend two nights Day 3: Guango Lodge Guango is a small lodge with great hummingbirds; it will complement our later visit to Tandayapa very well. Guango has a varied set of feeders that attract dozens of hummingbirds, including such extravagant species as the “cartoonesque” Sword-billed Hummingbird, the dapper black-and-white Collared Inca, aggressive Chestnut-breasted Coronet, tiny White-bellied Woodstar, and sublime Tourmaline Sunangel. The hummer feeders are also a target for other local birds, most notably the indigo blue Masked Flowerpiercer that will make a tempting subject for our cameras. The temperate forest that overhangs this comfortable Andean lodge also attracts passing flocks of birds, some of which can be remarkably confiding and photogenic, that including the cerulean-blue Turquoise Jay. Day 4: Papallacta and Guango to Quito Weather permitting, we will venture into the páramo grasslands of the high Andes around Papallacta Pass; on clear days we can enjoy spectacular views of several snow-capped volcanoes. The high altitude birds that reside there can be remarkably confiding. Comical cinclodes bound around on the páramo, Tawny Antpittas hop along the roads, and with the use of playback, shier birds like canasteros and tit-spinetails can often be brought in close. At lunch time we will return to Guango, where will have the most of the afternoon to shoot hummingbirds, walk the forest trails behind the lodge, or scan the river alongside for Torrent Ducks. In mid-afternoon, we shall pack up and head to Quito for a night. Days 5: Zuroloma to Tandayapa Bird Lodge After leaving Quito, we’ll first visit the Zuroloma reserve. The feeders at this site are just fantastic, regularly attracting Sword-billed Hummingbird, Mountain Velvetbreast, Collared Inca, and Sapphire-vented Puffleg on the hummingbird front, but also Andean Guan, Masked and Glossy Flowerpiercers, Yellow-breasted Brushfinch, and Blue-capped Tanager too at the other feeders on site. The reserve landowners are also famous for their successful efforts to tame several shy antpitta species, and we will be hoping to connect with an Equatorial or Chestnut-naped Antpitta during our visit too. Away from the feeders, we may see Red-crested Cotinga, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, or Black-crested Warbler. By late morning, we will switch over to nearby Yanacocha reserve, where will take lunch after checking out Shining Sunbeams and Great Sapphirewings at their own feeders. In the afternoon, we'll make our way downslope to Tandayapa Bird Lodge, our base for five nights. The lodge is nestled within lush subtropical forest on the west slope of the Andes, an area renowned for its high bird species diversity. Days 6-9: Northwest Ecuador based out of Tandayapa Bird Lodge Tandayapa makes a great base to explore the surrounding region, and the lodge itself is one of the best spots for bird photography in Ecuador. This is especially evident in the impressive hummingbird community found right around the lodge that will occupy much of our photographic energies. The lodge feeders attract thousands of individual hummingbirds, with 10-20 species visiting on most days. The most common is usually is the outrageous White-booted Racket-tail, the male of which has a strange long tail, with two paddles at the end. Other regular drop-ins are a number of glistening species like the audacious Violet-tailed Sylph, the standout Purple-bibbed Whitetip, and the gem-like Western Emerald., dinky Purple-throated Woodstar that regularly buzz around the Tandayapa balcony. If hummingbird photography is your goal, you are likely to come away with plenty of shots of over ten species of hummingbird, many of which are hard to photograph elsewhere. Fruit feeders at the lodge can also attract “technicolor” birds like Red-headed Barbet, Blue-winged Mountain-Tanager, or Toucan Barbet. Other species often come in to eat insects attracted to lights, such as flycatchers, woodcreepers, and more. We will also make day trips to other areas within an hour or so of the lodge. Some of these include Birdwatchers House for Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, Milpe Bird Sanctuary for some different hummingbird species and a chance at the unique Club-winged Manakin, and the Mashpi-Amaguza reserve, which has superb fruit feeders attracting a rainbow of species like Glistening-green Tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, and Velvet-purple Coronet. Day 10: Paz de las Aves to Quito We’ll depart very early and head to one of the most important bird sites in the area, the wonderful Paz de las Aves Refuge. This beautiful reserve is set within subtropical forest where the moist, moss-covered trees are burdened with bright red bromeliads. Our early rise will let us visit an area deep within the forest where a short time after dawn the bright scarlet forms of several displaying Andean Cock-of-the-rocks will start the day off with a spectacular forest performance. However, what has made this place such a joy for photographers and birders alike is the habituating of several rare and shy species of the forest floor, especially the antpittas. Giant, Moustached, Yellow-breasted Antpittas, Ochre-breasted, and Chestnut-crowned Antpittas are all possible, with usually at least two of them cooperating on any given visit. Other birds we will be trying to photograph include Dark-backed Wood-Quail, Rufous-breasted Antthrush, and White-capped Dipper. Later in the morning, we may visit one of the other sites mentioned above, or we may return to Tandayapa for a few hours, before returning to Quito for the final night of the tour. Day 11: Departure The tour ends this morning with transfers to the airport. If the extension is running after the main tour, this will be the first day of the extension. Amazon Extension Introduction: Wildlife photography in the Amazon is as tough as it gets. We had hesitated to offer a trip until we went to Sani Lodge in early June 2015, and that totally changed our minds. After a few days there, we came back with chips loaded with great photos, and were convinced that this was THE place to do it. This extension can also be done at any time as a custom tour, and longer and shorter packages are possible. *Please note: For the Amazon Extension, a Tropical Birding guide will only accompany the group if there are three or more people. For groups of only one or two people, a local, bird guide from the lodge will be used. Day 1: Quito to Sani Lodge After a short flight to the lowland city of Coca, staff from Sani Lodge will meet us and take us to a dock, where we’ll board a large, covered motorized canoe for the 2.5 hour journey down the Napo River. There won’t be much in the way of photo opportunities during this trip, so just sit back in relax. Upon arrival at Sani’s dock, you’ll have a chance to unpack your camera and get ready. Here in the virgin Amazon rainforest, you never know when something amazing will pop into view and it pays to be prepared! The path to Sani goes along a boardwalk through seasonally flooded várzea forest to another dock at the edge of the Challuayacu River, a small channel that winds through beautiful swamp forest to an oxbow lake. Five species of kingfishers occur along here along with herons and other water-loving species. Shy species like Cocha Antshrike can sometimes be lured into view, and while the dark rainforest makes the photography challenging, with persistence, the right gear, and a little luck, great shots are still possible. We’ll have lunch at Sani, and spend the afternoon either on the lake or river, or spend time around the lodge depending on activity. We’ll have four nights total based in Sani Lodge. Note: If the extension runs before the main tour, today will be the second day, since you will need to arrive the previous day in Quito. Days 2-4: Full days based out of Sani Lodge The day to day activities here are highly subject to change based on current conditions. Local guides are keeping up with the current hotspots, and their knowledge will be vital in deciding where best to spend our days at Sani Lodge. Here are some of the most likely areas we will visit during our time at Sani Lodge: The lodge clearing. The Sani clearing can be a great place to photography numerous colorful species, especially if any trees are fruiting. White-chinned Jacamar, Scarlet-crowned Barbet, various toucans and aracaris, Orange-crested Manakin, Gray-fronted Dove, Masked Crimson and Silver-beaked Tanagers, Purple Honeycreeper, Golden-bellied Euphonia, are some of the possibilities. This is a great area to spend time in during the heat of the day, which can be slow in other locations. Oxbow lake and Challuayacu River. Using canoes or a floating platform/blind suitable for tripods, we’ll work the edge of the oxbow lake, which is great for getting photos of Hoatzin, Black-capped Donacobius, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Capped Heron, Pale-vented Pigeon, White-winged Swallow, Lesser Kiskadee, and more. There is usually plenty of light to work with and the photography is easier than in the forest. The previously-mentioned Challuayacu River is darker but offers the chance for perched hummingbirds, manakins, various antbirds, and even monkeys and sloths. Canopy tower. Sani’s canopy tower is built into enormous kapok tree, and the platform is the largest we’ve ever seen, allowing for lots of space to set up a tripod or to move around for the perfect angle. Activity can vary, but if a mixed flock comes through, this can be one of the best places in Sani to get great shots, and there is plenty of light. Some birds we have photographed there include Many-banded Aracari, Paradise and Opal-crowned Tanagers, Great Jacamar, Yellow-billed and White-fronted Nunbirds, Gilded and Lemon-throated Barbets, Cinnamon-throated and Buff-throated Woodcreepers, Black-tailed and Green-backed Trogons, Black-tailed Tityra, Cinnamon Attila, though many more are possible. Near the tower, there is a blind that allows good chances to photograph the dapper Wire-tailed Manakin. More blinds may be installed in the future as well. Yasuní parrot licks. Not far from Sani Lodge are the famous clay licks that on dry days bring in hundreds and hundreds of parrots. Both have blinds and are well worth visiting. Flash is not allowed here, so a very fast lens and a tripod are recommended. The first clay lick is active early, and is great for Yellow-crowned, Mealy, and Blue-headed Parrots, and Dusky-headed Parakeet. Another lick is about a 20 minute walk into the forest and offers a chance at some rare species like Orange-cheeked Parrot, Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet, and Scarlet Macaw among the hordes of Cobalt-winged Parakeets. Napo River islands. River islands hold a totally different set of birds, and the scrub and young forest makes the lighting easier than inside the rainforest. It can be good to spend a few hours looking for the specialties including Oriole Blackbird, Black-and-white Antbird, Castlenau’s Antshrike, and Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant. Occasionally a roosting Striped Owl is also found here. Roosting nightbird stakeouts. Local guides usually know where at least some nightbirds are sleeping during the day, such as Common and Great Potoo, Tropical and Tawny-bellied Screech-owl, and Crested and Mottled Owls. Sometimes they are partly obscured our badly backlit, but other times they show very well allowing for nice shots. It’s always worth checking them out. Night photography. Numerous bizarre insects, colorful frogs and reptiles, and other macro targets can be found on a night walk behind the lodge. If you are into macro photography, or want to try it out for the first time, it’s a lot of fun. Of course there is also a chance for a nightbird or even a night monkey as well. Day 5: Sani to Quito Depending on flight schedules, there may be time for some early morning shooting before we have to travel back up the Napo River to Coca and fly back to Quito, where we spend a final night. Flight schedules are variable – sometimes you are back in Quito by lunch, giving you the afternoon to relax, whereas other times flights don’t arrive until late afternoon or evening. If the extension runs before the main tour, this will be day 6, and it will be the same day as Day 1 of the main tour. Day 6: Departure If the extension runs after the main tour, this is departure day, and transport to the Quito airport will be provided. Trip Considerations PACE: Relaxed to moderate. Breakfast times are typically 5:30-6:30am, with an earlier breakfast required on one day of the main tour and one or two days of the extension. Most days will have several hours of downtime to relax or download photos – this is often in the late afternoon when the light may be poor and when it is more likely to rain, or in the middle of the day on the extension when it is hot and slow. A few of the days will involve several hours of driving. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. Much of the main tour will be spent near feeders which are accessed by only a short walk. At Refugio Paz we will need to walk roughly half a mile (about 1 km) on moderately steep and often slippery trails in order to photograph some of the special birds. There will also be short walks on trails to target a few things at Milpe and Guango. Parts of at least three days will be spent at high elevations above 11,500 ft. (3500 m.), however little walking is done at these altitudes, and those nights are spent much lower at 8500 ft. (2600 m). On the extension, much more walking is required, up to 3 miles (4.8 km) a day, and sometimes on trails that are very muddy (the lodge provides rubber boots), and accessing the canopy tower requires climbing up 120 ft. (37 m.) via a sturdy and well-made staircase. CLIMATE: Usually very pleasant (mostly 55°-75°F, 13°-24°C), but cold at Papallacta and Antisana (possibly down to near freezing) and hot on the one day at Suamox and for the entire extension (up to c. 90°F/32°C). Some rain can be expected, especially in the afternoons and evenings, and intense downpours are not unexpected on the extension (good rain protection for your gear is essential). ACCOMMODATION: Good, all have private, en-suite bathrooms, and full-time hot water. All lodges on the main tour have 24hr electricity. On the extension, electricity is provided by generator that is turned on for limited hours, but it provides sufficient time to charge camera batteries and devices. WHEN TO GO: This tour can be run year round. While climate has become rather unpredictable in recent years, the driest months on average are June-August, the wettest months are March-April, and the other months are intermediate. Bird activity is slower when it is very dry, but even in the dry season, some rain can be expected. Rainy season tours are usually very productive, since on most days the mornings are dry, and the increased cloud cover means there is usually less harsh sunlight to deal with in the middle of the day. On the extension, rain can be expected year round, but it usually falls in short, intense bursts; December-February are usually the driest months on average in the Ecuadorian Amazon, but even then you will likely get some rain. PHOTO PHILOSOPHY: On the main tour, at least half the time will be spent on birds coming to feeders (with the option for some multi-flash hummingbird photography) or photographing birds that come in to eat insects that were attracted by the lights over the night. The rest of the time will be spent targeting things along roads or short tracks/trails. On the extension, only a little time will be spent at feeders, and the rest of the time will be divided between boats, the canopy tower, the boardwalk, trails, the parrot lick, and other sites depending on current conditions. GEAR: A good 300mm lens (or high end zoom that covers 300mm) and a full-frame camera are ideal for hummingbirds, but a longer lens is better for most other birds. A 500mm with a 1.4x or 600mm are the best options, but a 300mm with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters also usually does a great job. A smaller lens can be nice for scenery shots in the high Andes. A flash (where permitted) is also useful since light can be quite low early in the morning and inside forest. Weather permitting, there will be some opportunities for optional nocturnal macro photography, especially on the extension, where a good macro lens and flash (a ring flash or off-camera flash is best) would be useful. Flash is not permitted at Paz de las Aves or Mashpi Amaguza. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and all European countries. Visas are currently only required of a few nationalities, mostly in Asia, Africa, and the middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; if you are unsure, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 9 if taking only the main tour, and through the night of day 5 of the extension if also taking the extension; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 10 if taking only the main tour, and to breakfast on day 6 of the extension if also taking the extension (if you have a very early departing flight, you may miss the included breakfast on the last day); safe drinking water and/or juice during meals; safe drinking water as well as tea and coffee are available at Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Guango Lodge, and Sani Lodge at any time; one of our photo guides with camera and audio playback gear from the morning of day 2 to the afternoon of day 9 if taking only the main tour, and to the afternoon of day 5 of the extension if also taking the extension (NOTE: The extension requires a minimum of 2 people to run. If only one person signs up for the extension, we will offer the option of either cancelling the extension for a refund, or taking the extension WITHOUT the Tropical Birding photo guide, and instead having a private local bird guide while at Sani Lodge); one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they arrive at the same time); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 2 to day 9 in a suitable vehicle with a local driver; if taking the extension, airport transfers to and from the Quito airport, roundtrip airfare from Quito to Coca, roundtrip boat transport from Coca to Sani Lodge (may be shared with other lodge guests), private boat transport while at Sani Lodge, and private Sani local guide are also included; entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to help keep track of what you have photographed (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters in the Quito hotel (if you require their services); flights (except for the included roundtrip flight from Quito to Coca on the extension); snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; excess luggage charges; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Birding Western Australia Tour Overview: After the Eastern Australian season begins to wind down, Western Australia comes into its own. This tour can be done as an extension to our Eastern Australia tour, or as a stand-alone tour for those only seeking the specialties of the southwest – there are 15 endemic birds to look for after all! In this season, there can also be vast blooms of other-worldly flowers scattered within the coastal heaths, woodlands and forests, bringing them alive with nectar-feeding birds such as honeyeaters, which abound in this country-come-continent. Some mouthwatering targets include Western Spinebill, two species of enormous black-cockatoos, Red-winged and Blue-breasted fairywrens (alongside the decidedly common Splendid Fairywren), Western Shrike-Tit, and the famous “Western Tough Trio” of Western Bristlebird, Western Whipbird and Noisy Scrub-Bird. There is also a chance for a Malleefowl and superb mammals too, like the abundant Western Grey Kangaroo, and two major regional scarcities, Numbat and Honey Possum, although some fortune is required for the last two! This region is wonderfully scenic, overlooked, and scandalously under-appreciated sector of the vast Australian network of high-quality birding areas! Red-capped Parrot Sam Woods Blue-breasted Fairywren Sam Woods Western Spinebill Sam Woods Western Shrike Tit Keith Barnes Rock Parrot Keith Barnes Tawny-cronwed Honeyeater Sam Woods Western Whipbird Sam Woods Western Gray Kangaroo Sam Woods Western Bristlebird Sam Woods Rufous Treecreeper Keith Barnes Purple-crowned Lorikeet Sam Woods Red-capped Parrot Sam Woods Blue-breasted Fairywren Sam Woods Western Spinebill Sam Woods Western Shrike Tit Keith Barnes Rock Parrot Keith Barnes Tawny-cronwed Honeyeater Sam Woods Western Whipbird Sam Woods Western Gray Kangaroo Sam Woods Western Bristlebird Sam Woods Rufous Treecreeper Keith Barnes Purple-crowned Lorikeet Sam Woods Red-capped Parrot Sam Woods Blue-breasted Fairywren Sam Woods Western Spinebill Sam Woods Western Shrike Tit Keith Barnes Rock Parrot Keith Barnes Tawny-cronwed Honeyeater Sam Woods Western Whipbird Sam Woods Western Gray Kangaroo Sam Woods Western Bristlebird Sam Woods Rufous Treecreeper Keith Barnes Purple-crowned Lorikeet Sam Woods Tour Details: 2026 16 - 23 November $5200; single supplement: $880 2027 16 - 23 November $5560; single supplement: $940 Length: 8 Days Starting City: Perth Ending City: Perth Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding Group size: 7 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Australia Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Perth After your arrival and transfer to our Perth hotel, we will meet for dinner to start the tour. Day 2: Perth to Dryandra Just outside of the city lies the wonderful Victoria Dam, an excellent birding site, which will quickly yield a bunch of our southwest specialties. When there are blooming banksias and other native plants, the area can be alive with nectarivores, including some regional endemics, like Western Spinebill, Western Wattlebird, and Gilbert’s Honeyeater. Other specialties we will be seeking include Western Whistler, the beautiful Red-capped Parrot, Red-winged Fairywren, Western Thornbill and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo. The supporting cast is equally impressive with the distinctive '28-form' of Australian Ringneck and Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo as regulars, and it is likely will see our first spectacular Splendid Fairywrens in this area, which are absurdly abundant in southwest Australia. We will also keep an eye out overhead, as Square-tailed Kite, a scarce Aussie raptor, frequents the area too. After lunch, we will head south to Dryandra for the afternoon, one of Western Australia’s most revered birding sites. As we make our way south of Perth, we will check a few sites with Jarrah woodland for the scarce Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo. The night will be spent in nearby Narrogin. Day 3: Dryandra to Areas surrounding Stirling Ranges NP We will have already sampled some of the birds of the southwest the afternoon before, but Dryandra is well worth an extensive sweep, occupying the whole morning. Dryandra and Narrogin are home to mixed Marri, Jarrah, Mallet, Sheoak and Wondoo woodlands, which are special to the southwest. Some of the most notable birds include Square-tailed Kite, Painted Buttonquail, Rufous Treecreeper, Blue-breasted Fairywren, Regent Parrot, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Western Rosella, Red-capped and Scarlet Robins, and Western Yellow Robin. The rare Numbat, a very odd Aussie mammal, is found in the temperate woodlands around Dryandra, and while birding, we will hope to get extremely lucky with this one! In the afternoon, we make our way to the beautiful areas surrounding Sterling Ranges National Park for a two-night stay, located within the only major mountain range within southern Western Australia. The route there passes through excellent parrot country, with sometimes incredible numbers of Australian Ringnecks, Red-capped and Regent Parrots within the agricultural matrix studded with pockets of wooded areas. Day 4: Corackerup Nature Reserve and Areas surrounding Stirling Ranges National Park During the morning we shall take an early morning trip out to a small area of mallee at Corackerup Nature Reserve. Our hope will be to find that Australian habitat's most famous resident, the Malleefowl. Even if we fail to see Malleefowl, the area holds another southwest specialty, Western Whipbird, as well as being home to Purple-gaped and Tawny-crowned honeyeaters Western Wattlebird, Shy Heathwren, and Southern Scrub-Robin. In the afternoon, we will explore the Stirling Ranges, checking heathy areas for Western Fieldwren, and scouring campsites for birds like Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, Elegant Parrot, Western Shrike-Tit, and White-breasted Robin. At night we can search for Australian Owlet-Nightjar, Barn Owl and Southern Boobook. Day 5: Hotspots around Stirling Ranges to Cheynes Beach Following some final birding around Stirling Ranges, we shall make a detour to visit a very good area for Western Corella, around Rocky Gully, an area that also offers up another shot at Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo. We then switch back south towards the coast, for a two-night stay at the scenic Cheynes Beach. On the journey south, we will check coastal sites for Australian shorebirds and particularly for Fairy Tern. At night, we can search the local coastal heathland on foot, to check for flowering banksias, and to see if any Honey Possums are in attendance. Day 6: Cheynes Beach and surrounds This day will be dedicated to the area's three infamous skulking specialties – Western Whipbird, Noisy Scrub-Bird and Western Bristlebird. None of them are easy, but they are all found within a relatively small area, so we can try a range of spots around the local coastal heaths. These are also home to Brush Bronzewing, Red-eared Firetail, and the local coastlines can be good for Rock Parrot too. A second night will be spent at Cheynes Beach. Day 7: Cheynes Beach to Perth This is something of a “flexi day”, as we can have another go at the local heath skulkers if we missed them the day before, but we will also be returning north, through many areas already covered, and passing by numerous excellent birding areas, so we will pick our spots carefully to plug any gaps if needed, or simply continue to add more bird species. If we need Banded Stilt, we may hit a coastal site, although if we are seeking woodland or heathland birds, we have the chance to do that too. The final night of the tour will be spent at a hotel near Perth airport. Day 8: Departures from Perth There is no birding scheduled on this day, so feel free to leave whenever suits you. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. This tour targets specialist birds, and in order to do so it will involve early starts, at around 5:00am. There are a number of long drives on this tour, with some short sections of these on good, unpaved roads. A 4 x 4 vehicle however is not required. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: The walks on this trip are mostly easy, not involving any steep gradients or elevations, but will be on rocky and uneven ground at times. CLIMATE: The climate in the southwest is very comfortable and November is the best time to visit, especially with the dry season approaching. Temperatures will be around the low 70's during the day and low 50's at night. Expect light rain on about one in five days. ACCOMMODATION: The accommodations are good throughout. For the two nights in Cheynes Beach, we will be staying in fully quipped units, where food can be prepared, as there are no close restaurants. Everyone will be given food to take their breakfast in their own unit as they wish for the two mornings there. Two dinners will be cooked by the guide, while lunches will likely be taken elsewhere. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for entry into Australia, which must be valid for at least six months beyond your departure. All visitors must obtain a visa or travel authorization in advance, however, this can usually be done online fairly painlessly; check the Australian immigration website, or ask our office staff for help if you are unsure. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Accommodation from night of day 1 through to night of day 7; meals from dinner on day 1 to dinner on day 7; safe drinking water between meals; most hotels in Australia provide a kettle and tea and coffee; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the evening of day 1 to the night of 7; transfer by taxi to the airports at the start and end of the tour; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary in a suitable vehicle driven by the tour leader; entrance fees to all birding sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the Tropical Birding tour leader; international flights; excess baggage fees; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, internet, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Western Aus Review Anchor Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Namibia & Botswana: Birding the Living Desert Tour Overview: Outwardly sun-scorched, rocky, and rugged, Namibia is a land of surprising biodiversity. Running north-south, the Namibian escarpment defines the backbone of the country; it surprises many to learn that Windhoek is at 5,400 feet of elevation. We’ll enjoy some introductory birding around that capital city before descending west, into the red-sand Namib Desert and onto the adjoining Skeleton Coast. The avifauna changes correspondingly, and we’ll encounter a mix of desert dwellers and shoreline specialists. The number of flamingos in Walvis Bay is amazing. Departing the coast, we’ll visit Omaruru, a rocky region known for hornbills and other Namibian near-endemics. Next on the agenda, Etosha National Park! Renowned for its elephants, rhinos, giraffes, antelope, and big cats, the park also hosts an incredible array of birds, several near-endemics included. Three days in Etosha won’t feel like enough, but a new roster of birds will draw us east, into the Caprivi strip. Water levels permitting, we’ll take a boat trip to visit a colony of Southern Carmine Bee-eaters. And if that sounds exciting, just wait until we cross into Botswana and explore the northern end of the Okavango Delta. The grounds of our riverside lodge teem with kingfishers and weavers, and expert boatmen will steer us along the adjacent flow, Pel’s Fishing-Owl, White-backed Night-Heron, and Slaty Egret possible at every turn. As this tour promises dozens of mammals, hundreds of birds, and countless miles of unique scenery, it should not be missed! Malachite Kingfisher Ken Behrens Rockrunner Keith Barnes African Lion Lisle Gwynn African Elephant Ken Behrens Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Ken Behrens Rosy-faced Lovebird Ken Behrens Rüppell's Bustard Keith Barnes Blacksmith Lapwing Ken Behrens African Gray Hornbill Ken Behrens White-faced Scops Owl Ken Behrens Namibian Rock Agama Ken Behrens Petrified Tree Lisle Gwynn Swainson's Francolin Ken Behrens Crimson-breasted Shrike Ken Behrens Namibia scenery Keith Barnes Little Bee-eater Ken Behrens Crowned Lapwing Ken Behrens Northern Black Korhaan Ken Behrens Red-eyed Bulbul Keith Barnes Pale Chanting Goshawk Ken Behrens Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Ken Behrens Namibia scenery Keith Barnes Southern Carmine Bee-eater Ken Behrens Lilac-breasted Roller Lisle Gwynn Desert Lisle Gwynn Tour Details: 2026 5 - 20 September $6900; single supplement: $750 2027 2 - 17 September Price: TBA Length: 16 Days Starting City: Windhoek Ending City: Windhoek Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birding and Wildlife Group size: 9 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Check out our Virtual Tour Detailed Itinerary Day 1 - Arrival in Windhoek Touching down in Namibia’s capital, we step into a land of big skies and rugged beauty. Time permitting, we’ll explore some local hotspots this afternoon. The first is Avis Dam, where we’ll have the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with many of the common birds we’ll see throughout the tour. Among Maccoa Duck, Kittlitz’s Plover, Crimson-breasted Gonolek, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, and Mountain Chat, Rockrunner is the real prize, the near-endemic favoring the bluffs above the basin. We might also venture to the Gammams wastewater treatment plant. We’re always successful in negotiating entrance, but it sometimes takes a bit of back-and-forth and a call to the supervisor! Once inside, we can expect Red-knobbed Coot, African Darter, and Reed Cormorant; African Fish-Eagle, Squacco Heron, and African Swamphen are also possible. Day 2 - Windhoek to Spreetshoogte Pass As we need to move only three hours south on this first full day, there will be time to visit (or revisit) Avis Dam and/or the Gammams waterworks. As both sites hold many species, return visits inevitably turn up birds that escaped us on a first pass. We’ll lunch as the midday heat gathers, provision ourselves with snacks at a local grocery store, and leave the city behind, closing the distance to our overnight through the afternoon. Reaching that destination, we’ll absorb incredible scenery as we explore the property for the likes of Red-billed Spurfowl, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Pearl-spotted Owlet, and Karoo Scrub-Robin. If we’re really lucky, we might intersect Orange River Francolin or Nicholson’s Pipit. The bulbous rock formations are stunning, and the star-gazers among us will enjoy the crystal clear views the light-free region permits. Day 3 - Spreetshoogte Pass to Walvis Bay The non-stop drive to Walvis is upwards of four hours, but the journey will take us closer to seven or eight by the time we include birding stops. There’s zero civilization along our route — not even a gas station! — so we’ll enjoy a hearty farmhouse on this usually chilly morning. That meal concluded, we’ll drive fifteen minutes to Spreetshoogle Pass, an elevated overlook offering breath-taking views of the surrounding mountains and the Namib desert. Continuing west, we’ll look for Herero Chat, Bokmakierie, Social Weaver, White-throated Canary, Chat Flycatcher, and Rüppell’s Korhaan as we descend. Turning north, toward Walvis, we should encounter our first mammal in the form of Oryx, one of the most striking antelopes on the planet. If we make good time, a field lunch enjoyed along the road, we’ll search for Dune Lark, one of Namibia’s most coveted birds, as we approach Walvis. If we miss, we’ll try again tomorrow, but nailing this bird down on this admittedly very long day frees us up to chase down other species tomorrow. Regardless, we’ll have a massive seafood dinner after checking into our beachfront digs, where we’ll spend two nights. Today’s long drive will have unfolded entirely on dirt roads, so we’ll sleep well with all the bouncing and bumping behind us! Day 4 - Walvis Bay and Swakopmund This morning’s activities will be dictated by the results of yesterday’s Dune Lark search. If we missed that bird, then we’ll backtrack for it; if we bagged it, then we’ll take a relaxed spin around Walvis Bay looking for Damara Tern, Hartlaub’s Gull, Orange River White-eye, and a wide variety of shorebirds: Pied Avocet, Chestnut-banded Plover, Marsh Sandpiper, Little Stint, and others. Either path will lead us to Swakopmund mid-morning, whereupon we’ll search for Gray’s Lark and Tractrac Chat on the gravel plains backing the local salt works. Lunch will be had in 'Swakop', and we’ll use the afternoon to mop up whatever waterbirds we missed in the morning. With proper dedication, we should be able to pick-up African Oystercatcher, Great Crested Tern, and Cape Cormorant as we sift through thousands of Greater and Lesser Flamingos. If the winds are from the east, we might score a pelagic bonus like White-chinned Petrel or Sooty Shearwater. Who knows? We had African Penguin in the surf one year! This will be our second night in Walvis. Day 5 - Walvis to Omaruru via Spitkoppe Assuming we’ve ticked all the relevant larks and waders, we will depart Walvis under cover of darkness and drive two hours to Spitzkoppe. The goal is to arrive soon after sunrise, when Namibia’s most elusive endemic, Herero Chat, is most vocal and active. Weaving around the towering rock formations as we search for that bird, we’ll keep our eye peeled for White-tailed Shrike, Layard’s Warbler, Pririt Batis, Dusky Sunbird, and Verreaux’s Eagle. Once we’ve ticked our Spitzkoppe targets, hopefully by mid-morning, we’ll vacate the area and continue two hours to Omaruru for lunch and a heat-of-the-day siesta at our incredible, tented lodge. Rock Hyrax crawl over every boulder, and Rosy-faced Lovebirds mob the feeder just outside the restaurant. Once the sun drops a bit, we’ll bird the wooded areas along the property and nearby riverbed for Rüppell’s Parrot, Carp’s Tit, Violet Woodhoopoe, Southern Pied Babbler, and a foursome of hornbills: Southern Yellow-billed, Damara Red-billed, Monteiro’s, and African Gray. And the kicker? Freckled Nightjar often buzzes the outdoor tables at the lodge restaurant, so bring your binos to the meal! Day 6 - Omaruru The Omaruru/Erongo region hosts so many key birds that we’ll want (and need) another full day to track them all down. This morning, we’ll make a dedicated, predawn effort to locate Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, a near-endemic which vocalizes while standing atop large boulders. Other birds we might hope for in the area, include Green-winged Pytilia, Acacia Pied Barbet, Burnt-necked Eremomela, Black-chested Prinia, Brubru, Golden-breasted Bunting, and Violet-eared Waxbill. It will be very hot in the dry surroundings, but so will the birding (hopefully)! Day 7 - Omaruru mop-up and Etosha National Park We have another morning in this area to soak up the special birds or catch up on any missed targets, before heading north to Etosha. The middle third of our drive to Okaukuejo Camp offers productive birding – Secretarybird, Kori Bustard, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Red-headed Finch, and Fawn-coloured Lark, to name a few possibilities – so we’ll slow down through that section and see what we can find. Arriving at Etosha, we’ll eat lunch and rest-up ahead of a late-afternoon game drive. Skirting the western edge of the massive salt pan as the sun dips west, we’ll hope for Common Ostrich, White-quilled Bustard, Double-banded Courser, and Pink-billed, Spike-heeled, and Stark’s Larks. Roadside Springbok allow close approach; Southern Giraffes, Plain Zebras, Blue Wildebeest, and Oryx meander through the dusty landscape. If we’re lucky, we might encounter the local Lion pride. With those and other mammals in the milieu, the end of this day will feel truly African. After returning to camp, we’ll spend a bit of time at the camp water hole. It’s maintained just outside the camp fence and attracts a host of mammals including African Elephant, Black Rhino, and Spotted Hyena. Day 8 - Etosha National Park We’ll enjoy breakfast and a short bout of in-camp birding for the likes of Barred Wren-Warbler, White-browed Scrub-Robin, and Marico Sunbird before taking to the park roads. Heading east, we’ll visit a series of waterholes, hoping for additional mammals as we sift through the resident birds. Red-crested Bustards skulk in roadside grass, Marico Flycatchers flit between low perches, and White-crowned Shrikes scope prey from bushtops. As the temperature rises, raptors take to the air, Tawny Eagles and White-backed and Lappet-faced Vultures spiraling skyward on mid-morning thermals. Clients are usually eager to see Lilac-breasted and Rufous-crowned Rollers, so we’ll make a special effort to spot those. Reaching Halali Camp in time for lunch, we’ll eat and rest through the midday heat. As 3pm nears, we’ll pile into the vehicle and again return to the park roads, our goal to catch-up with whatever birds and mammals we’ve missed to this point. We’ll be out until 6pm, at which point we’ll return to camp and visit the Halali waterhole. Beyond close looks at various mammals, it will afford us the opportunity to enjoy hundreds of Double-banded Sandgrouse when they arrive for their end-of-day drinks. Those bent towards nightbirds will be happy to hear that African Scops- and Southern White-face Owls can sometimes be had in camp. Those with energy can try for those after dinner. Day 9 - Etosha National Park As yesterday, we’ll begin with in-camp birding for the likes of Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, White-crested Helmetshrike, Violet Woodhoopoe and Brown-crowned Tchagra. Halali has historically been a good area for Bare-cheeked Babbler and Carp’s Tit, both near-endemic, so we’ll do our best to intersect those. Leaving camp, we’ll continue east along the southern edge of the Etosha pan. Beyond birds already mentioned, we’ll be looking for Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, African Gray Hornbill, Gray-backed Sparrowlark, and Desert Cisticola. Leopard and Cheetah are more prevalent at the end of the park, so we’ll be on high alert for those as we close the distance to Namutoni camp. After lunching there, we’ll run north, to the Andoni Plains, to look for a small and highly localized population of Blue Cranes. We’ll use whatever time is left to visit a series of waterholes (Burchell’s Sandgrouse, perhaps) as we retrace our tracks south and exit the park. It should be an exciting conclusion to our three Etosha days! This night will be spent either just outside the park or farther down the road, in Tsumeb. Day 10 - To Kavango This will be mostly a driving day as we head northeast, into the Caprivi Strip, but we’ll make sure to explore the hotel/lodge grounds for Eurasian Hoopoe, White-bellied Sunbird, Black-backed Puffback, Black-faced Babbler, and Southern Red-billed Hornbill before we initiate the long haul to Rundu. We’ll pick up provisions and have lunch in that bustling outpost before visiting the local wastewater treatment plant. While Black-winged Stilt and Whiskered Tern are expected, African Painted Snipe would be a sweeter find. Another ninety minutes east and we’ll reach our lodge. Perched on a cliff above the Kavango River and looking north into Angola, the property will be our base of operations for the next two days. Water levels permitting, this afternoon’s feature activity is a boat ride along the slow flow that fronts our hotel. While a large colony of Southern Carmine Bee-eaters will be the highlight of that outing, we’re also hoping for Black Crake, African Openbill, Little Bee-eater, and Pied Kingfisher. Day 11 - Kavango An early start will deliver us to broadleaf forest shortly after sunrise. In that unique habitat, we’ll search for an entirely new complement of birds including Striped Kingfisher, Southern Black Flycatcher, Pale Flycatcher, Arnot’s Chat, Tinkling Cisticola, Sharp-tailed Starling, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Cut-throat Finch, Southern Black Tit, African Penduline-Tit, and Souza’s Shrike (very tough). The birding is notoriously challenging, so it’ll be a successful outing if we score even a handful of the mentioned possibilities. Returning to the lodge for a late-breakfast, we’ll use what remains of the morning and the entire afternoon (minus a midday siesta, of course) to explore the property. Red-faced Mousebird, Magpie Shrike, and Kurrichane Thrush are likely, and we’ll pay special attention to babblers, hoping to score Black-faced among more prevalent Hartlaub’s and Arrow-marked. Other possibilities include Senegal Coucal, Bradfield’s Hornbill, Lesser Honeyguide, Chinspot Batis, Yellow-breasted Apalis, and White-browed Robin-Chat. The evening soundtrack will be provided by the resident hippos, their grunts cascading up and down the river. Day 12 - Kavango wrap-up and drive to Botswana Depending on energy/enthusiasm and how we did yesterday, we’ll use the early morning hours to further bird the lodge grounds and/or in the broadleaf forest. Afterwards, we’ll head towards the Mahango section of Bwabwata National Park. The park road winds between dry thickets and wet meadows, so we’ll have cracks at both land and waterbirds. Some of the more interesting targets include Swainson’s Spurfowl, Crested Francolin, Yellow-billed Stork, Goliath and Black Herons, Spotted Thick-knee, Temminck’s Courser, and Meves’s Starling. Elephants are common, but we’ll target local specialities like Cape Buffalo and Roan and Sable Antelopes as they aren’t possible elsewhere on this itinerary. Leaving Mahango, we’ll bid Namibia temporary goodbye and – after what is usually only minimal administration – cross into Botswana. Our lodge is only 40 minutes beyond the border post, and we’ll arrive in time to enjoy an afternoon river cruise. The low boats are a fantastic way to explore the gentle flow of the Okavango River, and we’ll feel lost in time as we sweep around muddy banks and along reedy edges. Among a host of interesting possibilities – African Skimmer, Malachite and Giant Kingfishers, Luapula and Chirping Cisticolas, Slaty Egret, Rufous-bellied Heron, Wattled Crane – the stealthy White-backed Night-Heron and the enormous Pel’s Fishing Owl will be our primary targets. Day 13 - Okavango Panhandle, Botswana . A second boat trip this morning boat should help us intersect with some enticing new goodies. The midday period will feature lunch and a siesta; the afternoon will be spent on the property, where we hope to find Mourning Collared-Dove, White-fronted Bee-eater, White-browed Coucal, Black Cuckooshrike, Gabon Boubou, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Yellow-bellied Greenbull, Terrestrial Brownbul, Lesser Striped Swallow, and others. And, after dinner, we might be able to secure views of African Wood-Owl to round out the day. Day 14 - Botswana wrap-up and Namibia return While we will have spent yesterday afternoon on lodge property, there is so much to see that we’ll dedicate this final Botswana morning to ferreting-out whatever species have hitherto escaped us. Holub’s Golden Weaver? Hopefully! African Pied Wagtail? Sure! Violet Starling? If they’ve migrated early enough! The point is that there’s plenty to keep us engaged. A mid-morning departure will have us back at Mahango with time to make an additional, clean-up swing through that reserve. The afternoon is dedicated to driving, but we might revisit the sewage works in Rundu, depending on timing and enthusiasm. Day 15 - Windhoek return This day is dedicated to driving, but we are likely to make a birding stop or two as we close the distance to Windhoek. Depending on where we stay, we might also use some of the morning to bird the hotel/camp grounds for outstanding species. Day 16 - International departures Most international flights depart in the afternoon, so there might be time to revisit Avis Dam on this final morning. Regardless, you will have had a complete and unforgettable Namibia experience to this departure point! Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. We’ll want to be out early, around 6 am, and stay out to around 5 pm, in order to take advantage of the best times of day for birds and mammals. Where possible, we will use the middle of the day to rest up, or travel between localities. There will be a few days that are full days in the field. There will be only a handful of optional outings after dark to search for owls and nightjars; these are normally done just before dinner and seldom last for more than an hour (typically between 6–7 pm). Namibia is a fairly large country and there are some long drives required, but the roads are very good. The longest drive is about 9 hours on day 15, with drives of 4-6 hours on at least three other days. There will be packed lunches on many days; but sitting with a packed lunch for a siesta under a tree is often a far more relaxing way to do things than spending a long time driving back to camp for lunch, only to head out again in two hours. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy. Almost all the birding is done from easy roads or tracks, or from a safari vehicle. The maximum amount of walking will be around 2 miles (3 kilometers) on a few days. CLIMATE: Pleasantly warm, though some mornings can be coolish, but it is dry and overall the weather in central Namibia is a delight (usually 55°-82°F, 13°-28°C). Rain is highly unlikely, but not impossible. In the north and in the Okavango it can be very hot, especially in October and November (maximums of up to 105°F, 41°C). ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent; all have private bathrooms, and hot water. Electricity is available everywhere, and is 24 hours a day in most lodges. Internet is fairly widespread, but not available everywhere. The lodge on the Kavango is a little rustic, but well placed and still some of the best accommodation in the area. PHOTOGRAPHY: If you are a casual photographer, you will love this trip! Birds are cooperative, and mammals are easy to take pictures of, and visiting many places where birds are common, tame and easily seen, there are plenty of opportunities for the casual photographer to indulge and enjoy shooting. If you are a serious photographer however, you may wish to consider our Namibia Photo Tour . WHEN TO GO: We often run the set-departure tour in September, when the birds all begin breeding and some of the Palearctic migrant have arrived. Also, it is the end of the dry season, when the mammals are being drawn into the many waterholes that are present in Etosha; it is the ideal time to see a great combination of animals. This trip can be run as a custom tour at almost any time of year, and in the austral winter (May – August) the mammals are excellent, while in austral summer (November – March) it is significantly warmer and the mammals are harder to find, but the birding is excellent. Custom tours can be tweaked to make the most of any season. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of South Africa, USA, Canada, UK, most of the EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Visas are required for citizens of India, China, and much of the remainder of the world; please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help. Travel requirements are subject to change; it’s a good idea to double check six weeks before you travel. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge/restaurant staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 15; meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 16 (if you have a very early flight on the last day, you may miss the included hotel breakfast); reasonable non-alcoholic drinks with meals; safe drinking water between meals; Tropical Birding bird tour leader with scope and audio playback gear from the afternoon of day 1 to the afternoon of day 15; one departure airport transfer per person specifically on the departure day (transfer may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they arrive at the same time); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from the afternoon of day 1 to the afternoon of day 15 in a suitable vehicle (depending on group size it may be driven by the tour leader); entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary; 2 boat trips – one on the Kavango and one on the Okavango Panhandle; a printed and bound checklist to help you keep track of your sightingsd (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters at hotels (if you require their services); flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Antarctica: Cruising the Ross Sea Tour Overview: The Ross Sea region of Antarctica is one of the most remote places on Planet Earth and one of the most fascinating places in the continent’s human history. With shipping restricted by impenetrable pack ice to just two brief months each austral summer, few people have ever visited this strange and beautiful territory, with opportunities for non-scientific personnel limited to a handful of tourist expedition ships. Heritage Expeditions offers such a voyage on its own fully equipped and ice-strengthened ship, crewed by some of the most experienced officers and sailors in the world and staffed by some of the most passionate and knowledgeable Guides. This is a unique opportunity to experience nature on a scale so grand there are no words to describe it. The Ross Sea takes its name from Sir James Clark Ross who discovered it in 1842. The British Royal Geographical Society chose the Ross Sea for the now famous British National Antarctic Expedition in 1901-04 led by Robert Falcon Scott. That one expedition spawned what is sometimes referred to as the 'Race to the Pole'. Ernest Shackleton almost succeeded in 1907-09 and the Japanese explorer Nobu Shirase tried in 1910-12. Scott thought it was his, but was beaten by his rival, Norwegian Roald Amundsen in the summer of 1911. Shackleton's Trans Antarctic expedition in 1914-17 marked the end of this 'heroic' or 'golden age' of exploration, but many of the relics of this era, including some huts, remain. The dramatic landscape described by these early explorers is unchanged. Mt Erebus, Mt Discovery and the Transantarctic Mountains are as inspiring today as they were 100 years ago. The penguin rookeries described by the early biologists fluctuate in numbers from year to year but they still occupy the same sites. The seals which are no longer hunted for food, lie around on ice floes seemingly unperturbed. The whales, which were hunted so ruthlessly here in the 1920s, are slowly coming back, but it is a long way back from the edge of extinction, and some species have done better than others. Snow Petrels, Wilson's Storm-Petrels, Antarctic Prions and South Polar Skuas all breed in this seemingly inhospitable environment. There is so much to do and so much to see here, from exploring historic huts and sites to visiting penguin rookeries, marvelling at the glacial ice tongues and ice shelves and understanding the icebergs and sea ice. Then there are all the seabirds, seals and whales to observe and photograph, modern scientific bases and field camps to visit and simply the opportunity to spend time drinking in the marvellous landscape that has always enthralled visitors. Lying like stepping stones to the Antarctic continent are the little known Subantarctic Islands. Our journey includes The Snares, Aucklands, Macquarie and Campbell Island. They break our long journey but more importantly they help prepare us for what lies ahead, for these islands are part of the amazing and dynamic Southern Ocean ecosystem of which Antarctica is at the very heart. It is the power house which drives this ecosystem upon which the world depends. Royal Penguin Lisle Gwynn Elephant Seal Lisle Gwynn Yellow-eyed Penguin Lisle Gwynn Northern Giant Petrel Lisle Gwynn King Penguin Lisle Gwynn Chatham's Albatross Lisle Gwynn Snare's Penguin Lisle Gwynn Chinstrap Penguin Nick Athanas Sheathbill Keith Barnes Dusky Dolphin Lisle Gwynn Northern Giant Petrel Keith Barnes Broad-billed Prion Keith Barnes Adelie Penguin Lisle Gwynn Greater Snow Petrel Lisle Gwynn Rockhopper (Eastern) Penguin Lisle Gwynn White-necked Petrel Lisle Gwynn Royal Penguin Lisle Gwynn Elephant Seal Lisle Gwynn Yellow-eyed Penguin Lisle Gwynn Northern Giant Petrel Lisle Gwynn King Penguin Lisle Gwynn Chatham's Albatross Lisle Gwynn Snare's Penguin Lisle Gwynn Chinstrap Penguin Nick Athanas Sheathbill Keith Barnes Dusky Dolphin Lisle Gwynn Northern Giant Petrel Keith Barnes Broad-billed Prion Keith Barnes Adelie Penguin Lisle Gwynn Greater Snow Petrel Lisle Gwynn Rockhopper (Eastern) Penguin Lisle Gwynn White-necked Petrel Lisle Gwynn Tour Details: 2027 Departure 1: 6 January - 2 February Prices start at $33075 Departure 2: 1 - 28 February Prices start at $33075 *Please contact us for current availability. Price depends on type of cabin. Single rooms start at $44890. If you are booking alone and do not require a single room, the cruise operator can assign you a roommate. Length: 28 Days Starting City: Queenstown, New Zealand Ending City: Queenstown, New Zealand Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birding, Photography *Note: These cruises are led by superb expedition staff leaders. A Tropical Birding guide will join the trip only if we sell a certain number of berths, but a TB guide is not essential for you to have a great trip. Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival and Overnight in Queenstown Arrive at Queenstown, New Zealand’s world famous alpine resort town. Guests should make their way to the designated hotel where we will spend the first night of the expedition. This evening there will be an informal get-together at the hotel for dinner; an excellent opportunity to meet fellow adventurers on your voyage and some of our expedition team. Day 2: Port of Bluff Today we enjoy breakfast in the hotel restaurant and have the morning free to explore Queenstown before returning to the hotel for lunch and departing for the Port of Bluff to embark your ship. You will have time to settle into your cabin and familarise yourself with the ship; we will also take the opportunity to conduct a number of safety briefings. You are invited to join the expedition team in the Observation Lounge and up on the Observation Deck as we set our course to The Snares and our adventure begins. Day 3: The Snares: North East Island The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, they were appropriately called The Snares as they were once considered a hazard for sailing ships. Comprising of two main islands and a group of five islands called the Western Chain; they are uninhabited and enjoy the highest protection as Nature Reserves. It is claimed by some that these islands are home to more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles together. We plan to arrive in the morning, and as landings are not permitted, we will Zodiac cruise along the sheltered eastern side of the main island if the weather and sea conditions are suitable. In the sheltered bays, we should see the endemic Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit and Fernbirds. There are hundreds of thousands of Sooty Shearwaters nesting on The Snares; the actual number is much debated. Buller’s Albatross breed here from early January onwards. There will be opportunities to view the forests of large tree daisy Olearia lyallii which forms a canopy over much of the island group. Day 4: Enderby Island The Auckland Islands group was formed by two volcanoes which erupted some 10-25 million years ago. They have subsequently been eroded and dissected by glaciation creating the archipelago as we know it today. Enderby Island is one of the most beautiful islands in this group and is named after the same distinguished shipping family as one of our own vessels. This northern most island in the archipelago is an outstanding wildlife and birding location and is relatively easy to land on and walk around. The island was cleared of all introduced animals (pests) in 1994 and both birds and the vegetation, especially the herbaceous plants, are recovering both in numbers and diversity. Our plan is to land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands for the Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion, a rare member of the seal family. Beachmaster bulls gather on the beach, defending their harems from younger (ambitious) males, to mate with the cows shortly after they have given birth to a single pup. Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion numbers are in a slow decline, for reasons which are not obvious but most probably connected with a nearby squid fishery. During our day ashore there will be several options, some longer walks, some shorter walks and time to spend just sitting and enjoying the wildlife. The walking is relatively easy. A boardwalk traverses the island to the dramatic western cliffs, from there we follow the coast and circumnavigate the island. Birds that we are likely to encounter include the following species: Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Auckland Island Banded Dotterel, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Pipit, Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. There is also a very good chance of seeing the Subantarctic Snipe. Day 5: At Sea At sea, learn more about the biology and history of the Subantarctic Islands and the Southern Ocean through a series of lectures and presentations. We will be at sea all day, so it is another opportunity to spot pelagic species including (but not limited to) the Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Shy and White-capped Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Grey-headed Albatross and Black-browed Albatross, Whitechinned Petrel, Mottled Petrel, White-headed Petrel, Cape Petrel, diving-petrel, Grey-backed and Black-bellied Storm-petrels. This is potentially some of the best pelagic ‘birding’ on the expedition. Days 6-7: Macquarie Island Described by one Australian explorer as “One of the wonder spots of the world” this is the only place in the world where the beautiful Royal Penguin breeds. Three other species of penguins, the King, Gentoo and Rockhopper also breed here. You will never forget your first experience of a noisy ‘penguin city’, where the dapper inhabitants show no fear of their strange visitors and where you will be immersed in a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks; territorial disputes; petty pilfering and courtship displays. This all happens amongst the hundreds of Southern Elephant Seals lolling on the beaches and dunes. On arrival we meet with scientists and Park Rangers based here who will accompany us on all our landings. Days 8-10: At Sea Soaring albatross and petrels circle the vessel as we steam south through the Southern Ocean. Lectures now concentrate on the Ross Sea region and beyond the bow of the ship; drifting icebergs of extraordinary shapes begin to appear. Maneuvering in close for your first ice photographs we pass the Antarctic Circle and into the continent’s realm of 24-hour daylight. Days 11-22: Ross Sea Region During our time in the Ross Sea region, we will visit the highlights of Antarctica’s most historic region. Due to the unpredictable nature of ice and weather conditions, a day-by-day itinerary is not possible. The Captain and Expedition Leader will assess daily conditions and take advantage of every opportunity to make landings or send you out in the Zodiacs. Our programme emphasises wildlife viewing, key scientific bases and historic sites, as well as the spectacular scenery of the coastal terrain, the glaciers and icebergs of the Ross Sea. Whilst specific landings cannot be guaranteed, we hope to visit the following: Cape Adare: A large flat spit of land, teeming with the staggering sight of Antarctica’s largest Adelie Penguin rookery: a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks, territorial disputes, petty pilfering and courtship displays. Curious penguins often come very close, offering superb photographic opportunities. Among the shifting mass of penguins we will find Carsten Borchgrevink’s Hut, the oldest in Antarctica, an overwintering shelter for the first expedition to the continent in 1899. Cape Hallett: The enormous Admiralty Range heralds our arrival; wild and extraordinary, the mountains rear up towering out of the sea to over 4,000-metres high and are bounded by colossal glaciers. We make our landing at an abandoned base site, now home to large numbers of Adelie Penguins and Weddell Seals. Franklin Island: Desolately beautiful and rugged, this is home to a large Adelie Penguin population and other nesting seabirds. We attempt a landing and explore the coastline. Possession Islands: Rarely-visited, small and rugged, these rocks support tens of thousands of penguins. Observe the birds’ busy and humorous activity, with the Admiralty Mountains forming a superb backdrop across the water. Ross Ice Shelf: The world’s largest body of floating ice and a natural barrier, at times creating hazardous weather, with sheets of snow blown at gale force by winds off the polar ice cap. Just 800 miles from the South Pole, this daunting spectacle prevented many early explorers from venturing further south. We cruise along its dizzying 30-metre high ice cliffs, perhaps lucky enough to see icebergs ‘calving’. Ross Island: Mount Erebus/Cape Bird/Shackleton’s Hut/Scott’s Hut(s) and visits to a scientific field station (Scott and McMurdo Stations are high on our wish list but ice, weather and station operational requirements often make them inaccessible). Ross Island was, and is, the ‘hub of activity’ in the Ross Sea, dominated by Mt Erebus, a monstrous active volcano named after the ancient Greek God of Darkness. The carefully preserved huts of the ‘Heroic Era’ help make the history come alive. If we can reach the bases, we will get a modern perspective on Antarctic Research. Terra Nova Bay: An Italian research station where the scientists are always hospitable and enjoy showing us around their lonely but beautiful home. They share with us their scientific research and also, perhaps, the best ‘espresso’ in Antarctica! Nearby is the German base, Gondwana Station, which is used occasionally and the South Korean station, Jang Bogo and on Inexpressible Island, China is building its fifth Antarctic base. Days 23-25 At Sea En route to Campbell Island, take part in a series of lectures designed to prepare you for our visit tomorrow. Pelagic species abound here as they did en route to Macquarie Island earlier in our voyage. Above all, take the time to rest and enjoy shipboard life after the excitement of the Antarctic. Day 26: Campbell Island, Perseverance Harbour New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory, the Campbell Island group lies approximately 660-kilometres south of Bluff. We visit Campbell Island, the main island in the group, and spend the day exploring the island on foot from Perseverance Harbour, a long inlet cutting into the undulating landscape. Campbell Island is a truly magnificent place of rugged scenery, unique flora and abundant wildlife. Perseverance Harbour where we drop anchor is an occasional refuge for Southern Right Whales who come here to calve. Here we will find a now abandoned New Zealand meteorological station as well as Campbell Island Shags, penguins, fur seals and rare Hooker’s Sea Lions. The highlight of our visit is a walk to the hilltop breeding sites of Southern Royal Albatross, over six thousand pairs of which breed on Campbell Island. These magnificent birds, close relations to, and the same size as, the Wandering Albatross, have the largest wingspan in the world and are very approachable, making superb photographic subjects. Day 27: At Sea At sea en route to the Port of Bluff, take the opportunity to relax and reflect on an amazing experience. This is a good opportunity to download and edit any remaining photos while they are fresh in your mind and you have the experience of our expedition team on board for questions. We will recap the highlights of our expedition and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight as we sail to our final port. Day 28: Disembarkation in Invercargill/Queenstown Early this morning we will arrive in the Port of Bluff. After a final breakfast we bid farewell to our fellow voyagers and take a complimentary coach transfer to either Invercargill or Queenstown Airports. In case of unexpected delays due to weather and/or port operations we ask you not to book any onward travel until after midday from Invercargill and after 3pm from Queenstown. Note: During our voyage, circumstances may make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather and opportunities for making unplanned excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. Landings at the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand are by permit only as administered by the Government of New Zealand. No landings are permitted at The Snares. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Although there will be plenty of down time on this expedition, the repeated outings in sometimes cold and damp weather can be tiring. This is the Southern Ocean and its reputation as a rough stretch of ocean is sometimes well-earned. There is the very real possibility of rough weather on these trips which can mean the ship rolling and pitching to a large degree. The ship is extremely tough, one of the toughest afloat, and the crew and staff extremely experienced, so it is always safe. On one or more days we will take a packed lunch ashore, but on all other days lunch will be had onboard. World-class chefs prepare superb meals aboard our floating home every night and cooked breakfast is available every day. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. A general level of good health and fitness is required to enter and exit the Zodiacs at the gangway which can sometimes be rising and falling with the swell. If you are susceptible to seasickness, medication is an absolute necessity. On shore, excursions are mostly physically easy. Some more strenuous hikes are often available but are strictly optional. CLIMATE: The climate for this expedition is difficult to predict as it is so variable. Highs of 18 C (64 F) could be encountered on Enderby and Chatham, but Antarctica will be much cooler, often around or a little higher than freezing but with much colder wind chill. Rainfall is regular on some islands though not particularly long-lasting. Zodiac trips can be very wet and quite cold so pack to be very waterproof (including waterproof over-trousers!). ACCOMMODATION: Throughout the expedition we will stay on the Heritage Adventurer, a 140-passenger ice-strengthened expedition vessel. Accommodation is comfortable and homely. There is a bar/library area, sit-down restaurants with world-class chefs, a lecture theater where informative talks are regularly given, and even an onboard sauna in which to warm up. PHOTOGRAPHY: Photographic opportunities are among the best in the world, with subjects being particularly obliging. A 100-400 or similar lens is often more than adequate and in some situations far too much. A wide-angle lens is a wise addition. Sub Review Anchor Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Ghana: Birding for Picathartes and Egyptian Plover Tour Overview: Ghana is situated in Western Africa, which is markedly different from the more popular Eastern and Southern African destinations. Many birds are confined to West Africa, especially a variety of lowland rainforest birds, making Ghana an appealing birding destination. West Africa is often considered a difficult place to travel in, due to poor infrastructure and political instability, but this is where Ghana defies the stereotype. It boasts a stable democracy dating back decades, notorious friendly peoples, and good tourist infrastructure that is constantly improving, making Ghana the easiest West or Central African country to bird in. Among the specialties are two highly treasured, and spectacular bird families, the striking courser-like Egyptian Plover and the bizarre rockfowl or Picathartes. Ghana offers an excellent chance of seeing both of these marquee families on a single trip. The rainforest belt in the south is currently the best place in the world to see the odd, cave-dwelling Yellow-headed Picathartes. Ghana can be divided into two broad major biological zones, the Guinea Savanna of the north, which mirrors to some degree some of the classic African woodland experiences, boasting photogenic savanna birds and some large mammals, like elephants, while the southern half comprises of rainforest, where many specialties will be sought, at sites including Kakum National Park, a famous spot where undoubtedly the best forest canopy walkway in all of Africa is located. Our tour comprehensively covers both of these zones. If you thought of West Africa as difficult and challenging to travel in, think again; many have been captivated by the wonders and birding opportunities of this safe, super-friendly African nation. It is utterly mystifying why Ghana is not more popular! White-necked Rockfowl Keith Barnes Egyptian Plover Ken Behrens Standard-winged Nightjar Ken Behrens Red-throated Bee-eater Iain Campbell Grayish Eagle-Owl Ken Behrens African Pygmy Goose Ken Behrens Western Plantain-eater Iain Campbell Northern White-faced Owl Sam Woods White-necked Rockfowl Keith Barnes Egyptian Plover Ken Behrens Standard-winged Nightjar Ken Behrens Red-throated Bee-eater Iain Campbell Grayish Eagle-Owl Ken Behrens African Pygmy Goose Ken Behrens Western Plantain-eater Iain Campbell Northern White-faced Owl Sam Woods White-necked Rockfowl Keith Barnes Egyptian Plover Ken Behrens Standard-winged Nightjar Ken Behrens Red-throated Bee-eater Iain Campbell Grayish Eagle-Owl Ken Behrens African Pygmy Goose Ken Behrens Western Plantain-eater Iain Campbell Northern White-faced Owl Sam Woods White-necked Rockfowl Keith Barnes Egyptian Plover Ken Behrens Standard-winged Nightjar Ken Behrens Red-throated Bee-eater Iain Campbell Grayish Eagle-Owl Ken Behrens African Pygmy Goose Ken Behrens Western Plantain-eater Iain Campbell Northern White-faced Owl Sam Woods Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 11 - 24 April $5625; single supplement: $560 Atewa Hills Extension: 24 - 27 April $2050; single supplement: $200 2027 Main Tour: 10 - 23 April Price: TBA Atewa Hills Extension: 23 - 26 April Price: TBA Length: 14 Days (17 Days w/ Extension) Starting City: Accra Ending City: Accra Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding Group size: 9 + 1 Leader + 1 Local Guide Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Check out our Virtual Tour Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Accra After arrival in Accra, you will be transferred to a hotel for the night. The first tour activity will be a welcome dinner tonight in Ghana's culturally rich capital. Day 2: Shai Hills to Kakum NP In the morning we will visit Shai Hills on the Accra Plains. An area of stoic inselbergs (granite outcrops) surrounded by rich wooded grassland, which is home to more than 400 bird species. A significant site for Black-bellied Bustard and Senegal Parrot in particular, Shai Hills boasts an impressive bird list with many wonderful birds like Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Guinea and Violet Turacos, Viellot’s, Double-toothed and Bearded Barbets, Blue-bellied Roller, Blue-breasted and Woodland Kingfishers, Green Woodhoopoe, Black Scimitar-bill, Mocking Cliff-chat, Splendid Sunbird, and Purple Starling, as well as Stone Partridge, an anomalous African relative of the New World wood quail! But our main target is probably the tricky Chestnut Owlet, a taxonomically debated subspecies of African Barred Owlet, which might be split in the future. The afternoon will be spent forging our way towards southwest Ghana, to one of West Africa’s premier parks, Kakum. We will spend three nights just outside the park. Days 3-4: Kakum N.P This is one of Ghana’s flagship reserves, comprising lush verdant rainforest, and sporting Africa’s best canopy walkway (extending some 330m) as its centerpiece attraction. There are only a handful of walkways in the entire continent, and this is definitely the best of them. The park is recognized as an Important Bird Area, with over 360 species recorded near the walkway itself, but is crucial for butterflies and mammals too. An astounding 10 species of hornbill have been recorded from the walkway, including several seldom-seen in Africa, like Western Long-tailed, Brown-cheeked, Western Dwarf, and Yellow-casqued Hornbills. The diversity of birds is extremely impressive, with 10 species of kingfishers also featuring, including Chocolate-backed and Giant Kingfishers. Watching Rosy Bee-eaters sailing past the walkway is unforgettable. A remarkable 11 barbets occur there also, including specialties like Bristle-nosed, Hairy-breasted and Naked-faced Barbets, and Red-rumped Tinkerbird. Other birds we will be on the lookout for in Kakum will be other West African specialties like Yellow-billed Turaco, Fire-bellied and Melancholy Woodpeckers, Red-vented and Blue-billed Malimbe, Violet-backed Hyliota, Sharpe’s Apalis, and Johanna’s Sunbird. Our time will not only be spent on the walkway though, as we seek birds at ground level, walking forest trails that may lead us to a ton of greenbuls, Rufous-sided Broadbill or White-tailed Alethe to add to the intoxicating mix of canopy birds on site. Day 5: Kakum N.P. to Ankasa N.P. Continuing our exploration of southern Ghana and the rainforest belt, we continue west to a very special site indeed, Ankasa, right on the border with Ivory Coast. This treasured area has only opened up relatively recently and so is not as well developed for tourists as Kakum, but there is a great new naturalist hotel that hosts us. This enables us access to the best pristine primary lowland rainforest in Ghana, famed for holding rare and local species like Nkulengu Rail, White-bellied Kingfisher, White-crested Tiger-Heron, Hartlaub’s Duck, Spot-breasted Ibis and Akun Eagle-Owl. We will spend two nights near this exceptional forest reserve. Day 6: Ankasa N.P. A full day will be spent in Ankasa seeking some of the many rare and local species occurring there. The birdlist is mouth-watering, and we will be on the hunt for Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Black and Blue-moustached Bee-eaters, Red-fronted Parrot, Red-chested Owlet, Rufous-winged Illadopsis, Red-headed Malimbe, Western Bluebill, White-browed Forest-Flycatcher, White-tailed Alethe, Red-fronted Antpecker, and Carmelite Sunbird. A second night will be spent in the rainforest, we can search for night birds like Fraser’s Eagle-owl and Long-tailed Nightjar. Day 7: Ankasa to Kakum N.P After much of the day in Ankasa we return to Kakum for another night, visiting a different sector of the park. Day 8: Kakum N.P morning, then visit the “Picathartes site”, then an evening drive to Kumasi After a few days walking forest trails seeking rare deep forest birds, we will have a break by birding the more open Aboabo section of northern Kakum National Park during the morning; this offers easy roadside birding with a shot at some special birds in the process, most notably Long-tailed Hawk, the odd nutchatch-like Preuss’s Weaver, and Black-capped Apalis a specialist of this forest biome. Other exciting possibilities include Red-billed Helmetshrike, Blue Cuckooshrike and the scarce and handsome Yellow-throated Cuckoo. In the afternoon, we will make the pilgrimage to a very special piece of rainforest that hosts vine tangled caves, where the White-necked Picathartes, one of the strangest of Earth’s bird families, dwells. The visit is strategically timed in the late afternoon, when the “rockfowl” usually return to their caves to roost, after a day of foraging within the forest. This bird alone draws birders to Ghana from across the globe, as it is the most reliable site in the world to find this species and indeed African endemic family. At the end of this landmark day, we drive to the city of Kumasi for the night, in readiness to visit one of the final forest sites of the main tour. Day 9: Bobiri Butterfly Sanctuary to Mole National Park This will be a day of contrasts. In the morning we will visit the butterfly reserve of Bobiri, seeking forest species like Red-billed Dwarf-Hornbill, a tiny woodpecker in the form of African Piculet, and one of Africa’s smallest birds in the form of Tit-Hylia, as well as other species like Narina Trogon, Afep and Western Bronze-naped Pigeons, African Emerald Cuckoo, Forest Scimitarbill, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Sabine’s Puffback, Red-headed and Crested Malimbes and Finschs’s Flycatcher-Thrush. By the afternoon, however, we will journey north, leaving the southern rainforest belt and passing into dryer Upper Guinea Savanna, with its markedly different birds. We will spend three nights at a hotel inside Mole National Park. Days 10-11: Mole N.P On these days we will explore the savannas of northern Ghana in earnest. Here, large herds of elephants still roam, and we will quickly boost our birdlist with easy birding in more open habitat to what we have experienced previously on the tour. This large (4,800 km2) national park protects predominantly open Guinea savanna woodland, which is interspersed with grasslands, swamps, and escarpments. There are two ephemeral rivers in the park, the Lovi and Mole, which dry out during the dry season and act as waterhole magnets for mammals and songbirds like finches. Mole is home to more than 330 bird species (90% of Ghana’s savanna avifauna!) and over 90 mammals. Based at the park’s main hotel, beautifully perched on an escarpment over-looking panoramic waterholes and savanna woodland below, there’s always a chance of an exciting find. We will watch the waterholes, for the likes of elephants, Waterbuck, Kob and Bushbuck, and a slew of waterbirds, like Hamerkop, Woolly-necked and Saddle-billed Storks, Black-headed Heron and Hadada Ibis. Closer inspection may reveal flocks of radiant finches, like Lavender and Orange-cheeked Waxbills, firefinches (six species occur in the park), and Red-winged Pytillias. The skies are not to be ignored as there are an incredible 30 raptor species, including Palm-nut and White-backed Vultures, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Bateleur and Red-necked Buzzard, six bee-eaters (including Red-throated and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters), seven hornbills (including Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill and Northern Red-billed Hornbill), five rollers (including Abyssinian, Broad-billed and Purple Rollers), and ten kingfishers (including Blue-breasted and Gray-headed Kingfishers). Other notable species include Violet Turaco, Bearded Barbet, Yellow-billed Shrike, Senegal Eremomela, the gorgeous black-and-yellow Oriole Warbler, Purple Starling, White-crowned Robin-Chat, Splendid Sunbird, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, and Sahel Bush Sparrow. Night birding is often productive with some amazing marquee nightbirds, including Grayish Eagle-Owl, African Scops-Owl, Northern White-faced Scops-Owl, and the stunning Standard-winged and Long-tailed Nightjars all possible. Two nights will also be spent inside the park, on the scenic escarpment. Day 12: Mole N.P. to Bolgatanga Departing Mole we forge farther north, moving into the Upper East Region of northern Ghana, close to the border with Burkina Faso. The habitat noticeably becomes drier, hillier and rockier. In the afternoon we visit Tongo Hills, an area of granite outcroppings, where we seek Fox Kestrel, Rock-loving Cisticola, Mocking Cliff-chat and Brown-rumped Bunting. Other birds include Gabar and Dark-chanting Goshawks, Piapiac, Pygmy and Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, and Orange-cheeked and Black-rumped Waxbills. Two nights will be spent in Bolgatanga, a town that lies within the Red Volta River Valley, historically a major migration route for elephants, and a great strategic position to pursue another key West African bird family the following day... Day 13: Tono Dam and Egyptian Plover Today we skirt the Burkina Faso border, starting out at Tono Dam, where waterbirds mix with songbirds visiting the wetland’ edge to slake their thirst. Targets include Spur-winged Goose, Forbes’s Plover, Senegal and Spotted Thick-knees, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Yellow Penduline-Tit, African Silverbill, Cut-throat, Zebra Waxbill, Gosling’s Bunting, and several starlings like Long-tailed Glossy, Chestnut-bellied, Lesser Blue-eared, Greater Blue-eared and Bronze-tailed Starlings. At this time we may also encounter some migratory Western Palearctic warblers too. In the afternoon we shift focus to a river where another spectacular African-endemic family can be found, the striking black-white-and-grey Egyptian Plover or Crocodile Bird, one of the major drawcards for this tour. Patrolling the river banks, if it takes flight we will be exposed to one of the neatest wing patterns in the avian world. We return to Bolgatanga for a second night. Day 14: Tamale to Accra/Departures from Accra After some final birding within the dry country of Northern Ghana, we retreat south, to the city of Tamale to connect with a domestic flight to the Ghanaian capital, Accra. This will be taken in the afternoon in order to arrive in time for international departures from Accra this evening. Atewa Hills Extension Introduction: The extension focuses on the forested hills in Atewa. As well as having a nearly full complement of lowland rainforest birds, there are some special species on the ridge top, hill forest there. In order to reach the higher elevations, we spend the day making a strenuous climb up and strolling back at a leisurely pace, and so this has been offered as an extension only, so only those who feel able to do this can opt to do so. Atewa holds over 300 bird species, due to the diversity of forest types available at different elevations. In addition to targeting hill forest specialties, we have time to find some rainforest birds we missed on the main tour, as more time in forest equals more birds, and it often takes considerable time to eke them out of forest with this many bird species! Scarcer species we hope to find that are difficult on the main tour include Blue-moustached Bee-eater, Green-tailed Bristlebill, Lowland Akalat, Nimba Flycatcher, and Lowland Sooty Boubou. Other possibilities include five species of illadopsis, Frasers Sunbird, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Green Twinspot, Western Nicator, Chestnut Wattle-eye and the strange Long-tailed Hawk. If you are capable of doing the extra walking, and wish to maximize your Ghana birding experience, this extension is a must! Day 1: Arrival in Accra. Afternoon visit to Shai Hills Day 2: Drive to Atewa area. Afternoon birding in secondary habitat Day 3: Atewa Hills. Full day’s hiking and birding Day 4: Drive to Accra in morning. Arrival day of main tour Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate to intense. This is a fast-paced tour in which most of the time is spent in the field. The sun rises at about 6:00am, and we often have a long drive to reach the birding sites from our accommodation, so there will be a lot of early mornings. The 12-hour days near the equator mean that days are not extremely long. Almost all of our meals are taken in restaurants, although in Ankassa National Park, we will be eating hot meals in the field. There are a couple of long drives on this tour, especially on days 9 and 12, when the drive may take as long as 10 hours. Most roads are good, but the roads in and around Mole NP are dusty and bump. There will be down time at the hotel in the middle of the day on a few days, but most days of this tour are spent entirely in the field. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Birding will be done on foot throughout this trip, but the walking is mostly easy. There is one moderately demanding hike for the Picathartes that takes around 90 minutes at a slow pace. There is a long and fairly difficult walk on the Atewa Hills pre-trip, when the whole day will be spent hiking. The entire trip will be spent at low elevation. CLIMATE: The toughest part of this trip is the climate, being hot and humid in the southern rainforest areas and dry and hot in the north of Ghana. Our bus and almost all of our lodges are air-conditioned. There is a chance of rain at this time of year, though usually it is concentrated in small heavy bursts that should not interrupt birding too much. ACCOMMODATION: Mostly moderate to good. In general, the food and accommodations are of a high standard compared to most of the rest of West Africa. We will be camping for one night in Ankassa National Park. Each person or couple will have their own tent with a comfortable mattress. Buckets of hot water will be available for washing. Please note that elsewhere, hot water is not available at Mole NP or Bolgatanga, but the climate is hot and humid, so most people do not miss it. All accommodations have private en-suite facilities, and most have 24h electricity, though power cuts are common. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, and Ghana is a challenging place for photography, but there are some opportunities for photography. There is a lot of hunting, so birds are wary of humans. The rainforest, with a tall canopy, and thick understory, is an inherently difficult environment for photography. With that said, Ghana is among the best places in the challenging west African forest biome for photography, especially from the Kakum canopy walkway. Photography in the savannah of the north is much easier than in the southern rainforest. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. A visa is required. Currently, 3-month tourist visas can be obtained upon arrival for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and most European countries. The visa costs $50. A visa can also be obtained beforehand through a Ethiopian embassy or consulate. Travel requirements are subject to change, and it is a good idea to double-check your entry requirements at least six weeks before you travel; contact the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to local guides, drivers, and lodge staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 13; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 14; reasonable non-alcoholic drinks during meals; safe drinking water between meals; birding with a camera tour leader with audio playback gear from the afternoon of day 1 to the evening of day 13; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they arrive at the same time); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary in suitable vehicle(s) with local driver(s); entrance fees and local guide fees for all the sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters (if you require their services); snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

California Birding in the Fall Tour Overview: If you want to experience the thrill of fall migration on the West Coast, then this is the tour for you! California is an amazing birding destination, and our ten-day adventure is designed to showcase a wide sample of the state’s extensive avifauna. We’ll scour tidal mudflats and marshes on San Francisco Bay, walk through oak woodlands and chaparral in the Diablo Range, explore alpine elevations in the Sierra, venture into sagebrush at Mono Lake, and head offshore to experience California’s pelagic bounty. We’ll try to see as many species as possible on this birding-focused tour, and we’ll make extra special effort to find regional specialties like Ridgway’s Rail, Yellow-billed Magpie, California Thrasher, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Bell’s Sparrow, Mountain Quail, Greater Sage-Grouse, California Condor, Tricolored Blackbird, and California Towhee. The pelagic will afford opportunity for albatrosses, shearwaters, skuas, jaegers, and alcids, and the ever-present possibility of Asian vagrants will add intrigue to our daily outings. With fantastic weather and loads of beautiful birds, this trip promises to maximize your California birding experience. Allen's Hummingbird Dorian Anderson California Quail - Nick Athanas.jpg Phainopepla Dorian Anderson Wrentit Dorian Anderson Clark's Grebe Dorian Anderson Pinyon Jay Ken Behrens Chestnut-backed Chickadee Dorian Anderson Surfbird Dorian Anderson California Thrasher Dorian Anderson Elegant Tern Dorian Anderson Lewis's Woodpecker Ken Behrens Heermann's Gull Dorian Anderson Black-footed Albatross Dorian Anderson Pigeon Guillemot Dorian Anderson Buller's Shearwater Dorian Anderson Blue Whale Ken Behrens Burrowing Owl Dorian Anderson Canyon Wren Nick Athanas Costa's Hummingbird Ken Behrens Black Turnstone Nick Athanas California Scrub-Jay Ken Behrens Allen's Hummingbird Dorian Anderson California Quail - Nick Athanas.jpg Phainopepla Dorian Anderson Wrentit Dorian Anderson Clark's Grebe Dorian Anderson Pinyon Jay Ken Behrens Chestnut-backed Chickadee Dorian Anderson Surfbird Dorian Anderson California Thrasher Dorian Anderson Elegant Tern Dorian Anderson Lewis's Woodpecker Ken Behrens Heermann's Gull Dorian Anderson Black-footed Albatross Dorian Anderson Pigeon Guillemot Dorian Anderson Buller's Shearwater Dorian Anderson Blue Whale Ken Behrens Burrowing Owl Dorian Anderson Canyon Wren Nick Athanas Costa's Hummingbird Ken Behrens Black Turnstone Nick Athanas California Scrub-Jay Ken Behrens Tour Details: 2026 4 - 13 September $5290; single supplement: $990 Length: 10 Days Starting City: San Francisco Ending City: San Francisco Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birding Group size: 7 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report California Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrivals in San Francisco After arriving and claiming luggage, clients should take the free shuttle to the airport hotel in Burlingame. There is no birding on this day, so arrival is very flexible. If there is sufficient interest, the leader might organize an optional group dinner (not included in tour price). Day 2: San Francisco Bay We’ll dedicate out first full day to exploring San Francisco Bay, the largest estuary on the West Coast. While tides will influence our precise itinerary, we’ll visit some combination of Coyote Point County Park, the Palo Alto Baylands, Byxbee Park, Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, and Coyote Hills Regional Park. Shorebirds like American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Western Sandpiper, and Marbled Godwit will abound, and we’ll make special effort to secure the stealthy Ridgway’s Rail as it explores tidal channels. Birding bayshore thickets, we could intersect Anna’s Hummingbird, Bewick’s Wren, Lesser Goldfinch, Black Phoebe, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, California Towhee, and California Scrub-Jay. We’re likely to encounter many of these birds throughout the tour, so this day will help clients establish an identification baseline from which to recognize the more specialized species which we’ll encounter as we progress. We spend the night at the same Burlingame Hotel. Day 3: Diablo Range and the Central Valley Today we will venture across SF Bay and into the Diablo Range which separates that tidal body from the drier Central Valley. Gaining elevation into scrub-oak and chaparral, we’ll look for Lewis’s and Acorn Woodpeckers, Phainopepla, Yellow-billed Magpie, California Thrasher, Oak Titmouse, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, and Rufous-crowned and Bell’s Sparrows, the last a particular challenge. Wild Turkey and California Quail are possible, and Golden Eagle could cruise over at any moment. If we’re really lucky, we might glimpse Greater Roadrunner, Canyon Wren, or Costa’s Hummingbird — three desert species which are present in very small numbers. We’ll descend into the Central Valley as the afternoon progresses and make a stop or two as we close the distance towards the Sierra Nevadas. This night and the next will be spent at the western base of that range, in Sonora. Day 4: Western Slope of the Sierra Nevada Our day will begin at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Though most people visit for the humungous Sequoias — some over 200 feet tall and upwards of 30 feet in diameter — we’ll set our sights on Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Black-throated Gray Warbler. Woodpeckers are usually well-represented, and we’ll be looking for White-headed, Pileated, and Hairy Woodpeckers along with Red-breasted and Williamson’s Sapsuckers. Once our time at the park expires, we’ll bird our way higher towards higher elevations before returning to Sonora for a second night. Day 5: Sierra Traverse and Mono Lake This morning we’ll start east over the Sierras and make a number of birding stops as we traverse the range. Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Western Tanager, Cassin’s Vireo, and Hermit Warbler will be among our targets at Pinecrest Lake, and we’ll hope for the tricky Mountain Quail as we climb towards Sonora Pass at 9,600’. Reaching that crest, we’ll take a short walk to look for Clark’s Nutcracker, Red Crossbill, Cassin’s Finch, Green-tailed Towhee, and Townsend’s Solitaire before descending towards Mono Lake at the eastern foot of the range. Reaching that body of water, we’ll be greeted by a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds which could include Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Eared Grebe, White-faced Ibis, and Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalaropes. Our day winding down, we’ll head to Lee Vining for the first of two nights. Day 6: Mono Lake and Surrounds Our focus today will be on securing a number of Great Basin birds which reach the western limits of their ranges in the eastern Sierra foothills. These include Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Black-billed Magpie, Sage Thrasher, and Sagebrush Sparrow. Dusky, Hammond’s, and Gray Flycatchers are within the realm of possibilities, and we could encounter Brewer’s Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Pinyon Jay, and MacGillivray’s Warbler as well. We’ll also look for Greater Sage-Grouse, a once plentiful bird that has suffered precipitous declines in California. Fortunately, the Bodie population is still hanging on, and we’ll do our best to find one around the former mining town. Regardless of the precise birds we find, our time around Mono Lake will be unforgettable because the untamed, wild-open landscape is a nostalgic throwback to prior centuries when the American West was wilder than it is today. We’ll spend a second night in Lee Vining. Day 7: Travel day with en route birding After a bit of Mono mop-up, we’ll cross back over the Sierras and Central Valley with stops for any species which we might have missed on earlier legs of the tour. Depending on what time we reach Hollister, where we overnight, we might have time to check out a couple local spots. Day 8: California Condors and the Pacific Coast We have a singular focus this morning — the enormous and incomparable California Condor! Though the iconic bird suffered a near-terminal population collapse in the mid-twentieth century, careful management has guided a slow but steady recovery. There are currently around 300 wild birds, and Pinnacles National Park is a reliable a spot to intersect a fraction of those. The birds roost on the overhead rocks, so we’ll arrive early to ensure we don’t miss the mid-morning liftoff. Once all the birds have departed for the day, we’ll cut back towards the Pacific at Santa Cruz. Cruising north along the picturesque coast, we’ll make several oceanfront stops with hopes of turning up Pelagic and Brandt’s Cormorants, Black Oystercatcher, Wandering Tattler, Surfbird, and Black Turnstone. Riparian areas might hold migrants like Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, and Townsend’s Warbler, and we should catch up with some of the resident passerines we might have missed, such as Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, and Pygmy Nuthatch. We’ll spend the next two nights in Half Moon Bay. Day 9: Deepwater Pelagic from Half Moon Bay In the last decade, Half Moon Bay has come to rival classic departure ports like Monterey and Bodega Bay for pelagic birding excitement. The deep-water Pioneer Canyon is an easy ride from Pillar Point Harbor, and we’ll have excellent chances at Black-footed Albatross, Sooty Shearwater, Pink-footed Shearwater, Buller’s Shearwater, Ashy Storm-Petrel, Black Storm-Petrel, South Polar Skua, all three jaegers, Sabine’s Gull, Arctic Tern, Common Murre, Cassin’s Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Tufted Puffin, and Red and Red-necked Phalaropes. Laysan Albatross is always possible, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed for something totally outrageous like Hawaiian Petrel. We’ll likely see Humpback Whales, and we sometimes even spot Blue Whale, the world’s largest animal! The trip will run from 7am to 5pm, and we’ll retire to our Half Moon Bay Hotel to recover after our finale dinner. If the pelagic is cancelled due to weather, we’ll use the day for additional terrestrial birding or rarity chasing. Day 10: Departure from San Francisco After breakfast, we’ll drive to SFO airport, and we expect to arrive by 9:00am. Please plan flight schedules accordingly. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. This is not a physically demanding tour (see Physical Difficulty section below), but the days will be pretty long. One of the many benefits of perfect climate (see Climate section below) is that we can use the entire day for birding; it’s neither too cold in the morning nor too hot in the middle of the day to be out and about! Sunrise is at 7am, so we’ll be departing the hotel between 6am and 6:30am each day. Participants can expect to make multiple birding stops throughout the day, and we’ll aim to be at our place of lodging between 5 and 6pm to let people rest before dinner. There will be time to rest in the van as we move between locations, and we’ll have a field lunch on most days to avoid restaurants and crowds. Any lunches eaten at restaurants will be eaten outside. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy. All of our birding stops will require light to moderate walking, but we’ll rarely cover more than a mile at a stretch. The pace will be very mellow, and the footing should be level everywhere we go. There won’t be steep hikes on rocky trails, and anyone in average walking shape will do just fine on this tour. For those joining the pelagic, seasickness medication is advised. CLIMATE: The California Coast offers virtually perfect climate during the fall. There is only a low chance of rain, and daily temperatures vary from 50 to 80F. There might be some coastal fog in the morning, but fall is generally the sunniest season. We might experience fog, wind, and sea spray on the pelagic, but layering a fleece or down-type puffer jack underneath a raincoat or windbreaker should be enough to keep the average person warm. A wool hat works wonders, and light gloves are advised for those whose hands get cold easily. ACCOMMODATION: High quality, modern hotels throughout with the typical amenities; all have wi-fi. PHOTOGRAPHY: While not a photography tour, there will be opportunities for casual photography as we bird, especially on the pelagic. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: For US citizens, there are no special travel requirements. Citizens of Canada may enter the US with a valid passport, and do not need to obtain a visa. For citizens of the 38 countries on the visa waiver list (including the UK, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Japan), you can enter the US with a valid passport and a completed Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which can be applied for online. For all passports, the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Citizens of all other countries will need to apply for a US visa. Travel requirements are subject to change; please double check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff if you are unsure. Those who need to apply for a visa should do so long in advance of the tour, as these can take days weeks to be issued. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Accommodations from the night of day 1 through the night of day 9; meals from breakfast on day 2 through to breakfast on day 10; entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary; Tropical Birding tour leader from the night of day 1 through to the morning of day 10; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from the morning of day 2 to the morning of day 10 in a modern rental vehicle with the Tropical Birding tour leader as the driver; pelagic tour out of Half Moon Bay (if you know in advance that you will not take the pelagic, please let us know and we can discount the cost from your invoice. We can only do this if you let us know well in advance since we have to prepay the pelagic). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Flights; optional tips to the tour leader; tips to any baggage handlers if used anywhere; any passport or visa fees; excess baggage fees; snacks; any drinks other than drinkable water; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, internet, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Costa Rica: Enigmatic Wildlife Tour (EWT) Tour Overview: The jungles and mountains of Costa Rica represent some of the most accessible epicenters for biodiversity in the world. The vast array of habitats in Costa Rica are home to over 250 species of mammals, 900 bird species, 175 species of amphibians, 250 reptiles, 15,000 invertebrates and 7,500 plants! The diversity is spread throughout the many ecoregions of the country. However, due to the nation’s small size, it is possible to visit and explore many of these regions in a single trip. From the cryptic Coronated Tree Frog to the large, yet surprisingly stealthy, Baird’s Tapir, some of the wildlife of Costa Rica is both rare and captivating, whilst many others are very accessible indeed, which is why Costa Rica is one of the premier wildlife watching destinations on the planet. While some animals make their presence easily known, most of them act as silent observers hidden in the shadows of the canopy. Over the course of this itinerary we will attempt to find as many of these elusive animals as we can, while also seeing many of the more regular wildlife one would expect from a Costa Rica tour. Red-eyed Treefrog Pablo Cervantes Daza Resplendent Quetzal Pablo Cervantes Daza Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth Sam Woods Eyelash Pitviper Pablo Cervantes Daza Strawberry Poison Dart Frog Sam Woods King Vulture Pablo Cervantes Daza Dark-eyed Treefrog Pablo Cervantes Daza Montezuma Oropendola Pablo Cervantes Daza Yellow-throated Toucan Pablo Cervantes Daza Masked Treefrog Pablo Cervantes Daza Talamanca Hummingbird Pablo Cervantes Daza Red-eyed Treefrog Pablo Cervantes Daza Green-and-black Poison Dart Frog Pablo Cervantes Daza Ghost Glass Frog Pablo Cervantes Daza Hog-nosed Pitviper Pablo Cervantes Daza American Crocodile Pablo Cervantes Daza Granular Glass Frog Pablo Cervantes Daza Eyelash Pitviper Pablo Cervantes Daza Emerald Basilisk Pablo Cervantes Daza Canal Zone Treefrog Pablo Cervantes Daza Eyelash Pitviper Pablo Cervantes Daza Parrot Viper Pablo Cervantes Daza Spangle-cheeked Tanager Andres Vasquez White-crested Coquette Sam Woods White-nosed Coati Sam Woods Tour Details: 2027 Main Tour: 15 - 26 January Price: TBA (will be posted in 2026 - estimate is $6720, sing. sup: $480) Extension: 26 January - 1 February Price: TBA Length: 12 Days (18 days with extension) Starting City: San José, Costa Rica Ending City: San José, Costa Rica Pace: Moderate to i ntense Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Wildlife, Birding Group size: 8 + 1 leader Ready to Book? Book Here More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in San José This is the arrival day; while no group activities are planned except for dinner, if you arrive early enough, you may wish to go birding in the hotel grounds where many species including Ferriginous Pygmy-Owl and Rufous-backed Wren can be seen. The night will be spent in a hotel not far from the airport. Day 2: San Jose to Tapir Valley Nature Reserve After some optional early morning birding we will meet for breakfast, then board our vehicle and head north to Tapir Valley, where we spend one night. The drive can take anywhere from 3-4.5 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. While most of the highly prized targets are most active at night, there are still many incredible animals to enjoy in the daytime. The gardens can be an incredible place to see hummingbirds like the Black-crested Coquette and Snowcap, some of the country’s most prized bird species. After dinner, we will venture out on a guided night walk in the jungle. Here we will search for different frogs, snakes, sleeping birds and lizards, and hopefully some mammals. The biggest target here is perhaps the Baird’s Tapir, a strange and elusive herbivore with a short prehensile trunk. Tapirs are the only group of odd toed ungulates in the New World, meaning their closest living relatives are the rhinoceroses. Another big priority here is the Tapir Valley Tree Frog. This small green tree frog is endemic to the Tapir Valley, and this nature preserve is the only place in the world to see it. Day 3: Tapir Valley Nature Preserve to Arenal This morning will start with a guided birding tour through Tapir Valley Nature Preserve. There are hundreds of bird species found on the property, some of our highlights could include some scarcities like Yellow-eared Toucanet, Tody Motmot, and Great Curassow, as well as an astonishing array of tanagers, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and toucans. This morning will be a fantastic opportunity for people who have never been to the tropics to become familiar with many neotropical bird families. After our morning activity we will drive towards La Fortuna (3-4 hour’s drive) where we will be staying at one of the wonderful lodges in the vicinity of the Arenal Volcano. We will do some afternoon birding, while also keeping a vigilant eye out for reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and other cool invertebrates. While hiking the trails here we will be searching for the very rare Bare-necked Umbrellabird, one of Costa Rica’s most unique and iconic birds. After dinner we will go on a night walk to search for tree frogs like the famous Red-eyed Tree Frog, Masked Smilisca, and Hourglass Tree Frog. Other animals of the night we may find include, the variably colored Eyelash Palm Pitviper, Emerald Basilisk, Yellow-spotted Night Lizard, and even some mammals such as the Derby’s Woolly Opossum and Southern Opossum. Day 4: Arenal to La Selva Biological Station This morning we will continue exploring the grounds of Arenal Observatory Lodge. We will continue searching for any targets we hadn’t found from the previous day. We will also be searching for mixed flocks of antbirds; these groups can contain elusive species like Spotted Antbird and Ocellated Antbird (typically only when there is an army antswarm present), Streak-crowned Antvireo and even the occasional Song Wren. We will continue down the trails in search of other cryptic birds, and we will place a focused effort on finding the elusive Thicket Antpitta. While the chances are very low, we will also be in the range for the enigmatic Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo. This mythical bird has been seen here many times over the years as it sometimes associates with the local ant swarms. We would need some very good fortune to see it however. After our morning at the observatory we will pack up the vehicle and leave for La Selva Biological Station, a two-hour drive away. This station is located in the heart of the Caribbean lowlands and will provide us with ample opportunities to search for an unbelievable cast of nocturnal animals. The reptile and amphibian diversity can be off the charts when conditions are right! Nocturnal reptiles like Yellow-spotted Night-Lizard, Cloudy Snail-eating Snake, Black Halloween Snake and Common Blunt-headed Tree Snake would all be epic finds. The invertebrate diversity is like no other and some of the potential highlights include oddities like Velvet Worms, Micrathena brevipes, Peruvian Shield Mantis, or the legendary Bullet Ant. The mammal diversity is also impressive here with species like Ocelot, Mexican Mouse Opossum and Lowland Paca all frequenting the area. Day 5: La Selva Biological Station to Tapirus Lodge After a long night walk the previous day, clients can decide to either rest up in the morning or go on their own self-guided walk along the easy trails on site. We will depart La Selva Biological Station and begin our two hour drive to Tapirus Lodge. Traveling here brings us further along the Caribbean lowlands and gives us more time to explore this region's endless diversity. This area will provide us with ample opportunities to search for endemic birds like the scarce Lattice-tailed Trogon and the ultra-rare Bare-necked Umbrellabird. The forests surrounding the lodge are also home to many incredible mammals like Baird’s Tapir, Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, and White-nosed Coatimundi. We will have dinner here at the lodge and then go on a night walk to find some more denizens of the dark. On the right night, the frogs here can be abundant and very diverse, with many of Central America’s most iconic frogs found here. Amongst the highest priorities is Sylvia’s Leaf Frog, also known as the Tiger Tree Frog due to their bold orange and black striped ventral pattern. The large Gliding Leaf Frog is one of the largest tree frogs in Central America and can be found abundantly here when conditions are right. Lastly, this region will provide us with our best opportunity for finding the Coronated Tree Frog, a large frog with a bony ridge rising on the top of its head giving it a distinct crowned appearance. Day 6: Tapirus Lodge to Veragua Rainforest Lodge This morning will provide us with the opportunity to search for any targets in the area we have still not found. Alternatively, if we arrived later than planned the previous day, we will be able to spend the day birding in the area. Morning time is the best time to search for the Baird’s Tapir, where a few very habituated (yet still wild), individuals can be seen on most days. We will also be able to see many species of birds that call the forests here home. Some possible highlights include White-ruffed Manakin, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, and Carmiol’s Tanager. We will continue birding and herping near the lodge in the early morning before leaving for our next stop. Today we will head towards Veragua Rainforest Lodge to settle in for the next night. The jungles of the Caribbean lowlands have some of the most concentrated epicenters for biodiversity in the country. We will be able to explore the Veragua Rainforest and other surrounding places for many new species. Here will be searching for many different mammals, such as Mantled Howler Monkey, Kinkajou, Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloth, and even Honduran White Bats. The herp diversity here is also incredible with three species of dart frogs, including the Striped Poison Dart Frog. Some reptiles found here include the Rainbow Galliwasp, Rainforest Hognose Viper, and Yellow-headed Gecko. While we will have another opportunity at searching for the rare Bare-necked Umbrellabird, we will also prioritize finding the endemic Sulphur-rumped Tanager. This tanager is only found very locally along the Caribbean slopes of Costa Rica and Panama, its gray stout appearance is complimented wonderfully by its lemon yellow rump. We will then also do a night walk here to search for critters like Northern Turniptail Gecko, Yellow-flecked Glassfrog, Striped Rocket Frog, Peruvian Shield Mantis, and False Tree Coral Snakes. Day 7: Veragua Rainforest Lodge to Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center Today’s timing will be based on how successful we were at finding our previous day’s targets. We may spend the whole morning hiking the trails here or leave after breakfast for our next hotel. Regardless, we will leave the lodge and head towards our next accommodation, a 90-minute drive away. The accommodation will be close to our next main location, the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center. The reserve is privately owned by a local herpetologist, who has discovered several species of salamanders and frogs. The property here is home to one of the most endangered frogs in the Americas, the Lemur Leaf Frog. This delicate frog has a patchy distribution in Costa Rica and Panama, with its most charming feature being its lemur-like eyes. The night walk here can be very difficult at times, so it is important to bring a hunger for adventure, rain jackets and hiking poles. However the jungles here are home to many strange invertebrates like Velvet Worms, Wandering Spiders, and Helicopter Grasshoppers. Aside from the rare Lemur Leaf Frog, it will also be possible to find several species of glass frogs like the Ghost and Reticulated Glass Frogs, as well as Sylvia’s Leaf Frog, Rufous-eyed Brook Frog, Lancaster’s Tree Frog, and Ridge-headed Salamander. Day 8: Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center to the Talamanca Highlands After breakfast and birding, we will say goodbye to the lowlands and head towards the iconic Talamanca Highlands. This major mountain range runs from west of San José into western Panama, with its highest peaks reaching up to 12,500ft (3800m). Due to this intense topography, this bioregion has the highest level of endemism in all of Costa Rica. We will make several stops to look for regional endemic birds like the gorgeous Golden-browed Chlorophonia or the elusive Wrenthrush. We will head up roads that give us access to some of the highest points in the area. These high peaks will provide us with ample opportunity to search for Montane Alligator Lizards, Volcano Juncos, Red-legged Webfoot Salamanders, or even the erratic Peg-billed Finch. After the stops throughout the day we will arrive at our accommodation for the next two nights. An optional night walk will be available in which we will search for different nocturnal animals, such as the endemic Bare-shanked Screech Owl, Cerro Utyum Robber Frog, and if we are very lucky, Cacomistles a strange member of the racoon family. We spend two nights at one of several lodges in the area Day 9: Talamanca Highlands and nearby valleys Today we will be searching for endemic reptiles and amphibians in the area. The highest priority of today will be to search for the endemic Talamancan Pitviper and Costa Rican Montane Viper. The Talamancan Pitviper was only discovered in 2016 and boasts a stunning array of black and lime green mottling. We will be joined by a local herp guide to ensure the best chances at finding these elusive snakes, as well as viewing the snakes in a safe environment, for both us and the snakes. As we search for these snakes, we will also stop to enjoy birds like the iconic Resplendent Quetzal and Spangle-cheeked Tanager. If we are lucky, we may come across the endemic Costa Rican Telipogon, an endemic orchid found only along the slopes of the Talamancas. Day 10: Talamanca Highlands to Quepos We will spend the morning searching for the Resplendent Quetzal. Oftentimes lodge guides know of an active nest, making it likely that we will get great looks at this beautiful and iconic species. The glistening emerald and ruby feathers of this bird are of legendary status in the avian world. Depending on our timing, after the early morning search for the quetzal and breakfast we may continue searching for a few of our missing reptile and amphibian targets. After an early lunch we will begin our 4-hour drive to Quepos. Once we arrive at our accommodation for the night we will settle and prepare for our first mangrove boat tour in Isla Damas. This will be our only night tour in the area. Entering the mangroves with a local company at night will give us the chance of viewing the rare Northern Silky Anteater, as well as different reptiles in the mangroves like the Mangrove Cat-eyed Snake or sleeping basilisks and iguanas. Day 11: Tarcoles area We will revisit the mangroves in the morning to look for anything we haven't seen yet. We will have another opportunity at finding the Northern Silky Anteater sleeping in the branches, roosting Proboscis Bats, or a Northern Tamandua as it forages. The mangroves are also home to several monkeys, such as Central American White-faced Capuchin and Central American Squirrel Monkey. As we travel through the tangled roots and looming mangroves, we will also be searching for several birds like the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird, several kingfishers, Boat-billed Heron, Scarlet Macaw, Common Black Hawk, and Bare-throated Tiger-Heron. Clients taking the extension will spend a second night in Quepos. Those not taking the extension will have a private transfer to San Jose, where they will spend the night at a hotel near the airport. Day 12: Departures from San Jose The tour ends this morning for those not joining the Osa Peninsula Extension. Transportation to the airport will be available. Osa Peninsula Extension Day 1 (same date as Day 12 of the main tour): Esquipulas Rainforest to Sierpe We will depart San Jose very early and head to Esquipulas Rainforest, where we will be focused on getting some great looks at a few more epic birds. We will be targeting the White-crested Coquette, an endemic hummingbird with a “funky hairdo”, which visits the flowers at the lodge. As we look for the coquette we will search for other local birds like Fiery-billed Aracari, Golden-naped Woodpecker, and Red-capped Manakin. Other major targets are the rare White-tipped Sicklebill and the stunning King Vulture. After some birding here we will have lunch and then continue our journey towards the peninsula. Upon arriving we will settle into our accommodation for the next two nights. Tonight we will be joined by a local guide to search for different reptiles, amphibians and mammals. With some luck we may find species like Rosenberg’s Gladiator Frog, Chiriqui Glass Frog, Berthold’s Monkey Lizard, Granular Glass Frog, Bare-hearted Glass Frog, Lowland Paca, and Kinkajous. Day 2: Sirena Day Trip Today we will embark on a day trip into the heart of the Osa Peninsula. We will leave early for a two and a half hour boat ride among Sierpe's mangroves towards the pristine Pacific coastline of the Osa Peninsula. Along the way we will search for Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey, Yellow-billed Cotinga, American Crocodile, and Baird’s Tapir. Our destination is the Sirena Ranger Station, which is surrounded by the last true wilderness of Central America. The trails surrounding the Ranger Station have been a reliable place for several epic mammals. Baird’s Tapir is once again possible, however we will also intensely search for Northern Tamandua and White-lipped Peccary, species that is in steep decline and increasingly rarer every year. Perhaps we will get lucky and see one of the most desired bats in the world, Northern Ghost Bat, as it quietly perches under leaves. We will return to Sierpe late in the afternoon, and explore the forests surrounding Sierpe during one last guided night hike. We will continue searching for as many species as possible in this epicenter of herpetofaunal diversity. Aside from the previous night’s targets, we may come across species like Scorpion Mud Turtle, Bromeliad Boa, Osa Caecilian, Allen’s Worm Salamander, and Banded Snail-eater Days 3-5: Piedras Blancas National Park and surroundings After breakfast, we will begin our drive to Escape To Sylvan Lodge, where we will stay for three nights. The jungles here are home to five Poison Dart Frogs, including the two Costa Rican endemics, Golfo Dulce and Granular Dart Frogs. Other animals present are Lowland Paca, Central American Boa, Forest Flame Snake, and Ocelot. We will search for the endemic Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, a scarce denizen of the forest found only in and around the Osa Peninsula. Another high priority target will be the endemic White-tailed Hognose Viper, a snake with an intricate pattern that blends it into the understory. Our time here will provide us with several opportunities to join a trained biologist on a night of bat netting. While we will not be allowed to handle the bats, it will provide us with a unique opportunity to view several bat species up close and personal, like Spix’s Disk-winged Bat, Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat, Heller’s Broad-nosed Bat, Seba’s Short-tailed Bat, with one night dedicated to catching the famous Common Vampire Bat. Day 6: Return to San José Today we return to San José; the drive takes about five hours, so we will have time to look for more wildlife either around our lodge or at stops along the way. We'll spend the night at a hotel near the airport. Day 7: Departures from San José The tour ends this morning for those not joining the Osa Peninsula Extension. Transportation to the airport will be available. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate-Intense. The mornings and nights will offer us the best opportunities for wildlife activity. The timing of each day will vary since some days we will prioritize nighttime activities, and other days we will prioritize morning and midday activities. Most days will allow for mid-day breaks, and we will be checked in to each night’s accommodation prior to all of the nighttime activities, allowing guests to “sit out” if needed. We will be changing hotels almost every night on this tour, allowing us to see more places and increase our total species count, but it does mean many one-night stays. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. There are very few feeder options along this tour. All major activities will include hiking in varying terrain and elevations. Weather can always impact trail conditions and clients should be prepared with proper rain gear, footwear and hiking poles. The long days can also be physically impactful, so it is important for clients to pace themselves and sit out of certain activities when needed. On one of the days we will be at high elevation, at over 9840ft (3000m), although all of the time in the mountains will not involve any tough walking at this elevation. CLIMATE: The middle of the day can be hot and humid when in the tropical lowlands (maximizing between high 80’s to mid 90’s Fahrenheit/27-33C), with the nights only being slightly cooler in temperature. While we will not be visiting in the wet season, weather conditions can be rainy and windy at any time, so it is important to pack raingear especially for time along the Caribbean slopes, where the rain is present year-round. The mountainous parts of the Talamancas will be cooler than the tropical lowlands. For this reason it is important to pack a warm jacket, and even base layers for the night. While daytime temperatures in the mountains will be much warmer (averaging in the mid 70’s to low 80’s Fahrenheit) it is good to pack an extra light layer. ACCOMMODATION : Good to excellent throughout, with three cooked meals, and full-time electricity. Most hotels will have WIFI and hot water, but it is important to understand some places in Osa Peninsula may experience difficulty in providing these amenities at all times. Oftentimes, the WIFI is only accessible in public areas (e.g. reception and restaurant areas), in Costa Rica and not necessarily in each room. Patience is therefore appreciated but adaptability is required. We will be changing accommodations almost every night, with many single night stays. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is an Enigmatic Wildlife Tour (EWT), meaning photography is not the top priority. Assuring everyone sees the wildlife will take precedence. Most wildlife will be seen from trails or boats. The only feeders on this tour are operated by lodges and local restaurants, but there will be no main activities focused on these. Feeders will often be present at our accommodations, allowing anyone that wants to sit out of an activity to have some adequate entertainment. The feeder locations will be the best locations for photography, since the birds are more accustomed to people. As we search for our tour’s main targets the photography opportunities will be more limited, especially when considering mammals. Clients are encouraged to bring camera gear for when photo opportunities arise. GEAR: Binoculars are the most essential item for wildlife viewing, but photographers are encouraged to bring their cameras and lens. The guide will have a scope which you are welcome to use. If you would like to bring your own scope you may do so. A tripod is always welcome but keep in mind that all of our photography will be opportunistic which means you will have to be quick. Monopods are often a better, quicker and more portable option. However, neither a monopod or tripod is necessary to join this tour. Since we will be focusing on several groups of animals it would be best to bring an array of lenses. The most fitting lens will be a lens with a focal length between 300mm and 500mm, to allow optimal reach for birds and mammals. For reptile, amphibian, invertebrate and plant photography a macro lens is best, between the 60mm and 105mm length. Proper hiking gear and attire are essential, remember to know your own limits and comfortability, please plan so accordingly. Sunglasses and wide-brim hats are highly recommended for our walks. Mosquito head nets and insect repellent will not be provided, so if you are concerned about insects, it is good to bring both. Other gear requirements are good footwear (like hiking boots with good traction and ankle support), hiking poles, and a day backpack (something that will be sufficient for carrying camera gear, snacks, enough water, etc.), and sunscreen. In the case of hiking poles, most people don’t consider it to be necessary and regret not bringing them once they have arrived on the tour. I highly encourage everyone to bring hiking poles due to the varying terrain and trail conditions we will experience. In case of rain, a waterproof bag and rain jacket are recommended. It’s always best to prepare for the worst conditions! Lastly, many activities will take place at night. A flashlight and/or rechargeable headlamp are required too. WHEN TO GO: This is an excellent time to visit Costa Rica, as we will be avoiding the heart of the wet season. The lack of consistent rains will reduce the cancellation of activities due to intense weather that can happen at other times of year. Late February and early March is when many birds are active, as well as the highest frequency of encountering most of our reptile and amphibian targets. Many of our mammal targets are possible year-round, but March seems to have a higher probability of finding them than some other months. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are currently not required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and all Western European countries. Visas are currently only required of nationalities mainly in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; if you are unsure, please check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 11 on the main tour; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 5 on the extension, if taking part in that too; meals on the main tour from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 12 (if you have a very early departing flight, you may miss the included breakfast on the last day); If taking the extension, the included meals are from breakfast on day 1 of this to breakfast on day 6 (unless you leave before breakfasts are served at the hotel); safe drinking water throughout; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the morning of day 2 to the night of day 11 on the main tour; from Day 1 through to the evening of Day 5 of the extension if also joining that too; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person, (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour or other guests at the same hotel); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 2 to day 11 of the main tour in a suitable vehicle with a local driver; and if taking the extension from the morning of Day 1 through the afternoon of day 5 on that part; entrance fees to birding sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the TROPICAL BIRDING tour leader; tips for luggage porters in any city hotels (if you require their services); international flights; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Washington Photo Tour: Breeding Passerines of the West Tour Overview: Washington, the “Evergreen state” is rightly famed for its dramatic scenery, but is often overlooked as a premier destination for bird photography. This photo tour combines the Olympic Peninsula, with its yawning miles of coastlines and forests bordering this, with a trip into the east of Washington, where forested highlands, mountain lakes, riparian patches and rolling hills will be on the agenda. Thus, the tour will visit a bounty of excellent bird habitats, including dramatic jagged mountains, glacial valleys, and ancient old growth forests, as well as the seemingly endless western coastlines. When many people think of Washington, they think of the waterbirds. This indeed applies to this tour with birds like Barrow's goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Common Loon and if we're lucky on timing, Red-necked Grebe. However, an abundance of songbirds breed in the state, particularly in forests and steppes in the east. We will be visiting areas of the scenically-stunning cascades to seek out photographs of species like Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Western Tanager. We will also take advantage of the several 'chicken-like' birds that breed in Washington, chiefly the Sooty and Dusky Grouse, both will hopefully strut their stuff in front of our lenses. It cannot be overstated quite how oddly underrated this region is for the bird photographer; this tour will provide an abundance of proof of this. On many days we have multiple options on where to photograph birds in a vast region with plentiful habitats and breeding birds all around, and so the detailed day plan will often evolve based on what species we are still looking to photograph at that point. Please note, this tour does not visit any feeding sites and is ENTIRELY field photography. There is a little bit of walking required but no strenuous hiking. Ruddy Duck Sam Woods Yellow-breasted Chat Ken Behrens Yellow-headed Blackbird Ken Behrens Varied Thrush Pablo Cervantes Pygmy Nuthatch Nick Athanas Williamson's Sapsucker Sam Woods Western Bluebird Nick Athanas Red-naped Sapsucker Nick Athanas Northern Flicker Nick Athanas Black-backed Woodpecker Nick Athanas Red-necked Grebes Ken Behrens Ruddy Duck Sam Woods Yellow-breasted Chat Ken Behrens Yellow-headed Blackbird Ken Behrens Varied Thrush Pablo Cervantes Pygmy Nuthatch Nick Athanas Williamson's Sapsucker Sam Woods Western Bluebird Nick Athanas Red-naped Sapsucker Nick Athanas Northern Flicker Nick Athanas Black-backed Woodpecker Nick Athanas Red-necked Grebes Ken Behrens Ruddy Duck Sam Woods Yellow-breasted Chat Ken Behrens Yellow-headed Blackbird Ken Behrens Varied Thrush Pablo Cervantes Pygmy Nuthatch Nick Athanas Williamson's Sapsucker Sam Woods Western Bluebird Nick Athanas Red-naped Sapsucker Nick Athanas Northern Flicker Nick Athanas Black-backed Woodpecker Nick Athanas Red-necked Grebes Ken Behrens Tour Details: 2026 11 - 24 May $7400; single supplement: $1060 Length: 13 Days Starting City: Seattle Ending City: Seattle Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Photography Group size: 6 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Seattle Following your arrival and airport transfer to the hotel, we will meet typically around 4pm (subject to slight change) for our first afternoon outing. Typically this will involve going to a local park in Seattle. Typical targets will include; Audubon's Warbler, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Wood Duck, Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow, and whatever else we can get our cameras on. A single night will be spent near the airport in Seattle. Day 2: Seattle to Olympic Peninsula We will make our way to the peninsula on this day. There are several ways to reach the peninsula. We are going to take the northern route towards the ferry crossing first in Mukilteo and then in Coupeville. We do this because we have a chance to photograph Pigeon Guillemots nesting in the rocks at the ferry terminal in Coupeville. Some years they nest and some years they don't so it isn't a guarantee but for the extra 20min for the northern route, it is worth the check. We also need to be on the northern side of the Olympic Peninsula for access to our shooting locations. The afternoon will be spent on the peninsula where depending on weather we may hit the coast for Harlequin Duck, Bald Eagle, Red-breasted Merganser or we may check the forests for Pacific Wren, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Brown Creeper and the stunning Varied Thrush. We will spend the next three (3) nights in Port Angeles. Day 3: Olympic National Park Today will be spent wandering around this absolutely stunning forest. This is some of the oldest forest in the United Sates and it shows. Lime green moss and massive trunked trees will have your attention upwards while we look for Sooty Grouse, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Varied Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Townsend's Warbler and more below. Every time I visit this ancient forest it truly takes my breathe away. Day 4: Puffin and Alcid Cruise OR Olympic National Park This is a bit tricky. It isn't always guaranteed to get a cruise out of Sequim to try for puffins and other Alcides like Common Murre, Rhinoceros Auklet and Marbled Murrelet. While we hope to always make this a possibility, severe weather, boat cancelations or a lack of boat space may see us roaming around the peninsula looking for land birds rather than those that prefer the sea. Day 5: Clean-up day on the Olympic Peninsula to Cle Elum No we will not be picking up trash. Rather this is a term the guide is fond of when we use the day as a free day to capture species we have missed or would like to do better on. We can hit the coast or the forests again to add to our growing collection of excellent photographs. Only for the morning however as we want to get into Cle Elum with enough time to try some afternoon photography. We will start to get into some drier forests so birds like; White-headed Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Williamson's Sapsucker, Western Bluebird and Pacific Slope Flycatcher will start to present themselves. A single night will be spent in Cle Elum to break up our long journey east. Days 6: Cle Elum to Omak The early morning will be spent in the dry forests before we continue our drive towards Omak. Depending on time, our journey may have us stopping off at some locations for targets if they haven't been photographed already. The afternoon will see us traveling through the stunning wilderness of Sanlahekin. Here, Lewis's Woodpecker, Black-billed Magpie, American Kestrel, Mountain and Western Bluebird, Yellow Warbler, Audubon's Warbler, and one of our main target water birds, the stunning Common Loon should prove to keep us entertained until the sun sets. The next two nights will be spent in Omak. Day 7: Omak Area Today we play. Based on how the afternoon went, we can target more dry forest birds like Northern Flicker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Steller's Jay, Red-winged Blackbird, Osprey and Clark's Nutcracker. We can also photograph a few more of the water dependent birds like; Bald Eagles, Red-necked Grebe, Barrow's Golden-eye, Common Merganser and one of the dozens of nesting Osprey in the area. Days 8-11: Omak to Winthrop A final morning will be spent in Omak picking up species we might've missed. We will travel towards Winthrop which is one of my favorite locations in Washington State. This tiny little western style town has several amazing places for photography. We will aim to get our lenses on the following (just to name a few!!!); Dusky Grouse, Red-naped and Williamson's Sapsucker, Calliope and Rufous Hummingbird, Chipping Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Red Crossbill, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Barrow's Golden-eye, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Meadowlark, Hairy, Downy, Black-backed, Lewis's, White-headed Woodpeckers, Western Tanager, Pacific Slope Flycatcher....and I think that's enough for now! Winthrop is an amazing spot, no doubt about it! The next four nights will be spent here to really comb the area and take advantage of the mosaic of species that choose to breed in this amazing corner of the world. Day 12: Winthrop to Seattle After some final photography in the morning, we will take the mountain pass back towards Seattle. This is a bit of a run-around but it is worth it (if time allows). There is a trail in the mountains where we have a good (not great if I am honest) chance for some mammal photography. The targets would be; Hoary Marmot and American Pika...very cute and this route (or alternate) will be chosen at the discretion of the guide based on the guests desires. A final night will be spent in Seattle near the airport. Day 13: Departures from Seattle There are no planned activities for the day. Guests may depart at their leisure. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. The mornings are early to get the best light possible. As stated above, the photograph on this tour is all field photography, which means no feeders. Be ready for some fast paced but incredibly fun photography. You must be okay with walking. There are no strenuous hikes on this tour. Walks are generally flat with some very small inclines besides the trail on the alternate route back to Seattle. That hike is about a 5/10 difficulty. It should be considered semi-strenuous. Most of the days will involve a mid-afternoon break to recharge your camera batteries as well as your own. This may change however if the day is overcast and everyone is willing and able to continue. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy – Moderate. Most of our birding/photography is going to be close to the vehicle, but some will be done on trails. All of the water photography is safe. Some time will be devoted to trying to get some great photos of ducks where we may spend a half hour or so with a single species so please keep that in mind. Elevation on this tour is not a concern. The highest we will travel is in the car when we pass through the cascades. This will be around 7000ft. or so. Again, the trail for the mammals is semi-strenuous but not overly long (just under 1.25miles) CLIMATE: Days will be warm to hot (especially in the east) and nights will be cool. At this time of year daytime highs can reach in the 80’s Fahrenheit (mid 20’s Celsius), and nighttime temperatures in the low 60’s Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) are expected. This tour is timed during the end of the rainy and cold season when the birds start becoming very active but we may still run into some rain, so a raincoat is definitely recommended. ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent throughout, with full-time electricity, hot water and en-suite facilities at the standard motels used everywhere. All places used have Wi-Fi Internet. WHEN TO GO: This is an excellent time to visit Washington State. The birds are in full breeding plumage and looking to attract mates, defend territory and sing their hearts out. This means (hopefully) our chances of photographing almost all of the species we come across. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a PHOTO tour. We will spend the majority of our time trying to capture high quality images of key species as well as guest desired species. Just get ready...this trip has some seriously cool birds. Just check out the gallery and the trip reports. GEAR: Bring your biggest glass, a mid range zoom lens and a wide angle (some of the landscapes are jaw dropping). If you want to bring a tripod you may but if you need the extra stability, I would recommend a monopod over a tripod as again, there are no feeders on this tour so speed in the shooting situation is vital. No real need for a flash but you are always welcome to bring them. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: For US citizens, there are no special travel requirements. Citizens of Canada may enter the US with a valid passport, and do not need to obtain a visa. For citizens of the 38 countries on the visa waiver list (including the UK, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Japan), you can enter the US with a valid passport and a completed Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which can be applied for online. For all passports, the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Citizens of all other countries will need to apply for a US visa. Travel requirements are subject to change; please double check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff if you are unsure. Those who need to apply for an ESTA or Visa should do so long in advance of the tour, as these can take days weeks to be issued. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 12; meals from dinner on day 1 to dinner on day 12; spare drinking water in the vehicle when required; Tropical Birding tour leader (who is also the tour driver) with audio gear from the afternoon of day 1 to the afternoon of day 12; all entrance and park fees WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the Tropical Birding tour leader (who is also the driver on this tour); tips for any luggage porters used; any flights; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Eastern Australia: Birding from Top to Bottom Tour Overview: This tour’s big drawcard is the dozens of new families for the first-time visitor, from birds-of-paradise and bowerbirds, to lyrebirds and cassowaries. The first days are about getting people accustomed to the new families, subfamilies and even the different habitat types. So many of the birds in Australia appear to have large ranges, but most species are very habitat specific; luckily the Tropical Birding guides here not only know where to go to find and identify all the species, they also understand some of the subtle differences that occur from year to year, such as rainfall and flowering changes that make some places dead one year and pumping the next. We used to think that this trip was by far the best for seeing the birds and animals of Eastern Australia, but with some of the tweaking we have done over the many years we have run this tour, we are now sure that no other Australian tour even comes close to providing what this trip offers.The covers the humid tropical forests of northern Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, the cool mountain forests around Lamington National Park in southern Queensland, and takes in the coast, mountains and arid interior of New South Wales, and then extends all the way down to the rugged coastlines of Tasmania, seeing almost all of the available endemics along the way. NOTE: This is an intense paced birding tour, trying to see as much as possible in 20 days. If you want a shorter, slower paced Australia tour, run at a more relaxed pace, then please see this tour: Australia: The Introtour . Splendid Fairywren Andres Vasquez Chestnut Quail-Thrush Sam Woods Plains Wanderer Sam Woods Regent Bowerbird Sam Woods Satin Bowerbird Andres Vasquez Eastern Shrike-tit Sam Woods Australian Bustard Iain Campbell Crescent Honeyeater Sam Woods Glossy Black Cockatoo Sam Woods White-eared Monarch Sam Woods Western Gray Kangaroo Sam Woods Great Bowerbird bower Sam Woods Tawny Frogmouth Andres Vasquez Forty-spotted Pardalote Sam Woods Australian Owlet-Nightjar Sam Woods Hooded Plover Sam Woods Plains-Wanderer Nick Athanas Crimson Finch Andres Vasquez Golden Whistler Andres Vasquez Little Corella Andres Vasquez Scarlet Robin Andres Vasquez Emu Sam Woods Pink Cockatoo Sam Woods Heath Monitor Sam Woods Black-throated Finch Sam Woods Splendid Fairywren Andres Vasquez Chestnut Quail-Thrush Sam Woods Plains Wanderer Sam Woods Regent Bowerbird Sam Woods Satin Bowerbird Andres Vasquez Eastern Shrike-tit Sam Woods Australian Bustard Iain Campbell Crescent Honeyeater Sam Woods Glossy Black Cockatoo Sam Woods White-eared Monarch Sam Woods Western Gray Kangaroo Sam Woods Great Bowerbird bower Sam Woods Tawny Frogmouth Andres Vasquez Forty-spotted Pardalote Sam Woods Australian Owlet-Nightjar Sam Woods Hooded Plover Sam Woods Plains-Wanderer Nick Athanas Crimson Finch Andres Vasquez Golden Whistler Andres Vasquez Little Corella Andres Vasquez Scarlet Robin Andres Vasquez Emu Sam Woods Pink Cockatoo Sam Woods Heath Monitor Sam Woods Black-throated Finch Sam Woods Tour Details: 2026 28 October - 16 November $12600*; single supplement: $1700 *Internal flights are not included. The approximate cost for these is US$600, subject to change. 2027 28 October - 16 November $13480*; single supplement: $1820 *Internal flights are not included. The approximate cost for these is US$600, subject to change. *This tour links up with THREE tours: Australia's Top End & Western Australia & Cape York in the Dry Length: 20 Days Starting City: Cairns Ending City: Hobart (Tasmania) Pace: Intense Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birding, Wildlife Group size: 7 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Check out our Virtual Tour Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Cairns (Queensland)
 After arrival in Cairns, the tour will begin with a meeting at 1pm so that we can head out birding around this small city. Some of the sites we may visit include Centenary Lakes, Cairns Cemetery, and The Esplanade. Targets will include Australian shorebirds along The Esplanade, such as Terek Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, godwits, sand-plovers, gulls and terns. Cairns Cemetery can be a great spot for finding common Australian birds such as Willie-Wagtails, Rainbow Bee-eaters, Australasian Figbirds, Torresian Imperial-Pigeons, and White-breasted Woodswallows, as well as sleeping Bush Thick-knees. Centenary Lakes could yield some of our first tropical species such as Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Australian Brush-Turkey, Dusky Myzomela, Brown-backed and Yellow Honeyeaters, Metallic Starling, Green Oriole, and Black Butcherbird. The night will be spent in Cairns. Day 2: The Great Barrier Reef (Queensland) After breakfast we will head to the local docks, where we’ll board a ferry that will take us out to the Great Barrier Reef for much of the day. Our first stop will be the tiny, sandy islet of Michaelmas Cay, a haven for nesting seabirds. The dominant nesting species is the Brown Noddy, although we will keep a sharp eye out for the scarcer Black Noddy hiding among them. There are also numerous terns on the island, mostly Sooty and Great Crested Terns, which are also sometimes joined by other species like Lesser Crested, Black-naped, and the occasional Roseate too. We will keep an eye out for any frigatebirds marauding above, as both Lesser and Great Frigatebirds can occur on the island too, and we may even pick up a Brown or Red-footed Booby flying over. Later on the boat trip there will be chances for those who wish to, to go snorkeling, or take a glass-bottomed boat tour of the reef. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Cairns for some late afternoon birding, and a second night. Day 3: Cairns Rainforest to Daintree (Queensland) We will spend the morning birding the road to Lake Morris, which is bordered by lowland rainforest and leads up into hillier rainforest too. A massive list of birds awaits there, and we will be on the lookout for Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Wompoo and Superb Fruit-Doves, Spotted Catbird, Victoria’s Riflebird, Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Cryptic, Macleay’s and Yellow-spotted Honeyeaters, Dusky Myzomela, Gray Whistler, and Barred Cuckooshrike, among others! After much of the morning in this area, we will travel towards Daintree. There are multiple routes that can be taken to Daintree, although we are likely to divert inland first to pass through dry country that could yield Blue-faced Honeyeater, Red-backed Fairywren, Red-winged Parrot and a visit to a Great Bowerbird bower, as well as a visit to a local wetland where Black-necked Stork, Black Swan, Green Pygmy-Goose, and Whistling Kites are all regulars. We might also pick up a passing flock of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos in the area too. Although Cairns to Daintree is only a 90-minute drive, direct, we are likely to take our time and not arrive there until late afternoon. Time permitting, in the late afternoon, we might try for the scarce and difficult Lovely Fairywren near our hotel in Daintree. Day 4: Daintree River Cruise to Mareeba (Queensland)
 At dawn we will take a boat cruise along the Daintree River and some of its narrow tributaries seeking birds and other wildlife. We will scour the trees for Wompoo Fruit-Doves and minuscule Double-eyed Fig-Parrots, while this can often be the best place to find Green Orioles. The low riverside vegetation holds handsome Shining Flycatchers, and we will also keep a sharp eye out for kingfishers such as the regular Azure Kingfisher and the rare Little Kingfisher. Although massive, the remarkably inconspicuous Great-billed Heron can sometimes be found here too. Using a local guide we may also get the chance to find one of the most cryptic birds of the Daintree, the Papuan Frogmouth, which nests in the trees lining the riverbank. After two hours along the river we will return to Daintree for a late cooked breakfast on their veranda. After breakfast we may check a few nearby spots for anything we are missing, before getting on our way to Mareeba, up on the Atherton Tableland. We will probably stop along the way to bird a few wetlands, or depending on the weather, we may even head up Mt Lewis to bird some of the high-altitude rainforest. Whatever we decide, there will be plenty of new birds waiting for us, and our list will continue to build. Days 5-6: Atherton Tablelands (Queensland)
 We will spend these two days visiting a variety of sites on the Atherton Tableland; there will be a lot of birds to fit in, so expect some long days. We will visit locations including Maryfarms for Australian Bustards and other dry country birds, Mount Lewis or the Lake Barrine area for high-altitude rainforest endemics like Chowchillas and Golden Bowerbirds, and also some of the wetlands in the area for whistling-ducks and Magpie Geese. The nights will be spent in the small town of Mareeba, a town that boasts healthy numbers of Eastern Gray Kangaroos on their local golf course! Day 7: Mareeba to Cairns (Queensland)
 We will spend our final day on the Atherton Tableland chasing down any species we still need, before commencing the descent down to Cairns. If we are still looking for Southern Cassowary, we will make a visit to a regular area for this bird before returning to Cairns. Depending on how our list is shaping up, we will spend a couple of hours around Cairns, probably visiting the Esplanade (that comes loaded with shorebirds and other wading birds) or perhaps Centenary Lakes. There are quite a few wetlands around Cairns we can visit if we still need any waterbirds, or we could search for Crimson Finches and Chestnut-breasted Munias in farmland to the city’s north. Our last night in the Wet Tropics area of Queensland will again be spent in Cairns. Day 8: Cairns to Brisbane, to Lamington National Park (Queensland)
 After a morning flight from Cairns, we will arrive in Brisbane and head straight into the field. Our first stop will be some mangroves near the airport, searching for Mangrove Gerygone, Mangrove Honeyeater, and Collared Kingfisher. We may also check some hotspots around Brisbane, depending in local bird news at the time. We will then head to areas around Lamington National Park, and the comfortable lodging of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. As we arrive, we will be straining to get out of the cars and watch the grain feeders which often attract Crimson Rosellas, Australian King-Parrots and Wonga Pigeons, and we will spend this first afternoon exploring the rainforest edges . Dinner will be in the lodge restaurant, where we may get to watch the friendly Mountain Brush-tail Possums wolfing down fruits in front of the restaurant windows. After dinner there will be an optional search for nightbirds, in particular the scarce Marbled Frogmouth and Southern Boobook. The next two nights will be spent at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Day 9: Hotspots around Lamington National Park (Queensland)
 We will have a full day to explore hotspots around this wonderful national park, and the open eucalypt forest that cloaks the hillsides below that; all close to our lodging in Lamington. We will begin by admiring the bowerbirds and parrots clambering around the cabins in the early morning, which will include the gorgeous black-and-gold Regent Bowerbird. Wonga Pigeons should easily be found along with Red-necked Pademelons (a small kangaroo) feeding along the grassy verges. We will take a pre-breakfast walk in the rainforest to search for some of the forest-interior birds like Paradise Riflebird, Australian Logrunner, Rose Robin, Green Catbird, and, if we are really lucky, the extremely secretive Albert’s Lyrebird. After a substantial spread for breakfast we will spend more time exploring the rainforest. After lunch we will take a drive down Duck Creek Road and bird some very different habitat, wet sclerophyll forest, which holds a markedly different set of birds. We will try to track down Red-browed Treecreeper along the rainforest margin, and perhaps Spotted Pardalotes and Variegated Fairywrens too. After another dinner at the O Reilly’s, we will have the option to go looking for nightbirds again if needed. Day 10: Lamington (Queensland) to Sydney and Lithgow (New South Wales)
 We will have a look at the progress of our list, before deciding what to do around O Reilly’s this morning (in Lamington). We will have time to look for a few birds in the rainforest if we still need them, or we can head back down into the wet sclerophyll forest along Duck Creek Rd. Later in the morning, we will check out and make our way back towards Brisbane, in order to take an afternoon flight to Sydney, from there we will drive across the Blue Mountains to Lithgow for the night. This is a great location from which to launch our first exploration of the forests of New South Wales, the following morning. Day 11: Capertee Valley to Forbes (New South Wales)
 A dawn departure will have us in the famous Capertee Valley for breakfast, where the cool morning air will be ringing with the calls of honeyeaters. We will be treated to some other fantastic birds and it will give us a good chance to mop up some of the species we still need on mainland Australia, with the backdrop of the imposing Blue Mountains behind us. Birds such as Diamond Firetail, Yellow-tufted and Black-chinned Honeyeaters, Restless Flycatcher, Eastern Shrike-Tit, and Zebra Finch are all possible. Leaving the Capertee Valley behind, we will head back to Lithgow, before turning west for Forbes. The main attraction here is Gum Swamp, a large wetland that is a haven for waterfowl. We may be able to find Blue-billed Duck here, along with Pink-eared Duck, Hoary-headed Grebe, and perhaps the very rare Freckled Duck, as well as Cockatiel in the trees around the edges. The night will be spent in nearby Forbes. Day 12: Back Yamma to Lake Cargelligo (New South Wales)
 We will spend the morning birding Back Yamma State Forest, an area of open woodland close to Forbes. This will provide us with a gradual introduction to some of the birds of Australia’s drier inland. Possibilities include Turquoise Parrot, Blue Bonnet and Mallee Ringnecks, and perhaps our first gorgeous Red-capped Robins. We will leave Forbes in the morning to continue west to Lake Cargelligo. It is not a birding trip without a visit to the sewage works, and that will be our first port-of-call on arrival there. We may find our first White-winged Fairywrens here, and it can be a good location for rails and ducks depending on local water levels at the time of our visit. The night will be spent in Lake Cargelligo. Day 13: Round Hill & Plains-Wanderer (New South Wales)
 Another pre-dawn departure will have us enjoying breakfast as the sun rises and the birds start singing around us in the Nombinnie/Round Hill area. We will spend the morning here as we work to pick up a number of mallee specialists, plus a few other birds of the dry interior, including the incomparable Splendid Fairywren. While we only spend a short time in this habitat, this does allow us to add a swathe of new birds in this short period, nonetheless. We will have to drag ourselves away from Round Hill so we can get on our way to Hay and one of the highlights of the trip. The plains surrounding Hay are home to one of the most enigmatic and rare Australian birds, the Plains-Wanderer. We will take a night drive across the plains with local guides armed with spotlights and an intimate knowledge of this odd bird’s habits. Although it will mean a late finish, this is often the most highly rated outing of the trip, as we often get crippling views of this amazing bird. We will spend the night in nearby Hay. Day 14: Hay to Griffith (New South Wales)
 After a long night looking for Plains-Wanderers we will take the opportunity to have an atypical late start. When we are ready we will make our way over to Leeton where the main attraction is one of the best wetlands in Australia, Five Bough Swamp. We will check the swamp for Red-necked Avocets and Red-kneed Dotterels working the muddy edges, Australian Shovelers, Hardheads, and Musk Ducks swimming in the open waters, and Swamp Harriers quartering the reedbeds. As the water levels vary greatly in Five Bough, our afternoon plan will be flexible, and may also involve a trip out to Binya, an area of brigalow, (a woodland habitat type), to the north. The night will be spent in the town of Griffith. Day 15: Binya to Robertson (New South Wales)
 In the morning we will visit Binya, a wooded area near Griffith that holds some great birds like Splendid Fairywren, Speckled Warbler and sometimes even the rare Painted Honeyeater, along with White-winged Chough and Apostlebird. In the afternoon we’ll head eastwards towards the town of Roberston, probably arriving in time to make our first visit to the heathland of Barren Grounds, which is home to rare species, like Gang-gang Cockatoos and Pilotbirds. The night will be spent in Roberston. Day 16: Barren Grounds to Sydney (New South Wales) 
Early morning will see us back at Barren Grounds to continue searching for the many elusive species there, like Superb Lyrebird, Southern Emuwren and Eastern Bristlebird, before we head down off the coastal escarpment to Bass Point. This rocky peninsula juts out into the Pacific Ocean, and depending on the weather conditions can be a good location to pick up a few seabirds for our list, with Wedge-tailed and Short-tailed Shearwaters most likely. After that, we will head north back to Sydney. We should have time for an afternoon visit to hotspots around Sydney, to start picking up birds there like Eastern Spinebill, and maybe even a Superb Lyrebird. The night will be spent in a Sydney suburb. Day 17: Hotspots around Sydney to Hobart (Tasmania) 
 Areas around Sydney offers many birds, and varied habitats (from temperate rainforest to coastal heaths), we will return there this morning to search for any birds we are still missing, which could be Superb Lyrebird, Rockwarbler, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Beautiful Firetail, and others. In the afternoon we’ll make our way to Sydney airport to take our flight to Hobart in Tasmania, for the final leg of our trip. The next three nights will be spent in Hobart. Day 18: Bruny Island (Tasmania)
 In the morning, we’ll make our way over to the dock to take a short ferry ride over to Bruny Island (picking up a Black-faced Cormorant or two on the way), where much of the day will be spent, searching for Tasmanian endemics. Once we hit the island, we will bird our way south, keeping a watchful eye on roadside fences for Scarlet and Dusky Robins, and checking any blooming trees for the scarce Swift Parrot. The sandy beaches around Adventure Bay usually yield the endangered Hooded Plover, and may also produce Sooty and Pied Oystercatchers. In the late morning/early afternoon we will check a forested road for some more specialties such as the adorable Pink Robin, and further Tassie endemics like Strong-billed and Yellow-throated Honeyeaters, and Tasmanian Scrubwren. In the late afternoon we’ll return back to Hobart, by way of the ferry again. Another night will be spent in Hobart. Day 19: Mount Wellington and the Tasman Peninsula (Tasmania)
 Our final day of the tour will find us at the base of Mount Wellington, on the western outskirts of Hobart. We will walk a flat forest trail looking for one of the more difficult Tasmanian endemics, the nondescript Scrubtit, as well as Olive Whistler and both Black and Gray Currawongs. This will be followed by a visit to the scenic summit of Mount Wellington, where open heathland can produce Striated Fieldwren and the beautiful Flame Robin. After enjoying the view from the top of Mt Wellington we will have lunch back in Hobart, before moving north to Eaglehawk Neck, one of Tasmania’s scenic coastal locations, where we will search for Cape Barren Geese. There will also be an opportunity here for a bit of sea-watching, with White-capped Albatross and a few different shearwaters possible. We will have dinner on the beach while we wait for a small colony of Little Penguins to return to their burrows after nightfall. Our final night will be spent back in Hobart. Day 20: Departure from Hobart
 Transfers from our hotel in Hobart to the airport in Hobart, will be arranged the evening before to connect with international departures. Please confirm the times of your transfers with your tour leader the evening before. Trip Considerations PACE: Intense. This tour attempts to see as many bird species as possible as well as some great mammals, and we usually amass an impressive list. Typical starts are between 5:00am and 5:30am; there is one earlier 4:15am start required due to an early flight. There are four late finishes (between 10-11pm); two of these are required due to flight schedules, and the others are for spotlighting birds and mammals, one of which can be considered optional if you would prefer to relax in the hotel. There are several fairly long drives on the tour, with drives of 3 hours or more on 5 days, and the longest being 6 hours. Many breakfasts and a few lunches will be taken in the field. Two boat trips are taken on this tour, one for most of the day to the Great Barrier Reef, and a two-hour trip on the Daintree River. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy. Most of the birding will be done from roads and mostly flat, well-maintained trails. You can expect to walk around 2-3 miles per day on average. There are no high altitude sites; the highest point is about 4000 ft (1200 m) on 2 days. CLIMATE: Highly variable. In the Cairns area it is tropical and humid, with highs of around 86°F/30°C. In temperate areas around Brisbane and Sydney, temperatures between 57°F/14°C and 75°F/34°C are expected. Tasmania will be the coldest part, with temperatures typically 48°F-64°F/9°C-18°C, but may be significantly cooler in the early mornings, when temperatures can drop to near freezing. Some rain can be expected, mostly in New South Wales and Tasmania. ACCOMMODATION: Good to very good throughout. All accommodations have private bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24-hour electricity. Most lodges/hotels have wifi either in your room or at reception. PHOTOGRAPHY: The primary purpose of this tour is to have all the clients see as many birds as possible and seeing the birds will always take priority over getting photos. Tropical Birding does allow photography on our tours, but the tour leader will not allow photographers to move in front of the group for a photo until everyone has had a good look at the bird first. All of our guides are also amateur photographers, so they are happy to help you out within the limitations given here. There are no feeders on this tour, but photography of Australian birds on the fly is often very productive. On this tour, the photographic opportunities are particularly good at Lamington National Park (O’Reilly’s) for species like Crimson Rosella and Australian King-Parrot, Regent and Satin Bowerbirds, Pied Currawongs and others. The visit to the tiny island of Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef is also a treat for photography, where a number of nesting seabirds are seen up close, like Sooty Tern and Brown Noddy. These are merely the best photo sites of the tour, although in general this is one of the better destinations for photography, with many amateur photographers and the guides coming away with a healthy set of photos of some of Australia’s most impressive species. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for entry into Australia. It should be valid for at least six months past the time of your scheduled return. An electronic visa is required for citizens of the USA, Canada, the UK, South Africa, and most Western European countries. This can be done through an app or online application. As of July 2022, some older tour participants (over 75 years old) may need to undergo a health examination in order to enter Australia. Whether you need an examination of this kind is only revealed during the application process. Therefore, it is extremely important that all participants apply for entry long before the start of the tour, to ensure there is time to schedule a health examination if one is needed. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to local guides; accommodation from night of day 1 though to night of day 19; meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 20 (if you have an early flight on this day, you may miss the included breakfast); reasonable non-alcoholic drinks during restaurant meals; safe drinking water between meals; most hotels in Australia provide a kettle and tea and coffee; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the afternoon of day 1 to the night of day 19; spotlighting tour with local guides on one night; transfer by taxi to the airports at the start and end of the tour; ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary in a suitable vehicle driven by the tour leader; one boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef (this will be shared with other people); one private two-hour boat cruise on the Daintree River; entrance fees to all birding sites mentioned in the itinerary; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; international flights; domestic flights (THESE WILL BE BOOKED BY THE TROPICAL BIRDING OFFICE TO ENSURE THE GROUP ALL HAVE THE CORRECT FLIGHTS); excess baggage fees; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, internet, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Aus TopBottom Review Anchor Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Oman: Birding for Two Prized Bird Families at the Crossroads of Asia and Africa Tour Overview: The Sultanate of Oman is truly unique. For many, this will be the first and perhaps only Sultanate that they will visit, a “mega-tick” straight off the bat. Beyond this though, it is a land of stark and wonderful contrast: towering desert mountains to deep azure ocean, and ochre desert to the lush Afrotropical southern coast. Sitting on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, flanked by the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, Oman sits far enough from the rest of the Middle East to have entirely avoided the troubles that often plague the region. It is an ancient land, with strongly traditional values; crime is almost non-existent, and the people are incredibly welcoming. Not only does it have some of the best and most varied birding in the region, but it is also an easy and safe place to visit, with great infrastructure, comfortable accommodation, and excellent food. Oman is unique in its bird life thanks to its position at the southern tip of Arabia, making it a natural bridge between Asia and Africa. This tour takes in the Oriental north, the African south, and the starkly Arabian interior in a two-week adventure. There are many resident target birds, plus a huge abundance of wintering migrants from the three continents that meet here. For the growing group of birders interested in bird families, the main tour visits one of the strongholds for the strange Hypocolius, a monotypic bird family. For those wishing to ensure the addition of TWO very important bird families – Hypocolius, as well as Crab Plover; and for those interested in avian spectacles, a short extension to Barr al Hikram must not be missed. We travel south from Muscat to the town of Al Hij and spend two nights at Barr al Hikram, a sandy coastal spit that features some of the most mind-boggling numbers of shorebirds anywhere, including the unique Crab Plover. Desert Owl Ken Behrens Arabian Green Bee-eater Ken Behrens Crab Plover Ken Behrens Hypocolius Ken Behrens Hume's Wheatear Ken Behrens Arabian Scops-Owl Ken Behrens Tristram's Starling Ken Behrens Great Gray Shrike Ken Behrens Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Ken Behrens Arabian Warbler Ken Behrens An Oman Desertscape Ken Behrens Eurasian Hoopoe Ken Behrens Palestine Sunbird Ken Behrens Tristram's Starling Ken Behrens Crowned Sandgrouse Ken Behrens Beautiful Omani Architecture Ken Behrens Arabian Wheatear Ken Behrens Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark Ken Behrens Yemen Siskin Ken Behrens Sooty Gull Ken Behrens Jebel Hafeet Ken Behrens Greater Hoopoe-Lark Ken Behrens Great Hoopoe-Lark Ken Behrens Desert Wheatear Ken Behrens Desert Lark Ken Behrens Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 7 - 18 December $6200; single supplement: $1050 Extension: 18 - 20 December $1700; single supplement: $400 2027 6 - 19 December* $6990; single supplement: $1200 *Starting in 2027, the extension will be included in the main tour, making it a 14 day trip. Length: 12 Days (14 Days w/ Extension) Starting City: Muscat Ending City: Muscat Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate to Intense Focus: Birding Group size: 8 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Note: There will be some changes to this itinerary for 2025. Day 1: Arrival in Muscat Meeting at Muscat International Airport at lunchtime, we’ll take an afternoon and evening to explore the outskirts of Oman as we acclimatize and take in our first views of the Sultanate of Oman. We’ll skirt the shores and a local wetland in search of shorebirds and a myriad of gulls and terns and explore city parks and the Qurm peninsula for songbirds and wintering migrants that get funneled into the few green spaces in this starkly arid land. We’ll overnight near Muscat. Day 2: Jazeerah al Fahl island to Sohar This morning we’ll take a short boat trip to the offshore island of Jazeerah al Fahl. On the short crossing, we’ll likely encounter our first Persian Shearwaters and perhaps Jouanin’s Petrel, as well as Osprey, Great Crested Tern and Pomarine Jaeger (Skua). The waters off of Oman are also a cetacean hotspot, and we may be lucky enough to see Indo-Pacific Humpback, Long-beaked Common, or Spinner Dolphins. As we arrive at Jazeerah al Fahl we’ll marvel at the enormous colony of Sooty Falcons, interspersed with serenely gliding Red-billed Tropicbirds. This afternoon will be spent traveling northwest along the coast, stopping at a number of beaches along the way for Kentish Plover, Lesser and Greater Sand-Plovers, Terek Sandpiper, Sooty, Black-headed, Slender-billed, Caspian, Pallas’s, and “Heuglin’s” and “Steppe” Lesser Black-backed Gulls (potential splits), and Caspian and Lesser Crested Terns. We’ll also take time to bird the inland salt flats which we’ll search for Great Gray Shrike, Asian Desert Warbler, and Desert, Isabelline and Pied Wheatears. The Oriental influence at this northern end of Oman is conspicuous, and we’ll likely see such eastern goodies as Indian Pond Heron, Gray Francolin, Red-wattled Lapwing, Indian Roller, Purple Sunbird, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Asian Koel and Indian Silverbill. An all-round attractive supporting cast could include Arabian Green Bee-eater, Bluethroat and White-eared Bulbul, while green and lush irrigated fields could hold common migrants such as a variety of pipits, wagtails, larks and other songbirds. The night will be spent in Sohar. Day 3: Khatmat Milahah to Barka This morning we will search the mangroves near the UAE border for the rare kalbaensis race of Collared Kingfisher as well as Clamorous Reed-Warbler and Sykes’s Warbler, two of the other specialties in this far-flung corner. From here, heading back towards Muscat, we’ll spend time in Acacia and Ghaf woodland in our search of wintering specialties, which include the handsome Variable Wheatear, Menetries’s Warbler, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Black Redstart, and Isabelline and Red-tailed Shrikes. This afternoon we will arrive in Barka, our base for the next two nights. Day 4: Al Hajar Mountains The Al Hajar Mountains loom over the Omani coast in a series of jagged limestone ridges and endless parched wadis. We’ll take two full days to explore this area and search for targets including Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, Sand Partridge, an isolated population of Common Wood-Pigeon, Little Owl, Long-billed Pipit, White-spectacled Bulbul, Hume’s Wheatear, Blue Rock-Thrush, Scrub Warbler, Arabian Babbler, Great Gray Shrike, Desert Lark, and Striolated Bunting. We’ll also look for some of the remaining few Lappet-faced Vultures and Egyptian Vultures on our travels. After dark we’ll emerge into the refreshingly cool night and search for nightbirds such as the diminutive and cute Pallid Scops-Owl, but you never know what we may find in the darkness; with extraordinary luck perhaps even one of the world’s best felines – the Sand Cat. Day 5: Barka to Ghaftain Today we’ll make the longest drive of the trip, heading deep into the heart of the superficially barren and desolate Rub al Qali, or “Empty Quarter”. The name is not deceiving, this really is a land like no other, completely barren and, at first glance, lifeless. However, we will undoubtedly break our journey with stops for such desert gems as Greater Hoopoe-Lark and Cream-colored Courser, as well as a bounty of migrants at irrigated farms, before arriving at our accommodation in the remote town of Ghaftain, where we will spend a single night. Here, a handful of lush oases and parched Ghaf-adorned wadis create a living heart to this barren land. We’ll arrive in time to have a look around the gardens and town for wintering migrants like Common Quail, European Turtle-Dove, Common Chiffchaff, Red-breasted Flycatcher, and perhaps Nile Valley Sunbird, Asian Koel, or even Hypocolius. Day 6: Ghaftin to Muntasar Oasis to Thumrait Early this morning we’ll make our way to the famous Muntasar Oasis in Wadi Mughsin, where ancient and parched Ghaf trees survive without water for years on end. Our primary reason for visiting this other-worldly spot is to watch hundreds of Spotted and Crowned Sandgrouse arriving for their morning drink at a spring. Other birds we could encounter here include Pied Wheatear, Asian Desert Warbler, Great Gray Shrike, and maybe even one of the area’s resident Golden Eagles or a wandering Hypocolius. Eventually we will start to make our way toward our base for the night, Thumrait, traversing a landscape dotted with irrigated farms. These areas of irrigation form a lush and green patchwork that is often filled with bird life, likely including large numbers of White Stork, rollers, pipits, wheatears, wagtails, and larks, including Bimaculated and Black-crowned Sparrow-Larks. We’re also likely to encounter good numbers of Cream-colored Courser and Greater Hoopoe-Lark. Day 7: Inner edge of the Rub al Qali to Salalah We’ll spend the majority of today in and around the numerous oases that lay between us and our next base, Salalah. Birds we hope to see today include Sand Partridge, White-tailed Lapwing, African Collared-Dove, Nile Valley Sunbird, and if we’re very lucky perhaps even Macqueen’s Bustard, which is now very scarce in Oman. We’ll also hopefully add two more attractive sandgrouse to our list, Chestnut-bellied and Lichtenstein’s, and enjoy a bevy of common wintering migrants. This evening we’ll arrive near Salalah, our base for the next five nights. Days 8–11: Salalah area Situated on the Arabian Sea coast of the Dhofar region of southern Oman, Salalah sits amongst a landscape quite different to that of the north. Having felt the oriental influence in the initial days of the tour, there will now be no mistaking the African influence in this southern part of the Sultanate. White-sand, palm-fringed beaches lie against a backdrop of mottled-green ‘drought deciduous woodland’, punctuated by baobab and frankincense trees. We’ll take a full four days to explore the area, taking in a variety of habitats as we go. We’ll make a visit to the Jabal al Qara foothills a priority. Here, in what may as well be an enclave of Africa as far as the avifauna is concerned, we hope to see a mix of Afrotropical species that have spilled over the edge of the Dark Continent and onto these Arabian shores. With luck we’ll find the stunning Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Dideric Cuckoo, Gray-headed Kingfisher, Black-crowned Tchagra, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Shining Sunbird, Abyssinian White-eye, Ruppell’s Weaver, African Silverbill, and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. To add some contrast, we’ll also search for Arabian specialties like Blackstart, Arabian Warbler, Tristram’s Starling and perhaps even the scarce Arabian Grosbeak. As is the case with many mountain ranges, the Jabal al Qara holds a host of birds of prey, and we may encounter Short-toed, Booted or Bonelli’s Eagles, or Eurasian Hobby. With some luck we may also find the regal Verreaux’s Eagle. Adding a little European flavor, we should enjoy a range of migrants including Common Nightingale, Eurasian Nightjar, Eurasian Hoopoe, Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, and Upcher’s Warbler. At night, we will also take time to look for the diminutive Arabian Scops-Owl. We’ll also be sure to traverse the Jabal al Qara escarpment to reach the grasslands and wooded slopes in search of a few local specialties. We’ll enjoy Arabian Wheatears on the rocky plateau before exploring an enormous limestone sinkhole in search of an isolated population of Yemen Serin, here in the only part of its range where it can safely be seen. Other new birds could include the handsome Arabian Partridge and Palestine Sunbird. Another site we’ll visit is a series of brackish lagoons and creeks near Salalah, which hold a number of new species for the tour. Migrant crakes can be a big draw here, and it is one of very few places worldwide where Little, Spotted, and Baillon’s Crakes can all be easy to see. Yellow Bittern is at the very edge of its breeding range here, as is Pheasant-tailed Jacana, lending an oriental vibe to the area. We’ll also likely encounter a wide variety of shorebirds and waterbirds, including Lesser Flamingo and African Spoonbill, as well as a number of attractive wagtails, including Citrine, and several different subspecies of Western Yellow Wagtails. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater will add some vibrant color, and this area is known for turning up rare wanderers, which have included Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Small Pratincole, and Caspian Plover. We’ll search local farms and scrubland for Namaqua Dove and Horsfield’s Bushlark, and hopefully the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing. Following the recent closure of large dumps in northern Oman, huge numbers of birds have begun to gather around the Salalah rubbish tip. It is worth visiting for the spectacle of 500+ Steppe Eagles alone but add a supporting cast of Greater Spotted and Imperial Eagles, and large numbers of White and sometimes Abdim’s Storks, and it becomes clear that this is something not to be missed. The continental shelf sits extremely close to the coast near Salalah, and it has become known as a hotspot for pelagic activity in recent years. One morning we’ll take a boat trip out from Mirbat in search of offshore activity. In addition to the hoped-for Flesh-footed and Persian Shearwaters, Jouanin’s Petrel, Bridled Tern, Brown Noddy, Masked and Brown Boobies, Socotra Cormorant and rafts of Red-necked Phalaropes, there is a distinct possibility of something much rarer, for example both Atlantic Petrel and Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel have both been recorded in recent times. In addition to the birds, we may also encounter Indo-Pacific Humpback, Long-beaked Common, or Risso’s Dolphins, and with some luck Orca, Humpback or even Blue Whales. We’ll also, of course, take advantage of the night-time opportunities here in the south. We’ll make an effort to find the rare Desert Owl, Arabian Eagle-Owl, Arabian Scops-Owl, and Egyptian Nightjar, as well as a distinct possibility of Arabian Red Fox, Ruppell’s Fox, or Gordon’s Wildcat. Day 12: Salalah to Muscat for Departure After a final couple of hours birding the coast this morning, we’ll take a short flight back to Muscat in the north, to connect with our flights back home. Crab Plover Extension Day 1: Muscat to Al Hij & Barr al Hikman Around midday we’ll depart Muscat International Airport and make the long but well worthwhile drive to Barr al Hikman, passing through striking and varied landscapes and stopping for birds as we go. We’ll make our way from the jagged mountains on the outskirts of Muscat, through the desert interior, to the idyllic Arabian shores of Barr al Hikman, where we’ll base ourselves in the small town of Al Hij for two nights. Day 2: Barr al Hikman Barr al Hikman is a simple sandy spit on the Omani coast that is also an under-appreciated shorebird heaven. The main feature of this interesting site is the astonishing numbers of a wide variety of shorebird species, including Crab Plover (over 2000 recorded), Great Knot (up to 1000), Broad-billed Sandpiper (around 5000), Eurasian Oystercatcher (10,000+), Lesser Sand Plover (11,000+), Greater Sand Plover (4000+), Sanderling (9,000+), Little Stint (16,000+), Curlew Sandpiper (17,000+), Bar-tailed Godwit (50,000+), Common Redshank (50,000+) and records of a staggering 60,000 Dunlin, as well as a variety of other species in spectacular numbers. Other interesting waterbirds here include phenomenal gatherings of Sooty and Slender-billed Gulls, Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, and Gull-billed, White-cheeked and Saunders’s Terns. Offshore we may see Persian Shearwaters and Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins. Day 3: Barr al Hikman to Muscat This morning we’ll make our way back to Muscat, as always stopping for birds along the way, before checking in for our afternoon and evening flights home. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate to intense. Early starts are necessary on most days since birding is almost always best early in the morning in this desert climate. On most days we will leave the hotel at around 5:30am and have breakfast in the field. On a few days we may have some downtime in the middle of the day, but most days are quite full. Driving between base hotels involves drives of 2.5 hours in all but one case, where it could take up to 4 hours to travel from Salalah to our hotel in the Empty Quarter. On the extension it is about a five hour drive each way to and from Barr al Hikman. All of these drives, however, are broken with plentiful birding and cultural stops. Once at our bases, the driving distances between sites are much shorter. Birding will be a mix of birding on foot and from the vehicle. There are two boat trips planned for this tour, though they are weather dependent. Lunches will be packed or picnic style lunches on at least several days, and in local restaurants where available. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. Nowhere on this tour is the walking particularly challenging, and so it is suitable for anybody with a good general level of fitness. Most of the birding will be on flat or slightly inclined roads or wide tracks and you can expect to walk 2 to 3 miles (3.2 to 4.8 km) per day on average. During our time in the mountains it is unlikely we will exceed 3,250 ft. (1000 m.) in elevation. CLIMATE: This tour is timed at a pleasantly cool time of year when the birding is at its best and most productive. Throughout the majority of the tour the temperature will be in the range of 64°-82°F (18°-28°C), however our time in the desert interior of the south will likely reach lows of around 57°F (14°C), at night or perhaps cooler. ACCOMMODATION: Very good to excellent, all have private, en-suite bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24h electricity. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but casual photographers will find opportunities to photograph some birds, with the wintering migrants often being particularly obliging. WHEN TO GO: We run the set-departure tour in winter to target certain key birds as well as enjoy the plethora of wintering migrants. As a custom tour, it could be run from November until March (summer heat is oppressive and we do not recommend visiting then). Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Tourist visas are required; they currently may be obtained either electronically in advance or upon arrival in Oman by citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Japan, among others. For citizens of other countries, a visa must be obtained in advance. Travel requirements are subject to change; it is a good idea to double check with the nearest embassy or consulate six weeks before you travel, or ask our office staff for help. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 11 (main tour only), and to the night of day 2 of the extension if also taking the extension; meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 12 (main tour only), and to lunch on day 3 of the extension if also taking the extension; reasonable non-alcoholic beverages with meals; safe drinking only between meals; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio playback gear from the afternoon of day 1 to the morning of day 12 (main tour only), and from midday of day 1 to the afternoon of day 3 of the extension if also taking the extension; ground transport in a suitable vehicle driven by the tour leader for the group to all sites in the itinerary from the afternoon of day 1 to the afternoon of day 12 (main tour only), and to the afternoon of day 3 of the extension if also taking the extension; tips for included meals; entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary; one way flight from Salalah to Muscat on day 12; two planned boat trips, though these are weather dependent and subject to cancellation in the event of poor weather; a printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour – only electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters in hotels (where available and if you require their services); flights other than the one mentioned as being included; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary; extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; medical fees; excess baggage charges; other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it! Oman Review Anchor