While it may be on the beaten track, the outrageously beautiful quetzals, great lodges, and friendly people are just some of the reasons why people come back to Costa Rica again and again. This tiny Central American country has far more than its share of beautiful scenery, not to mention a rich assortment of birds unequalled by any other country its size. This short tour takes in the top birding spots in comfort and style, and is timed to maximize your vacation time. The easy trails, great lodges, and fantastic birds make this a great introduction to the addictive wonders of Neotropical birding. Costa Rica: A Birding Introtour to a Tropical Paradise Tour Overview: While it may be on the beaten track, the outrageously beautiful quetzals, great lodges, and friendly people are just some of the reasons why people come back to Costa Rica again and again. This tiny Central American country has far more than its share of beautiful scenery, not to mention a rich assortment of birds unequalled by any other country its size. This short tour takes in the top birding spots in comfort and style, and is timed to maximize your vacation time. The easy trails, great lodges, and fantastic birds make this a great introduction to the addictive wonders of Neotropical birding. Resplendent Quetzal Sam Woods Lesson's Motmot Sam Woods Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth Sam Woods Fiery-throated Hummingbird Sam Woods Green Honeycreeper Sam Woods Red-eyed Treefrog Sam Woods Red-legged Honeycreeper Sam Woods White-throated Mountain-Gem Sam Woods American Crocodile Sam Woods Northern Emerald Toucanet Sam Woods Montezuma Oropendola Sam Woods Bare-throated Tiger-Heron Sam Woods White Tent Bats Sam Woods Talamanca Hummingbird Sam Woods White-nosed Coati Sam Woods Turquoise-browed Motmot Sam Woods Strawberry Poison Dart Frog Sam Woods Mantled Howler Sam Woods Flame-colored Tanager Sam Woods Scintillant Hummingbird Sam Woods Pacific Screech-Owl Sam Woods Crowned Woodnymph Sam Woods Lesser Ground-Cuckoo Sam Woods Collared Redstart Sam Woods Large-footed Finch Sam Woods Tour Details: 2026 18 - 28 July $5150 ; single supplement: $65 0 2027 Departure 1 : 10 - 20 January $5350; single supplement: $650 Departure 2 : 18 - 28 July Price: TBA Length: 11 Days Starting City: San José Ending City: San José Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding 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 Note: The itinerary is sometimes run in a different order than listed here due to availability in the lodges. Day 1: Arrival in San José You will be picked up at the airport and taken to a nearby hotel for the night. The exact hotel depends on availability, but when possible we try to pick hotels with good birding on the grounds, so you can start getting your eye in while you wait for the rest of the group to arrive. The first official tour activity is a dinner at around 6:30pm on this night, so please try and arrive there before then. Day 2: San José to Puerto Viejo After some pre-breakfast birding near our hotel, we’ll drive through the enormous Braulio Carillo National Park and onto the Caribbean slope. We’ll visit a private forest reserve near the park, which has hummingbird feeders, and often roosting nightbirds. Spectacled Owl is the most regular of these, but sometimes Crested Owl and Great Potoo are around too. Besides these birds, there will be plentiful birds on our first day in the so-called ‘Bird Country’ of Costa Rica. Chestnut-headed and Montezuma Oropendolas both nest on the property, and the forest and edges are home to Russet-naped Wood-Rail, three species of toucan, and Red-legged and Green Honeycreepers. We’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then drive another hour or so to Puerto Viejo, where we spend two nights in the La Selva Biological Station (or one of several lodges nearby if unavailable). In the afternoon, there should be enough time to begin birding the Caribbean lowlands, picking up some of the regular species like Scarlet-rumped and Golden-hooded Tanagers, Black-faced Grosbeak, and Olive-backed Euphonia; while keeping an eye in the surrounding treetops may yield Yellow-throated or Keel-billed Toucans, or a Collared Aracari. Note: on some tours, we stay at a lodge near Puerto Viejo for the nights of day 2 and day 3 and visit La Selva as a day trip, due to lack of availability at this popular destination. Day 3: La Selva Bird activity around the cabins and cafeteria can be so intense in the early morning that it is hard to make any progress down the trails, and often the day is over before you know it. Montezuma Oropendolas, White-crowned Parrots, and Keel-billed and Yellow-throated Toucans are some of the more impressive species, but the smaller and more brightly colored birds are also mesmerizing. Scarlet-rumped and Golden-hooded Tanagers, Blue Dacnis, several euphonias, Mistletoe Tyrannulet, Black-cowled Oriole, and Rufous-tailed Jacamar can often be easy to see here. We might also see one of the tame Crested Guans around the edge of the clearing as well. This area can also be good for finding White-collared Manakin, and Black-cheeked, Cinnamon and Chestnut-colored Woodpeckers. Venturing farther into the reserve, we’ll walk some of the wide, flat trails, where we get into tall rainforest where we’ll search for other species like Great Tinamou, Rufous and Broad-billed Motmots, Gartered and Slaty-tailed Trogons, Rufous-winged Woodpecker, White-ringed Flycatcher, and the local Plain-colored Tanager. We’ll also search the open country at the edge of the forest for the rare Great Green Macaw, and also check here for Laughing Falcon, Gray Hawk, and Yellow-crowned Euphonia. As well as birds we’ll be on the lookout for sloths, howler monkeys, agoutis, and peccaries too. It is also a great place to see the Strawberry Poison Frog. Day 4: Puerto Viejo to Savegre We’ll have a final morning in this area targeting whatever we still need, before departing for Savegre in the Talamanca mountains. Much of the afternoon will be spent driving, although there should be time to check out some hummingbird feeders shortly after arrival. The hummer feeders in the area regularly attract Talamanca Hummingbirds and Lesser Violetear. We’ll spend two nights at one of several lodges in or near the Savegre Valley. Day 5: Savegre Valley The Savegre Valley is dominated by magnificent oak cloudforests, home to many species restricted to the high mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama, (known as “Chiriquí endemics”). Mixed species flocks here can be fantastic, with many of these special birds moving together, including Collared Redstart, Flame-throated Warbler, Ruddy Treerunner, Flame-colored and Spangle-cheeked Tanagers, and Yellow-thighed Brushfinch. The real star of Savegre is however, the astounding Resplendant Quetzal, without a doubt one of the world’s most spectacular birds. There are usually several stakeouts in the valley at this time, and nowhere else do we stand a better chance of finding Costa Rica’s flagship species. Our main focus of the day will be to track down this must-see bird. Other species we may also find while birding the valley include Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Yellow-winged Vireo, Black-faced Solitaire, Black-billed and Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrushes, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, and Sooty-capped Chlorospingus. Day 6: Cerro de la Muerte to Carara Today, after breakfast, we’ll pack up and head up to the stunted treeline forest and páramo habitat just over 10,000 ft (3000 m), which will be the highest point reached on the tour. The weather can be forbidding, and only a few hardy birds, like Volcano Hummingbird, Sooty Thrush, Timberline Wren, Slaty Flowerpiercer, and Volcano Junco can make a living up here. If we’re lucky we may also track down some of the scarcer residents in the area, like Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher, or Peg-billed Finch. We’ll stop at a nearby restaurant where we should see the lovely Fiery-throated Hummingbird too. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll drive on to Carara, in the lowlands of the Pacific Coast, where we’ll stay for the following two nights. Day 7: Carara Area Before breakfast, we’ll bird within the hotel grounds, the river often holds Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, and the scattered trees Black-headed Trogon or Pale-billed Woodpecker. Black-hooded Antshrike can also be found in the property, as can Fiery-billed Aracari, although a little luck is needed to find the latter species, which is scarce in this area. After breakfast we’ll drive a short distance (10 minutes) to one of the forest trails within the national park. A huge list of target birds is found in the area, and we’ll be on the lookout for Baird’s Trogon, Riverside Wren, Orange-collared Manakin, Great Tinamou, White-whiskered Puffbird, Barred Anthshrike, Dot-winged Antwren, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Rufous-breasted Wren, and White-shouldered and Bay-headed Tanagers. If we are lucky, and we encounter an army ant swarm, we may also find Gray-headed Tanager, Bicolored Antbird or Tawny-winged Woodcreeper in attendance. After lunch, we’ll take a relaxing, private, afternoon boat cruise on the Tarcol estuary and in the nearby mangroves, adding swathes of new birds. We’ll be on the lookout for Double-striped Thick-knee, Southern Lapwing, Roseate Spoonbill, Yellow-headed Caracara, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Common Black-Hawk, “Mangrove” (Yellow) Warbler, and Mangrove Vireo. If we are very lucky, we may even run into the rare Mangrove Hummingbird. Note: due to tides, we sometimes take the boat trip in the morning instead of the afternoon. Day 8: Carara to Monteverde We have another morning to bird in Carara, trying different trails for any missing birds. Later, we’ll drive back north, where the lower Pacific slope mountains have some drier habitat with different birds like Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, White-fronted Parrot, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Streak-backed Oriole, and the spectacular White-throated Magpie-Jay. The vegetation becomes lush and green as we climb higher into the mountains, eventually arriving at Monteverde, a small mountain town on the Pacific slope near the Continental Divide, where we stay for two nights. Day 9: Monteverde Area Some pre-breakfast birding on the grounds of our lodge will give us a chance at picking up White-eared Ground-Sparrow, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Chestnut-capped Warbler or Rufous-and-white Wren. The lodge’s fruit feeders may host Brown Jay, Northern Emerald-Toucanet, and Lesson’s Motmot. We’ll then head to one of the reserves in the Monteverde area and spend the rest of the morning slowly walking the easy trails. Mixed flocks in the reserve hold Prong-billed Barbet, Common Chloropsingus, Slate-throated Redstart, Red-faced Spinetail, Costa Rican Warbler, Slaty Antwren, and others. Less conspicuous species that are regularly seen include Black Guan, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, Yellowish Flycatcher, Black-faced Solitaire, Ochraceous Wren, and Golden-browed Chlorophonia. There are also quetzals here if we got unlucky in Savegre. After a morning working the trails, and lunch at an on-site restaurant, we’ll check out their hummingbird feeders, which regularly attract Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Green Hermit, Green-crowned Brilliant, Magenta-throated Woodstar, and Violet Sabrewing. After that we will bird one of the other reserves in the area, which could yield birds like Collared Trogon or Long-tailed Manakin. Day 10: Monteverde to San José We have another morning at one of the reserves in the Monteverde area; the exact location we visit will depend on what we are still looking for. After lunch, we’ll head back to San José for the night. The exact hotel we use depends on availability – sometimes it is the same hotel we used on the first night, while other times it is a hotel near the airport with a convenient airport shuttle. Day 11: Departure The tour ends this morning as you are taken to the airport to meet your departing flight. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. This tour is designed to be an introduction to Neotropical birds, and the guide will attempt to show you representatives of all the major neotropical families, even if they are common birds. While finding the regional endemics is a secondary focus of the tour, you will still see quite a lot of them, and you certainly do not have to be a novice to enjoy this trip. Lodges in Costa Rica don’t usually offer early breakfasts, and depending on breakfast times, there may be an optional pre-breakfast walk around 05:30-6:00am, with breakfast usually starting at around 6:30am or 7:00am; after breakfast the main morning birding will begin. On a few days, there will be some downtime after lunch to relax, but most days are quite full. There will be a couple of nightbirding outings, but they are completely optional if you prefer to relax in the lodge instead. Drives of four hours are necessary on two or three days. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. Most of the birding at the lowland sites will be on flat or slightly inclined tracks and trails (and many of the trails at La Selva are paved). Three days of the trip will also involve some trails in the mountains, but they are well-made and there are only a few steep sections. A walking stick can help prevent slips on the mountain trails. You can expect to walk around 2-3 miles (3.2-4.8 km) per day on average, and the walking is done at a rather slow pace. A few hours of one morning will be spent at high elevation (10,500 ft/3200 m), however all accommodation is located at 8800 ft (2700 m) or lower. CLIMATE: Quite variable; in the lowlands (La Selva and Carara), it is quite humid and often hot; temperatures in these areas 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); note that it can be quite chilly in the morning, so extra layers are needed. Some rain can be expected. The Introtours are always timed for the dry season. However, even in the dry season, the Caribbean sites can be wet, as that sound of the mountains does not really have a distinct dry season. Specifically, this refers to the sites of Puerto Viejo and La Selva ACCOMMODATION: Very 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 the rooms. On most of the tours, we try to stay at La Selva Biological Station, which is of a slightly lower standard to the other hotels and lodges on the tour, (but by no means rustic). We do this in order to stay right where the birds are. The rooms all have full-time electricity, hot water, and en-suite bathrooms but are not fancy, and meals are taken in a communal area shared with the researchers working on site. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but casual photographers will have great opportunities to photograph birds at feeders in a few places, and on the mangrove boat tour. Photography inside the forest is much more challenging. Serious bird photographers should check out our Costa Rica Photo Tour . WHEN TO GO: We usually offer this tour in February and July, and both are great months to visit. February is the high season in Costa Rica, and it averages drier (though some rain can still be expected, especially at La Selva). The July tour is timed for when there is often a mini “dry season” in the middle of the rainy, or “green” season. You can still expect more rain on average than in February, but it usually comes in short bursts, and when it is not raining, the birds can be more active; sites and lodges are also much less crowded at this 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 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/restaurant staff; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 10; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 11 (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 (if eating at a restaurant that includes no drinks reasonable non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for that meal); Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from dinner on Day 1 to the evening of day 10; 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 expected 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 10 (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; 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; 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! 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Madagascar: Birding the Eighth Continent Tour Overview: Madagascar’s flora and fauna are so different from anywhere else on Earth that it is often referred to as the eighth continent; five bird families and 120 species are found only here. Madagascar is home to some of the planet’s greatest biological oddities, including other-worldly plants, Jurassic reptiles, and unfeasible birds and lemurs that appear to have their origins in Alice’s wonderland. Madagascar Blue Pigeon Ken Behrens Running Coua Ken Behrens Oustalet's Chameleon Ken Behrens Verreaux's Sifaka Ken Behrens Baillon's Crake Nick Athanas Helmet Vanga Ken Behrens Velvet Asity Ken Behrens Madagascar White-eye Ken Behrens Giant Coua Ken Behrens Brilliant Blue Ken Behrens Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher Ken Behrens Crab Plover Ken Behrens Ring-tailed Vontsira Ken Behrens Chabert's Vanga Ken Behrens Madagascar Pond Heron Ken Behrens Madagascar Nightjar Ken Behrens Madagascar Sunbird Ken Behrens Sickle-billed Vanga Ken Behrens Torotoroka Scops-Owl Ken Behrens Green Bright-eyed Frog Ken Behrens Lesser Crested Tern Ken Behrens Madagascar Buttonquail Ken Behrens Torotoroka Scops-Owl Ken Behrens Pitta-like Ground-Roller Emma Juxon Scaly Ground-Roller Ken Behrens Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 22 October - 8 Nov ember €8150; single supplement: €1550 Western Endemics Extension: 18 - 22 October €2850; single supplement: €390 Helmet Vanga Extension: 8 - 11 November €4590; single supplement: €700 2027 Main Tour: 21 October - 7 Nov ember Price: TBA Western Endemics Extension: 17 - 21 October Price: TBA Helmet Vanga Extension: 7 - 10 November Price: TBA Length: 18 days (up to 25 days with extensions) Starting City: Antananarivo Ending City: Antananarivo Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate 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 *Please note that due to ever-changing flight schedules this itinerary may need to be changed slightly. Day 1: Antananarivo We arrive in Antananarivo (often known simply as “Tana”), the island’s capital, and spend a night in a city hotel. As soon as we land in this city, it’s obvious that we are in a very different part of the world. Quaint two-story red brick houses rise from a landscape of endless rice fields. Despite being in the mountains, Tana almost feels like an island floating in a sea of rice! Day 2: Antananarivo to Ifaty A morning flight takes us to Tulear. After landing, we transfer to Ifaty, surrounded by the strange spiny desert, Madagascar’s most striking and unique natural landscape. Here, the spiny-tentacled octopus trees, cactus-like euphorbias, and towering baobabs combine to create an eerie scene. Our first birds should include Olive Bee-eater, Madagascar Lark, and Madagascar Cisticola. En route we encounter several marshes and wetlands, where we should find many waterbirds, ranging from shorebirds like “Malagasy” Three-banded Plover and Black-winged Stilt, to marsh denizens like the shy Baillon’s Crake or Greater Painted-Snipe. Day 3: Ifaty This morning we seek out spectacular semi-desert endemics such as Running Coua, Thamnornis, Archbold’s Newtonia, and the recently split Olive-capped Coua. The hulking Sickle-billed Vangas give themselves away by their odd wails, that sounds more like a human baby than a bird! There are two very rare endemics here: the cryptic Subdesert Mesite and the elegant Long tailed Ground-Roller, an elusive bird resembling a colorful roadrunner. We sometimes find these birds by following their tracks in the red sand. A night walk will give us the opportunity to see a whole new cast of non-avian specialties here, such as Grey and Grey-brown Mouse Lemurs, Petter’s Sportive Lemur, Madagascar Ground Gecko and the outstanding Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec, a member of an endemic mammal family with an uncanny resemblance to hedgehogs despite little relation. Day 4: Ifaty to Tulear After another morning birding around Ifaty we head to Tulear to overnight. We may stop for more wetland birding along the way, focusing on the endemic Madagascar Plover if we have not yet found one. In the afternoon, we head for the strange coral-rag scrub habitat around the plateau of La Table to search for Verreaux’s Coua, Lafresnaye’s Vanga and Red-shouldered Vanga, a species only discovered in the 1990’s. Day 5: Tulear Area Today, we board a boat to visit Nosy Ve, a small, enchanting offshore islet, whose star attraction is a colony of Red-tailed Tropicbirds, but also often hosts Crab Plovers. If time allows we will have the chance to enter the water for some snorkeling, so be sure to pack a swimsuit if you’re keen. The local reefs are home to plenty of dazzling fish like butterflyfish, wrasse, Moorish Idol, and the strange Pacific Trumpetfish. After, we return to the lodge with a stop at Anakao to search for the very local Littoral Rock-Thrush. Day 6: Zombitse and Isalo We will wake up very early and drive about 3 hours inland to Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park, where we spend a few hours birding. This park is a forest haven in the dry and mainly de-forested southwest. Our main target is one of the world’s most range-restricted birds: Appert’s Tetraka that is only found in this forest. Other residents in this dry, deciduous forest include Giant Coua, Cuckoo-Roller, and Rufous Vanga. We often get lucky with day roosting Zombitse Sportive Lemurs, Madagascar (Torotoroka) Scops-Owls, and sometimes even White-browed Owl. Our time in the forest may also produce some memorable encounters with the local Verreaux’s Sifaka troops. By mid-day, we arrive at Isalo, whose sandstone massifs and lush riparian forests rank among the most striking of Malagasy landscapes. When the day begins to cool, we search for the ‘Benson’s’ Forest Rock-Thrush that frequents the hotel grounds. We may also search for any owls that we failed to find on day roosts earlier in the day. Day 7: Isalo to Ranomafana Today is a long driving day, but is not without rewards, as we stop to search for the local Madagascar Partridge, and hope to encounter the rare Malagasy Harrier along the way. Along the drive we will make a quick but memorable stop at Anja Community Reserve to see Madagascar’s most famous animal, the iconic Ring-tailed Lemur. These habituated yet wild lemurs provide photographers and wildlife watchers an incomparable experience, often accompanied by a few mothers and their young at close range. We will certainly leave this reserve feeling spoiled. We will then complete our drive through grasslands of the central plateau which are all that separates us from the beckoning eastern rainforests, which we reach this evening at Ranomafana. Days 8-10: Ranomafana This is Madagascar’s premier mid-altitude rainforest reserve. We’ll search for a variety of endemics like Brown Mesite, Henst’s Goshawk, Pollen’s Vanga, and Ward’s Vanga. Higher up we bird Vohiparara, where we look for birds like Madagascan Yellowbrow, Rufous-headed Ground-Roller, Wedge-tailed Jery, and Common Sunbird-Asity. The ridge is also home to the well-named Cryptic Warbler which remained undiscovered until the 1990s! Wetlands in the area give us a chance of locating Meller’s Duck, Madagascar Snipe, and Gray Emutail. Throughout our time here we will search for the local lemurs. Twelve species of lemur, Madagascar’s weird and enchanting primates, are found at Ranomafana, and one night we’ll have the unforgettable experience of Rufous Mouse Lemurs coming to within inches of our faces. Our daytime hikes may produce sightings of Milne-Edwards’ Sifaka, Red-fronted Brown Lemur, Golden Bamboo Lemur, or the almost extinct Greater Bamboo Lemur. Day 11: Ranomafana to Antsirabe After a final morning here we drive to Antsirabe for the night. This highland town is in Madagascar’s agricultural heartland, and retains a strong colonial feel from the days of French rule. We usually enjoy an excellent dinner here due to the bounty of fresh, high-quality local produce. Post-morning birding, the drive will take up the entirety of the day, giving everyone a chance to rest and enjoy the passing landscapes. Day 12: Antsirabe to Andasibe-Mantadia We continue on to Andasibe-Mantadia, crossing the Horombe Plateau, where roadside markets display a variety of handicrafts, fruit, and meat. We sometimes see Madagascar Pratincole en route along the Mangoro River. Like the previous day, the drive will take up the entirety of the day, giving everyone a chance to rest and begin the next day with “full batteries”. Days 13-16: Andasibe-Mantadia and Perinet Reserve These two areas offer the best chance to see some of the country’s finest rainforest birds. Mantadia is the best ground-roller reserve in Madagascar, and we might see Pitta-like, Rufous-headed, Short-legged, and Scaly Ground-Rollers here. We’ll also search for easier quarry such as Madagascar Blue-Pigeon, Forest Fody, Madagascar Pygmy-Kingfisher, and Madagascar Starling. We will also keep our ears and eyes open for the secretive Madagascar Flufftail and Madagascar Rail. In the forested hills around Perinet, we will try to locate the very local Red-breasted, Red-fronted, and Blue Couas, the glowing Velvet Asity, and the bizarre tree-creeping Nuthatch Vanga. The experience of birding in Perinet would not be complete without being serenaded by the planet’s largest lemur, the Indri. Their spine-chilling hoots and wails will stay with you forever. Other diurnal lemur gems include the colorful Diademed Sifaka, the adorable Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur and the entertaining Common Brown Lemur. Night walks should reveal other mammals including Eastern Woolly, Crossley’s Dwarf, and diminutive Goodman’s Mouse Lemurs. The reserve’s herpetofauna is also impressive, with brightly patterned and bizarre frogs, geckos, and chameleons, including the giant Parson’s Chameleon and Mossy leaf-tailed Gecko. Day 17: Andasibe to Tana After a final morning of birding, we return to Antananarivo where we spend the night. Day 18: Departure from Antananarivo The tour ends this morning with transfers to the airport, Western Endemics Extension Day 1: Antananarivo to Ampijoroa Today we will either fly or drive to Mahajanga on the north-west coast of Madagascar. In the case that we drive to Mahajanga, we will fly on our return to Tana, or vise-versa if we are to fly here. The drive can take upwards of 12 hours, but en route to the reserve we will scan roadside water bodies for African Openbill, Purple, Striated, Common Squacco, and Madagascar Pond Herons, and flocks of Black Egret, which we will watch as they perform their bizarre “umbrella-feeding” routine. After arriving in this sleepy town, we will drive to Ampijoroa, a forest station situated in the extensive deciduous forests of Ankarafantsika National Park. On arrival at the forestry station we should encounter numerous “campsite residents” such as Broad-billed Roller, screeching Lesser Vasa Parrots, Crested Drongo, Madagascar Magpie Robin, Sakalava Weaver, Madagascar Hoopoe, Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascar Green Pigeon, and Madagascar Turtle Dove. If we arrive early enough, we will spend the afternoon birding along the edge of the adjacent Lac Ravelobe, where we hope to find the threatened Madagascar Fish-Eagle, a pair of which is resident here. Striking Madagascar Jacanas also strut through the dense hyacinth. White-throated Rails favor the waterside vegetation, and we may find noisy groups of Sickle-billed and Madagascar Blue Vangas moving along the forest fringe. For the first two nights of the extension we will stay in either Ankarafantsika or Mahajanga. Day 2: Ampijoroa We have a full day to explore the network of trails through the dry forest around Ampijoroa, in search of the many birds restricted to this region. Foremost amongst these are the secretive White-breasted Mesite and the jewel-like Schlegel’s Asity, which gives one the impression of a miniature bird-of-paradise. We will also concentrate on finding the highly localized Van Dam’s Vanga and both Red-capped and Coquerel’s Couas. Other birds we hope to see whilst searching for these specials include Madagascar Crested Ibis, Madagascar Buttonquail, Frances’s and Madagascar Sparrowhawks, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, and Hook-billed, Rufous, White-headed, Chabert’s, and Red-tailed Vangas. No less than eight species of lemur occur in the near vicinity of the camp and we will search for the comical Coquerel’s Sifaka and Common Brown Lemur during the day, and the rare Mongoose Lemur, Western Woolly Lemur (or Avahi), Milne-Edward’s Sportive, Fat-tailed Dwarf, and Gray Mouse lemurs after dark. If we are lucky, we may also find the recently described Golden-brown Mouse Lemur, one of the world’s smallest primates. Reptiles are also plentiful along the trails and we hope to see the impressive Madagascar Ground Boa, as well as several smaller species of snake (all harmless – amazingly, there are no venomous snakes in Madagascar), Oustalet’s Chameleon (the world’s largest species), and the aptly named Rhinoceros Chameleon, with its enlarged nasal protuberance. Day 3: Ampijoroa to Mahajanga After some final birding around Ampijoroa, we return to Mahajanga for an overnight stay in a comfortable hotel. Day 4: Betsiboka Estuary Today we will embark on a great boat trip up the Betsiboka River Delta, south of town, in search of Madagascar Sacred Ibis and, if we are lucky, the elusive Bernier’s Teal. Later in the day we return to Mahajanga, but if the tides and currents permit we may first stop off at Katsepy and search for the superb Crowned Sifaka, a very seldom seen lemur. We overnight at Mahajanga. Day 5: Mahajanga to Antananarivo Today, we make our way back to “Tana”. We will be either driving or flying, depending on what our mode of transportation was on our initial journey from Tana to Mahajanga. This is due to low frequencies in available flights between the two cities. This is the arrival day for the main tour. Helmet Vanga Extension Note that this extension uses charter flights to access Masoala. In our view, this is the only reasonable option given the notorious unreliability of scheduled flights to this destination. When comparing our price with that of our competitors, check whether or not they are using charter flights. Due to the size of the plane on these charter flights, there are very strict weight and size restrictions for passengers issued by the local airline; (e.g. waist measurements below 55 inches/140cm are required to take this flight; and persons with an overall body weight exceeding 200 pounds/90 Kilograms may be charged an additional fee by the airline in Madagascar). Day 1: Tana – Maroansetra – Masoala Peninsula From Antananarivo we take a charter flight north to the town of Maroantsetra, where shortly after arrival (weather permitting) we transfer across the Bay of Antongil, to the stunning Masoala Peninsula, where we will have the next two days to explore the pristine lowland rainforest that blankets the peninsula. Days 2-3: Masoala Peninsula Masoala is endowed with Madagascar’s largest tract of protected rainforest. It is a haven for many bird species and a hideout to a select few that are too bizarre to ignore. Chief among these is the Helmet Vanga, an enormous vanga with an enormous blue bill. Some years we are even lucky enough to see a nest of this marvelous bird. Some of the more commonly sought-after specialties include loquacious Red-breasted Coua, and handsome Scaly and Short-legged Ground-Rollers. However, our ramblings will set off with higher hopes, as we also stand a good chance of finding the elusive Bernier’s Vanga, which prefers pandanus palm swamps. Just like most locations we visit in Madagascar, Masoala is home to a whole new cast of exciting lemur species. As we search for our avian targets we will look out for the stunning and range-restricted Red Ruffed Lemur and the sharp looking White-fronted Brown Lemur. Night walks may present us with nocturnal lemurs like Moore’s Woolly, Scott’s Sportive, and an undescribed species of Mouse Lemur. Day 4: Masoala – Maroansentra After a final delicious breakfast on the seaside terrace, we sail back to Maroansetra, and catch our charter flight back to Tana, where the tour ends. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. The sun comes up just after 5am, and early morning is the prime birding time, making for many early mornings. On the other hand, the sun sets about 6pm, meaning that days are not extremely long. There will be some down time at mid-day on most days of the tour, except for days with all-day drives. In the very hot northwest and southwest, we often have many hours of down-time due to high heat and lack of bird activity in the middle of the day. There are some long drives (8-10 hours) on this tour, particularly on days 8, 11, and 12. Most of the tour is spent on national roads which are mostly in decent condition, though often winding. Some sites are accessed via short drives (two hours maximum) on sandy or muddy tracks. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. The eastern rainforest sites require long sessions in the forest, away from the vehicle. On one or two days, these sessions may run from early morning until the late afternoon. Although we try to find as many species as possible from the trails, bushwhacking is often necessary to seek out special birds and lemurs, but these diversions from the trail can be skipped by those who are physically unable to make them. The most difficult site is Ranomafana, where there is lots of elevation change. The rainforest trails don’t generally have deep mud but can be slippery on the surface after recent rain. Some trails are broad and flat while others are narrow and uneven, with rocks and roots underfoot. Walking sticks are strongly recommended. The terrain in the western sites is completely flat, but often sandy, which can be fatiguing. You can expect to walk around 4 miles (6.4 km) per day on average. CLIMATE: The eastern rainforest sites have moderate temperatures (mostly 70°-80°F, 21°-27°C), though they are humid, with rain possible. The climate at Ifaty and all of the sites on the western endemics extension are very hot (up to 95°F, 35°C) and dry. The weather at Ampijoroa on the Western Endemics extension is very hot and humid. Masoala is warm (mostly 75°-80°F, 24°-29°C), and very humid. ACCOMMODATION: Very good throughout most of the main tour. One night will be spent at a basic eco-lodge near Zombitse NP if local conditions allow. Two nights on the western extension, and four nights on the Helmet Vanga extension will be spent in basic but comfortable lodges, with ensuite bathrooms. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but Madagascar offers excellent chances for nature photography. Many Malagasy creatures are approachable and photogenic. Many sightings, of lemurs in particular, are extended, allowing abundant chances for photography. Birds are generally quite approachable, though rainforest bird photography can be difficult here as anywhere in the world. The Northwestern Endemics Extension is particularly excellent for bird photography. Reptiles and amphibians offer wonderful chances for macro photography. Serious nature photographers may wish to check out our Madagascar Photo Tour . WHEN TO GO: We run the set-departure tour in October or November, at the beginning of the warm and rainy season, when many birds begin breeding, hibernating mammals have started to emerge, and frogs and reptiles become conspicuous. Although it is somewhat less diverse, the austral winter is also a good time to visit Madagascar, as the parks are less crowded and the weather is very comfortable. We offer a set-departure tour at that season. 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. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for citizens of almost all countries, including US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and all European countries. The costs of this is around $USD40. A visa can also be obtained beforehand through a Malagasy 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 16 if taking only the main tour, all nights on the Western Endemics extension, and through the night of day 4 of the Helmet Vanga extension; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 17 if taking only the main tour, throughout the Western Endemics Extension, and to lunch on day 4 of the Helmet Vanga extension; safe drinking water and/or juice during meals; Tropical Birding tour leader from the evening of day 1 to the evening of day 17 if taking only the main tour, throughout the Western Endemics Extension, and to the afternoon of day 4 of the Helmet Vanga extension; 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); all domestic flights needed (including a return charter flight on the Helmet Vanga Extension); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from in a suitable vehicle with a local driver; entrance fees and local guide fees for all the 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, though electronic copies can be provided in advance). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the Tropical Birding 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. SPECIAL NOTES ABOUT MADAGASCAR TOURS: It is possible that the final itinerary for this tour will be somewhat different from the one given above. Flight schedules in Madagascar are complicated and ever-changing. Most flights operate only on certain days of the week, and the itinerary above is based entirely on those schedules. We will monitor the situation and adapt our itinerary as necessary. Flights can even change on a moment’s notice based on weather conditions (or the whims of the airline!), so last-minute modifications are also a distinct possibility. Madagascar is an underdeveloped country. While we endeavor to use the best providers possible, sub-par service (e.g. uncomfortable or poorly maintained vehicles, simple hotels, cancelled or redirected flights) can sometimes cause inconveniences to travelers. Every tour company running trips here has to deal with this, and we feel it is best to inform you beforehand, as it can be quite disconcerting considering the costs involved in visiting this country. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Australia's Top End: Birding Victoria River to Kakadu Tour Overview: This tour focuses on the Top End, the most diverse part of the Northern Territory. It is home to some truly spectacular birds, including the gorgeous Gouldian Finch, the delightful Purple-crowned Fairywren, the glistening Rainbow Pitta, and the ultramarine Hooded Parrot, all of which are usually seen, and are not possible on other Australia tours offered. Along with these “prize-winning” birds is a fascinating landscape comprising of wet monsoon forests, dry Eucalypt savanna and stunning sandstone canyons, it truly is a stunningly scenic area. This tour offers up a real taste of the outback along with a number of highly localized species only found in the Top End. It, therefore makes for a great combination with our very popular eastern Australia tour, as both tours have a completely different feel and visit very different areas of this absorbing continent. Purple-crowned Fairywren Nick Athanas Rainbow Pitta Sam Woods Northern Shrike-Tit Nick Athanas Partridge Pigeon Sam Woods Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Nick Athanas Australian Bustard Nick Athanas Sandstone Shrike-Thrush Nick Athanas Rufous Owl White-quilled Rock-Pigeon Nick Athanas Silver-crowned Friarbird Sam Woods Arafura Shrike-thrush Nick Athanas Bar-breasted Honeyeater Nick Athanas Black-tailed Whistler Nick Athanas Red-collared Lorikeet Sam Woods Black-tailed Treecreeper Nick Athanas Brown Quail Nick Athanas Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon Nick Athanas Pied Heron Nick Athanas Gray-fronted Honeyeater Nick Athanas Victoria River Escarpment Sam Woods Blue-faced Honeyeater Sam Woods Paperbark Flycatcher Nick Athanas Plumed Whistling-Duck Nick Athanas Spinifex Pigeon Sam Woods Cockatiel Sam Woods Purple-crowned Fairywren Nick Athanas Rainbow Pitta Sam Woods Northern Shrike-Tit Nick Athanas Partridge Pigeon Sam Woods Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Nick Athanas Australian Bustard Nick Athanas Sandstone Shrike-Thrush Nick Athanas Rufous Owl White-quilled Rock-Pigeon Nick Athanas Silver-crowned Friarbird Sam Woods Arafura Shrike-thrush Nick Athanas Bar-breasted Honeyeater Nick Athanas Black-tailed Whistler Nick Athanas Red-collared Lorikeet Sam Woods Black-tailed Treecreeper Nick Athanas Brown Quail Nick Athanas Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon Nick Athanas Pied Heron Nick Athanas Gray-fronted Honeyeater Nick Athanas Victoria River Escarpment Sam Woods Blue-faced Honeyeater Sam Woods Paperbark Flycatcher Nick Athanas Plumed Whistling-Duck Nick Athanas Spinifex Pigeon Sam Woods Cockatiel Sam Woods Tour Details: 2026 19 - 27 October $7200; single supplement: $720 This tour links up with Eastern Australia: Top to Bottom 2027 19 - 27 October $7700; single supplement: $770 This tour links up with Eastern Australia: Top to Bottom Length: 9 Days Starting City: Darwin Ending City: Darwin Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate 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 Darwin. The tour starts at noon Our first day in the Top End will see us visiting a number of easily accessible birding sites close to Darwin, packing in as many birds as possible before dark. We’ll begin in mangroves near Nightcliff where we will be searching for specialties of this habitat, like Mangrove Fantail, Mangrove Gerygone, Australian Yellow White-eye, Red-headed Myzomela, Black-tailed Whistler, and the rare and local White-breasted Whistler. After it starts to heat up we will head over to Buffalo Creek where we have a shot at the ridiculously loud Chestnut Rail, either feeding on the exposed mud or skulking in the mangroves. The beach that borders these mangrove stands often holds Great-billed Heron among a smattering of regular Aussie shorebirds, like Greater and Lesser Sandplovers, Great Knot, Terek Sandpiper, and Red-necked Stint. Late in the afternoon, we will check in on a local pair of Rufous Owls. We spend the first night in Darwin. Day 2: East Point and Fogg Dam to Katherine Dawn will see us at East Point having breakfast in the field with Rainbow Pittas and Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves for company. Later we drive to one of the Top End’s premier wetlands, Fogg Dam. Around the dam itself, we’ll be thrilled with the site of thousands of wetland birds, including Magpie-Geese, Pied Herons, Green Pygmy-Geese, and maybe a Buff-banded Rail or White-browed Crake scurrying out of the reeds. In the monsoon forest, we have further chances at the Top End’s sexiest bird (if needed): the Technicolor Rainbow Pitta. Later, we head southwards to Pine Creek, stopping off at this old gold mining area for the opalescent Hooded Parrot. We overnight in Katherine. Day 3: Katherine to Timber Creek Today we’ll drive to Timber Creek for a two-night stay, but not before spending time at dawn around a local waterhole for our first shot at the stunning Gouldian Finch, as well as Long-tailed and Masked Finches too. En-route to Timber Creek there will be chances for more specialties, like Buff-sided Robin and the gorgeous Purple-crowned Fairywren. Two nights will be spent in a motel in the tiny Outback town of Timber Creek. Day 4: Timber Creek This town is in the heart of finch country; up to nine species can be found in this area, with the key species being the local Yellow-rumped Mannikin and Star Finch in particular. There will also be chances at Black-tailed Treecreeper, and Bar-breasted and Yellow-tinted Honeyeaters there too, all northern specialties. The small local airfield also sometimes hosts the scarce Oriental Plover, feeding in company with the local Agile Wallabies or more flocks of finches that could also include Zebra and Double-barred Finches, and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin. A second night will be spent in Timber Creek. Day 5: Timber Creek to Top Springs An early start will be required to search for the local White-quilled Rock-Pigeon on a nearby escarpment, before we head south to Top Springs, keeping an eye on the skies for Black-breasted Buzzard and the hulking Wedge-tailed Eagle en-route. Along the way, we will also stop in at a wetland area that often hosts a myriad waterbirds, including Brolga (an endemic Australian crane species), Magpie-Goose, Radjah Shelduck and Australian Darter. We will arrive at Top Springs in time for an afternoon search for the rare Gray Falcon and unpredictable Ground Cuckooshrike, as well as Australian Bustard and Australian Pratincole. One night will be spent in a small motel within remote Top Springs, in the heart of Australia’s Outback. Day 6: Top Springs to Pine Creek After some further time around Top Springs in the morning, which might yield new species like the striking Spinifex Pigeon, Banded Honeyeater and the “Golden-backed” form of Black-chinned Honeyeater (a likely split), Varied Lorikeet, and Paperbark Flycatcher; we’ll head back north to the edge of Kakadu National Park. In the afternoon, we will concentrate, once more, around the tiny town of Pine Creek, where Hooded Parrots will be the main focus, should we still be missing them following our earlier search there, but can also spend time looking for other Outback species like Red-winged Parrot, Cockatiel, and Broad-billed Flycatcher. A single night will be spent in Pine Creek. Day 7: To the Kakadu area We’ll need an early morning start to get up to a spinifex escarpment before the day heats up, and have our best shot at Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon and Partridge Pigeon. In the afternoon, we shall head north to a lodge near Kakadu National Park, stopping for more specialties along the way, such as Silver-backed Butcherbird and Northern Rosella. While Great Bowerbirds are common in the Top End, and are sure to have been seen by then, we will stop off at a fascinatingly decorated bower for the species, if needed. We bird near Kakadu and we will take a leisurely boat trip into the Yellow Waters billabong that is brilliant for birds, like kingfishers and waterbirds. Some of our main target species will be Azure, Sacred, and Little Kingfishers (the latter difficult elsewhere in Australia), 3 species of ibis, Black-necked Stork, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Nankeen Night-Heron, Pied Heron, Comb-crested Jacana, and one of the most revered Aussie animals, the menacing Saltwater Crocodile. The night will be spent near Kakadu. Day 8: The areas around Kakadu NP to Darwin Today we head into the heart of Aboriginal country near Kakadu. We will stop in many hotspots surrounding the park. There are a number of local specialties; the beautiful Black-banded Fruit-Dove inhabits the monsoon forest surrounding the base, as does Black Wallaroo, while Sandstone Shrike-thrushes and White-lined Honeyeaters may be found on the rock itself. After a morning in the park, we shall head back to Darwin, and check some mangroves for habitat specialists like Mangrove Fantail and Black-tailed and White-breasted Whistlers if needed, and also check a local park for the massive Rufous Owl if we missed it on the first day. The final night will be spent where it all began, back in Darwin. Day 9: Departure from Darwin Depending on flight schedules, we may have time for some birding near Darwin before we depart. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. This is a fast-paced trip that tries to maximize the number of sites covered and therefore birds seen. Breakfasts are typically packed and taken in the field at around 5:00am-5: 30am each day. As there are many long drives on this tour to get to the well separated Outback sites, there is limited downtime at hotels in the middle of the day, as this time is usually downtime in the vehicle, with birding stops along the way too. There are drives of between three and five hours on six of the days, although these are drives where some of the birding is planned along the way, and passes through excellent bird habitat, so they are done with plentiful stops. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate. Most of the birding is done from flat or slightly inclined roads or dirt tracks, and there are no high elevations on this tour. The toughest aspects of the tour are high temperatures and long drives, though walking-wise, this is an easy tour. CLIMATE: Hot and usually dry (except in Darwin, where it can be humid too), with little rain expected. The high temperatures in Darwin at this time of year, are 84 Fahrenheit/29 Celsius, with humidity usually in excess of 80%. In Kakadu the atmosphere is drier, but with average high temperatures reaching 96 Fahrenheit/36 Celsius at this time. ACCOMMODATION: Moderate to very good. In Darwin we use a modern, business-style, hotel, although in the remote parts of the Outback (e.g. Timber Creek and Top Springs), we will be using simple Australian motels. These are similar in style to American motels, but generally have smaller rooms, although all places have private bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24-hour electricity. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, with that being the main focus. That said, we do encourage people to take photos on our tours, and in many birding groups people carry cameras. There are no feeder sites on this tour, and so any photography is opportunistic, although many Australian birds are quite approachable and photogenic, especially around sprinklers and waterholes in the dry Outback, where birds like finches and parrots may be within photographic range. 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 8; meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 9 (if you have an early flight on this day, you may miss the included breakfast); 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 8; 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 at Yellow Waters, Kakadu on the afternoon of day 7 (this is on a large, spacious official park boat, shared with other tourists); 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. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Kenya: Birding the Coolest Trip in Africa Tour Overview: Kenya offers Africa in a nutshell, from the soda-encrusted, flamingo-filled Rift Valley lakes to alpine Mt. Kenya and the western lowland forests at Kakamega. These habitats, combined with bird-rich savannas, Tsavo’s semi-deserts, Sokoke’s coastal forests, and of course, the parks that make it the world’s premier big mammal watching destination, make Kenya a perennial favorite in Africa. This is not surprising when you consider you will probably see more bird and mammal species than any other African tour. Most of this tour (apart from the extension) is above 3000 feet elevation, making the climate surprisingly pleasant, far from the blistering heat that some people may expect from equatorial Africa. Gray Crowned-Crane Ken Behrens African Lion Scott Watson Superb Starling Nick Athanas African Fish-Eagle Ken Behrens Lilac-breasted Roller Ken Behrens Blue-headed Coucal Ken Behrens Red-necked Francolin Nick Athanas Ostrich Nick Athanas Leopard Lisle Gwynn Yellow-billed Stork Nick Athanas Greater Blue-eared Starling Nick Athanas Black-faced Sandgrouse Nick Athanas Crowned Lapwing Nick Athanas Buff-crested Bustard Nick Athanas Von der Decken's Hornbill Nick Athanas Temmnick's Courser Ken Behrens White Rhino Ken Behrens Secretarybird Ken Behrens Golden-winged Sunbird Keith Barnes Black-backed Jackal Ken Behrens Long-tailed Widowbird Ken Behrens Great White Pelican Ken Behrens Bushbuck Ken Behrens Pygmy Falcon Ken Behrens Gray Crowned-Crane Ken Behrens African Lion Scott Watson Superb Starling Nick Athanas African Fish-Eagle Ken Behrens Lilac-breasted Roller Ken Behrens Blue-headed Coucal Ken Behrens Red-necked Francolin Nick Athanas Ostrich Nick Athanas Leopard Lisle Gwynn Yellow-billed Stork Nick Athanas Greater Blue-eared Starling Nick Athanas Black-faced Sandgrouse Nick Athanas Crowned Lapwing Nick Athanas Buff-crested Bustard Nick Athanas Von der Decken's Hornbill Nick Athanas Temmnick's Courser Ken Behrens White Rhino Ken Behrens Secretarybird Ken Behrens Golden-winged Sunbird Keith Barnes Black-backed Jackal Ken Behrens Long-tailed Widowbird Ken Behrens Great White Pelican Ken Behrens Bushbuck Ken Behrens Pygmy Falcon Ken Behrens Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 24 October - 9 November $7800; single supplement: $1600 Extension: 9 - 15 November $3250; single supplement: $650 2027 Main Tour: 23 October - 8 November Price: TBA Extension: 8 - 14 November Price: TBA Length: 17 Days (23 Days w/ Extension) Starting City: Nairobi Ending City: Nairobi Pace: Relaxed/Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birding and Wildlife Group size: 12 + 1-2 Leader(s) *Note: For groups of less than 8, there will be 1 Kenyan tour leader. For larger groups, there will also be a TB leader . Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Nairobi We arrive in Nairobi and are transferred to our hotel for a three-night stay in the city, which boasts the largest bird list of any city on earth! Days 2-3: Nairobi We visit Nairobi NP before beginning our exploration of the Great Rift Valley lakes. Highlights may include Von der Decken’s Hornbill and the multicolored Red-and-yellow Barbet, or our first flamingos among many wintering Palearctic shorebirds on Lake Magadi. Days 4-5: Mt. Kenya Heading for the country’s highest summit, our journey to Mt. Kenya could yield Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Rüppell’s Robin-Chat, Mountain Yellow-Warbler, and Yellow-crowned Canary. The lodge’s waterhole attracts many mammals including African Buffalo. We’ll spend the early mornings searching for White-starred Robin, Abyssinian Crimsonwing, Crowned Eagle, African Emerald Cuckoo, Moustached and Green Tinkerbird. A shaded riverside trail may reveal Crowned Hornbill, Mountain Wagtail, and up to eight species of sunbirds, including the stunning Tacazze Sunbird. Two nights will be spent just outside the park. Day 6: Aberdare Mountains In the morning, we bird the Solio Plains, where we hope to find Temminck’s Courser, Jackson’s Widowbird, Black-bellied Bustard, and various other grassland species. In the afternoon, we head for the Aberdares Mountains, where we overnight. Day 7: Abadares to Nakuru Today we explore the alpine moorland above the treeline, perhaps encountering Jackson’s Spurfowl as we climb up into the highest accessible Lobelia-covered plains in Kenya. Our targets here include Moorland Chat and, with luck, we’ll find the specialized and beautiful Red-tufted Sunbird. In the afternoon we drop down into the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru where we overnight. Day 8: Nakuru to Naivasha We will awaken to vast flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and other waterbirds. The surrounding woodland holds Narina Trogon, Red-throated Wryneck, Arrow-marked Babbler, and African Firefinch. After lunch we venture to Naivasha, another of the Rift Valley gems. Day 9: Naivasha to Baringo We will spend the early morning at Lake Naivasha, sifting through vast flocks of waterbirds, and birding productive lakeside woodland. Later we drive to Lake Baringo, rich in arid-zone birds, where we search for Hunter’s Sunbird, Three-banded Courser, Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, and Northern White-faced Scops-Owl. At dusk, we should see Slender-tailed Nightjars gliding along the hippo-covered shore. We overnight at Lake Baringo. Day 10: Baringo to Kakamega Today exemplifies birding in Kenya. We begin in the sub-desert and end up in the most eastern tract of lowland equatorial rainforest in Africa. First we visit the cliffs near Baringo, scanning for Fan-tailed Raven, Hemprich’s Hornbill, Mocking Cliff-Chat, and Bristle-crowned Starling. Later we explore the Kerio Valley, where we search rocky, scrubby hillsides for Green-backed Eremomela, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Meyer’s Parrot, White-crested Turaco, Pearl-spotted Owlet, and Black-headed Gonolek. Late in the day we arrive at Kakamega for a three-night stay. Days 11-12: Kakamega Forest Kakamega is full of birds and is justly famous as one of Kenya’s birding meccas. Many of Kenya’s fantastic forest birds are available only here. These include dapper Equatorial Akalats, comical Great Blue Turacos, and sensational Blue-headed Bee-eaters among other beauties like White-chinned and Banded Prinias, Jameson’s and Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyes, Gray-green and Luehder’s Bushshrikes, Black-billed and Vieillot’s Black Weavers, Gray-headed Nigrita, Red-headed Malimbe, and Red-headed Bluebill. Day 13: Lake Victoria to Masai Mara Today we head to Lake Victoria, searching for swamp specialties such as Blue-headed Coucal, Swamp Flycatcher, and the striking Papyrus Gonolek. Rice paddies may produce African Openbill, Southern Red Bishop, and Zebra Waxbill. In the afternoon, we head south to the Masai Mara National Reserve for a three-night stay. Days 14-15: Masai Mara The Mara, the northern portion of the magnificent Serengeti system, offers spectacular vistas over flat-topped acacia and grassy plains riddled with ungulates and other animals. We’ll spend the days in the western part of the reserve looking for East Africa’s famous Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, African Elephants, Thomson’s and Grant’s Gazelles, and other wildlife. However, birding does not take a back seat, and we should be rewarded with views of many large raptors and vultures that gather at the kills, as well as storks, Kori Bustard, Southern Ground-Hornbill, and other species that suffer from disturbance outside these large protected areas. Other highlights may include Rufous-bellied Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Temminck’s Courser, Sooty Chat, and Schalow’s Turaco. Day 16: Nairobi Today we return to Nairobi for a final night, searching for the endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw and other grassland specialties en route. Day 17: Departure Today we fly out on our international departures or join the Eastern Extension. East Coast Extension Day 1: Nairobi to Tsavo From the capital, we drive southeast to Tsavo National Park where we look for dry Acacia savanna species including Black-headed Lapwing, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Golden Pipit, Golden-breasted Starling, and with luck, Somali Courser and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse. Day 2: Taita Hills and Tsavo In the early morning we’ll visit the ancient remnant forest of the Eastern Arc in the Taita Hills, looking for Taita Thrush, Taita Apalis, and Taita White-eye. The afternoon will be spend down in the dry lowlands of Tsavo West NP. Day 3: Tsavo to Sokoke This is an exciting day spent driving through Tsavo East National Park, on our way to the coastal forest of Sokoke. We’ll observe the remarkable transition from semi-desert to lush rainforest. Tsavo is excellent for mammals like African Savanna Elephant and Gerenuk, plus a diverse range of dry scrub birds. Days 4-6: Sokoke Early mornings are spent in the incomparable Sokoke Forest where we filter through bird parties looking for the three near-endemics, Sokoke Scops-Owl, Sokoke Pipit, and Kilifi Weaver. Other species here include Green Barbet, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, and Amani Sunbird. The nearby Mida Creek will provide the spectacle of hundreds of Crab Plovers and Palearctic shorebirds, as well as chances for Sooty Gull and Saunders’s Tern. Day 7: Fly to Nairobi, departure Today we transfer to Malindi Airport and catch a flight back to Nairobi, where we connect with our international flights home. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Most days we will need to be up early, around 6 am, and will stay out fairly late, around 5 pm, in order to take advantage of the best times of day and to enjoy the finest birds and mammals that Kenya offers. Where possible we will use the middle of the day to rest up, or travel between localities. There will also be a few days that are very 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). Kenya is a decent sized country but the road infrastructure is good and traveling between major sites is not too bad – there will be drives of 4-6 hours on four days of the main tour. 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 mostly flat roads and other easily accessible areas, and much time is spent in your safari vehicle. There is little walking on this tour, with the exceptions of Mt. Kenya, Kakamega, and Sokoke, where we can expect to walk about 2 miles (3 km) a day. The trail walking at these sites is fairly easy with only short, hilly sections. CLIMATE: Quite variable and you will have to come prepared for all seasons. The higher altitude savanna and forest sites like Nairobi NP, Mt Kenya, and the Aberdares are cool (usually 50°-70°F, 10°-20°C), with rain highly likely at some stage. In the rift valley at Naivasha, Nakuru and Baringo it is a little hotter and drier (usually 53°-81°F, 11°-27°C), and at the Kenyan coast on the extension it is hot and humid (usually 72°-102°F, 22°-38°C). ACCOMMODATION: Very good to superb (including some of the nicest accommodation available on a birding tour!), all have private, en-suite bathrooms, and full-time hot water. Electricity is available everywhere 24 hours a day. Internet is fairly widespread, but not available everywhere. PHOTOGRAPHY: If you are a casual photographer, you will love this trip! Nowhere in Africa are birds more cooperative, and mammals easier to take pictures of, and because we are 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 Kenya: Birding with a Camera® (BwC) tour. WHEN TO GO: This trip can be run as a custom tour at almost any time of year, and in the boreal winter (October – March) many migrants flood into Kenya meaning the bird list is the greatest at that time. If you want the best chance to see Masai Mara river crossings, June – August is the best time, although in our opinion, the best of the wildebeest and zebra migration is during the birthing cycle (Feb – April) in Tanzania; see our Tanzania tour . 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 of most nationalities, but since September 2015 most nationalities can get an online e-Visa (must be obtained at least 10 days prior to travel), including citizens of US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India and China, most European countries, and many others. Travel requirements are subject to change; it’s a good idea to double check six weeks before you travel, or check with our office if you are unsure. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night day 16, and to the night of day 6 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 17, and to breakfast of day 7 of the extension if also taking the extension (if you have a very early flight on your departure day, you may miss the included hotel breakfast); reasonable non-alcoholic drinks with meals; safe drinking water between meals; tour leader(s) with telescope and audio playback gear from the evening of day 1 to the afternoon of day 16, and from day 1 to the the afternoon of day 6 of the extension if also taking the extension; one arrival airport transfer and one departure airport transfer per person (transfers are only provided on the specific arrival and departure dates, and 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 16 (and from day 1 to day 6 of the extension if also taking the extension) in a suitable safari pop-top vehicle with driver; entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary; 2 boat trips – one on Naivasha and one on Baringo; if taking the extension, the one way flight from Malindi to Nairobi; 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?: Tips; 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; 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!

Subantarctic Islands: Cruising on the Ultimate Pelagic Tour Overview: These cruises are the ULTIMATE pelagics. There are simply no better trips on Earth for seabirds and seabirding. The New Zealand subantarctic islands offer the highest diversity of ‘tubenoses’ on the planet, and if you do the full itinerary you can expect to see well over 30 species. South of New Zealand, in a realm occupied only by the hardiest of souls, there is a string of islands that are rarely visited, and some of the wildest and most rugged on the planet. Sitting on the very edge of the Antarctic convergence, and in true Antarctic form, the creatures that inhabit these is-lands are legendarily extremely tame and approachable, often too much so, which results in truly awesome opportunities to get up close and intimate. An added bonus is the opportunity to get up close with these same creatures at massive breeding colonies, including a variety of albatross and penguin species. On top of this the Subantarctic Islands offer up a wealth of other Antarctic wildlife, from an abundance of cetaceans roaming the icy waters, to colonies of fur seals and sea lions, including another giant and formidable species, the impressive Hooker’s Sea Lion; or if you like your wildlife super-sized, how about the gargantuan Southern Elephant Seal. These voyages are of a truly expeditionary nature; they set out to reach seldom-visited islands like Macquarie Island and Campbell Island, by way of the Snares and Auckland Islands. On the longer trip, from Campbell we move on even further to the Antipodes and Bounties, visited just once per year by expeditioners, and then conclude with a visit to the Chatham Islands, where we search for two of the rarest seabirds on Earth – the Chatham Island Petrel and Taiko, or Magenta Petrel. Like any Antarctic destination these tours offer much for the non-birding partner and non-birding nature photographer; a wealth of wonderful landscapes awaits, as do some truly close encounters with Antarctic wildlife. No other tours offer the variety of penguins and seabirds possible on such a short cruise, thus boasting the highest diversity and numbers of seabirds of any of our tours. Penguins alone are represented by at least 8 species, whilst the albatrosses are represented by up to 15 taxa. 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: 2026 Birding Down Under 2 - 18 December Prices start at $15995 Galapagos of the Southern Ocean Departure 1: 22 November - 3 December Departure 2: 17 - 28 December Prices start at $10490 Forgotten Islands of the South Pacific 27 December - 3 January Prices start at $6145 (as of Dec 2025, a 15% discount is available on selected cabins) 2027 Dates:: TBA Price: TBA * Prices vary based on cabin type. Please contact us for more details and current availability. Length: 8 Day Minimum - 17 Day Maximum Starting City: Invercargill, New Zealand Ending City: Invercargill, New Zealand Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate 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 Note: There are three versions of this trip: 1. “Birding Down Under” is a 17 trip, whose itinerary is given below. 2. “Galapagos of the Southern Ocean” is a 12 day trip that visits Snares, Enderby, Auckland, Macquarie, and Campbell Islands 3. “Forgotten Islands of the South Pacific” is the shortest trip at 8 days, and takes in Snares, Enderby, Auckland, and Campbell Islands. Note: During the 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, Antipodes or Bounties. Day 1: Invercargill Today we meet in the small but well-equipped town of Invercargill in New Zealand’s far south. Most of the day is free for you to explore the town but in the evening we will meet for dinner along with the rest of the expeditioners, expedition staff and, where applicable, your Tropical Birding guide. Day 2: Port of Bluff Today marks the true beginning of our subantarctic adventure, and one of epic proportions it shall prove to be. We will transfer from Invercargill to the tiny port of Bluff after lunch where we will meet and board our vessel for the adventure – the well-equipped and tastefully refitted Spirit of Enderby, or Professor Khromov. After a couple of briefings on safety and use of Zodiac rigid inflatable boats, our primary method of getting ashore, we will meet on deck or on the Bridge of the ship as we leave port and cross the Foveaux Strait, steaming past Stewart Island. This is often a productive area for seabirds and we will likely see Foveaux Shag (a recent split from the Bronze Shag complex), Spotted Shag, our first prions in the form of Fairy and possibly Broad-billed, Pintado Petrel and our first albatrosses in the form of White-capped, Salvin’s and maybe a Southern Royal if we’re lucky. Little Blue Penguins are often seen this afternoon and on occasion Fiordland Crested Penguin are seen, though some luck is required for the latter. Day 3: The Snares and at sea Day 3 of this expedition sees us approaching the rarely-visited Snares in the early morning. Barely more than rocks in the Southern Ocean, these windswept outcrops are actually surprisingly supportive of life and hold several endemic species that we hope to see. Depending on the timing of the expedition we will be met by varying numbers of Buller’s Albatross (few or none in November, hundreds or more in January), but regardless of timing we will be escorted close to shore by thousands of Sooty Shearwater and Cape or Pintado Petrel, dozens of diving petrels including both Common and the undescribed ‘Subantarctic’ Diving Petrel (a split from South Georgian Diving Petrel) and likely several Southern Royal Albatross. Once we reach the islands, depending on weather and sea conditions, we will attempt to launch the Zodiacs for a cruise of the coast. No landings are permitted on these pristine, predator free islands, but we will see all of its wealth from the Zodiacs. As we approach the shore we will see increasing numbers of Snares Crested Penguins, endemic to these rocks, and though we will have seen them from the ship already, once we reach the islands we’ll be visitors in their world as we bob amongst rafts of dozens and nudge against resting groups of hundreds of birds. As if that wasn’t enough we should have no problems finding the endemic Snares Fernbird and Snares Tomtit (an imminent split, surely), the latter particularly dapper in its all-black plumage. We have on occasion seen Snares Snipe here though it is exceptionally difficult to see, however we may well hear it as we cruise toward the world-famous Penguin Slide where penguins enter and exit the ocean and make their way up to their forest nests. Leaving The Snares it is well worth being on deck or on the Bridge. Seabirds come thick and fast, and we should see plenty of dashing Mottled Petrels as we cruise south. Albatross numbers should be high and will likely include Northern and Southern Royal, White-capped and Salvin’s and maybe Campbell. We sometimes see Fulmar Prion here, though they require exceptional care to separate from the nearly-identical Fairy Prion. Day 4: Enderby Island This day is reserved for a visit to the wild, wind-swept, rugged and often-sunny Enderby Island, part of the Auckland Islands. This is truly a subantarctic paradise, inhabited by rare and endemic flora and fauna, the majority of which are exceptionally tame, in typical subantarctic fashion. We have a full day to explore this island. Arriving on the beach we will be met by extremely curious, enormous and often intimidating Hooker’s or New Zealand Sea Lion, whilst along the shore we will find the zombie-like Yellow-eyed Penguin, of which the majority of the world population breeds here on Enderby Island. Making our way through the Rata forest we may find Auckland Islands Tomtit, Red-crowned Parakeet or even Yellow-crowned Parakeet with exceptional luck, and New Zealand Falcon is not unusual here. We emerge onto a slightly more elevated open plateau where Southern Royal Albatross breed, some-times in close proximity to the boardwalk, but the real attraction here are Auckland Island Dotterel (a distinctive subspecies of Banded Dotterel) and the chance of seeing the cryptic Auckland Island Snipe which may take some effort to locate. At the rugged cliffs on the far side of the island (an easy and leisurely walk away) Light-mantled Sooty Albatross survey the coast alongside passing Auckland Island Shags. Back at the coast we’ll look for good photo opportunities with Yellow-eyed Penguins and of course with the flightless Auckland Island Teal, the island’s rarest inhabitant. Day 5: At Sea Today will be spent at sea on our way south-south-west toward Macquarie Island. At some point today we will also likely cross the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary and enter Australian territorial waters – important for the Aussie listers. Seabirding on this stretch is unusually variable – out over deep waters it is often quiet, and there is time for much-deserved relaxing and photo-editing, but as we leave the Aucklands and as we approach Macquarie the activity can be spectacular. Black-bellied, Wilson’s and Grey-backed Storm Petrels will likely be seen frequently today, along with the many albatross we have become accustomed to and maybe even a couple of new species like Grey-headed or Snowy (Wandering) Albatross. We will be surrounded by flocks of Antarctic Prion today, that much is guaranteed, and the occasional screaming fly-bys by White-headed and maybe Soft-plumaged Petrels will surely garner deserved attention. The race will also be on to see who can find the first of hopefully several Blue Petrels, though this is a tough species to locate. Weather conditions permitting, there will be lectures today by the naturalist staff possibly including a detailed seabird identification session. Days 6-7: Macquarie Island We have two days set aside for visiting the wildlife mecca that is Macquarie Island. A long strip of the Earth’s crust sitting above the surface of the ocean, Macquarie is one of the most difficult to reach islands on the planet. Our itinerary will vary from trip to trip depending on weather conditions, but will likely include several different landings. The ANARE base at Buckle’s Bay is interesting, but for the birders it presents the unique opportunity to see Gentoo Penguin on this side of the world – and these birds do not venture away from Macquarie and have morphological differences to those on the Antarctic peninsula – a split waiting to happen. Another highlight here is the presence of a small breeding colony of Eastern Rockhopper Penguins, another split waiting to happen. Along the beaches we will also find King and likely the endemic Royal Penguin, plentiful Southern and Northern Giant Petrels, the endemic Macquarie Island Shag, Antarctic Terns and dozens of gigantic Southern Elephant Seal. We have also seen Leopard Seal here in the past. If we can make a landing at Sandy Bay it will likely be the highlight of the trip, and a highlight in most people’s lives more than likely. Here we land amongst a thriving and bustling throng of pen-guins, thousands of King and Royal Penguins show off their curious nature by coming and sitting with you on the beach, often touching us and offering us pebbles as tokens of interest. A short doze or relax on the beach may also see you make an intimate friend in a young Southern Elephant Seal – an experience not quickly forgotten. Photographic opportunities here are amongst the best in the world. As we cruise down the coast of Macquarie we will assess conditions at Lusitania Bay at the south-west corner of the island, home to an incredible 70,000+ pairs of King Penguin. If weather condi-tions permit, we will attempt a Zodiac cruise here. Day 8: At Sea Today will be spent at-sea on our transit toward Campbell Island. Seabirding is likely to be out-standing with many of the species we’ve seen before in good numbers, as well as boosted chances of seeing Grey-headed Albatross, Soft-plumaged Petrel and rarer birds like Blue and Grey Petrels. Campbell Albatross could be numerous. Day 9: Campbell Island Awaking in the calm of Perseverance Harbour we will spend the day at the pest-free Campbell Island. There will be several options for you to choose from today but they will include a Zodiac cruise around the harbor to look for wildlife including Campbell Island Shag and Campbell Island Teal (one of the rarest ducks in the world) and a walk up the Col Lyall saddle to a superb Southern Royal Albatross colony. Here we can have intimate and life-highlight-quality experiences with these lofty-winged giants. Spending an afternoon with these birds is worth the entire journey in itself, according to some guides and passengers alike. The chances of encountering Campbell Island Snipe are very good, whilst Campbell Island Pipit is abundant. Day 10: At Sea The journey toward the Antipodes can be very productive, with many individuals of our familiar travelling companions. Subantarctic Little Shearwater can be common on this stretch and we should encounter Fulmar Prion in good numbers closer to the Antipodes. Antipodean Albatross is almost guaranteed as we approach the islands. Days 11: Antipodes Islands These are some of the least-visited, most-rugged and little-known islands in the world. No landings are permitted so we will attempt to cruise the coast in search of its endemic treasures. Both Antipodes and Reischek’s Parakeets are usually seen, unique for being flesh-eating parrots, along with our first Erect-crested Penguins, arguably one of the most difficult penguins to see due to its isolated breeding core. We should also get good views of Eastern Rockhopper Penguin, the An-tipodes subspecies of New Zealand Pipit and likely Subantarctic Fur Seal too. Day 12: Bounty Islands If you thought the Snares was rugged, wait until you see the Bounties. Large rocky outcrops in the middle of the Southern Ocean they are surprisingly well-inhabited. In fact, the sight of these islands covered in thousands upon thousands of Salvin’s Albatross is a sight to behold, along with the rarest shag in the world – Bounty Islands Shag – and thousands of Erect-crested Penguins. On the 2016 BDU expedition Tropical Birding guide Lisle Gwynn declared these his favorite islands of the trip for the sheer spectacle of seabirds. Day 13: Pyramid Rock and South East Island For the birders (which is most expeditioners on this trip), this is a special day indeed. The day begins at sea in an area made famous by this trip as being productive for one of the world’s least-known seabirds – the Taiko, or Magenta Petrel. Indeed on the 2016 expedition, at the crack of dawn, this ultra-rare beast made an appearance for the pre-breakfast risers. Not only is this a very real possibility, we also make a visit to Pyramid Rock. At first glance this rock looks like an impressively-weird stack in the ocean, however it is especially appealing to those of us with birds on the mind because it is home to the entire world population of Chatham Island Albatross – arguably one of the best looking of the ocean giants. Rivalling Chatham Albatross is Pacific (or Northern Buller’s) Albatross, seen here in great numbers along with the giant Northern Royal Albatross. This evening we make a special effort to search for the Taiko and Chatham Island Petrels. We have had excellent success in the past with both of these species. Chatham Island Shag is often seen in these waters. We also plan to Zodiac cruise at South East Island, sometimes dubbed one of the world’s greatest nature reserves. Here we should see Chatham Island Oystercatcher and Pitt Island Shag, but the real draw is Shore Plover. Though Black Robin occurs on the island, the chances of seeing this bird are very low given their deep-forest dwelling nature. Day 14: Main Chatham Island Today we will spend the day ashore on the main Chatham island where we will go in search of all available endemic birds, including Chatham Island Warbler, Chatham Island Pigeon, Chatham Island Oystercatcher, the endemic subspecies of New Zealand Fantail, Tui and Red-crowned Parakeet, and there is sometimes the chance of visiting a Taiko and/or Chatham Island burrow at an extra cost which is donated directly to the conservation efforts for these species – though this is unconfirmed at this stage and will only be confirmed either way much closer to the time. Days 15-16: At sea We have two final days at sea to get last views and photos of our familiar travelling companions, but there is also the chance of new species in these waters like White-faced Storm Petrel, Cook’s and Pycroft’s Petrels, Grey-faced Petrel and Pink-footed Shearwater. The Chatham Rise, which we will travel along, is particularly productive for cetaceans and could produce a surprise or two. Day 17: Invercargill After an epic journey through some of the world’s most inaccessible and least-visited islands we finally arrive back to civilization in Invercargill. 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. The hike to Col Lyall must be described as moderate as it is inclined and approximately 3 kilometers, but anybody of moderate fitness will find it no problem. 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, however it is wise to pack for freezing temperatures at Macquarie. Rainfall is regular 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 Spirit of Enderby, a 50-passenger 22-crew ice-strengthened converted hydrological and meteorological research 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!

S. Ecuador: Birding for Highland Rarities & Tumbesian Endemics Tour Overview: Southern Ecuador is a beautiful and highly diverse region with amazing variety in habitat, scenery, and birds. We cover everything from the coastal region, to swamps, deserts, arid scrub, deciduous forests, rainforests, montane cloudforests, high altitude elfin forests, and páramo. This trip will give you the chance to see almost all the birds endemic to the Tumbesian region of western Ecuador and northwestern Peru, as well as a number of high Andean species shared only with remote parts of northern Peru, including the iconic Jocotoco Antpitta. We also make a special effort to find the spectacular Orange-throated Tanager. Jocotoco Antpitta Sam Woods Blue-throated Hillstar Alex Luna White-tailed Jay Sam Woods Long-wattled Umbrellabird Nick Athanas Black-crested Tit-Tyrant Sam Woods White-necked Parakeet Sam Woods Chestnut-bellied Cotinga Jose Illanes Green-and-gold Tanager Sam Woods White-edged Oriole Sam Woods Gray Tinamou Nick Athanas Red-faced Parrot Sam Woods Crescent-faced Antpitta Sam Woods Guayaquil Woodpecker Jose Illanes Pale-browed Tinamou Nick Athanas Rainbow-bearded Thornbill Sam Woods El Oro Parakeet Alex Luna Chapman's Antshrike Nick Athanas Ecuadorian Trogon Sam Woods Golden-crowned Tanager Nick Athanas Paradise Tanager Alex Luna Amethyst-throated Sunangel Jose Illanes Purple-throated Sunagel Jose Illanes Ochraceous Attila Alex Luna White-headed Brushfinch Sam Woods Rufous-headed Chachalaca Sam Woods Tour Details: 2027 Main Tour: 9 - 28 January $7350; single supplement: $680 Extension: 28 - 31 January $1400; single supplement: $230 Length: 20 Days (23 Days w/ Extension) Starting City: Guayaquil Ending City: Guayaquil Pace: Intense Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding 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: Guayaquil Upon arrival in Guayaquil you will be met by a driver and transferred to a local hotel for the night. Day 2: Manglares-Churute to Buenaventura We’ll depart the city early to avoid traffic and head south along the coastal plain to the Manglares-Churute reserve, about 45 minutes away. This area sports an interesting mix of lagoons, mangroves, and semihumid forest, unlike anything else we see on the tour. It’s arguably the best place in Ecuador to find the threatened “Pacific” Royal-Flycatcher along with a number of other scarce species including Jet Antbird, Orange-crowned Euphonia, and Common (Mangrove) Black-Hawk. We’ll also have our first chance at some of the more common Tumbesian endemics like Superciliated Wren and Ecuadorian Trogon, and with luck should find some Horned Screamers in nearby rice paddies. Later in the morning, we drive south for a few hours; depending on water levels, we may stop at some roadside pools for waterbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. In the afternoon we will arrive in Buenaventura reserve, where we spend two nights in the lodge inside the reserve. We begin our birding at the terrific hummingbird feeders, which attract literally swarms of these neat little birds. Emerald-bellied Woodnymph, Violet-belled Hummingbird, and Green Thorntail are just a few of the species that visit. Fruit feeders also attract a variety of interesting birds like Rufous-headed Chachalaca and Pale-mandibled Aracari. Late in the afternoon, we’ll take a short but steep trail down into a ravine where the spectacular Long-wattled Umbrellabird can often be seen displaying. Day 3: Buenaventura The reserve was created especially to protect the largest known population of the endemic El Oro Parakeet. If the birds are nesting, reserve wardens may be able to take us to active nest sites. Even out of the nesting season, we stand a reasonable chance of finding a small flock during our time here. There are plenty of other birds as well, and activity along the main track through the reserve can often be superb. We will search the beautiful mist-enshrouded forests for local species such as Ochraceous Attila, Song Wren, Esmeraldas Antbird, Club-winged Manakin, Rufous-throated Tanager, Gray-breasted Flycatcher, and Brown-billed Scythebill among hordes of more common birds like Bay-headed Tanager and Blue-necked Tanagers, Bay Wren, Choco Toucan, Spotted Woodcreeper, Ornate Flycatcher, Ecuadorian Thrush, and Scarlet-rumped Cacique . Much of the birding will be on a moderately inclined dirt road through the forest, but we’ll have to take short walks on muddy and sometimes steep trails. Day 4: Buenaventura and El Empalme After another morning in Buenaventura checking for any birds we are missing, we drive south to the reserve of Jorupe. This drive will take most of the rest of the day, but we’ll stop late in the afternoon at some impressive deciduous forest near El Empalme. Among the giant Ceiba trees, we may see White-headed Brush-Finch, Tumbes Sparrow, Tumbes Hummingbird, Baird’s Flycatcher, Elegant Crescentchest, and others. We’ll arrive at Urraca Lodge around dusk, in the heart of the dry forest of the Jocotoco Foundation’s Jorupe Reserve, for a three night stay. Day 5: Jorupe It will be nice to not have to drive anywhere this morning as the action starts right around the lodge. With luck, some of the tougher species could visit the feeders early in the morning, such as Pale-browed Tinamou and Ochre-bellied Dove, along with Whooping Motmot, Plumbeous-backed Thrush, White-edged Oriole, White-tailed Jay, and Red-masked Parakeet. Later on, we’ll bird the dirt roads and well-built trails targeting shy Tumbesian endemics such as Blackish-headed Spinetail, Henna-hooded Foliage-gleaner, Slaty Becard, and Watkins’s Antpitta. Other more common species we might encounter include White-edged and Yellow-tailed Orioles, Collared Antshrike, Plain Antvireo, Ecuadorian Piculet, Speckle-breasted Wren, and Black-capped Sparrow. Owling can often be good, with West Peruvian Screech-Owl and Spectacled Owl often around the lodge at night, and the very rare Buff-fronted Owl has been seen here on a few occasions. Day 6: Utuana and Sozoranga Farther from Jorupe, the road takes us up into the mountains again, and the cooler weather will be welcome. Forest patches near Sozoranga (a 45 minute drive) hold yet more Tumbesian endemics like Bay-crowned Brush-Finch, Chapman’s Antshrike, Tumbes Tyrannulet, Loja Hummingbird, and Black-cowled Saltator. We continue on up the windy road to the Utuana reserve, where we look for scarce species like Gray-headed Antbird, Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Piura Hemispingus, and Jelski’s Chat-Tyrant. The unbelievably cute Black-crested Tit-Tyrant is likely to be a highlight, and the hummer feeders here attract Purple-throated Sunangel and Rainbow Starfrontlet. In the afternoon, we bird our way back down to Jorupe. Day 7: Jorupe to Vilcabamba There’s a lot of driving today, but we’ll have time to target anything we still need at either Jorupe or Utuana before leaving the Tumbesian region behind. A short stop in the Catamayo Valley could get us finches such as Drab Seedeater, Chestnut-throated Seedeater, and Band-tailed Sierra-Finch, then we’ll head to Vilcabamba for the night, where we’ll also try a stakeout for Plumbeous Rail. Day 8: Cerro Toledo and Tapichalaca Over the next three days we will concentrate on the temperate forests near the continental divide, home to many spectacular birds. We’ll start by taking a rough road to Cerro Toledo, draped by beautiful elfin forest right below treeline. This is the easiest spot to see the near-endemic Neblina Metaltail, and we have a great chance to see the tough-to-find Masked Mountain-Tanager as well. On rare occasions, small flocks of the threatened Red-faced Parrot are encountered. Other birds we may see here include Red-hooded Tanager, Bearded Guan, Paramo Tapaculo, Mouse-colored Thistletail, Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, Golden-crowned Tanager, and Pale-naped Brush-Finch. In the afternoon we drive over the remote Cordillera de Sabanilla to Tapichalaca reserve, home of the fabled Jocotoco Antpitta, which has become easy to see now that it comes in to a feeder every day to eat worms. We spend two nights in the cozy lodge in the reserve, which has some nice hummer feeders. Day 9: Tapichalaca While the Jocotoco Antpitta is our main target today, we should see plenty of other good birds along the trails, such as Chestnut-caped and Slate-crowned Antpittas, Chusquea and Ocellated Tapaculos, Golden-plumed Parakeet, Barred Fruiteater, Black-capped Hemispingus, Orange-banded Flycatcher, White-throated Quail-Dove, and various mountain-tanagers. Sometimes the reserve rangers know of a day roost for Long-tailed Potoo. The walk up to the Jocotoco feeding area is a narrow forest trail that has some short steep sections, and is often slippery and muddy. Although the walk is not long we will take our time getting up there as there are many birding possibilities en-route. However, we will time our arrival at the antpitta feeding area so that we get there for their regular feeding time of 8:00am. We’ll return to the lodge for lunch, and there will be time to the varied hummingbirds visiting the feeders, including Amethyst-throated and Flame-throated Sunangels, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Collared Inca, and Long-tailed Sylph. In the afternoon, we may bird along the road below the lodge towards the town of Valladolid where occasionally Chestnut-crested Cotinga can be seen, or else spend more time around the lodge. Day 10: Tapichalaca to Yankuam Lodge After another morning of birding in Tapichalaca or along the road to Valladolid, we will have a rather long drive (6-7 hours) down the east slope of the Andes to Cabañas Yankuam, where we spend two nights. The last two hours of the trip are along a dirt road through forest patches that can be very birdy, so we’ll have some stops to see species like Violaceous Jay, Channel-billed Toucan, Little Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tyrant, and others. We can also look for Bluish-fronted Jacamar, only recently discovered in Ecuador. Day 11: Maycu reserve and the Nuevo Paraiso Road This area in the lower foothills of the eastern Andes has come to prominence as the place to see the rare and unique Orange-throated Tanager. There is no easier place in the world to get this strikingly beautiful bird. Other possibilities here include Speckled Chachalaca, Gilded Barbet, Magpie Tanager, Blackish Pewee, Golden-winged Tody-Flycatcher, Black-and-white Tody-Flycatcher, Zimmer’s Antbird, White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, White-throated Woodpecker, Fulvous Shrike-Tanager, and Ocellated Woodcreeper, along with a plethora of foothill species and even a few birds more typical of the Amazonian lowlands. Day 12: Yankuam to Yantzaza After spending another morning birding in this amazingly rich area, we will drive several hours north to Yantzaza for a one-night stay. In the afternoon, we will check a local reserve for the scarce Spangled Coquette. Day 13: Zarza Forest to Copalinga This morning we will head up into the Cordillera del Condor near the Peruvian border to search for some very scarce birds like Spectacled Prickletail, Equatorial Graytail, Rufous-browed Tyrannulet, Roraiman Flycatcher, Bar-winged Wood-Wren, Chestnut-bellied Thrush, and Black-streaked Puffbird, along with many other more widespread Andean species. In the afternoon, we drive a few hours to Copalinga Lodge near the edge of Podocarpus National Park, where we spend two nights. The grounds of the lodge are great for hummingbirds like Wire-crested Thorntail, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Violet-fronted Brilliant, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, and Spangled Coquette, and Blackish Nightjar can often be found close by. Tanager feeders here are sometimes very active, and other times strangely abandoned. We’ll aim to arrive here in time to see Gray Tinamou, which has become very easy to see in the afternoons from a blind along one of the trails. At night, Band-bellied Owl often calls near the lodge, and we’ll track it down if we have the chance. Day 14: Rio Bombuscaro We bird an excellent forest trail about 15 minutes from our lodge that has many localized species, including Coppery-chested Jacamar, Ecuadorian Piedtail, White-breasted Parakeet, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Foothill Elaenia, Olive Finch, Black-billed Treehunter, Blue-rumped Manakin, and Equatorial Graytail. Other more common birds we may see are Paradise and Green-and-gold Tanager, Andean Motmot, Green Hermit, Red-headed Barbet, Lafresnaye’s Piculet, and Marble-faced Bristle-Tyrant. In mid-afternoon, we will return to the lodge, where we can either have some relaxed birding around the lodge, or take a short drive to other nearby sites. Day 15: Old Zamora Road to Saraguro via Huashapamba We’ll start birding along an old dirt road about 25 minutes from Copalinga that passes through some amazingly productive forest patches. Some birds are easier to see here than at Rio Bombuscaro, such as Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Ecuadorian Tyrannulet, Lined Antshrike, and Olivaceous Greenlet. In the afternoon we will travel to Saraguro. Time permitting, we will be stopping at the nearby Huashapamba community forest en-route to check for the rare Red-faced Parrot, which while not guaranteed is best looked for in the afternoons. The next two nights will be spent in a hotel in the town of Saraguro. Day 16: Cerro Acanama and Huashapamba We’ll spend the morning in treeline forest in the mountains above Saraguro, making a special effort to see the incredible Crescent-faced Antpitta. The antpitta lurks in dense patches of bamboo at the timberline, and with patience and luck we may be able to call one in. Other scarce species, like Black-headed Hemispingus, Flammulated Treehunter, Bearded Guan, Masked Mountain-Tanager, Glowing Puffleg, and Agile Tit-Tyrant also occur here. The very rare Chestnut-bellied Cotinga is also possible, though much luck is required. At the end of the day, we will have the option once again to visit Huashapamba, if we did not pick up the Red-faced Parrot there the evening before. A final night will be spent in the nearby town of Saraguro. Day 17: Cerro de Arcos to Santa Isabel A very early departure will be required on this day as we head upwards from the temperate slopes of the Andes, and emerge above the treeline, to where paramo grasslands dominate. Our destination for the morning will be Cerro de Arcos, where in 2017 a completely new hummingbird for the world was discovered, now called the Blue-throated Hillstar. This species, since its recent description in 2018, has already been considered critically-endangered, being known from just three spots in a very small area thus far, on a few mountains in southern Ecuador. We will visit the only easily accessible site for the species currently known. We’ll spend the morning looking for the hillstar (sightings are likely). In the afternoon, we will continue our journey to the town of Santa Isabel, where we spend one night. Day 18: Yunguilla reserve to Cuenca The dry woodland and scrubby hillsides of Yunguilla are home to the critically endangered Pale-headed Brush-Finch, whose entire known population resides within this reserve. We’ll also have a chance to see some other scarce birds such as Little Woodstar and Blue Seedeater, as well as Chestnut-crowned Antpitta. After a morning in the reserve, we will travel north to Cuenca, where we will spend one night in a nice hotel with thermal baths – remember to bring swimwear if you fancy soaking in the steaming pools! We often arrive early enough to have quite a relaxing afternoon. Day 19: El Cajas National Park A short drive from Cuenca brings us to this beautiful park, which protects temperate forest and scrub, windswept páramo, patches of Polylepis woodland, and pristine highland lakes. We’ll start our birding near one of these lakes where we could find Ecuadorian Rail, Andean Ruddy-Duck, Andean Teal, and Yellow-billed Pintail, while the surrounding forest has a variety of colorful tanagers and hummers. We’ll then stop to look for the endemic Violet-throated Metaltail and local Mouse-colored Thistletail (if we missed it in Cerro Toledo) in roadside scrub, eventually reaching the grassy paramo, where we should pick up Tawny Antpitta, Andean Tit-Spinetail, Many-striped Canastero, Stout-billed Cinclodes, and others. The gnarly Polylepis is loaded with pretty Tit-like Dacnises, and there’s a good chance to find a Giant Conebill. The highway through the park continues on to Guayaquil (3 hours), and we will complete a magnificent circuit of the southern part of Ecuador. Day 20: Departure or Start Extension If you are not joining the Pacific Coast Extension, the tour ends this morning with a transfer to the international airport. Esmeraldas Woodstar Extension Introduction: This short extension first visits the Pacific Coast, where Chilean Flamingos forage among a mass of shorebirds. The arid Santa Elena Peninsula holds endemics like Short-tailed Woodstar, Parrot-billed Seedeater, Necklaced Spinetail, and Gray-and white Tyrannulet, while more humid Tumbesian areas support populations of the endemic Esmeraldas Woodstar and the stunning Elegant Crescentchest. Day 1: The Santa Elena Peninsula An early start is required in order to make our way west to the coast, where we will search the coastal scrub on the Santa Elena Peninsula for Necklaced Spinetail, West Peruvian Dove, Short-tailed Woodstar, Parrot-billed Seedeater, Sulphur-throated Finch, Short-tailed Field-Tyrant, and Gray-and-white Tyrannulet among others. The coastal saltpans in this area are packed with hundreds of shorebirds, and sometimes also hold giant Peruvian Pelicans and graceful Chilean Flamingos. A walk out to the beach might get us somber-looking Gray Gulls or handsome Gray-headed Gulls loafing along the tideline. After lunch in a beach town, we head further north to a lodge near Ayampe, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Day 2: Ayampe area After breakfast, we will venture into the deciduous woodland alongside the Ayampe River (less than a 30 minute drive from our hotel), a stronghold for the critically endangered Esmeraldas Woodstar. The area also holds scarce Tumbesian species we could have missed on the main tour such as Slaty Becard, Ochre-bellied Dove, Pacific Royal Flycatcher, Gray-backed Hawk, and Saffron Siskin. There are also a number of humid forest birds in the wetter forest patches, where we could find Gartered Trogon, Lesser Greenlet, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, White-backed Fire-eye, and others. After lunch back at our chilled out resort, we could either return to Ayampe or bird dry forest farther north along the coast for skulkers like Pale-browed Tinamou and the exquisite Elegant Crescentchest. At dusk we will check the scrub near our resort for the aptly named Scrub Nightjar. Day 3: Return to Guayaquil The activities on this day will depend on what we are still looking for. We will begin either in Ayampe again or Machalilla, then make our way south back towards the Santa Elena Peninsula and Guayaquil (around 5 hours away). In the late afternoon we will return to Guayaquil for a final farewell dinner. Day 4: Departure The extension ends this morning with a transfer to the international airport. Trip Considerations PACE: Intense - this is by far the most ambitious of our Ecuador tours and covers a huge amount of ground with little "downtime". This tour attempts to see as many birds as possible, with special focus on the regional specialties. As such, early starts are the norm and breakfast will typically start between 5:00 and 5:30am, with two extra early breakfasts at 4:00am (or a packed breakfast). On several days there will be some downtime after lunch to relax, but most days will be full days with little downtime. At least ten lunches will be packed lunches. Drives of five hours or more are required on at least four days of the tour. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate. There will be a mixture of trail birding and road birding. Most of the trails and roads are flat or only slightly inclined, but we will bird some steeper and moderately difficult trails on at least four days of the tour (a walking stick helps a lot). You can expect to walk at least 3 miles (4.8 km) on on most days, sometimes more. Part of day 17 (Cerro de Arcos) and day 19 (El Cajas) will be spent at high elevations ranging from about 10,000-13,000 ft (3000-4000 m), but the walking is fairly easy here, and the highest elevation we spend the night is 8,500 ft (2600 m) in Tapichalaca. The Woodstar Extension is all near sea level, and the walking is easy and almost totally flat. CLIMATE: Highly variable. In the lower parts of the West and Southwest (about 5 days of the main tour and all of the extension) it can be rather hot (usually 68°-90°F, 20°-32°C) and very sunny. Most of the rest of the tour is at middle elevations of the Andes where it is quite pleasant (usually around 50°-75°F, 10°-24°C). In the higher elevations on the morning of day 17 (Cerro de Arcos) and day 19 (El Cajas), it can be near freezing and windy. Some rain can be expected, especially in the afternoons and evenings, but it usually doesn’t interfere too much with the birding. ACCOMMODATION: Most nights are spent in simple but confortable eco-lodges inside the forest, and four nights are spent in modest hotels in small towns. These accommodations are not luxurious, but have the key necessities like private bathrooms, hot water (except for possibly one night), and electricity; slow wi-fi is available in the lodge dining area. Nights in Guayaquil and Cuenca are in excellent modern hotels. Due to limited space in some of the lodges, single rooms are occasionally unavailable, but this is unusual unless the tour group is comprised mainly of singles. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but casual photographers will have great opportunities to photograph birds at feeders at Buenaventura, Jorupe, Tapichalaca, and Copalinga. Bird photography away from the feeders is much more difficult. Serious bird photographers may wish to check out our Northern Ecuador Photo Tour . 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 of day 19 if taking only the main tour, and to the night of day 3 of the extension, if also taking that too; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 20 if taking only the main tour, and to breakfast on day 4 of the extension if also taking the extension; safe drinking water and/or juice, and tea or coffee during meals; safe drinking water between meals either from a designated spot at the lodge or provided by the tour leader; tea and coffee are available at Buenaventura, Jorupe, Tapichalaca, and Copalinga any time; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the morning of day 2 to the afternoon of day 19, if taking only the main tour, and through the afternoon of day 3 of the extension if also taking this too; 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); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 2 to day 19 (and to day 3 of the extension if also taking the extension) in a suitable vehicle with a local driver; 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; tips for luggage porters in city 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!

Peru: Photo Tour Tour Overview: For those who are interested in hummingbird photography, traditionally Costa Rica or Ecuador have been the natural choices, with their abundant lodges and great feeder set ups. Peru though, in spite of its incredible bird diversity that puts those other countries to shame, has been strangely overlooked. This “Land of the Incas” now has some superb lodges with excellent chances to photograph hummingbirds, many of which are not possible in those other countries. Thus, whether or not you have done one of those other, more well publicized hummingbird photography destinations, this should not exclude you from this tour, which offers many different species from those countries. Indeed, Peru can lay claim to the most highly-prize hummingbird of them all, the Marvelous Spatuletail, which is every bit as good as it sounds, and well deserves its frequently touted moniker of “Best Hummingbird in the World”; take a look at the photos on this page and you will see why. This tour travels in one of the world biodiversity hotspots, Northern Peru, where big day records have frequently been set, and the diversity of hummingbirds goes through the roof. We will exploit this with our cameras, while basing ourselves and three of the best birding lodges in the region – Owlet Lodge, Waqanki Lodge and, of course, Huembo Lodge, the only place in the World where you can expect to photograph the Marvelous Spatuletail. White-capped Tanager Daniel Aldana Torrent Duck Andres Vasquez Marvelous Spatulatail Pablo Cervantes Crested Quetzal Nick Athanas Machu Picchu Pablo Cervantes Royal Sunangle Nick Athanas Rufous-crested Coquette Nick Athanas Collared Inca Pablo Cervantes Buff-bridled Inca-Finch Sam Woods Cinnamon Screech Owl Sam Woods Many-colored Rush Tyrant Sam Woods Sword-billed Hummingbird Dorian Anderson White-necked Jacobin Ben Knoot Chestnut-breasted Coronet Daniel Aldana White-capped Tanager Daniel Aldana Torrent Duck Andres Vasquez Marvelous Spatulatail Pablo Cervantes Crested Quetzal Nick Athanas Machu Picchu Pablo Cervantes Royal Sunangle Nick Athanas Rufous-crested Coquette Nick Athanas Collared Inca Pablo Cervantes Buff-bridled Inca-Finch Sam Woods Cinnamon Screech Owl Sam Woods Many-colored Rush Tyrant Sam Woods Sword-billed Hummingbird Dorian Anderson White-necked Jacobin Ben Knoot Chestnut-breasted Coronet Daniel Aldana White-capped Tanager Daniel Aldana Torrent Duck Andres Vasquez Marvelous Spatulatail Pablo Cervantes Crested Quetzal Nick Athanas Machu Picchu Pablo Cervantes Royal Sunangle Nick Athanas Rufous-crested Coquette Nick Athanas Collared Inca Pablo Cervantes Buff-bridled Inca-Finch Sam Woods Cinnamon Screech Owl Sam Woods Many-colored Rush Tyrant Sam Woods Sword-billed Hummingbird Dorian Anderson White-necked Jacobin Ben Knoot Chestnut-breasted Coronet Daniel Aldana Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 2 - 11 December $6290; single supplement: $400 Extension: 11 - 16 December $4630; single supplement: $480 2027 Main Tour: 2 - 11 December $6750; single supplement: $460 Extension: 11 - 16 December $4800; single supplement: $520 Length: 10 days (15 days w/ Extension) Starting City: Lima Ending City: Lima 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 Detailed Itinerary Note: This itinerary is sometimes run in a different order due to lodge availability , but all sites will still be visited. Day 1: Arrival in Lima The tour begins this evening in Lima. Our hotel is located next to the airport, so you can be checking in a few minutes after clearing customs. Day 2: Lima to Waqanki Lodge In the morning, we shall take a short flight to Tarapoto in northern Peru, from where we will make the final journey to Waqanki Lodge by road. Not far from the city of Moyobamba. Waqanki quickly rose to prominence for the superb birding in the foothills of the Andes, and its amazing hummingbird feeders, which attract not only hundreds of individuals, but sometimes double figures in terms of species, many of which will be different from those found at the higher elevation sites to be visited later on the trip. We will settle into this excellent lodge for a two-night stay. Day 3: Hummingbirds of Waqanki Lodge This is an excellent location for hummingbirds; feeders are placed at various heights in multiple directions, and many of them are free from the forest shade that dominates so many potentially good feeders at other sites in the World. Of course, we will also try multiflash methods too to get those “frozen” shots, but the wonderful natural light and open nature of the feeders at Waqanki makes it well worth photographing without the aid of flash too. We will have plentiful time to try both at length. The species on offer are dazzling, and include widespread species like White-necked Jacobin, Brown Violetear, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Black-throated Mango, and Fork-tailed Woodnymph, but also less common species that are unlikely to be photographed away from Waqanki, like Great-billed and Black-throated Hermits, the incredible Rufous-crested Coquette, Gray-breasted Sabrewing, Golden-tailed Sapphire, and Sapphire-spangled Emerald. Other non-hummigbirds that may pose for our lenses include White-vented and Purple-throated Euphonias, Black-faced Dacnis, Blue Dacnis, and Black-bellied Tanager, among many other possibilities. Day 4: Waqanki to Owlet Lodge After another morning at Waqanki Lodge or another nearby site, we'll drive west through the Andes to Owlet Lodge, located in the huge Abra Patricia bird reserve. We will be greeted with the sight of hummingbirds right on the doorstep of this wonderful lodge, where species like Chestnut-breasted Coronet, Emerald-bellied Puffleg, Bronzy Inca, and White-bellied Woodstar are all regular visitors. Two nights will be spent in this comfortable lodge, surrounded by beautiful cloudforest. Day 5: Owlet Lodge The main focus will be on the many hummingbirds that visit the lodge feeders. We will use multiflash techniques to ensure we all get perfectly crisp photos of species mentioned before, in addition to Lesser and Sparkling Violetears, Speckled Hummingbird, Long-tailed Sylph, and the outrageous Sword-billed Hummingbird. In between bouts of hummingbird photography, we may also get photos of other birds that come through the area as part of mixed feeding flocks, which could include colorful species like tanagers, with Saffron-headed, Blue-and-black, White-capped, and Yellow-scarfed just some of the many species occurring in this, one of the world’s most biodiverse spots. There is also a good chance of getting photos of Chestnut Antpitta at a worm feeder. Day 6: Alto Nieva to Pomacochas This private reserve is close to, but downslope from, Owlet Lodge, and possesses another set of exciting hummingbird feeders, which attract some of the same species as Owlet Lodge, but some different ones too due to the altitudinal change. Most notably it includes the chance for the deep blue Royal Sunagel, a rare and local hummer nearly impossible to photograph elsewhere. Along with this species we will try to photograph the beautiful Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Greenish Puffleg, Peruvian Racket-tail, Rufous-vented Whitetip and Violet-fronted Brilliant. There are plentiful other birds in the area, and some on-the-fly photography could produce woodcreepers, warblers, flycatchers, tanagers, and more. Weather permitting may also visit an antpitta feeder that attracts Ochre-fronted Antpitta and Rusty-tinged Antpitta - this requires about 25 minutes of walking on a narrow and sometimes steep trail. In the afternoon, we'll drive a couple of hours to the town of Pomacochas, where we spend the next two nights. Day 7: Marvelous Spatuletail Refuge Today we make an exciting day trip to a new set of feeders, where the highlight should be the absurdly gorgeous Marvelous Spatuletail, a hummingbird that is frequently spoken of as one of the most beautiful creatures on Earth. Ordinarily it is hard to find, let alone photograph, but at this relatively new location, this spectacular hummingbird is a daily visitor to the feeders, and will be the center of our attentions. Other species that are likely to feature too are Andean Emerald, Purple-collared Woodstar, Bronzy Inca, Silvery and Buff-belliedTanagers, Rusty Flowerpiercer, Streaked Saltator, and Marañon Thrush. In the afternoon, we return to Pomacochas. Day 8: Pomacochas to Arena Blanca Today we shall head east to Arena Blanca, making several stops along the way. One stop will be at a small private reserve called "La Llaneteria", which literally means "tire repair shop" - which has been the main business of the owners for many years before they realized their property has a wealth of birdlife, especially hummingbirds! Activity at the feeders can vary quite a bit, but we hope to photograph the rare Ecuadorian Piedtail along with several other species. We may also have the chance to visit a display area of Andean Cock-of-the-rock. We'll arrive in the afternoon at the small lodge of Arena Blanca, where we spend the night (t he lodge is very small, so for larger groups we may have to stay at another lodge in the area). Day 9: Arena Blanca Reserve Arena Blanca has large, wooden blind built for photographing shy forest understory birds including Rufous-breasted Wood-Quail, Cinereous and Little Tinamous, and Orange-billed Sparrow. The fruit feeders can be incredible active and give us the chance for the endemic Black-bellied Tanager along with others like Magpie Tanager, Speckled Chachalaca, Golden-bellied Euphonia, and sometimes even monkeys. Hummingbird feeders and flowering plants attract a constant stream of hummingbirds too, with Wire-crested Thorntail often being the star of the show. Mixed species flocks often come through the main clearing of the reserve along with the occasional surprise like Red-ruffed Fruitcrow and Fiery-capped Manakin. The afternoon is somewhat flexible. We may spend more time at Arena Blanca, or visit another location in the area. The night will be spent in a hotel in Moyobamba. Day 10: Moyobamba to Lima and departure On the final day of the tour, we shall drive to Tarapoto airport in order to take flights back to Lima, arriving in the afternoon in time for international departures in the late evening. Depending on flight schedules, there should be time in the morning for more photography at one of several reserves in the area. A night in the airport hotel is included for those taking the extension. If you are not taking the extension and would like to book a "day use" room in the airport hotel, we can arrange that for extra cost. Machu Pichu Extension Introduction: For those who would feel cheated to have gone to Peru without seeing the iconic Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, this extension is offered too. As well as visiting that must see site, it will also delve further into Incan history with a visit to another ruins site at Ollantaytambo, where a fortress is perched on a hillside within the Sacred Valley. Lastly, is the city of Cusco, where captivating Spanish Colonial architecture dominates, and has rightly seen this attractive Andean city declared as a World Heritage Site. While the main tour focuses on bird and hummingbird photography, the extension is open to non-birding partners, comprising more of a history lesson, and insight into colonial and ancient cultures that have shaped what Peru has become today. Day 1: Lima to Cusco and Aguas Calientes In the morning of this day (having overnighted in Lima the previous night), we shall take a flight into the Andean town of Cusco, a former capital of the Incan empire. We will drive from Cusco to the historic town of Ollantaytambo, from where we will take a scenic train journey to the town of Aguas Calientes, situated close to the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu, our destination for the following day. We have two nights in a superb hotel with forest and feeders on the grounds. There will be some time in the afternoon of this day to look for birds and photograph birds at the hotel, which has some feeders on site. Some of the birds we may photograph there include Andean Emerald, Rufous-booted Racket-tail, Gould's Inca, Andean Motmot, Dusky-green Oropendola, and Silvery and Blue-necked Tanagers. Day 2: Machu Picchu For many, no trip to Peru would be complete without visiting the awe-inspiring ruins of the Incas at Machu Picchu, one of the World’s undoubted must-see sites. Most of the day will be spent at this incredible venue nestled within the dramatic peaks of the Andes Mountains. We’ll have an expert local cultural guide in the morning (or you are free to explore on your own). In the afternoon, we can spend more time in the ruins, or head back to the hotel for some afternoon bird photography. Day 3: Ollantaytambo to Cusco In the morning, we shall take a train back to Ollantaytambo situated within the Sacred Valley, where we shall explore their own set of ruins, which are often overshadowed by Machu Picchu, but which deserve attention in their own right. At this point of the tour the birds have been replaced by the architecture and history of the Incan Empire. After visiting the Incan fortress at Ollantaytambo, we shall leave the Sacred Valley, and drive back to Cusco, where we spend two nights. Day 4: High Andean Lakes and Cusco City Tour We'll start the day by visiting one or more lakes within a short distance of the city. A variety of high Andean species are possible such as Puna Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Plumbeous Rail, Silvery Grebe, the exquisite Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Andean Negrito, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Golden-billed Saltator, and more. Once activity dies down, we'll return to Cusco and turn our focus to the cultural aspects of this ancient city. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1983, due to its rich history of both Inca and Spanish Colonial times, and offers plenty to see. This afternoon and the following morning, we will tour the city with knowledgeable local guide, taking in some of the most famous sites like the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (a church built by the Jesuits in 1576), a series of local museums, the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, and the Temples of the Sun and Virgins of the Sun, largely all that’s left of the Incan Empire following invasion by the Spanish in 1535. Day 5: Cusco to Lima and DEPARTURE After another morning in Cusco, we'll fly back to the Peruvian capital, Lima, and connect with evening flights home. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Breakfast times are typically early (around 5:30-6:30am. 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 when it is hot and slow. Four days of the main tour will involve long drives; this also applies to two days of the extension. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. Much of the main tour will be spent near feeders which are accessed by only a short walk. There will also be optional short walks on trails on several days too. There are some high elevations covered on this tour; Owlet Lodge is located at the highest point of the main tour, at 2500m/8200f. The extension is largely spent at higher altitudes; o Cusco is located at 3399m/11,150ft, and Machu Picchu reaches 2430m/7970ft. CLIMATE: Highly variable. A wide range of temperatures can be expected. Temperatures in the high elevations can get down to near freezing early in the morning, but then usually warm up to be quite pleasant (about 70°F/21°C) and usually sunny. In the lower elevations, temperatures usually vary from about 68°-90°F (20°-32°C). This tour takes place in the dry season, but it is not unusual to get some rain at Waqanki and Abra Patricia. ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent. All lodges have hot water and electricity. At Owlet Lodge, every two rooms share a bathroom. We do our best to ensure that guests have a private bathroom, but on rare occasions this is not possible. Other hotels and lodges all have private, en-suite bathrooms. PHOTO PHILOSOPHY: On the main tour, much of the time will be spent on birds coming to feeders (with the option for multi-flash hummingbird photography at the three main lodges) 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. There is less bird photography on the extension, as the extension also has a strong cultural focus, visiting several of Peru’s most famous historical attractions. 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. 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, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Tourist visas are currently required mainly for citizens of countries in Africa (except South Africa), Asia, and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; please double check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff if you are unsure. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, and lodge/restaurant staff; roundtrip flight between Lima and Tarapoto, and if taking the extension roundtrip flight between Lima and Cusco; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 9 (main tour); for those taking the extension, the night of day 10 is also included; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 4 (extension); meals from breakfast on day 2 to dinner on day 10 (main tour; depending on your departing flight, you may miss the included dinner on day 10); meals from breakfast on day 2 to lunch on day 5 (extension); safe drinking water and/or juice as well as tea and coffee during meals; safe drinking water only between meals (some lodges also provide complimentary tea/coffee between meals); Tropical Birding photo tour leader from the evening of day 1 to the evening of day 10 of the main tour and from day 1 to day 5 of the extension; all required ground transport as required by the itinerary; entrance fees to the 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 city hotels (if you require their services); international flights; excess luggage charges; 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!

Australia: Enigmatic Wildlife Tour (EWT) Enigmas Down Under Tour Overview: Australia is a land like no other, where the creatures that roam its immense landscapes are almost unworldly. Iconic macropods like kangaroos and wallabies bound across the sun-baked plains, their powerful legs carrying them effortlessly through the parched savannas, while the koala, with its dozy eyes and plush ears, clings to eucalyptus trees in a serene, tree-top world of its own. The platypus, an evolutionary oddity, glides effortlessly through the waters with its duck-like bill and beaver-like tail, an enigmatic mix of nature’s creativity. On the shores, the dingo howls under the moonlight, a reminder of the wild spirit of the land. Under the cover of dark we seek out critters adapted to the country's night. The adorable Striped Possum or Kreftt’s Glider, a small marsupial with the ability to glide through the trees, come to life, foraging under the cover of darkness. Long-snouted bandicoots dig deep into the forest understory, wombats graze plains like giant rodents, and Tasmanian Devils and quolls, carnivorous marsupials, prowl for their next meal with incredible stealth. These creatures, and many more, are masters of nocturnal survival, using their heightened senses, specialized hunting skills, and camouflage to thrive in the shadows of the Australian night. While mammals – and not birds – are the focus of this trip, we shan’t ignore the feathered wonders and in the ancient rainforests, the colorful, chattering cockatoos and lyrebirds paint the air with their vivid feathers and sweet songs. Our extension to Western Australia promises the best of mammal-watching and birding that the state offers. We combine visits to the coastal heath, giant Karri tree forests and drier interior of Dryanda for a smorgasbord of ozzie-endemic delights. Alongside a great selection of WA’s endemic bird species we search for the Critically endangered Western Ringtail Possum, church-mouse-like Honey Possum, and if we are really lucky at Dryandra, the delightful Numbat! Returning to Perth we base ourselves in Freemantle where our final day will be a dude trip to the stunning Rottnest Island where we conclude with what has been dubbed the cutest animal on Earth, the cartoonesque Quokka! Each of Australia’s animals carries the essence of the land—mysterious, untamed, and beautifully unique—making the country a living testament to the wild wonders of nature. Short-beaked Echidna Keith Barnes Numbat Keith Barnes Honey Possum Keith Barnes "Duck-billed" Platypus Keith Barnes Shingleback Sam Woods Western Spinebill Keith Barnes Quokka Keith Barnes Green Ringtail-Possum Sam Woods Common Wombat Sam Woods Lumholtz's Tree-Kangaroo Sam Woods Red-capped Parrots Sam Woods Krefft's Glider Sam Woods Western Gray Kangaroo Sam Woods Coppery Brushtail Possum Keith Barnes Long-nosed Bandicoot Keith Barnes Koala Sam Woods Rock Parrot Keith Barnes Striped Possum Sam Woods Western Whipbird Sam Woods Superb Fairywren Sam Woods Common Tree Snake & Bottlebrush Banksia Sam Woods Blue-breasted Fairywren Sam Woods Beautiful Bruny Island Sam Woods Western Shrike-Tit Keith Barnes Heath Monitor Sam Woods Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 13 -27 September $9990; single supplement: $970 Extension: 27 September - 6 October $6650; single supplement: $690 2027 Main Tour: 13 -27 September $10690; single supplement: $1040 Extension: 27 September - 6 October $7110; single supplement: $740 Length: 15 Days (24 days with extension) Starting City: Cairns Ending City: Hobart (Perth on extension) Pace: Moderate-Intense Physical Difficulty: Easy-Moderate Focus: Rare and Elusive Wildlife Group size: 10 + 2 TB Leaders Ready to Book? Book Here More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Cairns (Queensland) Today is an arrival day in Cairns, gateway to the Wet Tropics of Queensland’s far north. A quick walk along the famous Esplanade should get us a few birds, and as dusk falls the stunning Spectacled Flying-Foxes emerge, welcoming us to a smorgasbord of wild wonders we will see over the next few weeks. Night in Cairns. Day 2: Cairns to Atherton via Mareeba After breakfast, we head towards Mareeba, where we hope to see some of the resident Eastern Gray Kangaroos before heading off to the small park at Granite Gorge, where we seek out our first real localized specialty in the Mareeba Rock-Wallaby, which is incredibly localized. Next, we head to our base in the Atherton Highlands for a three-night stay. We will probably spend the afternoon seeking out one of Oz’s most iconic mammals, the improbable “Duck-billed” Platypus. We have a few reliable stakeouts for these. After dark, that’s when the action really begins and we hope to find the stunning Striped Possum, Kreftt’s “Sugar’ Glider”, or pinnochio-esque Long-nosed Bandicoot. If we are lucky, a Yellow-footed Antechinus or Fawn-footed Melomys may make an appearance. After a long, but satisfying day, I am sure the sounds of “Lesser” Sooty Owls in the adjacent forest will lull us to sleep. Days 3-4: The Atherton Tablelands This is an awesome area, but we need to divide our time between diurnal birding with mammal benefits, and the more determined mammal-and-herp productive nocturnal activities. But spoilt for choice, we will make a plan. Whether it’s looking for birds like Victoria’s Riflebird (a Bird-of-Paradise), Spotted Catbird or Macleay’s Honeyeaters at Hastie’s Swamp or Lake Eacham, or scouring the canopy for Lumholtz’s Tree-Kangaroo at Yungaburra or Malanda Falls, we are sure to have a good time. After dark, we will hit various hotspots seeking Red-legged Pademelons, Rufous Bettong, Northern Brown Bandicoots, Giant White-tailed Rat, the porcupine-like Short-beaked Echidna, and a quartet of arboreal marsupials: Coppery Brushtail, Lemuroid, Green and Herbert River Ringtail Possums. Daytime may reveal Ulysses and Cairn’s Birdwing butterflies while streams and forests host Eastern Water Dragons and Boyd’s Forest Dragons. Although not easy to find, night walks can also reveal pythons, leaf-tailed geckos and tree-frogs. Days 5-6: Atherton to Daintree As we drive north, we will scour the savannas for Agile Wallaby and perhaps Antilopine Wallaby. Arriving at Daintree in the afternoon we will do another night excursion to see what’s available. Our main target here will be the Daintree River Ringtail Possum, and if we are exceptionally lucky, maybe a chance at the near-mythical Bennett’s Tree-Kangaroo. Musky Rat-kangaroo and a few of the goodies we sought around Atherton are also here. Doing a rainforest cruise on a boat sounds like fun and we will see loads of ‘cool’ easy birds and hopefully Saltwater Crocs at a safe distance. It’s a fun and relaxing activity. After two nights in the Daintree we head south. Day 7: Daintree to Melbourne to Mornington Today is a pretty long travel day, we have a couple hour drive to Cairns airport and a flight to Melbourne where we pick up our new transport and drive down to the Mornington Peninsula. From Melbourne Airport we hit a zone that’s well-known for its large Gray-headed Flying Fox camps. They move around and we will need a little luck, but they are often seen with persistence. Snaking further south, we may hit some coastal bush looking for dolphins or seals or visit a local reserve for “Black” Swamp Wallaby. We will also be seeing a ton of temperate southern birds, different from those up north. Day 8: French Island Day trip We have a full-day planned for the reserve of French Island. We need a ferry to reach it and will be on-foot all day. French Island, located in Victoria's Western Port Bay, is a haven for wildlife, offering diverse habitats like forests, wetlands, and coastal areas. Home to several special mammals, most notably a significant population of wild Koalas that feed on abundant eucalyptus. It also provides a sanctuary for the endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoot, which has been successfully reintroduced as part of a conservation effort. Additionally, the island is home to other mammals like Short-beaked Echidna and Swamp Wallabies, which roam its forests and grasslands. We will have the whole day here before taking the ferry back to the mainland and a drive north to Healsville within the Yarra Ranges for a two-night stay. Day 9: Yarra Ranges National Park We have the day in the Yarra ranges in the mature Mountain Ash forests – some of the tallest and certainly most magnificent on earth, where we ought to be able to catch up with some great mammals and birds. The mature forest is littered with tree holes that are used by birds and mammals for roosting. We could encounter Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Australian King Parrot, and Superb Fairywren. From the forest floor we might encounter the eclectic mimic Superb Lyrebird, Rose Robin and more. Its night-time however that reveals the most sought-after mammals, and we can hope to find Yellow-bellied and Greater Gliders, occasionally Mountain Brushtail Possum, Common Wombat, and if we are exceptionally lucky Leadbeater’s Possum. Possible birds include Sooty and Powerful Owls! Day 10: Yarra to 1000 Lakes After driving back into Melbourne we fly to Hobart, pick up our ride and head north to Thousand Lakes lodge, a luxurious retreat in the heart of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair NP. We will do a night drive in this area as it has Tasmanian Devils. Although these incredible creatures are now rare after a facial tumor disease significantly impacted their numbers, we will still work hard to see them, we might also encounter Common Brushtail Possum and Tasmanian Pademelons. Day 11: 1000 Lakes to Cradle Mountain We pack up and head further into the Cradle Mountain wilderness for another shot at the amazing devils and their equally impressive cousins, the large Spot-tailed Quoll! Who knows what else we will see, but chances of Echidna, “Duck-billed” Platypus and more occur if we still need these cool animals. Our accommodation is decidedly more rustic than last nights, but it’s well set up for our target animals. Day 12: Cradle Mountain to Bruny Island We have a long drive today to make it to Bruny, where we have two nights on the magical island which is home to a wonderful variety of mammals and all Tassie’s endemic birds. If we have the energy, we will do a short night drive seeking Eastern Quoll, Long-nosed Potaroo, and other Tassie specialties. Day 13: Bruny Island During the day Bennett’s Wallaby and the many endemic birds should keep us occupied. And tonight, we save energy for another night drive seeking the special mammals that do well here due to the predator control programs on the island. Another night will be spent on Bruny Island. Day 14: Bruny island to Hobart Depending on what we are still looking for, we will spend more time on Bruny, or else head back to Tassie’s main island to see what we can find. Tonight, if we have the energy, we may attempt a search for localized but super-cute Eastern Barred Bandicoot which is getting scarcer throughout their range. The final night of our tour is in Hobart. Day 15: Departure /Start the GOING OUT WEST EXTENSION We head to the airport this morning for our departing flights or connections to the extension. Going Out West Extension Western Australia is home to a diverse and unique range of wildlife, thanks to its varied landscapes, from deserts to rainforests and coastal regions. The state boasts endemic species such as the Quokka, Numbat, and Western Gray Kangaroo, along with remarkable birdlife like the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo and migratory shorebirds. WA’s reptiles include the Perentie and Western Blue-tongue Skink, and we are going to do our best to see as much of it as possible. Day 1: Arrival in Perth , drive to Bussleton After arrival WA’s stunning capital Perth, we drive south along the coast to Bussleton, where we spend the night. A night-walk will look to find the critically-endangered Western Ringtail Possum, a very localized species that’s restricted to the zone between WA’s famous capes. A single night will be spent in Bussleton. Day 2: Cape Naturaliste, Cape Leeuwin to Perup We will visit the fabulous capes and wine-growing areas of this zone. The coastal scenery is spectacular, but we also hope to encounter Rock Parrot – one of Oz’s more range-restricted and habitat-specific parrots before we head inland to Manjimup. After dinner we’ll take a night-drive hoping for our first WA nocturnal critters, which may include Western Brush and Tammar Wallabies, Western Gray Kangaroo, Southern Brown Bandicoot – called Quenda in WA – and maybe Woylies, the best bettong! Day 3: Perup to Cheyne’s Beach via the “Valley of the Giants” We start the day at Perup, and who knows maybe we get lucky with a Numbat, as this place does support them in low densities. We might also encounter Western Shrike-Tit and a few other WA endemic birds. Next, we make for Valley of the Giants and it’s spectacular canopy walkway. Seeing the giant Karri forests is impressive enough, but then the great facility that has you in the canopy is not to be missed. Endemic White-breasted Robin occur here in good numbers too, and although there are even Quokkas, here they are likely sleeping. By dusk we will have made it to the beaches and coastal heath of Cheyne’s Beach for a two-night stay. Day 4: Cheyne’s Beach We have the whole day to explore the magical Kwongan heathlands at Cheyne’s Beach. Kwongan is an Aboriginal word meaning "sandplain" or "sandhill," referring to a distinctive shrubby heathland that thrives in nutrient-poor, sandy soils. Renowned for its extraordinary plant diversity, it hosts more than 2,000 plant species (most endemic), many of which are adapted to the harsh, Mediterranean climate conditions. This includes iconic plants like banksias, kangaroo paws, and sundews. Kwongan also features impressive wildflower displays, with vibrant blooms during the spring and early summer, which our visit is perfectly timed for. We will seek many endemic birds here, including the Big-3, Noisy Scrubbird, Western Bristlebird and Western Whipbird – but no promises on the skulking birds as our main quarry will be things like the church-mouse-like Honey Possum, and maybe Western Pygmy Possum if we are lucky. Day 5: Cheyne’s Beach to Dryandra via Stirling Ranges After another morning enjoying the delights of the Kwongan we pack our bags and head to Dryandra, which is one of WA’s best sites for birds and mammals. But en-route we will stop at Stirling Ranges for some birding and enjoy the amazing landscapes on show here. In the late afternoon we make a drive to seek out some of Dryandra’s best mammals, and although it’s not easy to find, Numbat will be very high on the priority list. Three nights will be spent in Dryandra or nearby Narrogin (there are only limited places to stay in this area). Days 6-7: Dryandra Woodland We have two full days to explore the wonderful Wandoo woodlands of this magical place. We need to drive slowly watching for Numbats, but as we do that, we may encounter myriad bird parties with their incredible denizens and Short-beaked Echidnas are not rare here so we may have a good chance to see those. At night we work hard to encounter the Chuditch, or Western Quoll which are misunderstood and although skittish, but not that rare. We also seek out Western Pygmy Possum, Woylie and more. If we are exceptionally lucky, we might encounter a Red-tailed Phascogale in the She-Oak woodlands. There is also an opportunity to visit Barna Mia one of the evenings – a facility that has a predator-proof fence for captive breeding of semi-wild animals – although this is more of a Zoo than a wilderness experience, it’s still fun to see amazing creatures like Bilby, Mala and Boodie, that are difficult to see in the ‘wild’ without a dedicated mission. Day 8: Dryandra to Perth (Freemantle) After another great morning, we head for Perth and may hit a couple of spots en-route depending on the latest info, and we head out to the southern neighborhood of Freemantle, where we nestle in for a two-night stay. Day 9: Rottnest Island Freemantle is a great base for our Rottnest Island daytrip. We use the ferry and are likely to be at the island within an hour. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters are sometimes encountered before we get to the island, but once there, it’s all about the Quokka – dubbed, the happiest animal in the world. Their facial structure gives them a smiling appearance, and this little macropod is fortunately moderately easily found on Rottnest due to them frequenting the “Pie Shop” and other foodie places. Once we have maxxed-out on the Quokka cuteness overload, we return to Freemantle sometime in the afternoon, for our farewell dinner. Day 10: Departure After breakfast we make our way to Perth International Airport for on flights home. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate-Intense. We move around vast swathes of this island-continent, and although we try to keep travel to a minimum it is inevitable that long days ensue to see as much as possible. We also spend many nights out looking for critters – although some of these outings are optional – but that adds to the long days and makes the trip full-on, even though not much physical exertion is required. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. Most of the time we indulge in short easy walks on pretty good trails or do short night walks or night-drives. There will be a few short, moderate 1 mile or so walks in the forest during the day. Most of the trails are not difficult, but the trails can often be slippery and muddy (a walking stick helps a lot). CLIMATE: Warm and humid in Queensland, with temperatures typically ranging from about 75F (24C) at night to about 90F (32C) in the middle of the day. Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia will all be a lot cooler, with lows of around 45F (7C) at night to about 50F (15C). It’s not the rainy season anywhere, but we can expect showers and some rain from time to time. ACCOMMODATION : Moderate to excellent throughout. The main tour we will be staying at good to great lodges throughout. On the extension we may opt for slightly more basic accommodation at Dryandra, where we self-cater, this is to maximize our chances at nocturnal animals out here as the nearest hotel is quite a long drive away. Somewhat basic, but clean and comfortable; despite the rustic nature, all rooms do have private, en-suite bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24-hour electricity. The remainder of the accommodation is good. PHOTOGRAPHY: We have excellent photo opportunities during the day with many subjects moderately tame and well-behaved. Night photography is much more difficult. In addition, we discourage the use of flash with certain sensitive species on this trip, and therefore chances of getting lots of good photos are slim. If you are happy with record shots of incredibly rare things, then bring a camera. There may also be chances to indulge in macro photography of reptiles and amphibians that we find at night. WHEN TO GO: The flowering season in WA of August-September is important, but the main tour can be run anytime from August to December, although with all the night work we do, it helps if it gets dark earlier, and so early spring is the optimal time. 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, 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 15 (or day 9 of the extension); meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 16 (if you have an early flight on this day, you may miss the included breakfast), or day 10 of the extension if participating on that; 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 EWT tour leader from the afternoon of day 1 to the night of day 16 (or 9 of the extension); 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 two-hour boat cruise on the Daintree River; 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; 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. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

THE Warbler Tour: Birding 3 States for 30+ Warblers Tour Overview: Spring migration in the eastern United States is an avian phenomenon that draws people from all over the World. Undoubtedly the main attraction among the hordes of migrants are the eastern warblers, and this tour has been designed to look for them all. It is the ultimate one-stop-shop for warblers, while picking up lots of other migrant birds along the way. The tour starts in the south, where the state of Kentucky will offer up some of the southern warblers often missed at sites in the north, like Swainson’s, Kentucky, Hooded, and Worm-eating. Moving north into southern Ohio, Yellow-throated, Prairie, and Cerulean Warblers, and Yellow-breasted Chat are shoe-ins with a visit to Shawnee State Forest. Continuing north, the tour will have an extended stay at the so-called Warbler Capital of North America, Magee Marsh, where at this time of year 20+ warbler days are commonplace. No warbler tour would be complete without the rarest of them all, Kirtland’s Warbler, which we stand a very good chance to see on their breeding grounds, and we will also visit Michigan’s own migration Mecca, Tawas Point. Magnolia Warbler Iain Campbell Black-throated Blue Warbler Sam Woods Prairie Warbler Ken Behrens Golden-winged Warbler Iain Campbell Blackburnian Warbler Sam Woods Mourning Warbler Ken Behrens Rose-breasted Grosbeak Ken Behrens Prothonotary Warbler Ken Behrens Magnolia Warbler Ken Behrens Prairie Warbler Ken Behrens Palm Warbler Sam Woods Ovenbird Sam Woods Blackburnian Warbler Ken Behrens Northern Parula Sam Woods Northern Cardinal Ken Behrens Bay-breasted Warbler Sam Woods Indigo Bunting Ken Behrens Kentucky Warbler Sam Woods Golden-winged Warbler Sam Woods Common Yellowthroat Sam Woods Chestnut-sided Warbler Sam Woods Canada Warbler Ken Behrens Black-throated Green Warbler Ken Behrens Black-throated Blue Warbler Ken Behrens Baltimore Oriole Ken Behrens Magnolia Warbler Iain Campbell Black-throated Blue Warbler Sam Woods Prairie Warbler Ken Behrens Golden-winged Warbler Iain Campbell Blackburnian Warbler Sam Woods Mourning Warbler Ken Behrens Rose-breasted Grosbeak Ken Behrens Prothonotary Warbler Ken Behrens Magnolia Warbler Ken Behrens Prairie Warbler Ken Behrens Palm Warbler Sam Woods Ovenbird Sam Woods Blackburnian Warbler Ken Behrens Northern Parula Sam Woods Northern Cardinal Ken Behrens Bay-breasted Warbler Sam Woods Indigo Bunting Ken Behrens Kentucky Warbler Sam Woods Golden-winged Warbler Sam Woods Common Yellowthroat Sam Woods Chestnut-sided Warbler Sam Woods Canada Warbler Ken Behrens Black-throated Green Warbler Ken Behrens Black-throated Blue Warbler Ken Behrens Baltimore Oriole Ken Behrens Tour Details: 2026 9 - 20 May $5520; single supplement: $960 Length: 12 Days Starting City: Lexington Ending City: Detroit (Michigan) Pace: Easy to Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birding 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 Lexington (Kentucky) After arriving in Lexington airport, you will be transferred to our nearby airport hotel. There is no birding on this day, it is merely an arrival day, with a dinner time meeting (6:30pm in the hotel lobby), and so you are free to get in at any time, as long as you arrive there in time to join the group for dinner and an initial briefing on the tour. Day 2: Red River Gorge (Kentucky) to Southern Ohio We will leave early to reach the gorgeous Red River Gorge Geological Area, where we will spend much of the day. A visit to forests in this area is a must, for our first chance at some breeding southern warblers, unlikely at other sites in the north later on the tour. The beautiful mixed woods of sugar maples, oaks, hemlocks, white pines, and hickory are home to more than 100 species of birds, including Worm-eating, Hooded, Prairie, and Swainson’s Warblers, which will be our primary targets. After a morning in this area, we’ll travel north to southern Ohio for a two-night stay, close to the beautiful Shawnee State Forest. Day 3: Shawnee State Forest (Ohio) A full day will be spent in Shawnee, located within the Apalachian foothills, an area of such scenic beauty it has been nicknamed the “Little Smokies”. Southern warblers will again be on the agenda, with such thrillers as Cerulean, Kentucky, Blue-winged, Prairie, and Yellow-throated Warblers all on our hit list, as well as Louisiana Waterthrush. Other warblers that may feature include Ovenbird, Northern Parula, and Pine Warbler. Other birds we may find in this verdant area include Yellow-breasted Chat (now, no longer considered a warbler at all), Scarlet Tanager, Red-headed and Pileated Woodpeckers, Yellow-throated Vireo, Wood Thrush, and Acadian Flycatcher. Day 4: Shawnee to Magee Marsh (Ohio) After a final morning at Shawnee, mopping up whatever we still need, we will head north to one of the most revered sites in North American birding: Magee Marsh. This birding area has become so hallowed that it was voted in a US Today survey as the top birding destination in the US and is often referred to as “The Warbler Capital of the World”. The sheer variety of warblers, and the supreme quality of warbler viewing, make this a must visit site for anyone interested in this stunning group of birds. Four nights will be spent in the quiet town of Oregon. Days 5-7: Magee Marsh (Ohio) Three full days will be spent around this mega site on the southern shore of Lake Erie. It is particularly famous, as twenty species warbler days are typically the norm in this season, and, specifically, the views they often give are simply unbeatable, making this a favorite for both birders and bird photographers. A simple, mile-long boardwalk snakes its way through the woods, where birds like Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Blackpoll, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-and-white, Prothonotary, Nashville, Cape May, Mourning and Tennessee Warblers are all regularly seen, and regularly seen well. We shall also visit nearby sites like Ottawa NWR for waterbirds, and Metzger Marsh, a tiny lakeshore woodlot, also famed for getting stellar looks at migrant birds, including warblers. These nights will be spent in Oregon. Day 8: Magee Marsh (Ohio) to Tawas (Michigan) After another full morning at Magee, we will bid farewell to Ohio and this extraordinary birding destination and continue our migration north into the state of Michigan, where we’ll make our way to another migration hotspot, Tawas Point. The next three nights will be spent in Tawas City. Days 9-10: Tawas Point and Kirtland’s Warbler (Michigan) On these days we will visit three fantastic birding areas. One of the tour highlights will be visiting an area of stunted Jack Pines near Tawas, where the rarest of all the breeding warblers can be found: Kirtland’s Warbler. After enjoying this local breeding specialty, we will make our way over to the migrant trap of Tawas Point. While Magee Marsh has received considerably more publicity in the birding press, Tawas Point arguably equals Magee in many aspects, and a good variety of warblers can be expected. It is impossible to know which warblers will be on show on any given day, but birds like Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Mourning, Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Canada, and Blackburnian Warblers are all regular here during this birding high season. We’ll also visit Au Sable State Forest, where Cerulean, Golden-winged, Blue-winged and Mourning Warblers all breed in the same woods. All these nights will be spent in Tawas City. Day 11: Tawas Point to Detroit (Michigan) After another visit to Tawas Point, to check what migrants have dropped in overnight, we will drive back to Detroit to spend the final night of the tour. Day 12: Departure from Detroit (Michigan) The tour ends this morning; a hotel shuttle will be available to connect with flights out of Detroit’s Metropolitan Airport. No birding is planned for this day. Trip Considerations PACE: Easy to Moderate. There are some early starts (most breakfasts will be 5:30-6:00am), and some long days in the field. There are a number of long drives (drives of three hours or more hours are undertaken on 4 days of the tour). PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy. All of the walking will be easy, with no tough hikes. CLIMATE: At this time of year the weather is changeable, varying from cool to warm, with regular rain showers. Temperatures range from lows of around 40 Fahrenheit (4.5 Celsius) to highs of around 68 Fahrenheit (20 Celsius). 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. PHOTOGRAPHY: Although this is a birding focused tour, there will be good opportunities for casual photographers, especially at Magee Marsh where warbler viewing and photography is some of the best in North America. There are often other warbler photography opportunities too at the breeding grounds, like for Kirtland’s Warbler and Blue-winged Warblers in Michigan for example. WHEN TO GO: This tour is timed when the peak of warbler migration occurs in the Midwest – around the middle two weeks of May – but also after the southern warblers have arrived on their breeding grounds in Kentucky and southern Ohio. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for non-US citizens; the passport must be valid for at least six months past your intended stay. Most foreign visitors to the USA need to APPLY FOR AN ONLINE ESTA BEFORE LEAVING THEIR COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE. 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?: Accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 11; meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 12; spare drinking water in the vehicle when required; Tropical Birding tour leader (who is also the tour driver) with scope and audio gear from the evening of day 1 to the night of day 11; transportation between the airport and hotel via the hotel shuttle bus on day 1 and day 12; ground transportation for the group from the morning of day 2 to the evening of day 11 in a rental vehicle; 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 (who is also the driver on this tour); tips for any luggage porters used; international 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!

Peru: Birding Manu and Machu Picchu Tour Overview: The Manu Biosphere Reserve has the highest diversity of life on Earth and is one of the most important conservation units in the world. This tour provides a superb cross-section of all the habitats. We also visit the world-famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu surrounded by some of the most amazing scenery on Earth. Rufous-crested Coquette Nick Athanas Crested Quetzal Nick Athanas Machu Picchu Pablo Cervantes Paradise Tanager Jose Illanes Gould's Jewelfront Jose Illanes Great Jacamar Iain Campbell Bearded Mountaineer Jose Illanes Golden-collared Tanager Jose Illanes Razor-billed Currasow Pablo Cervantes Inca Tern Jose Illanes Yungas Pygmy Owl Jose Illanes Rufous-crested Coquette Jose Illanes Golden-billed Saltator Nick Athanas Horned Screamer Ben Knoot Gould's Inca Nick Athanas Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant Nick Athanas Versicolored Barbet Jose Illanes Grass-green Tanager Jose Illanes Rufous-crested Coquette Nick Athanas Crested Quetzal Nick Athanas Machu Picchu Pablo Cervantes Paradise Tanager Jose Illanes Gould's Jewelfront Jose Illanes Great Jacamar Iain Campbell Bearded Mountaineer Jose Illanes Golden-collared Tanager Jose Illanes Razor-billed Currasow Pablo Cervantes Inca Tern Jose Illanes Yungas Pygmy Owl Jose Illanes Rufous-crested Coquette Jose Illanes Golden-billed Saltator Nick Athanas Horned Screamer Ben Knoot Gould's Inca Nick Athanas Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant Nick Athanas Versicolored Barbet Jose Illanes Grass-green Tanager Jose Illanes Tour Details: 2026 28 August - 14 September $9990; single supplement: $1300 2027 9 - 26 July $10650; single supplement: $1400 Length: 18 Days Starting City: Cusco Ending City: Lima Pace: Moderate/intense Physical Difficulty: Moderate 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 Cusco The tour begins this evening in the ancient Incan city of Cusco. A transfer will be provided to our hotel in the city center. Day 2: Piuray Lake and Ensifera Camp Laguna Piuray and it surroundings are home to a variety of high Andean species such as Puna Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail, Plumbeous Rail, Silvery Grebe, the exquisite Many-colored Rush-Tyrant, Andean Negrito, Rusty-fronted Canastero, Golden-billed Saltator, and more. Along the way to Ollantaytambo, we'll check out the feeders at Ensifera Camp for some spectacular hummingbirds. Possibilities include Sword-billed Hummingbird, Black and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Shining and White-tufted Sunbeam, Great Sapphirewing, among others. We'll then descent into the Sacred Valley and spend two nights in Ollantaytambo. Day 3: Abra Málaga We need an early start as we drive over a very high pass at 14,000 ft (4,300 m) and then down to some beautiful temperate forest in the shadow of the imposing 19,000 ft (5700 m.) Veronica Peak. We’ll start by looking for Inca Wren, Puna Thistletail, Three-striped and Parodi’s Hemispinguses, Scaled Metaltail, Marcapata Spinetail and others, before returning to the pass for a tough hike to some groves of Polylepis woodland with several globally threatened species such as Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant, White-browed Tit-Spinetail, and if we are really lucky, maybe a Royal Cinclodes. Later in the afternoon, we’ll have another change to see the endemic White-tufted Sunbeam (if we missed it yesterday) before returning to Ollantaytambo. Day 4: Machu Picchu Depending on the rail schedule, there may be time to check the grounds of the hotel for White-bellied Hummingbird and a few other birds before taking the train to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. The rest of the day we will have free to explore the beautiful and fascinating ancient Inca ruins. We will have a local guide to give us a walking tour of the ruins, or you may choose to explore on your own. There aren’t too many birds to be seen in the ruins, but we might encounter the endemic Green-and-white Hummingbird, and can look for Inca Wren if we missed it yesterday. After visiting the ruins, there may be a chance for birding on the way back to the hotel We spend one night in Aguas Calientes. (NOTE: luggage is strictly limited on the train. Therefore it will be necessary to leave most of our luggage with our driver in Ollantaytambo. We will reconnect with the luggage again tomorrow). Day 5: Aguas Calientes and return to Ollantaytambo The train usually doesn’t leave until after lunch (though schedules may change), so we should have a full morning to bird the subtropical cloudforest around Aguas Calientes. This area is good for species like Masked Fruiteater, Variable Antshrike, Rust-and-yellow Tanager, Silver-backed Tanager, Gould’s Inca, and Sclater’s Tyrannulet – birds that we probably will not see along the Manu road. After taking the train back to Ollantaytambo, we'll reconnect with our luggage and check into our hotel. Day 6: Sacred Valley to Manu Today we will leave very early, first driving several hours on a rough road through scenic intermontane valleys. We will make selected stops for two smart endemics: Creamy-crested Spinetail and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, and stop for anything else we might encounter along the way. We’ll reach the 11,500 ft (3,500 m) Ajacnaco Pass by around lunch time, and spend the afternoon birding temperate forest downhill towards our lodge, hoping to run into mixed species flocks that could have dozens of brilliant birds like Golden-collared and Grass-green Tanagers, Mountain Cacique, White-collared Jay, Black-capped and Superciliaried, Hemispinguses, Pearled Treerunner, Citrine Warbler, and more. We’ll spend the night in the Wayqecha Cloudforest Research Center, located in pristine elfin forest high in the Andes. It makes a perfect stopover to break up the long trip down the Manu Road, and allows us better coverage of the higher elevations. Day 7: The Upper Manu Road It’s hard not to be awed by the steep slopes blanketed with cloudforest as far as the eye can see. Beautiful hummingbirds like Violet-throated Starfrontlet and Amethyst-throated Sunangel flit through the roadside vegetation, and he have a great chance to see Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan. We’ll target some tough birds like Red-and-white Antpitta, and jump out of the bus at the first sign of a mixed-species flock, and may see such gems as Barred and Band-tailed Fruiteaters, White-browed Conebill, Chestnut-bellied Mountain-Tanager, Fulvous Wren, and White-banded Tyrannulet. We’ll spend two nights in Cock-of-the-rock Lodge. Hummingbird feeders here bring in several species including Green Hermit, Violet-fronted Brilliant, and Rufous-booted Racket-tail. Day 8: Cock-of-the-rock Lodge Just a few minutes drive from our lodge is a spectacular Cock-of-the-Rock lek furnished with comfortable blinds to observe the amazing males during their mating rituals. Along the trail system we can explore the mossy cloud forest, searching for the likes of Moustached Wren, Slaty Gnateater, and Chestnut-breasted Wren. Birding up and down the road we will quickly build up a list of mid-elevation birds, and possibilities include Solitary Eagle, Golden-headed and Crested Quetzals, White-eared Solitaire, Blue-banded Toucanet, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Yungas Manakin, and a dazzling array of tanagers. Days 9-11: Lower Manu road & Manu Bio Lodge After a final morning in the birdy cloudforests we will descend farther down the Manu road, targeting foothill forest species like Chestnut-backed Antshrike, Two-banded and Golden-bellied Warblers, Ornate Flycatcher, and Peruvian Piedtail. In the afternoon we arrive to an excellent lodge in the foothills, Manu Biolodge (formerly named Villa Carmen), where we spend three nights. We will arrive in time for some afternoon birding in the lush rainforest, which is swathed in large stands of bamboo that is home to special birds like Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Rufous-breasted Piculet, Striated Antbird, Bamboo Antshrike, Dusky-tailed Flatbill, and the stunning White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher. We will also be on the lookout for Blue-headed Macaw, Scarlet-hooded Barbet, Round-tailed and Fiery-capped Manakins, among many other species. Hummingbird and tanager feeders not far from the lodge are well worth a visit and should give us great views of several stunning species, possibly including Koepcke's Hermit, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Blue-fronted Lancebill, Gould's Jewelfront, Sapphire-spanged Emerald, Rufous-crested Coquette, and more. Day 12: River Trip After a few more hours of birding at Manu Bio Lodge, we will drive to the end of the road and board a motorized canoe that will take us down the Madre de Dios to the lowland rainforests of Manu. It takes several hours, but the boat will make a couple of rest stops, and we usually see some cool stuff along the way, like Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Yellow-billed Tern, Pied Lapwing, a variety of herons, Bat Falcon, Black Skimmer, Wood Stork, Orinoco Goose, and Horned Screamer. We plan to arrive at the lodge before dark, and we’ll spend two nights there. There are several good lodges in this area, and the one we stay in is often dictated by availability. Days 13-15: Lowlands of Manu We’ll have three full days in this amazing area. Diversity is spectacular, and we’ll bird trails, towers, and oxbow lakes. Large stands of bamboo hold many local and sought-after species, and the extensive terra firme and transitional floodplain forest hold a mind-boggling variety of bird-life. A canopy observation tower gives us a chance to see the canopy birds at close range, including many species of toucans, aracaris, tanagers, euphonias, woodpeckers, parrots, oropendolas, and others. Some of the more interesting species we will be searching for in the bamboo include Manu Antbird, White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher, and Peruvian Recurvebill. We also look for the near-endemic Rufous-fronted Antthrush, Razor-billed Curassow, Pale-winged Trumpeter, Pavonine Quetzal, Purus Jacamar, Western Striolated-Puffbird, and Rufous-capped Nunlet, to name but a few. Great mammal sightings are also possible including monkeys, Giant Otters, tapirs, peccaries and on very rare occasions even a Jaguar. The night of day 13 will be spent in the same lodge as day 12, and the nights of days 14 and 15 will be in Tambo Blanquillo lodge. Day 16: Macaw Lick and travel to Puerto Maldonado We need to leave early in order to reach the clay lick, which only allows entry at dawn to avoid disturbing the birds. Activity varies from day to day, but usually hundreds of parrots and macaws are visible from the blinds. Red-and-green Macaw is a highlight and the beautiful Orange-cheeked Parrot is a regular visitor here. We’ll spend the rest of the day traveling, first by boat and then by pickup trucks, to Puerto Maldonado, where we spend one night. Day 17: Puerto Maldonado to Lima We'll morning birding near Puerto Maldonado, where there are some stakeouts for the localized White-throated Jacamar and several other species we may not have seen up until now. We'll then catch a flight to Lima, where we'll spend the night in a hotel near the airport. Day 18: Pucusana and Pantanos de Villa After breakfast, we'll head south to the fishing village of Pucusana, where the harbor is jam packed with Inca Terns, Belcher’s, Gray-hooded, and Gray Gulls, Guanay and Red-legged Cormorants, and more. We’ll take a short boat ride to look for Humboldt Penguin and Surf Cinclodes (bring seasickness pills if you are susceptible). Making our way back to Lima, we can target Peruvian Thick-knee and Short-tailed Field Tyrant, and check the Pantanos de Villa wetlands for more waterbirds. The tour ends this evening with international flights back home from Lima. A "day use" room in a hotel near the airport is included since most flights leave very late. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate to intense. It’s important to be out early since birding is usually best in the morning. Most breakfasts will be at about 5:30am. On about five days of the trip there will be some downtime after lunch to relax. On a few days, we will likely stay out after dark to spotlight for birds and mammals; some participants choose to skip the occasional afternoon outing and just relax around the lodge. The driving is not too bad on this trip, with the longest being about five hours on day 6, broken up with birding stops. There are long boat rides of at least five hours (depending on water levels) on day 12 and day 16, which are done in a reasonably comfortable, covered motorized canoe. No previous South American birding experience is required or expected, and the guide will try to find you common birds as well as rarities and regional endemics. This is a bird-focused tour, though there will be opportunities to observe other types of wildlife such as several species of monkeys and caimans in the Manu lowlands. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Generally moderate, with one tougher hike. Most of the birding is done from flat roads and trails, and you can expect to walk around 3 miles (4.8 km) per day on average. The tough hike is on day 3, which can be especially difficult for some people due to the high altitude; some participants choose to skip this and remain with the vehicle. On at least two other days of the trip, there may be some trail birding on some forest trails with some short, steep sections (a walking stick can help). In the lowlands of Manu, at least one and possibly two canopy towers will be visited. The towers are accessed by staircases. Four days of the tour will reach elevations of 11,000 ft. (3350 m.) or more. CLIMATE: This tour is timed for the dry season, and a wide range of temperatures can be expected. Temperatures in the high elevations can get down to freezing early in the morning, but then warm up to be quite pleasant (about 68°F/20°C) and usually very sunny. In the lowland rainforest, temperatures usually vary from about 68°-90°F (20°-32°C), but on rare occasions cold fronts can cause the temperatures to plunge into the 40°sF (single digits °C), which can be shocking to experience in Amazonian rainforest! There might be a bit of rain, but it is unusual to get more than a brief shower this time of year. ACCOMMODATION: In the Manu area we stay in jungle lodges in the forest; elsewhere we stay in hotels or lodges in towns or cities. All lodges and hotels have hot water and electricity, but note that the lodges in Manu use generators which may only run at certain times. Wi-fi is available everywhere, but in the Manu lodges it is only accessible in the restaurant/lounge area while the generator is running. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, and since much of the birding is in the rainforest, bird photography is usually not very easy. Casual photographers will have opportunities to photograph at feeders we visit in a few locations and from towers, rivers, and lakes in the Manu lowlands. Machu Picchu and Abra Malaga offer good chances for landscape photography. 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, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Tourist visas are currently required mainly for citizens of countries in Africa (except South Africa), Asia, and the Middle East. Travel requirements are subject to change; please double check with the nearest embassy or consulate, or ask our office staff if you are unsure. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Tips to drivers, local guides, boatmen, and lodge/restaurant staff; one way airfare between Puerto Maldonado and Lima; accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 18; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to dinner on day 18 (depending on your departure flight time, you may miss the included dinner on the last day); safe drinking water and/or juice as well as tea and coffee during meals; safe drinking water only between meals (some lodges also provide complimentary tea/coffee between meals); Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the morning of day 2 to the evening of day 18; local cultural guide at Machu Picchu the morning of day 4; one arrival airport transfer per person (transfers may be shared with other tour participants if they are on the same flight; departure transfers are not needed as the hotel is next to the airport); ground transport for the group in a suitable vehicle with driver from the morning of day 2 to the afternoon of day 3, the afternoon of day 4 to the morning of day 12, and from the afternoon of day 16 to the afternoon of day 18; private boat transport for the group from day 12 to day 16; roundtrip train ticket between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes; one roundtrip bus ticket between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu; entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary (only one two-hour ticket to Machu Picchu is included on day 4; if you wish to spend more than two hours in the ruins, please let us know well in advance and if feasible we can help you arrange it); 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 city hotels (if you require their services); international flights; excess luggage charges; snacks; additional drinks apart from those included; alcoholic beverages; travel insurance; excursions not included in the tour itinerary (such as an additional time in Machu Picchu); extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items; departure airport transfer (since the hotel is next to the airport); 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!

Borneo: Birding for Broadbills and Bristleheads Tour Overview: Borneo is an island that boasts verdant tropical rainforests, rich both in birds and mammals, many of which are only found there. One of the major draw cards is the spectacular endemic birds like Blue-headed Pitta, Whitehead’s Trogon, Bornean Crested Fireback, and the unique Bornean Bristlehead, in a family all of its own. Also within the long list of endemics is one of the smallest raptors on Earth, the tiny White-fronted Falconet, and the shocking green Bornean Leafbird. The Sarawak extension offers shots at the once near-mythical Bornean and Dulit Frogmouths, Black Oriole and Hose’s Broadbilll as well as real shots at Blue-banded and Bornean Banded Pitta and difficult families like Rail-babbler.However, other amazing birds like Rhinoceros and White-crowned Hornbills often steal the thunder from these endemics, as they too are a sight to behold. Borneo boasts an impressive list of 8 species of hornbill alone. The mammals are also reason enough to visit. This is arguably the best country in Southeast Asia for mammal viewing; healthy lists of primates and squirrels are a major feature of this tour, including the “Red Ape”, Bornean Orangutan, and the comical, bulbous-nosed Proboscis Monkey, not to mention the unique Bornean Pygmy Elephant. To add to all of that, Borneo is home to one of the largest flowers on the planet, the Rafflesia. The island boasts both tropical lowland forest parks, and montane forests on the slopes of Mount Kinabalu, the largest mountain between the Himalayas and the island of New Guinea. Thus, while the birder may come for a list of endemic birds that exceeds 40 species, there is plenty to see for the more casual birder-come-general naturalist. By basing the entire tour in the modern Malaysian state of Sabah, we also do this in comfort, with very good accommodations throughout. In particular, the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley, ranks as one of the best lodges in all of Asia. Blue-headed Pitta Sam Woods Black-and-yellow Broadbill Pablo Cervantes Daza Diard's Trogon Sam Woods Temminck's Sunbird Ken Behrens Bornean Ground-Cuckoo Sam Woods Banded Kingfisher Pablo Cervantes Daza Bornean Orangutan Sam Woods Crimson-headed Partridge Sam Woods Rufous-collared Kingfisher Ken Behrens White-crowned Hornbill Sam Woods Oriental Bay Owl Sam Woods Banded Broadbill Ken Behrens Bornean Pygmy Elephant Sam Woods Rhinoceros Hornbill Pablo Cervantes Daza Rafflesia Keithii Sam Woods Bushy-crested Hornbill Sam Woods Proboscis Monkey Sam Woods Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker Ken Behrens Blue-headed Pitta Sam Woods Black-and-yellow Broadbill Pablo Cervantes Daza Diard's Trogon Sam Woods Temminck's Sunbird Ken Behrens Bornean Ground-Cuckoo Sam Woods Banded Kingfisher Pablo Cervantes Daza Bornean Orangutan Sam Woods Crimson-headed Partridge Sam Woods Rufous-collared Kingfisher Ken Behrens White-crowned Hornbill Sam Woods Oriental Bay Owl Sam Woods Banded Broadbill Ken Behrens Bornean Pygmy Elephant Sam Woods Rhinoceros Hornbill Pablo Cervantes Daza Rafflesia Keithii Sam Woods Bushy-crested Hornbill Sam Woods Proboscis Monkey Sam Woods Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker Ken Behrens Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour : 14 - 26 June $8520; single supplement: $890 Extension : 9 - 14 June Price: TBA (2024: $2990; single supplement: $300) *This tour links with Malaysia: The Peninsula 2027 Main Tour : 13 - 25 June Price: TBA Extension : 8 - 13 June Price: TBA *This tour links with Malaysia: The Peninsula Length: 13 Days (19 Days w/ Extension) Starting City: Kota Kinabalu Ending City: Kota Kinabalu Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Focus: Birding, Wildlife 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: Kota Kinabalu We arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and transfer to a hotel in Sabah’s small capital city. Days 2-4: Borneo Rainforest Lodge On the morning of day 2, we’ll take an early morning flight to the tiny town of Lahad Datu, in the east of Sabah, from where we’ll drive into Borneo Rainforest Lodge, where we’ll stay for three nights. The lodge itself is often one of the highlights of the trip for many; it is a wonderful setting, the accommodations and food are superb, and the lodge property is shrouded in tall rainforest with high diversity of both birds and mammals. The avian possibilities are mouthwatering; the site offers the best chance to find Borneo’s sole endemic monotypic bird family, the Bornean Bristlehead, and a host of other exciting birds like Blue-headed, Black-crowned and Bornean Banded Pittas, Bornean Crested Fireback, White-crowned Shama, a long list of hornbills, including the enormous Rhinoceros Hornbill, and one of the world’s smallest raptors, the endemic White-fronted Falconet. Other outstanding birds occur, such as Black-and-red, Black-and-yellow, and Banded Broadbills, Diard’s, Scarlet-rumped, and Red-naped Trogons, and the forest dwelling Banded Kingfisher. The garden of the lodge sometimes attracts Bearded Pigs and civets, and more regularly holds frugivorous birds like the endemic Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker. Some of the rarer inhabitants of the rainforest include Blue-banded Pitta and White-crowned Hornbill. Mammals are also a big feature of our time here, and we have a good chance at seeing a wild Bornean Orangutan, which sometimes even build their night nests near the lodge. Other notable animals in the area include flying squirrels, tarsier, Philippine Loris, and two species of minuscule mouse-deer. Night drives from the lodge will be undertaken to try to track down some of these, along with nocturnal birds like Large Frogmouth and Barred Eagle-Owl. Day 5: Danum Valley to Sepilok After a final morning in Danum Valley, chasing whatever we still need, we’ll hit the road after lunch for another area of lowland forest, Sepilok, arriving in the early evening. Two nights will be spent in Sepilok. At night, we’ll go in search of owls, like the scarce Oriental Bay Owl and more regular Brown Boobook. Day 6: Sepilok An entire day will be spent birding the primary lowland forests and surrounding habitats of Sepilok. The area hosts one of the finest canopy walkways in the world at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, a 347m-long (1140ft), 25m-high (85ft) steel structure. There are two well placed observation towers on this too, allowing great chances to find canopy birds at eye level, such as Black and Bushy-crested Hornbills, green-pigeons, Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot, and raptors like Wallace’s Hawk-Eagle and Oriental Honey-Buzzard. There are also easy trails at ground level to explore too, and between birding the forest trails, spending time watching from the observation towers on the walkway, and birding the secondary habitats just outside of the forest, a long list of birds awaits. A healthy list of woodpeckers occurs, with Asia’s largest, Great Slaty, as well as Orange-backed, Rufous, Gray-and-buff, Buff-necked, and Banded Woodpeckers. The flowering shrubs at the forest, when in bloom, attract spiderhunters and sunbirds, including Coppery-throated and Crimson Sunbirds, and Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker. Black-crowned Pitta, Rufous-collared and Rufous-backed Dwarf-Kingfishers, Rufous-winged Philentoma, are all found along the forest trails. On this night, we’ll undertake a night walk within the reserve to look for mammals like flying squirrels, civets, or if we are lucky a Philippine Loris or tarsier. Day 7: Sepilok to Sukau After another morning in Sepilok, and lunch in Sandakan, we’ll take a speedboat to our next site, Sukau Rainforest Lodge. The boat ride will take us along the mighty Kinabatangan River, part of which is an important wildlife sanctuary, and is notable for its diversity of primates in particular. On the way to the lodge, we might see Proboscis Monkeys frolicking on the banks, groups of abundant Long-tailed Macaques in the mangroves, or Silvered Langurs foraging on forest leaves. We’ll also keep an eye for Great Crested Terns, White-bellied Sea-Eagles or Brahminy Kites as we make our way up the river. On this day, there is usually time for a short late afternoon private boat cruise, by canoe fitted with an electric motor that allows close approach to mammals and birds. If there is news of any herds of Bornean Pygmy Elephants in the area at the time (they are not always present as they roam widely), we’ll be sure to head straight there. At night, we will take a night cruise, where we might find sleeping birds like Stork-billed or Blue-eared Kingfishers, although our main focus will be to track down a Buffy Fish-Owl hunting from the riverside trees. Day 8: Sukau We will have a full day to explore this magical area, which consists of flooded forests. During this time, we’ll traverse the main river, the Kinabatangan, and its tributaries by way of motorized canoes, making this a very relaxing part of the tour, with less leg work than the other parts. While birds will be at the fore, so will mammals too, as the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is especially famed for its species richness of mammals, and primates in particular. Proboscis Monkey, Red and Silvered Leaf-Monkeys, Pig-tailed and Long-tailed Macaques, Bornean Gibbon, and Orangutan, are all found here, and some trips see them all! On the bird front, there is also plenty to look for. Sukau is the richest area in Borneo for hornbills, so we’ll be on the lookout for White-crowned, Rhinoceros, Oriental Pied, Bushy-crested, Wreathed, Wrinkled, and Black Hornbills during our river cruises. The forests lining the banks of the rivers also provide the best chance for the rare and endangered Storm’s Stork, and the giant Lesser Adjutant also frequently features too. While we check the treetops for standing storks, we will also be on the lookout for raptors; Lesser and Gray-headed Fish-Eagles, Jerdon’s Baza, Rufous-bellied, Changeable and Wallace’s Hawk-Eagles, and Crested Serpent-Eagle all occur. Black-and-red Broadbills nest overhanging the rivers, Malaysian Blue-Flycatchers forage along the banks, while electrically colored Hooded Pittas stalk the forest floor, as does the very rare Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, for which this is the best site available. On one afternoon, we’ll visit Gomantong Caves, which will give us a chance to stretch our legs off the water, and visit this strange location, where the nests of the swiftlets are sustainably harvested for bird’s nest soup. Edible-nest, Black-nest, Mossy-nest, and Glossy Swiftlets nest in the caves alongside thousands of Wrinkle-lipped Bats. As the first three swiftlet species can only be safely identified by their nests (e.g. Edible-nest Swiftlet has an all-white nest made entirely of its saliva), this will be vital to adding them to our list! While at the caves we’ll linger until dusk to watch the funnel of bats emerge, and their most infamous attendant predator, the Bat Hawk. Day 9: Gomantong to Kundasang Having come into Sukau by boat, on this day we’ll leave by vehicle overland, giving us a chance to stop and bird in the jungles around Gomantong Caves more extensively, where species like Sabah Partridge, Black-crowned Pitta, Green Broadbill, Violet Cuckoo, Blyth’s Paradise-Flycatcher, and Banded Broadbill all occur. It is also home to a host of other lowland forest birds like many babblers and multiple woodpeckers, cuckoos, and bulbuls, and so can be used to focus on what we are still missing during our last time within the lowland jungles of Borneo. We’ll take lunch in a hotel in Sandakan before departing for Kundasang, our base for exploring the montane forests of Mount Kinabalu in the coming days. Three nights will be spent in Kundasang close to the entrance of Mount Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site. Days 10-11: Mount Kinabalu National Park Mount Kinabalu reaches a height of 13,450ft/4100m, making it a popular destination for tourists looking to conquer this peak, the largest in Southeast Asia. Oddly though, few of these visitors use the forest trails, meaning these are often left just for birders! Although the peak is at a breathless elevation, our birding will focus on the headquarters of the park, located much lower at around 4920-6100ft/1500-1860m. While the overall diversity of bird species is lower on the mountains, the proportion of endemic species is higher, and the park supports many birds only found in Borneo. Noisy and vocal flocks of Chestnut-crested Yuhinas roam the montane forests, Golden-naped Barbets are vocal and easy to hear, and are best looked for around any fruiting trees, when they can be very approachable. Mixed feeding flocks hold Chestnut-hooded and Sunda Laughingthrushes, Bornean Whistler, Checker-throated Woodpecker, Black-crowned White-eye, White-browed Shrike-babbler, the shockingly bright Bornean Green Magpie, (one of the tour’s standout birds), and often Jentink’s Squirrels too. The mountain is especially rich in squirrels, and holds one of the world’s smallest, Whitehead’s Pygmy Squirrel and one of the largest in the Giant Squirrel too, as well as the endemic Bornean Black-banded Squirrel. Checking the road at dawn can be a good technique for finding endemics like Eyebrowed Jungle-Flycatcher, Bornean Forktail, Bornean Whistling-Thrush, or Orange-headed Thrush. This is also a good time for Indigo Flycatchers and Bornean Treepies to emerge from the denser parts of the forest and forage around a small power station in the higher reaches of the birding areas. The highest part of the road is where some of the specialty species can be found, like Mountain Black-eye, Pale-faced (Flavescent) Bulbul, and the rare Fruithunter. The forest floor is home to the tiny Bornean Stubtail and vocal Bornean Shortwing; while fruiting trees around the headquarters are the place to find Black-sided Flowerpecker, and the impossibly bright red Temminck’s Sunbird. Some of the rarer species found on the mountain include the scarlet Whitehead’s Trogon, emerald green Whitehead’s Broadbill, boldly marked Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, the strange Bare-headed Laughingthrush, and the elusive Everett’s Thrush. In secondary habitat just outside the park, we will search for another Bornean endemic, the Pygmy Heleia (White-eye). If we receive news of a Rafflesia flower in bloom (one of the largest flowers in the world, measuring up to 31 inches/80cm in diameter), we will drive downhill to Poring Hot Springs to see it. These three nights will be spent close to the park. Day 12: Mount Kinabalu to the Crocker Range After some final birding on the mountain, we will depart for Tambunan in the Crocker Range, several hours away. There might be some time in the afternoon to start birding in this area. The night will be spent in a simple guesthouse in Tambunan, close to the birding areas. Day 13: Tambunan to Kota Kinabalu for DEPARTURE On this day we will focus on finding our final montane birds before returning after lunch to Kota Kinabalu to catch evening flights out. Although this is the final day, there will be some key targets in this area; some lower-elevation species that are only possible here on the tour. Among these are a group of endemic barbets: Bornean, Mountain, Bornean Brown, and Gold-faced Barbets. Bornean Bulbul and Bornean Leafbird are two further specialties that are readily found here and nowhere else on the tour. It is also a site for the rare and elusive Whitehead’s Spiderhunter. Orange-breasted Trogon and Long-tailed Broadbill are also occasionally encountered in this area. Other possibilities include Sunda Cuckooshrike, Dark Hawk-Cuckoo, Yellow-bellied Warbler, Cinereous Bulbul, Black-and-crimson Oriole, and Golden-bellied Gerygone. Looking out for raptors regularly yields Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle, while the endemic Mountain Serpent-Eagle requires some luck to find. In the afternoon, after returning to our hotel to clean up and check out, we shall drive to the Kota Kinabalu airport to catch evening flights out (7pm or later). Sarawak Extension Day 1: Kota Kinablu to Bakelalan via Klias Departing very early in the morning, we head to Klias for a quick birding stop. This unique nutrient-poor swamp forest has a few species that are restricted to it including the strange Hook-billed Bulbul. Other residents of this habitat that can occasionally be found here are the stunning Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker, insistent Red-crowned Barbet, Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler and Chestnut-bellied Malkoha. After lunch, we will head for Bakelalan, a long drive of around 6 hours. Days 2-3: Bakelalan Bakelan is in the heart of the Kelabit Highlands where we start our birding early on the first morning. The muddy roads mean we have to work this area in 4x4s and the extent of this wilderness will be obvious even though accessing the forest is not easy, and much of our time is spent birding the mostly deserted roads and their adjacent well-developed hill forest. The flocks are home to bulbuls, barbets, drongos and leafbirds, we will filter through these looking for the endemics including Pygmy Heleia, Mountain and Bornean Barbets, Bornean Bulbul and Bornean Leafbird. Overhead the incredible Mountain Serpent-Eagle is regular. If we are lucky we may encounter the scarce stunning Hose’s Broadbill. The understory is home to Bornean Banded-Pitta and Blue-banded Pitta, as well as the amazing monotypic family Rail-babbler. Hearing these is not hard, but clasping eyes on one of them is much tougher, but not impossible. At night we head out for the rare and only-recently understood Bornean and Dulit Frogmouths, and we have a good chance of seeing both of these amazing birds. We will be staying at a well-appointed delightful homestay owned by a local community teacher and birder. The rooms and food are surprisingly good, but we will be sharing bathrooms with simple showers. We spend the days looking for the mid-altitude specialties of the foothills. If we have had good luck with these, we may venture to higher altitudes to try for some species that can be tricky to find on Mt Kinabalu, such as Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, Whitehead’s Broadbill and Mountain Serpent-Eagle. The general birding and mammals are also excellent here, so we will not run out of things to look for. Day 4: Bakelalan to Manangang Place After another nearly full day to Bakelalan, we make our way towards the small village of Manangang Place, where we stay at another simple but nice homestay, preparing for our dull day at the remote Pagar Maya site. Day 5: Pagar Maya We will start our trek to Pagar Maya early in the morning. The trail is mostly flat, but there are plenty of places where it is flooded and muddy. Besides, we want to go slow as we bird our way into the hinterland. We will arrive at the very simple hut in a clearing, have some lunch and then spend the afternoon in the forest while camp staff set up our sleeping arrangements. The main quarry here is Black Oriole, which has now become tough at all the other locations it formerly occurred in. But this location is pretty reliable. Oriole aside, Bornean Banded Pitta, Blue-banded Pitta, Hose's Broadbill and Malayan Rail Babbler all also occur here, giving us second shots at those megas if they have avoided us thus far. We sleep in the simple shared rooms in camp style arrangement. We will only stay one night here, but it is well worthwhile the effort to soak up some of the best birds in Borneo. Day 6: Pagar Maya to Lawas to Kota Kinabalu In the morning, we will enjoy the amazing forest around Pagar Maya once more for birding. At some stage we need to start the trek out and will be met by our vehicles before we transfer to the main road at Lewas. After lunch, we will return to Kota Kinabalu (a drive of around 2 hours) and connect with the other main tour participants in the evening for dinner. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate too Intense. Early starts are required (breakfast will typically start at 5:00am or 5:30am), as the best birding activity is often early in the morning. On the days in Danum, Sepilok, and Sukau, which are very hot, there will be some downtime at lunchtime. The Sarawak Extension has a faster pace than the main tour with several nights of frogmouthing! Two field breakfasts are taken on the main tour (days 2 and 14). No field lunches are required; these will be taken at the lodges or at local restaurants, homestays and camps. There are two long drives on this tour, of 5 hours between Danum and Sepilok on day 5, and between Sandakan and Kundasang on day 10 (of around 4 hours). There are drives of around 2 hours on three other days of the tour. A few hours of the tour will be spent traveling on rough, unpaved roads coming in and out of Borneo Rainforest Lodge (days 2 and 5). On the extension to Sarawak, there are several longer drives, with the one between Kota Kinabalu and Lawas on day one and six being around 4 hours. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult. There is a lot of trail walking required on this tour, especially at Danum Valley and Mount Kinabalu. Most of the trails are not difficult, but the trails can often be slippery and muddy (a walking stick helps a lot). There is one particularly steep hike on one day at Danum (around 4miles/6km round trip), and one or two of similar length may be taken while at Kinabalu, depending on local bird news. Although we bird mostly from the road on the Sarawak extension, there are a few short trails into the forest that are well worth using as they get us access to good birds. CLIMATE: Hot and very humid in Danum Valley, Sepilok and Sukau, with temperatures typically ranging from about 75°F(24°C) at night to about 90°F(32°C) in the middle of the day. At Mount Kinabalu and Tambunan daytime temperatures are usually around 20°C/68°F, but can drop to as low as 15°C/60°F at night. Borneo has a wet tropical climate, with rainfall possible at all sites, especially at Mount Kinabalu. Typically, this falls in short, heavy downpours in the afternoons. ACCOMMODATION: Very good to excellent throughout the main tour; all have private, en-suite bathrooms, full-time hot water, 24-hour electricity. Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley is one of the best lodges in Asia. On the main tour, Wi-Fi is technically available at all of the sites except Tambunan but can be unreliable sometimes at Danum. Air-conditioning is not available for the four nights at Borneo Rainforest Lodge but there are excellent powerful ceiling fans. The intended lodges/resorts we traditionally use at Sukau and Sepilok do have air conditioning, although sometimes these are not always available, as they are very popular. On the Sarawak Extension , the main accommodation at Bakelelan Homestay is more basic, with shared bathrooms, but still has full time electricity. Pagar Maya is extremely simple , and well below the normal Tropical Birding standard. It comprises a dilapidated hut with zero facilities, and the camp staff will give you sleeping bags and mattresses to sleep on a wooden floor. These are all shared and there are no rooms nor privacy. There are no shower facilities, and the toilet is a simple outhouse. WHEN TO GO: This tour can be run year-round. We often run the set-departure tour in June-July because resident birds are very vocal and many endemics are relatively easy to find, but this is definitely not the only time you can go. We have run successful custom tours later in the year in September-October also. PHOTOGRAPHY: Photography is quite tough on this tour in general, aside from at Sukau, where some of the mammals like Proboscis Monkeys, Crab-eating and Pig-tailed Macaques can be quite approachable by boat. The Sarawak extension is also challenging for photography. 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, local guides, and lodge staff; accommodation from night of day 1 through to night of day 13 (main tour) and from the night of day 1 to the night of day 5 (extension); one-way domestic air ticket from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu (main tour only); meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 14 (main tour) and from dinner of day 1 to lunch on day 6 (extension); lodges will include at least safe drinking water and some include tea/coffee; when eating at restaurants that include no drinks, reasonable non-alcoholic drinks will be provided for that meal; safe drinking water only between meals (usually available at a designated spot in the lodge – if not it will be provided for you); Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the evening of day 1 to the afternoon of day 14 (main tour) and from the evening of day 1 to the evening of day 6 (extension); local bird guide at Sukau, Sepilok, Danum Valley, Mount Kinabalu (and Sarawak on the extension); 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); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary in a suitable vehicle with local driver; one night drive at Borneo Rainforest Lodge (sometimes shared with other guests); boat transport between Sandakan and Sukau on day 7 (may be shared with other lodge guests); private daytime boat transport in motorized canoes for the group while at Sukau; one private night boat cruise at Sukau (extra cruises can be paid for on site); 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; tips for luggage porters in 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 above. Borneo BBB Review Anchor Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

South Africa: Photo Tour Tour Overview: South Africa is a mega-diversity country. In the southwest, it contains habitats found nowhere else in the world, holding a host of endemic species. Among these are sensational birds such as the African Penguin, African Black Oystercatcher, Blue Crane, Cape Rockjumper, Knysna Turaco, and Chorister Robin-chat. In the northeast of the country, South Africa metamorphosizes into bush and savannah vegetation similar to that of East Africa, and species diversity increases dramatically, with hundreds of bird species possible in a day. In addition, this is “safari” country, and holds some of Africa’s most impressive mammals, like leopard, lion, cheetah, wild dog, elephant, hippo, zebra, and giraffe. Our main locality here is the Zimanga private reserve, which is specially designed for photographers. The blinds (hides) here have quickly been recognized as one of Africa’s top localities for bird photography. They attract a host of storks and vultures, spectacular raptors and bee-eaters, hornbills, kingfishers, barbets, sunbirds, starlings, waxbills and bush-shrikes. We conclude the trip in the magical Kruger National Park where we focus on photographing the massive array of mammals present in the park, including all of the “big 5”, as well as many other ungulates. Where else in the world can you photograph penguins one day and lions the next?! Lilac-breasted Roller Dorian Anderson Plains Zebra Dorian Anderson Southern Double-collared Sunbird Dorian Anderson Saddle-billed Stork Keith Barnes African Fish Eagle Keith Barnes Cape Rockjumper Keith Barnes Giraffe Dorian Anderson Orange-breasted Sunbird Ken Berhens Spectacled Weaver Keith Barnes Lesser-striped Swallow Dorian Anderson Red Hartebeest Dorian Anderson Bateleur Ken Behrens Rufous-eared Warbler Ken Behrens Bontebok Dorian Anderson Southern Cordonbleu Keith Barnes Green-winged Pytilia Keith Barnes Cheetah Dorian Anderson Southern Red Bishop Keith Barnes Hamerkop Dorian Anderson Cape Buffalo Dorian Anderson Brimstone Canary Dorian Anderson Common Ostrich Dorian Anderson Waterbuck Capped Wheatear Dorian Anderson Yellow-billed Oxpecker Dorian Anderson Tour Details: 2026 Main Tour: 4 - 13 November $10,450; single supplement: $1900 * Cape Extension: 1 - 4 November $1450; single supplement: $200 Big Cat Extension: 13 - 16 November Price: please contact us for pricing *Note: If you wish to reduce the single supplement, Zimanga may be able to find you a roommate. 2027 Main Tour: 3 - 12 November Price: TBA * Cape Extension: 31 October - 3 November Price: TBA Big Cat Extension: 12 - 15 November Price: please contact us for pricing *Note: If you wish to reduce the single supplement, Zimanga may be able to find you a roommate. Length: 10 Days (16 Days w/ Extensions) Starting City: Durban Ending City: Johannesburg Pace: Moderate Physical Difficulty: Easy Focus: Birds, 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 This itinerary is sometimes run in a different order due to lodge availability, but all sites will still be visited. Day 1: Durban to Zimanga After a morning arrival at Durban International Airport, we drive into the lowland bushveld near Mkuze Game Reserve, one of the most diverse areas in South Africa. We plan to arrive in Zimanga with enough time to enjoy an afternoon session in the blinds. Days 2-4: Zimanga Reserve This special place is fast earning a reputation as the best place in Africa to photograph birds. There are currently six hides, with another several in the planning stages. These hides have been designed and built in collaboration with Bence Mate, a former winner of the coveted BBC wildlife photographer of the year award. Bence has previously built hides on his farm in his native Hungary as well as in Costa Rica and South America, but these are his first hides in Africa. Each of the hides is designed for its potential subjects whether large mammals like giraffe or elephant, or the smallest of birds like waxbills and twinspots. The photographers are invisible to their subjects behind specially imported one-way glass so as not to startle the subject with any movements or sounds. Photographers are seated on comfortable chairs that glide effortlessly and quietly across wood laminate flooring. A solar-powered air conditioning unit situated in the roof of the hide controls the temperature and humidity within. The hides are spacious and soundproofed, with carpet on the walls to muffle the sound. They allow photographers a non-intrusive method of wildlife photography and although the subjects are free-roaming, and hence no sighting is guaranteed, the hides tip the balance heavily in favor of the photographer to get some amazing shots. There are myriad potential subjects to shoot at the hides, including a bounty of large mammals and hundreds of bird species. Zimanga is home to Cheetahs and sometimes Wild Dogs, and although encounters with these scarce predators are never guaranteed, we stand an excellent chance of not just seeing, but spending quality time with these amazing predators – including on foot! However, it is the many fabulous bird photos being taken in this place that have caught the attention of photographers worldwide. Keen photographers have an option to spend a night in a hide, to try to get moonlight photographs of drinking animals like elephants, buffalos, giraffes and rhinos. There is also a vulture hide, allowing up close and personal sessions with multiple vulture species and scavenging mammals like jackals and hyenas . If you get bored with sitting at the blinds, you can always take in a game drive or two. With so much to see and shoot here, our time in Zimanga is sure to fly by. Day 5: Zimanga (Mkuze) to Kruger After another early morning session at a blind or on a safari, we make the long drive to Kruger National Park, where we spend the next five nights. The legendary wilderness of Kruger National Park, replete with its “big five” mammals, as well as over 500 bird species, will most certainly keep us busily photographing. We will spend the night at Skukuza Camp inside Kruger National Park, with a night drive an optional possibility. Days 6-9: Kruger NP Kruger National Park has a fantastic series of camps, many with tame birds and other wildlife that make for superb photography opportunities. We will visit Skukuza, Satara and possibly another camp, the best camps in the park for photography, with many birds right on their grounds. We are likely to see Woodland, Pied, Giant and Malachite Kingfishers, Sulphur-breasted and Gray-headed Bushshrikes, Saddle-billed, Marabou, Yellow-billed and Woolly-necked Storks, Trumpeter, Yellow-billed and Red-billed Hornbills, White-browed Robin-chat, White-browed Scrub-Robin, Scarlet-chested and Marico Sunbirds, Kurrichane Thrush, Village and Lesser Masked Weavers, African Green Pigeon, Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, Grosbeak Weaver, Southern Cordonbleu, and many others. The grasslands in this part of Kruger host monstrous birds like Kori Bustard, Secretarybird, and Southern Ground Hornbill. At night, Pearl-spotted, African Scops or Spotted Eagle Owls may be seen and photographed. While looking for birds and predators we should also get great opportunities to photograph the many handsome ungulates in this area including Impala, Greater Kudu, Hartebeest, and Waterbuck. With luck, we might find the rare Sable or Roan. Warthogs, Vervet Monkeys and Hippopotamus are also common. Big targets will certainly be encounters with the “big five”, Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Rhinoceros, for which Africa is justly famous. We may also be lucky and run into the much rarer creatures too. Each day we will rise pre-dawn to be out on the roads early, looking for wildlife and taking advantage of the beautiful golden light of the mornings on the African savannah. After our morning game drive looking for wildlife we will come back to camp for lunch and some “free time” where people can opt to bird/photograph around camp, head to a hide or a water hole, or just take a siesta. Each afternoon we will head out for another game drive until dusk when we must return to the camp before the gates close at dark. There are a variety of birding hides around Kruger and several are near the camps where we stay, again providing some fantastic photographic opportunities. Day 10: Departure After a little bit of early morning activity, we will head to Skukuza Airport where we fly back to Johannesburg where the tour concludes. For those keen on extensions, we have a 4-day pre-tour to Cape Town and a post-tour Big Cat extension to the exclusive private reserve of Sabi-Sands. Cape Extension Days 1-2: The Cape Peninsula After arrival in Cape Town we begin exploring the unique surroundings of one of Earth’s most spectacular cities. And it is surprisingly wild. The Cape Peninsula, a spectacular 1 km high and 70 km long mass of sandstone mountains, shelters the city that is pummeled by one of the stormiest oceans in the world. We begin right at the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, skirting the slopes of Table Mountain, which holds more species of flowering plants than the whole of the British Isles. Here we will see and photograph Cape Fynbos endemic birds such as Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird, and Cape Spurfowl. The gardens also allow a look at many of the wonderfully sculpted protea flowers, pastel-painted ericas, and chiseled restios that make up much of the Western Cape’s famous flora, offering fabulous macro photography opportunities for those whom are interested. We next wind along the spectacular Ou Kaapse Weg pass on our way to Kommetjie, where we stop to look for Benguela (the cold-water current of South African and Namibia) endemic seabirds including African Oystercatcher, Hartlaub’s Gull, Bank, Crowned and Cape cormorants. The sandy shoreline may also hold Three-banded and White-fronted Plovers, and Blacksmith Lapwing. We continue to follow the scenic coastline via Misty Cliffs and Scarborough to the entrance of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Here there are more Fynbos specials and a few more seabirds from the high cliffs at Cape Point, with the added attractions of game viewing and whale watching. The most striking of the mammals is the endemic Bontebok, but we might also see Chacma Baboon or even Eland. Rounding the peninsula to Simonstown, we stop at Boulder’s Bay to mingle with a large colony of breeding African Penguins. We will photograph them as they rocket out of the water, pose upon the white sand beach, or engage in raucous nesting activities. If time allows, our final stop is the Strandfontein Sewage Works, a series of settling ponds on the northern shores of False Bay, which support a remarkable variety of waterfowl, including the near-endemic South African Shelduck and Cape Shoveler. Day 3: The West Coast Located north of Cape Town, southern Namaqualand is famed for its spring displays of many annual flowers, especially daisies. The arid and rather bleak terrain is sprinkled with a series of wetlands, which in the austral summer holds the greatest densities of shorebirds on the entire eastern Atlantic flyway. In the spectacular Langebaan Lagoon of the West Coast National Park, Palearctic waders abound, while resident shorebirds include African Oystercatcher, White-fronted, Three-banded, and Chestnut-banded Plovers. The marshes and sedges are home to African Marsh Harrier as well as skulking marshland specialists. Here we are lucky in that several hides are scattered across the reserve, and we will choose the best based on the light and the tide-dependent proximity of the birds. The terrestrial vegetation surrounding the wetlands supports a variety of species that are not easily seen elsewhere. The most absorbing of these are the endemic Black Harrier, Black Bustard, and Gray-winged Francolin. Day 4: Cape Town to Durban After a fantastic introduction to some of the best of Cape Town’s wild environments we transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Durban, where we start the main tour. Big Cat Extension Introduction: Although our chances to see some of Africa’s cats are also very good at Zimanga and Kruger NP, the size of the park and sometimes “restricted” mobility means that we cannot always chase after every available opportunity. So it can be possible to miss some of the cats in Kruger, most notably the most elusive of them all, the striking Leopard. However, adjacent to Kruger is the Sabi Sand Game Reserve that is justly famed for its intimate wildlife encounters, and particularly leopard viewing. Home to a host of wildlife, including all of the Big Five, Sabi Sands is part of a conservation area that covers over two million hectares (almost five million acres), an area equivalent to the state of New Jersey and larger than some independent countries. Day 1: Kruger NP to Sabi Sands Game Reserve We take the short transfer from the government gazette park to the private Sabi Sands Reserve. Days 2-3: Sabi Sands With no boundary fences between the reserve and the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand benefits from the great diversity of wildlife found in one of the richest wilderness areas on the African continent along with the additional benefits experienced by being on a private game reserve. Daily and nightly game drives led by some of the most skilled wildlife trackers on Earth, allows for intimate game experiences from the comfort of your open safari vehicle. And the resulting photographic opportunities are simply sensational. The Sabi Sand is especially famous for its leopard sightings. Unlike many other areas, where leopards are rarely glimpsed in daylight hours, sightings of these shy animals are not uncommon during the day. The area also supports several resident lion prides, and while the relatively smaller and lighter build of the cheetah generally makes this elegant hunter reluctant to share an area dominated by lion and leopard, a number of them are also regularly spotted in the area. Herds of African Elephant and Cape Buffalo, as well as family groups of White Rhino, move throughout the reserve and are regularly encountered on game drives. Game drives traverse an area of 6 300 hectares (15 700 acres) and strict vehicle limits at each and every sightings in the area ensure the exclusivity of your game viewing and photography experience. Off-road driving ensures that you have the best possible view of any exceptional sighting and rangers are constantly in touch with each other to keep track of animal movements. The Sand River flows year-round and is a major source of water for the animals in the reserve. The deep water provides a home for rafts of Hippopotamus while lethargic Nile Crocodile lounge along the wide sandy banks. Thick reed beds along the river’s course are home to many species of water birds and weavers, while water monitors slither among the tall grasses, and buffalo and elephant wallow in the cooling mud of the reed beds. The thick band of riverine forest found along the course of the river is the ideal home for shy species such as Leopard and Bushbuck, as well as tiny Lesser Bushbabies. Bird wise we will not have moved away from the very same habitat we have birded previously at Kruger National Park, thus birdlife will be very similar as previously described, although with the significant difference that photographing from open top vehicles is far more comfortable, easier and flexible. Whether we focus on birds or on the ultimate Leopard “photo-grab” we shall enjoy the best possible conditions to do so. Day 4: Departure We will head back to Johannesburg, where the extension concludes. *PLEASE NOTE: For the Sabi Sands extension only, a Tropical Birding guide can only accompany the group if the final group size is 4-6 people. For smaller groups, while staying at a high-end lodge in the Sabi Sands region, you will be accompanied by one of their excellent local guides, who is extremely skilled with photo groups and has years of experience in this field. We have run this section with as few as two people in the past, with excellent results and feedback from all the people involved. (If you require a trip report from a trip of this nature please let us know, and we can send this to you). Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate. Early starts are necessary on most days since we need to be out at first light, and we also will be using the late evening light where possible. Also, on the Cape pre-tour, days are quite full and so there is not much time for downtime in the middle of the day. However, on the main tour and Sabi Sands extension, pretty much every day will involve some downtime to download photos, perform some post processing, and generally catch up on some rest. Day 5 is mostly a travelling day with a 7 hour drive. There will be little walking, and much of the photography is performed from setups, or at blinds (hides), or shot from the back of a vehicle. Most lunches will be sit-down affairs; we may take some packed or early breakfasts so that we can be in the field at the optimal time for shooting. There will not be a lot of travel and moving between lodging establishments on this tour, and we spend extended periods of time at the lodges we visit, maximizing our photography time. The Sabi Sands big cat extension is relaxing, with two 3.5 hour drives, scheduled in the morning and late afternoon/early evening. However, the crack hot rangers will certainly find us plenty to focus on in those time periods when the light is optimal. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Easy. There is virtually nothing strenuous required on this tour. We will probably be sitting a lot of the time, either at blinds or near setups, or in the back of a safari vehicle. In Zimanga and Kruger we are not allowed to walk without a ranger. We may be allowed to leave the vehicles in Zimanga if you want a special shot, but there is no real requirement to walk. CLIMATE: Usually very pleasant to cool in the Western Cape (mostly 44°-70°F, 7°-21°C), and a little drier and warmer in Zimanga and Kruger NP (mostly 50°-73°F, 10°-23°C). Some rain can be expected around Cape Town, but it is likely to be dry and rainless at Zimanga, Kruger, and on the extension. ACCOMMODATION: Very good to excellent, all have private, en-suite bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24h electricity, internet and all “mod cons”. PHOTO PHILOSOPHY: This is a truly diverse tour, and we employ many different strategies to get good photos. Sometimes we’ll be walking, and opportunistically approaching or calling in birds; sometimes we’ll be shooting from the vehicle; and sometimes we’ll be in blinds. This is an excellent tour for birds, mammals, and landscapes. There are also good macro opportunities, especially of flowers around Cape Town. GEAR: Come prepared for anything! Long lenses are sometimes useful, but not essential. Many subjects will be very close or approachable. Tripods may be useful for photography on foot, or from blinds, but generally can’t be used inside of the vehicle (Zimanga, Kruger & extension). Zoom lenses are particularly useful on this tour where you may be going between small finches and giant elephants in a matter of minutes. Bean bags and other such ways of stabilizing lenses inside of a vehicle are recommended. Light is abundant, and we don’t do a lot of night photography, so a flash is not essential. 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, and most 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 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 3 of the extensions if also taking the extensions; meals from lunch on day 1 (unless you arrive too late) to breakfast on day 10 if taking only the main tour, and to breakfast on day 4 of the extensions if also taking the extensions (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 mealtimes; Tropical Birding/Capturing Nature tour leader from the morning of day 1 to the afternoon of day 10 if taking only the main tour, if taking the extensions please request more info from our office regarding guiding arrangements; one arrival and one departure airport transfer per person on arrival and departure day respectively (transfers may be shared with other participants of the same tour if they are on the same flight); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 1 to day 10 (and to days 4 of both extensions if also taking the extensions) in a suitable vehicle; entrance fees to birding sites, parks and reserves mentioned in the itinerary; domestic flights from Cape Town – Durban (Day 4 of Cape extension) and Skukuza – Johannesburg (Day 10). WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?: Optional tips to the tour leader; tips for luggage porters (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 listed. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Colorado: Chasing Chickens - Birding Tour Tour Overview: Birding is more than about just seeing birds. What makes for a unforgettable experience often has just as much to do with what the bird is doing as it does about what it looks like. The neotropics have manakins, the old world, bustards, and New Guinea has Birds-of-Paradise. But North America isn’t without its own spectacular avian displays – North America has grouse. And nowhere on the continent offers the variety and opportunities to see them better than Colorado. This short tour covers much of the state in search of “chickens”, and also offers a good dose of the magnificent scenery and east/west ornithological melting pot that makes this state famous. Greater Prairie Chicken Dorian Anderson Black Rosy Finch Dorian Anderson White-tailed Ptarmigan Sam Woods Scaled Quail Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Colorado National Monument Sam Woods Sharp-tailed Grouse Sam Woods American Dipper Sam Woods Lesser Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Yellow-bellied Marmot Sam Woods Eared Grebe Sam Woods Curve-billed Thrasher Sam Woods Lewis's Woodpecker Ken Behrens Pinyon Jay Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Brown-capped Rosy-finch Sam Woods Boreal Owl Sam Woods Townsend's Solitaire Sam Woods Williamson's Sapsucker Sam Woods Juniper Titmouse Sam Woods Spotted Towhee Sam Woods Rock Wren Sam Woods Greater Prairie Chicken Dorian Anderson Black Rosy Finch Dorian Anderson White-tailed Ptarmigan Sam Woods Scaled Quail Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Colorado National Monument Sam Woods Sharp-tailed Grouse Sam Woods American Dipper Sam Woods Lesser Prairie-Chicken Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Yellow-bellied Marmot Sam Woods Eared Grebe Sam Woods Curve-billed Thrasher Sam Woods Lewis's Woodpecker Ken Behrens Pinyon Jay Sam Woods Greater Sage-Grouse Sam Woods Brown-capped Rosy-finch Sam Woods Boreal Owl Sam Woods Townsend's Solitaire Sam Woods Williamson's Sapsucker Sam Woods Juniper Titmouse Sam Woods Spotted Towhee Sam Woods Rock Wren Sam Woods Tour Details: 2026 20 - 30 April $5520; single s upplement: $700 2027 19 - 29 April $5790; single s upplement: $730 Length: 11 Days Starting City: Denver Ending City: Denver Pace: Moderate/Intense Physical Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Focus: Birding Group size: 7 + 1 Leader Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Denver (Colorado) You arrive in the Mile High City, where we spend the night in a hotel near the airport. The hotel provides a complimentary airport shuttle bus. Day 2: Genessee Mountain Park, Loveland Pass and Silverthorne to Walden A brief stop will be made to the west of Denver, for our only trip into Ponderosa woodland of the trip, at Genessee Mountain Park, where we could find birds not possible elsewhere on the tour, like Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cassin’s Finch, and Western Bluebird. The latter part of the first morning in the Centennial State will be spent at the snowy, windswept heights of Loveland Pass (12,000ft), where we will scan through the snow banks for the exceedingly well-camouflaged White-tailed Ptarmigan, the whitest bird in the world. The staggering mountain scenery that makes Colorado famous will also be on tap, and the two combined make for a true Rocky Mountain experience. After this, we will drop down into the valley town of Silverthorne, where, depending on the year, we could find massive flocks of rosy-finches, mixed in with handsome Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, charismatic Clark’s Nutcrackers, and stunning Steller’s Jays. After lunch nearby, we will spend the afternoon traveling towards the town of Walden for the night. A reservoir along the way often holds a lingering flock of the beautiful Barrow’s Goldeneye. Day 3: Greater Sage-Grouse to Craig Our first lekking species of the tour will be the Greater Sage-Grouse that call North Park, near Walden, their home. Probably the most bizarre of all the chicken dances, these giant grouse run around, swishing their wings and heaving their chests in what can only be called a vaguely obscene, but strikingly fascinating, display. After both a dramatic setting, and dramatic display, we will hit the road again, with another lek site beckoning to the west, near Craig, home of the Sharp-tailed Grouse. In the afternoon we will bird around Hayden for Mountain Bluebird and Sandhill Crane, before settling down in Craig for the night. Day 4: Sharp-tailed Grouse to Grand Junction, via Cameo and Coal Canyon In the rolling sage flats around the town of Craig we’ll look for our next species of chicken, Sharp-tailed Grouse, whose dancing displays are perhaps the most stunning of all the grouse. Their almost choreographed stomping and prancing is strongly reminiscent of a ballet, both elegant and comical at the same time. The sagebrush habitat here will also give you more than just grouse; we will also look for Brewer’s Sparrow, and also for raptors. The afternoon will see us drive south to Grand Junction for the night. Along the way we will stop off at Cameo and Coal Canyon; which offer up Chukar, Black-throated Sparrow, and Rock Wren, among others. A single night will be spent in Grand Junction, in readiness for our next chicken adventure… Day 5: Colorado National Monument to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison In the morning we will find ourselves within the gorgeous sculpted red-rock scenery of the Colorado National Monument. Here we will scour the pinyon-juniper woodland looking for species such as Gray Flycatcher, Canyon Wren, Pinyon Jay, Gambel’s Quail, and Juniper Titmouse. Other possibilities include Bushtit, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Bewick’s Wren. In the afternoon we will journey east to Gunnison, home of the rarest grouse of the tour. The afternoon’s birding will include a visit to the Black Canyon of Gunnison, the deepest canyon in the state, and also a great spot for Dusky Grouse, which can sometimes be found displaying right beside the road. A single night will be spent in Gunnison. Day 6: Gunnison to La Junta The rarest grouse species in the United States, and nearly endemic to Colorado, the Gunnison Sage-Grouse, will be our target for the first part of this day. The Gunnison Valley also provides some good birding after our daily dose of chicken watching, where up to three species of rosy-finches can be seen, as well as over-wintering Barrow’s Goldeneyes in some years, and perhaps some lingering winter visitors or early spring migrants. Heading east, we’ll make a birding stop at Pueblo West, where Scaled Quail, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Canyon Towhee will be on our target list. The afternoon will be spent heading east into far eastern Colorado, where we will overnight in La Junta, near the border with Kansas. Day 7: Southeast Colorado to Kansas In the morning we will check sites in southeast Colorado for Great Roadrunner, Curve-billed Thrasher, Canyon Towhee, Brewer’s Sparrow and the local Rufous-crowned Sparrow. John Martin Reservoir can be great for waterbirds, with Eared and Horned Grebes both possible and sometimes holds Snowy Plovers too. Some cattle ranches in the east of the state can also be great for finding large flocks of Yellow-headed Blackbirds in some years too. In the afternoon, we shall have made our way into western Kansas, where our best chances at seeing Lesser Prairie-Chickens the next morning lie ahead. The night will be spent in Scott City/Oakley in Kansas (exact place decided when ranch is finalised nearer the time of the tour). Day 8: Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Kansas) to Wray (Colorado) Our reason for sneaking into western Kansas on this tour is for one very special bird: Lesser Prairie-Chicken. While in past years this tour has stayed within Colorado, this species is no longer reliable at the traditional sites within that state, and their numbers have decreased alarmingly. It is no wonder that the species is listed as vulnerable by Birdlife International. We have added this exciting new site in Kansas, where good numbers and viewing of this species are still commonplace. While somewhat similar looking to their Greater cousins, the displays of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken differ dramatically, and it will be immediately clear that they’re a different species. We will spend the morning picking out these differences while enjoying the show of one of America’s very own “birds-of-paradise”. After a late breakfast, we’ll head back to Colorado, in preparation for our final chicken experience of the tour. Day 9: Greater Prairie-Chickens and Pawnee National Grasslands An early morning departure from our hotel will bring us to a nearby lek of Greater Prairie-Chicken, the first of our many grouse leks we will visit this trip. The rolling, booming sounds and hilarious antics of the male chickens cackling, stomping, and bubbling their way into the hearts of the females will provide you with an unforgettable finale to this chicken circuit. After leaving the lek we will visit the sprawling Pawnee National Grasslands, a vast area of prairie that is home to McCown’s and Chestnut-collared Longspurs. In the late afternoon we will make our way back to Denver. Day 10: Flexible Day in Denver Area Denver is a good place to be based for this final “clean up” day, where we will look for whatever we might have missed earlier in the tour. This might include White-tailed Ptarmigan, rosy-finches, or some of the prairie specialties of Pawnee National Grasslands. If time allows, we may also visit some of the excellent migrant traps and waterbird hotspots along the front range, to look for waterfowl and early-arriving spring migrants. Day 11: Departure from Denver (Colorado) The tour ends this morning. The hotel offers a continental breakfast and a complimentary airport shuttle bus. Trip Considerations PACE: Moderate to intense. This tour covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time, as each of the different leks is located in a different part of the state. By moving to the next lek the day before we guarantee that we’re in place for the best performance early in the morning. Start times vary, but on a couple of mornings can be as early as 4:30 AM, while on others may be as late as 6:30 AM. For those days where we visit a lek, breakfasts are taken AFTER we spend a few hours looking at the “chickens”. On other days we typically have breakfast at the hotel before we depart. Lunches are often eaten en-route between birding spots, and we typically pick something that will be reasonably quick, like Subway or Chipotle. All dinners are at one of the best local restaurants near the hotel. On a few of the days there may be an opportunity to relax a bit at the hotel in the later afternoon, but on most days we’ll be out all day. Most days will involve several hours of driving, but there are usually some birding stops along the way to break them up (and to see some of the great scenery on tap in Colorado!). Most days include a couple of hours of driving; the longest drive days will be on days 6, 7, and 8, when there are drives of approximately 4.5 hours. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Mostly easy, but depending on where the White-tailed Ptarmigans are there may be some more difficult walking around Loveland Pass. Here we may walk up to a half-mile on hard snowpack at 12,000 ft (3650 m), and anyone who does not want to walk at this altitude can remain with the car. All of the lek viewing is either from a car, or from a blind, and all other birding is from along mostly flat roads or trails. The most walking is on days 2 and 5, when we may walk up to 2 miles. The entire Colorado portion of the tour is spent above 3300 ft (1000 m), with several days spent above 7500 ft (2300 m). CLIMATE: Potentially extremely variable. A wide range of temperatures are possible this time of year in Colorado (and Kansas). Some years the overnight lows (and thus the temperature when we arrive at the leks early in the morning) can be at 0°F (-18°C) or even lower. Daytime highs on such days often don’t exceed 15°F (-9°C). However, other years the daytime lows don’t dip below 32°F (0°C), and daytime highs can reach into the 70s°F (above 21°C). Occasionally you can get both scenarios on the same trip, so it is important to be prepared for a wide variety of conditions. Rain is very rare on this tour, but snowfall (sometimes heavy) is possible. ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent. All of the hotels and motels have typical amenities, including Wi-Fi. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a birding tour, but the photography opportunities are excellent. Most of the leks allow for superb close views of the grouse. Many of the other birds we are going after occur in open country, so there are ample opportunities for photography throughout. We’ll also experience much of the great scenery in Colorado, and have occasional stops for anyone who would like to take pictures. LEK ETIQUETTE: The grouse species we will be targeting on this tour perform some of the most amazing displays in the avian world. We have the privilege of front row seats to the spectacle, but that also imparts a responsibility on our part to minimize our impact to the birds we are observing. This means that in most cases we will be arriving before sunrise so as not to flush the birds, and will not be able to leave until the birds are finished with their morning displays. Depending on the circumstances, this could mean that we will be in our car or a blind and unable to leave under any circumstances for up to three hours. Please be prepared with sufficient warm clothing if the morning is especially cold, and be careful not to drink too many liquids beforehand – bathrooms will not be available until we leave the leks. We appreciate your cooperation since we would like to ensure that others will be able to enjoy the same shows for years to come. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: For US citizens, no special requirements are necessary to visit Colorado. 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 – click here for the full list ), you can enter the US with a valid passport and a completed Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which should be applied for online IN ADVANCE OF THE TOUR. 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. WHAT’S INCLUDED?: Accommodation from the night of day 1 to the night of day 10; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 11 (if you have a very early flight, you may miss the included hotel breakfast); reasonable non-alcoholic beverages with meals; safe drinking water only between meals (tap water is safe to drink in the US, and you are encouraged to fill your water bottles when able); Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the evening of day 1 to the evening of day 10; ground transport for the group in a suitable vehicle driven by the guide from the morning of day 2 to the evening of day 10; airport shuttle bus on day 1 and day 11; tips for included meals; entrance fees to the 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 to baggage carriers 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!

Peru: Birding the Central Andes This tour is currently only being offered as a Custom Tour. Please Contact Us for further details Tour Overview: Peru is a country that defines diversity. Not only does it have over 1800 species of birds (making it one of the best countries for birding on the planet), it has habitats ranging from one of the driest deserts in the world, to one of the highest peaks in the Americas, to a huge swathe of virgin Amazon rainforest that defies superlatives. This tour targets a large number of endemic species that occur in the Andes of Central Peru, with highlights like Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager (surely one of the best tanagers in the world), the ultra-rare Junin Grebe and White-bellied Cinclodes, charismatic inca-finches, and White-cheeked Cotinga. We won’t ignore the more widespread species, and birds like Diademed Sandpiper-Plover could beat out the endemics on the list of favorites. Add to that some of the best scenery anywhere, and you have a truly unforgettable tour. This is quite an intense trip, and long drives and several very early starts are necessary. Rufous-backed Inca-finch Scott Watson Torrent Duck Andres Vasquez Barred Fruiteater Andres Vasquez Golden-collared Tanager Nick Athanas Giant Hummingbird Ben Knoot Yellow-throated Tanager Nick Athanas Junin Grebe Andrew Spenser Diademed Sandpiper-Plover Andres Vasquez Bare-faced Ground-dove Sam Woods Yellow-scarfed Tanager Nick Athanas Andean Goose Nick Athanas White-bellied Cinclodes Nick Athanas Masked Fruiteater Nick Athanas Oxapampa Antpitta Nick Athanas White-eared Solitaire Nick Athanas Golden-backed Mountain Tanager Nick Athanas Rufous-backed Inca-finch Scott Watson Torrent Duck Andres Vasquez Barred Fruiteater Andres Vasquez Golden-collared Tanager Nick Athanas Giant Hummingbird Ben Knoot Yellow-throated Tanager Nick Athanas Junin Grebe Andrew Spenser Diademed Sandpiper-Plover Andres Vasquez Bare-faced Ground-dove Sam Woods Yellow-scarfed Tanager Nick Athanas Andean Goose Nick Athanas White-bellied Cinclodes Nick Athanas Masked Fruiteater Nick Athanas Oxapampa Antpitta Nick Athanas White-eared Solitaire Nick Athanas Golden-backed Mountain Tanager Nick Athanas Tour Details: Length: 'X' Days (Csutom) Starting City: Lima Ending City: Lima Pace: Intense Physical Difficulty: Moderate Focus: Birding Ready to Book? Book Here Most Recent Trip Report More Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Detailed Itinerary Below is a recommended 14-day itinerary, but it is totally customizable based on your schedule. Day 1: Arrival in Lima After arriving in Peru’s large and bustling capital we will transfer to a hotel near the airport for the night. Day 2: Santa Eulalia Valley We will spend today birding the Santa Eulalia Valley, which offers an excellent transect of the dry west-slope montane scrub over a wide elevational range. Here we have our first chance at a member of Peru’s flagship endemic genus in the form of Great Inca-Finch, as well as a slew of other Peruvian endemics, including the rare Rufous-breasted Warbling-Finch, Bronze-tailed Comet, and the subdued Rusty-bellied Brush-Finch. Day 3: Marcapomacocha Heading upwards from Santa Eulalia, we’ll get to some remnant polylepis groves right as the sun is hitting them, the best time for us to look for the scarce and beautiful White-cheeked Cotinga. Afterwards we’ll scour the high-elevation cushion plant bogs of Central Peru for two charismatic species: the ultra-rare White-bellied Cinclodes (with a tiny population limited to a handful of high elevation bogs in Peru), and the beautifully patterned Diademed Sandpiper-Plover (or “DSP” as it is known to shorebird aficionados). There is far more up here to keep us entertained, though, with a goodly variety of Furnariids including the endemic Dark-winged Miner, along with its more widespread cousins, Slender-billed and Common Miners, as well as Streak-throated Canastero, Plain-breasted Earthcreeper, and another endemic, Junin Canastero. White-winged Diuca-Finches, dapper Black Siskins, and huge, hulking Andean Geese are also likely. In the afternoon we will drive to the base of the Satipo Road, near the city of Huancayo. Days 4-5: The Satipo Road This long and sinuous dirt road crosses numerous deep valleys that have contributed to the amazing endemism of the region. Not only are there a number of known species found nowhere else, there are no less than three, and maybe as many as five, undescribed species that we’ll look for along this road. In order to save very long daily drives back and forth to a hotel, we will spend one night in very basic guesthouse located near some of the best birding sites. We’ll spend one morning around the Puente Carrizales bridge, where the endemic Fiery-throated Metaltail is usually easily found, in addition to some endemic tapaculos (Tshudi’s, and an undescribed form of Large-footed that may even be a new species), and the rare Eye-ringed Thistletail. We’ll also check out a back road for Marcapata Spinetail and an undescribed thornbird before heading back upslope to look for another undescribed tapaculo and Black-breasted Hillstar. Another early start will get us to the Acobamba Valley soon after dawn, where we hope to see the strikingly patterned Black-spectacled Brush-Finch, the undescribed “Mantaro” Wren, and a very distinctive sounding population of Azara’s Spinetail that probably deserves species status. The afternoon will be spent cleaning up on whatever we’ve missed and looking for another endemic – Brown-flanked Tanager. That afternoon, we’ll drive to the coffee town of Villa Rica, where we spend two nights. Day 6: Villa Rica The scattered shade coffee plantations in this foothill town offer surprisingly fun birding, with a whole suite of Amazonian species reaching the upper limit of their elevational range here. We’ll look especially for the localized endemic Creamy-bellied Antwren, but won’t ignore other specialties like Ocellated Piculet, Cabanis’s Spinetail, Lanceolated Monklet, the tiny White-bellied Pygmy-Tyrant, and Cerulean-capped Manakin. In the afternoon we’ll swing by a reed-filled lake where we have a good chance at the skulky Rufous-sided Crake and larger Blackish Rail, among a host of other wetland species. Day 7: Villa Rica to La Oroya We have another morning to clean up on whatever we have missed around Villa Rica before working our way back upslope to the high mountain town of La Oroya. Along the way we have a chance for the charismatic Torrent Duck, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, and White-capped Dipper. We’ll spend the night in La Oroya. Day 8: Lake Junin, travel to Huanuco Today will be our day to search for one of the rarest birds on the planet, the critically endangered Junin Grebe. Taking a boat out onto the lake should offer us a decent shot at it, though it takes time to pick it out from among all the Silvery Grebes. We’ll also bird the lakeside wetlands picking through the slew of ducks which can include Yellow-billed and gorgeous Puna Teals, Yellow-billed Pintail, and Andean Ruddy Duck. Scanning the pools, we should find some of the hardy shorebirds that call this high-elevation lake home, such as Andean Avocet and Puna Plover. The odd Chilean Flamingo will add a dash of color to the mix, and drier slopes nearby host Short-billed and rarer Correndera Pipits. In the afternoon we’ll transfer to the city of Huanuco for a three-night stay, which has the self-proclaimed distinction of having the “best weather on earth”. Days 9-10: Bosque Unchog Very early starts are required to get up to the mountains above Huanuco, where we will set out on our hike to this famous birding location. The undoubted target of the morning is the large and indescribably beautiful Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager, but we won’t ignore the other endemics on tap here, including Bay-vented Cotinga, the handsome Rufous-browed Hemispingus, bland but impressively named Pardusco, and gorgeous Yellow-scarfed and Golden-collared Tanagers. We’ll also search for the localized Neblina Tapaculo, and we have another shot at Brown-flanked Tanager on the ride down, if we missed it on the Satipo Road. Two days are planned here to allow a decent chance to see all the key birds. If we are fortunate on our first day with the targets, the second day will be spent instead at the Paty Trail and Carpish Tunnel. These two well-known cloudforest sites are quite close to Huanuco. The main targets will be two endemic antpittas, Bay and Chestnut, two endemic fruiteaters, Band-tailed and the stunning Masked, and the cute Unstreaked Tit-Tyrant. A variety of tapaculos will also test our patience, with Trilling, Rufous-vented, and the hulking Large-footed all possible. Nights in Huanuco. Day 11: Huanuco to Huaraz If we haven’t had a chance to bird there yet, we’ll spend the morning at the Carpish Tunnel before taking the rather long drive to Huaraz, on the west side of the magnificent Cordillera Blanca, the most beautiful mountains in Peru. We’ll spend two nights in Huaraz. Day 12: Huascaran National Park and Abra Portuchuelo Huascarán, at 6,768m (22,205 ft), is the highest peak in Peru, part of the serenely beautiful Cordillera Blanca. Not only are the mountains spectacular, so is the habitat and the birding. We’ll check out a large polylepis grove by a surreal turquoise lake for specialists like Stripe-headed Antpitta, Giant Conebill, Tit-like Dacnis, and the endemic Rufous-eared Brush-Finch, before heading higher to Abra Portuchuelo, were we could find the surprisingly bold Ancash Tapaculo and have another chance at White-cheeked Cotinga. Around the entrance to the park, we’ll bird some drier scrub, where we could see our first Rufous-backed Inca-Finches, and Canyon Canastero and Black Metaltail are common. Day 13: Huaylas and Pueblo Libre to Huacho The road to the small hamlet of Huaylas is perhaps the best place in the world to see two species of inca-finches, Great and Rufous-backed. Both prefer dry slopes with abundant terrestrial bromeliads, and are quite common at this site. We could find Greenish Yellow-Finches on the dry hillsides or a flock of Mountain Parakeets screeching overhead. Afterwards we’ll make a quick stop at the small town of Pueblo Libre, where an undescribed subspecies of Creamy-breasted Canastero lives among the tall, columnar cactus. The afternoon will be spent traveling to the city of Huacho, where we will spend the night. Day 14: Lomas de Lachay and Pantanos de Villa You’d be forgiven for thinking that the barren coastal plain near Lima is devoid of birdlife. But visit one of the coastal hills (lomas) near Lima and you’ll see a completely different side of this barren landscape. Here there are patches of forest that survive entirely on moisture from dense fog that forms during the wet season, and a number of birds that thrive in this habitat. We’ll look for a quartet of Peruvian endemics here – Thick-billed and Coastal Miners, Cactus Canastero, and Raimondi’s Yellow-Finch, as well as a scattering of other desert-loving species such as Grayish Miner and the diminutive Least Seedsnipe. Afterwards we’ll visit a wetter part of the coastal plain, the marshes of Pantanos de Villa, just south of Lima. Here we have a chance for the nocturnal Peruvian Thick-Knee lounging around in the daytime, the impressive Great Grebe, and a few species of gulls and shorebirds along the beach. Since international flights typically leave Lima late in the evening, we will have day-use rooms for showering and repacking. Trip Considerations CLIMATE: Warm and dry along the coast to very cold in the high Andes. DIFFICULTY: Moderate. Physically it is moderately demanding, with some mountain trail birding required. Two days will be spent at very high elevation up to 4800 m (15800 ft). Some very early starts and long drives are essential on this tour. ACCOMMODATION: Mostly good to very good, but there will be one night in a very basic dorm-style guesthouse with a shared bathroom on the Satipo road. Staying here saves us hours of driving and gives us a much better chance at some tough species. Tour Reviews *Participated on this Tour? Leave a Review! We would also love to see your favorite photo, upload it!

Tropical Birding Tours is a leader in birding, birding with a camera (BWC®) and photography tours to the bird packed country of Ecuador. Guatemala: Birding for Quetzals, Endemics & Tikal We are currently only offering this tour as a Custom Tour. Please Contact Us for more information. Note - Our Yucatan tour includes a few days in Tikal in Guatemala - click here to see that tour Tour Overview: Guatemala is a tiny Central American country that has a lot to offer. The country’s name means “land of trees”, which is entirely appropriate – we bird humid tropical lowland forests surrounding the world famous ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, that host the spectacular Ocellated Turkey and rare Orange-breasted Falcon. Broadleaf forests in the foothills of volcanos have the very local Azure-rumped Tanager, and highland pine-oak forests are home to the likes of Pink-headed and Goldman’s Warblers. The wet cloudforests are home to some of the most wanted species of all, the outrageous Respendant Quetzal and the fabled Horned Guan. Wine-throated Hummingbird Ken Behrens Pink-headed Warbler Ken Behrens Garnet-throated Hummingbird Ken Behrens Olive Warbler Ken Behrens Lesson's Motmot Sam Woods Unspotted Saw-whet Owl Nick Athanas Yucatan Jay Andres Vasquez Yellow-winged Tanager Ken Behrens Slaty-tailed Trogon Sam Woods Tropical Screech-Owl Sam Woods Blue-throated Motmot Ken Behrens Mottled Owl Nick Athanas Wine-throated Hummingbird Ken Behrens Pink-headed Warbler Ken Behrens Garnet-throated Hummingbird Ken Behrens Olive Warbler Ken Behrens Lesson's Motmot Sam Woods Unspotted Saw-whet Owl Nick Athanas Yucatan Jay Andres Vasquez Yellow-winged Tanager Ken Behrens Slaty-tailed Trogon Sam Woods Tropical Screech-Owl Sam Woods Blue-throated Motmot Ken Behrens Mottled Owl Nick Athanas Wine-throated Hummingbird Ken Behrens Pink-headed Warbler Ken Behrens Garnet-throated Hummingbird Ken Behrens Olive Warbler Ken Behrens Lesson's Motmot Sam Woods Unspotted Saw-whet Owl Nick Athanas Yucatan Jay Andres Vasquez Yellow-winged Tanager Ken Behrens Slaty-tailed Trogon Sam Woods Tropical Screech-Owl Sam Woods Blue-throated Motmot Ken Behrens Mottled Owl Nick Athanas Tour Details: Length: 13 Days Starting City: Guatemala City Ending City: Guatemala City Pace: Moderate/Intense Physical Difficulty: Moderate (Difficult on One Day) Focus: Birding Group size: 8 + 1 Leader Looking for more information? Contact Us Guatemala Trip Reports View/Write Tour Reviews Check out our Virtual Tour Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Guatemala You will be met at the airport and transferred to a hotel in Guatemala City for the night; no birding is planned for today. Day 2: Guatemala City to Los Tarrales An early morning departure will be required to transfer to the Los Tarrales Natural Reserve, where we spend two nights. It is one of Guatemala’s premier birding areas, located 130km west of Guatemala City, on the south slope of the Atitlan Volcano. It boasts a bird list of 400 species due to the elevational range the reserve covers, from 160 ft. (500 m.) at the lodge itself, to 11500 ft. (3500 m.) at the peak of the volcano, comprising three different biomes where the volcano abuts the Pacific lowlands. Habitats that we shall cover during our time in Tarrales include lowland rainforest, foothill forest, and cloudforest on the lower slopes of the volcano. As one of the country’s most revered birding sites, it holds a number of regional specialties, and much-wanted birds like, King Vulture, White-bellied Chachalaca, Azure-rumped Tanager, Bar-winged Oriole, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Blue-tailed Hummingbird, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Tody Motmot, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, Green Shrike-Vireo, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Prevost’s Sparrow, and Long-tailed Manakin. Guatemala, and Tarrales, are also major wintering sites for warblers, with 20 species found in the area. We’ll spend the first day on the lower portions of the reserve. Near the lodge itself we may find Bushy-crested Jay, Rufous-capped Warbler, and the hummingbird feeders can attract species like Rufous Sabrewing and Mexican Violetear. Two nights will be spent at Los Tarrales Lodge, in full view of the Atitlan Volcano. Day 3: Los Tarrales Natural Reserve On this day our focus will be the foothill forests above the lodge itself, at around 3300-4000 ft. (1000-1200 m.). We will take 4 x 4 vehicles to get into the forest, where key target birds like Azure-rumped Tanager, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, and Bar-winged Oriole await. Raptors are also represented by the magnificent Ornate Hawk-Eagle and Black Hawk-Eagle, so we will keep our eyes to the skies for them. We will also check areas of bamboo for the erratic Blue Seedeater and incredible Long-tailed Manakin. After a busy morning, we’ll return to the lodge for lunch, then bird another forest trail in the afternoon, depending on what we are still looking for. At night, for the keen, we can go in search of Common Parauque, and Mottled and Black-and-white Owls. Day 4: Los Tarrales to Lake Atitlan Most of the day will be spent birding again around Los Tarrales, targeting whatever we are still looking for. After lunch in Los Tarrales, we’ll drive about two hours to Lake Atitlan, checking for waterbirds on the journey, which can include Least and Pied-billed Grebes, Belted Kingfisher, and others. Three nights will be spent in a wonderful hotel overlooking the lake. We’ll get to the hotel fairly early to prepare us for the tough hike the next day. Day 5: Horned Guan Hike A full day will be spent on a trail up a volcano, in search of the revered Horned Guan. We will hike up into cloudforest, the preferred habitat of the guan, at about 8500 ft. (2600 m.). While searching for the Horned Guan, we will also have the chance to find other cloudforest birds, like Crested and Highland Guans, Green-throated Mountain-Gem, Emerald Toucanet, Blue-throated Motmot, Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Black-capped Swallow, Rufous-browed Wren, and Bushy-crested Jay. Day 6: Volcan Atitlan In the morning we will explore Mirador Rey Tepepul, on Volcan Atitlan, where birds like Resplendent Quetzal and Azure-rumped Tanager in particular, as well as Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Golden-crowned Warbler and Blue-naped Chlorophonia. In the afternoon, we will visit another local site for Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird, Slender Sheartail, and Belted Flycatcher. A final night will be spent on the shores of Lake Atitlán. Day 7: Lake Atitlán to Sierra de Los Cuchumatanes We’ll travel north to the Sierra de Los Cuchumatanes. The journey will take much of the day, although this will be broken up with a very important stop at Finca el Espinero, for one of the main targets of the trip, the amazing Pink-headed Warbler. We will arrive in the afternoon at Todos Santos, for a two-night stay. There will be the option for some night birding on this night to search for Unspotted Saw-whet Owl. Day 8: Sierra de Los Cuchumatanes Today we will use 4×4 vehicles to go after one of Guatemala’s most localized birds, the stunning black-and-gold Goldman’s Warbler. It is confined to specific areas at high elevations in this park, where the pine-oak forests give way to open grasslands, known as páramo. While searching for our principal target, we will also have a chance to find the rare Ocellated Quail and more widespread species like Crescent-chested Warbler, Broad-tailed Hummingbird and local forms (future splits?) of Yellow-eyed Junco, Red Crossbill, and Northern Flicker. Another night will be spent in Todos Santos. Day 9: Sierra de Los Cuchumatanes to Antigua Guatemala After some more birding in the highlands near Todos Santos, we will drive southeast to Antigua Guatemala. There may be time to search for Rufous Sabrewing in the afternoon, or look for a Fulvous Owl at night. A single night will be spent in Antigua Guatemala. Day 10: El Pilar to Tikal National Park In the morning we shall visit El Pilar Reserve, with pine-oak forest at lower elevations than sites that we visited earlier in the tour. Two of our main targets will be Wine-throated Hummingbird and Bushy-crested Jay, but a long list of other birds are possible in the area, like the near endemic Black-capped Swallow, Black and Rufous-collared Thrushes, Gray Silky-Flycatcher, Blue-throated Motmot, Yellow-throated Brushfinch, and a host of stunning warblers, like Red-faced, Golden-cheeked, and Hermit Warblers, and Slate-throated Redstart. After lunch, we transfer to the airport in Guatemala City and fly to the gateway airport for the Mayan ruins of Tikal. The steamy lowland rainforest will be totally different from the mountainous regions of the first part of the tour. We’ll spend two nights at a lodge in Tikal. Day 11: Tikal National Park Tikal is perhaps most famous for its dramatic Mayan ruins, but it is also a superb spot for tropical birds. We will set out very early in order to watch the sunrise over this impressive ancient site, and then start seeing birds and animals shortly thereafter (Howler Monkeys are often among the first!). Amazing species like Ocellated Turkey, Great Curassow, Rose-throated Tanager, Keel-billed Toucan, White-necked Puffbird, Yucatan Jay, Slaty-tailed Trogon, White-collared Manakin, Gray-throated Chat, Orange-breasted Falcon, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Gray-headed Kite, and White Hawk can all be seen in and around the complex, and there will also be time to enjoy the cultural aspects too. Day 12: Tikal to Guatemala City After another morning of birding in Tikal, we will take an afternoon flight back to Guatemala City, where we spend the last night of the tour. Day 13: Departure The tour ends this morning with transfers to the airport. There is no birding planned for today. Trip Considerations PACE: Mostly moderate, but sometimes more intense. Most days will start between 5:00am and 6:00am, but especially early departures of 4:00-4:30am are needed on 3 days of the tour. There will be downtime in the middle of the day on several days, but most days will be quite full. As early breakfasts are rarely available, many breakfasts will be packed breakfasts, and one of the lunches will also be taken in the field. There is quite a lot of driving on this trip; there are three drives of 4-5 hours or more, but they will be broken up with birding stops, lunch stops, and “comfort” stops. PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY: Mostly moderate, but with one difficult hike. Most of the birding will be along roads and on fairly easy trails. The difficult hike is on day 5 to search for the Horned Guan. It is about 2.5 miles (4 km) each way, and most of it is very steep. It is done very slowly, with a lot of birding along the way. A hiking pole is especially helpful for this hike, and anyone not wishing to do has the option of staying in the hotel and relaxing instead. Quite a bit of walking is required on this tour, so it will not be appropriate for someone with limited mobility. CLIMATE: Be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. Most of the trip will be in areas with very pleasant temperatures, but the high mountains can be cold in the evenings/mornings (down to around 39F/4C) but warm up quickly in the middle of the day, so layers are recommended. Lowlands around Tikal can be hot and humid (90F/32C). Even though the tour is timed for the dry season, rain is still possible, so rain gear is necessary. ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent, all have private, en-suite bathrooms, full-time hot water, and 24h electricity. PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a Birding Tour, and seeing the birds will take priority over getting photos. We do encourage photography on our tours, but the tour leader will not allow photographers to move in front of the group for a photo, or use flash, until everyone has had a good look at the bird. All of our guides are also amateur photographers, so they are happy to help you out within these limitations. Bird photography is not easy on this trip as there are few feeders and there is quite a bit of forest birding. Scenery and cultural photo opportunities will be plentiful, but please be considerate when photographing local people, particularly of young children. Before approaching children, you should check with an adult that this is acceptable. However, if you are in any doubt, please refrain from doing so. You may be asked to pay a small amount of money to take photographs of both children and adults. Other Information TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required for entry into Guatemala. It must be valid for at least six months past the time of your scheduled return. A tourist visa is not currently required for citizens of the USA, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, and many others. 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 12; meals from dinner on day 1 (unless you arrive too late for dinner service) to breakfast on day 13; safe drinking water throughout; Tropical Birding tour leader with scope and audio gear from the morning of day 2 to the afternoon of day 12; 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, and depending on the hotel, airport transportation may be via a hotel shuttle); ground transport for the group to all sites in the itinerary from day 2 to day 11 in suitable vehicle(s) with local driver(s); roundtrip flight from Guatemala City to Flores; 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?: Tip to the Tropical Birding tour leader; tips for luggage porters 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; emergency evacuation; 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! Guatemala Review Anchor