Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD4,800 * GBP3,833 * EUR4,621 * AUD7,708
Can be linked with: Panama - Darien Extension 2026
The gateway between South and Central America, Panama’s privileged location makes it one of the most spectacular birding destinations in the world. With a unique combination of Neotropical specialities from both North and South America, this is also an incredibly friendly land, where the sun rises over the Caribbean and sets in the Pacific.
On our Best of Panama tour, we will explore some of the most accessible rainforests and high-altitude cloud forests the country has to offer. The native flora is simply stunning, and more than 10,000 species have already been identified within the country! Around 930 bird species – more than the number found in North America and Europe combined – make their home in this tropical paradise. With roughly 29% of its territory protected within 15 nature reserves, Panama is fast becoming a must-visit destination for birders and nature travellers the world over. We look forward to having you join us on this unforgettable birding and wildlife experience in the tropical forests of Central America!
Panamanian Tyrannulet; Veraguan Mango; Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker; Rufous-vented Ground Cuckoo (rare); Blue Cotinga; Rosy Thrush-Tanager; Keel-billed & Chestnut-mandibled Toucans; Yellow-eared Toucanet; Purple-throated Fruitcrow; Spot-crowned Barbet; Black-eared Wood Quail; Fasciated, Russet & Black-crowned Antshrikes; Red-capped, White-ruffed, Lance-tailed, Blue-crowned & Golden-collared Manakins; White-whiskered & White-necked Puffbird; Spotted, Dusky, Bicolored, Ocellated & White-bellied Antbirds; Black-faced Antthrush; Dot-winged, White-flanked, Slaty, Moustached & Checker-throated Antwrens; Red-lored & Northern Mealy Amazons; Blue-headed & Brown-hooded Parrots; Slaty-tailed & White-tailed Trogons; Scaled, Black-crowned & Streak-chested Antpittas; Bay-headed, Speckled & Black-and-yellow Tanagers; Green Shrike-Vireo; Black-chested Jay; Speckled Mourner; Spot-crowned Antvireo; Black-and-white & Ornate Hawk-Eagles; Crested Owl; Barred Forest Falcon; Scarlet-thighed Dacnis; Spotted Barbtail; Black Guan; White Hawk; Red-faced Spinetail; White-vented Euphonia. Hummingbird fans: Rufous-crested Coquette, White-tipped Sicklebill, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Green Thorntail, Violet-capped, Violet-headed & Snowy-bellied Hummingbirds, Green Hermit, White-tailed Emerald, Green-crowned Brilliant, Purple-throated Mountaingem, Snowcap (rare).
Mantled Howler Monkey; White-faced Capuchin; Ocelot; Brown-throated & Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth.
rainforest, cloudforest, marshes, rivers
mostly tropical conditions; warm and humid
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
Moderate. Suitable for most birding / wildlife interest levels. Both extensions are moderate with some more taxing (optional) elements. A good level of fitness is necessary.
Comfortable.
Mostly easy, with several trickier forest species. Garden & lodge birding typically provides good visuals of most species.
280+
Panama Canal, pristine rainforest
Worthwhile to good. Several fruit & hummingbird feeders. Photography more difficult within closed forest canopy.
This was my first international birding tour experience, and so while I have no basis for comparison, I was completely satisfied by this tour. The guides were excellent. Their knowledge was near encyclopaedic, and most importantly, never-ending. I would actively seek to go on tour with Tuomas Seimola again.
Forrest is an outstanding guide. I often have trouble getting on a bird and he was very patient with me. He lived up to all the hype my friend told me. Looking forward to more trips with Rockjumper and especially with Forrest.
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour with Alex and Edwin leading us. They were both excellent guides and ensured we got the maximum out of the trip. The reduced number of hotel changes made for the 'relaxed ' sense of the tour but the birding was full on . Edwin was also a very good driver. Thank you to all involved. We hope you do some more relaxed trips !
First let me just say that the tour was excellent, the birding sites were interesting, the pace was perfect, Rob and both local guides were amazing. Top marks.
Kudos to the entire Rockjumper team for making this tour on the cusp of a global pandemic a complete success: Rob for remaining in the present during our week in the highlands, always congenial, informative and entertaining despite facing complete uncertainty about being able to return to the UK; our superb local guide, who immediately found sites outside the closed national parks for our target birds. For five magical days we had good birds, good coffee, and good vibes all around.
Panama - Highlights (Relaxed) 2024 - April 2024
Panama - Best of Birding 2022 - March 2022
Panama - Best of: Darien Extension 2022 - March 2022
Panama - Best of Birding 2019 - March 2019
Panama - Best of Birding 2018 - March 2018
Panama - Best of: Darien Extension III 2017 - April 2017
Panama - Best of Birding I 2017 - March 2017