Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD4,800 * GBP3,832 * EUR4,606 * AUD7,716
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. 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.
Both guides and trip were great. Especially glad that Adam Walleyn offered to stay at the Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo location and skip lunch if any others wanted to also skip lunch to try to view the bird. Only two of us skipped lunch to stay with Adam and all three of us got to see the bird.
Forrest is truly a pleasure. His bird-finding skills, both by sight and ear, are phenomenal, but even more striking is his singular personality and people skills. Always enthusiastic. Not only would I travel with Forrest again, I preferentially would select a tour if he was guiding.
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.
Every tour I have had with Rockjumper and every Rockjumper guide (both birding and people skills I have birded with have been outstanding.
As is the tradition with all of the Rockjumper guides that we've had the pleasure of being in the boonies with, Tuomas Seimola was outstanding. We enjoyed the trip a lot.
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
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