New Zealand supports a host of unusual endemic land birds and a rich assemblage of marine birds and mammals. Our comprehensive tour is designed to seek almost every possible endemic and take full advantage of New Zealand’s oceanic diversity. Beginning in Auckland, we target North Island Brown Kiwi, amongst a multitude of other species that will no doubt be lifers. The first of our several pelagic excursions then takes place in the Hauraki Gulf in search of the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm Petrel and a myriad of other species. Continuing to the fabled Tiritiri Matangi Island, we will bird this predator-free reserve for the prehistoric South Island Takahe, strange North Island Kokako and Stitchbird, before combing the Miranda shoreline for the bizarre Wrybill and numerous migrant waders. We finish our time on North Island visiting Kapiti Island searching for the endangered Little Spotted Kiwi, migrant Long-tailed Cuckoo and Tomtit.
Crossing onto South Island, our first stop is Blumine Island Bird Sanctuary, where the dazzling South Island Saddleback and New Zealand Robin will no doubt entertain us, before we embark on another pelagic adventure into the fantastic upwelling off Kaikoura, searching for an abundance of albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels. Travelling across South Island, we will seek the endemic flightless rail known as the Weka, as well as the critically endangered Black Stilt, before hiking through pristine Red Beech forest surrounded by breathtaking glacier-lined mountains, where Pipipi (Brown Creeper) and the massive Kea can be found. In Fiordland National Park our targets will include Blue Duck, the cute New Zealand Rockwren and New Zealand Falcon, before catching our ferry to the rugged Stewart Island in search of Southern Brown Kiwi and a variety of other specialities prior to another pelagic outing visiting several nearby islands. Our final destination will be Dunedin, where a visit to a Northern Royal Albatross colony and a Yellow-eyed Penguin breeding site will certainly be amongst the many highlights of this rewarding tour. With excellent lodging and meals, awe-inspiring scenery and fantastically friendly “Kiwis”, this is sure to be a tour of a lifetime!
Southern Brown, North Island Brown & Little Spotted Kiwis; Paradise Shelduck; Blue Duck; Brown Teal; New Zealand Scaup; Yellow-eyed, Fiordland & Little Penguins; New Zealand Storm Petrel; Wandering, Antipodean, Southern Royal, Northern Royal, Campbell, Shy, Salvin's & Buller's Albatrosses; Cook's, Westland & Black Petrels; Buller's & Hutton's Shearwater; New Zealand Grebe; Spotted, Rough-faced, Foveaux, Otago & Spotted Shags; Weka; South Island Takahe; South Island & Variable Oystercatchers; Black Stilt; Wrybill; New Zealand Plover; Black-billed Gull; White-fronted & Black-fronted Terns; New Zealand Pigeon; New Zealand Falcon; Kea; New Zealand Kaka; Yellow-crowned & Malherbe's Parakeets; Rifelman; New Zealand Rockwren; Tui; Grey Gerygone; North Island Kokako; North Island & South Island Saddlebacks; Stitchbird; Yellowhead; Whitehead; Pipipi; Tomtit; New Zealand Robin; New Zealand Fernbird; New Zealand Pipit.
New Zealand Fur Seal; Hector's & Dusky Dolphins; Killer Whale
mudflats, estuary, river, pelagic, wetlands, islands, alpine grasslands, mountain beech forest, temperate rainforest
subtropical to temperate. the south can get very cold. New Zealand often experiences four seasons in one day, so you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
mostly very relaxed with some longer walks
very comfortable
mostly undemanding
135+
excellent
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, which covered a wonderfully varied range of environments, scenery, birds, etc., and was a great introduction to New Zealand. Erik Forsyth did a good job of rearranging times and/or dates for two of the pelagics, which were ultimately successful--even given substantial rain and wind.
Erik Forsyth is a brilliant tour leader and birder; I would definitely like to travel with him again in the future!
The tour was well-planned and Erik Forsyth was an excellent leader. The accommodation, food and transportation were also excellent.
Erik is a fantastic leader and guide, with a great sense of humour and empathy. His knowledge and experience was first class, and he was entirely on top of the logistics throughout. All of which made this trip of a lifetime a total joy. Thank you!
Overall, a very good tour. Erik Forsyth got us onto all the most wanted birds and was attentive to everyone's needs. He was professional and kept the atmosphere fun and light.
22 Oct 2024 - 07 Nov 2024 (17 days)
NZD11,395 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Tour price (Per person): NZD11,395 * USD6,706 * GBP5,391 * EUR6,296 * AUD10,461
Single Supplement: NZD1,550 * USD912 * GBP733 * EUR856 * AUD1,423
Can be linked with: New Zealand - Chatham Islands Extension 2024
11 Nov 2024 - 27 Nov 2024 (17 days)
NZD11,395 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Tour price (Per person): NZD11,395 * USD6,706 * GBP5,391 * EUR6,296 * AUD10,461
Single Supplement: NZD1,550 * USD912 * GBP733 * EUR856 * AUD1,423
Can be linked with: New Zealand - Chatham Islands Extension 2024
07 Jan 2025 - 23 Jan 2025 (17 days)
NZD11,595 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
16 Oct 2025 - 01 Nov 2025 (17 days)
NZD11,595 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Tour price (Per person): NZD11,595 * USD6,824 * GBP5,485 * EUR6,406 * AUD10,644
Single Supplement: NZD1,450 * USD853 * GBP686 * EUR801 * AUD1,331
Can be linked with: New Zealand - Chatham Islands Extension 2025
05 Nov 2025 - 21 Nov 2025 (17 days)
NZD11,595 - 2 Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Tour price (Per person): NZD11,595 * USD6,824 * GBP5,485 * EUR6,406 * AUD10,644
Single Supplement: NZD1,450 * USD853 * GBP686 * EUR801 * AUD1,331
Can be linked with: New Zealand - Chatham Islands Extension 2025
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2024 - January 2024
New Zealand - South Island Endemics 2023 - December 2023
New Zealand - Comprehensive III 2023 - November 2023
New Zealand - Chatham Islands Extension II 2023 - November 2023
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2023 - October 2023
Australia & New Zealand - Zhong 2023 - October 2023
Grand Pacific Odyssey - New Zealand to Japan 2023 - March 2023
New Zealand - Chatham Islands Extension I 2023 - January 2023
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2023 - January 2023
New Zealand - Comprehensive III 2022 - November 2022
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2022 - October 2022
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2020 - January 2020
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2019 - October 2019
New Zealand - Comprehensive III 2018 - November 2018
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2018 - October 2018
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2018 - January 2018
New Zealand - Comprehensive III 2017 - November 2017
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2017 - October 2017
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2017 - February 2017
ABA New Zealand - Subantarctic Island Cruise 2017 - January 2017
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