Those who decide to join our Darién Extension will have the chance to explore one of Central America’s most remote wildernesses. The Province of Darién is located east of the Panama Canal, on the border of neighbouring Colombia and nowhere else in Panama does nature express itself so abundantly than in this region of isolated wilderness! We will be spending our time in the little-explored northern forested lowlands of the Darién. Very few birders have visited here and already some very exciting species, including Panama’s national bird, the huge and majestic Harpy Eagle, as well as Crested Eagle, Red-throated Caracara, Bare-crowned and Dull-mantled Antbirds, Black Antshrike, Black Oropendola, Double-banded Greytail, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Spectacled Parrotlet, Grey-cheeked Nunlet, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Beautiful Treerunner and Yellow-hooded Blackbird, among dozens of other Darién and Choco avian specialities, have been found in the locations that we will be birding. Further surprises are no doubt to be expected! After departing Panama City, we head off to our comfortable safari style lodgings in the Darién. Day by day, we will explore some of the best birding locations along the end of the Pan-American Highway and expect to see another 70-80 species found nowhere else in Panama! We hope to have you join us on this fantastic beginning to our Panamanian tropical birding adventure!
Sapayoa, Rufous-winged Tanager, Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, Harpy Eagle, Crested Eagle, Red-throated Caracara, Bare-crowned and Dull-mantled Antbirds, Black Antshrike, Black Oropendola, Double-banded Greytail, Spectacled Parrotlet, Grey-cheeked Nunlet, Spot-breasted Woodpecker, Beautiful Treerunner, Yellow-hooded Blackbird, Blue Cotinga, Northern Royal Flycatcher, Black-tailed Trogon, Golden-headed and Golden-collared Manakins, White-fronted Nunbird, Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, Little and Dwarf Cuckoo, Slaty-backed Forest Falcon, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black-and-white, Mottled and Crested Owls
Lowland rainforest
hot and humid
8 with 1 local birding leader
relaxed with some longer walks
Very comfortable
250+
Average to good
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.
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.
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.
Every tour I have had with Rockjumper and every Rockjumper guide (both birding and people skills I have birded with have been outstanding.
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.
11 Sep 2024 - 17 Sep 2024 (7 days)
USD2,695 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Local Leader
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