Tour Leader: Robert Wilcox
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD3,100 * GBP2,423 * EUR2,923 * AUD4,818
Our Darién Extension will 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, Dusky-backed Jacamar, Spectacled Parrotlet, Grey-cheeked Nunlet and Spot-breasted Woodpecker, 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!
Sapayoa; Rufous-winged Tanager; Sapphire-throated Hummingbird; Harpy & Crested Eagles; Red-throated Caracara; Bare-crowned & 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 & Golden-collared Manakins; White-fronted Nunbird; Yellow-breasted Flycatcher; Little & Dwarf Cuckoos; Slaty-backed Forest Falcon; Ornate Hawk-Eagle; Black-and-white, Mottled & Crested Owls.
Brown-throated Sloth; Mantled Howler Monkey; Crab-eating Fox.
lowland rainforest
hot 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.
250+
Worthwhile to good. Several fruit & hummingbird feeders. Photography more difficult within closed forest canopy.
The team of Alex and Edwin is superb & unbeatable. Working as a team, they hear, find, locate and show us every bird. They operate cooperatively working the laser lights and scopes, so that all of us get to see the birds. Not they stay cool and calm so who were looking for the bird have time to locate it. Huge bonus is their delightful sense of humor.. We shared many a good laugh. Truly, a great trip!! Kudos !!
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 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.
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 !
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