Bird watching vacations
Tours & vacations in 2020 & 2021

For us the nature based activities and birdwatching were tremendous. We had some really good guides and got to see tigers and a leopard which is very rare. The people, the culture and the environment were very exotic to us. (more)Dianne Reidy

Seeing the Taj Mahal at Sunrise is an unforgettable event in our lives. Many special rare species of birds seen on our Birding Himalyan tour...Superbly organised. (more)Michael Clark

The bird watching was excellent...Bird guides were very good too, and all knew their local birds. However outstanding was Sunil (Kumar?) in Nainital. His excellent English made our outings a great pleasure (more)Jacky Davis

This trip is a birdwatchers paradise with hundreds of different species and the thrill of spotting scarce and exotic birds. But it also has more to offer the nature lover. It introduces you to the real Andalucia... (more)Stephen Cornwell

We enjoyed the various habitats and environments and had a very amenable and flexible guide who went out of her way to ensure we had the best possible experience. (more)Dianne Reidy

The whole week was excellent but the birdwatching in the Donana national park particularly so (more)Roger Rees

Memorable parts? BBQ under the stars at a tented camp with paths lit by flaming lanterns near Yala NP. Amazing number of birds at Bundala, viewed early morning. Snakes, butterflies, lizards as well as birds at Sinharaja rainforest NP. Staying in an old tea plantation house. Watching fruit bats fly over the lake at Kandy. Tips? Be prepared for very early morning starts. Work out a tipping strategy, and allow funds for tips. They are very flexible, so request any changes to the... (more)Wendy English

Top rating. I loved the focus on learning about different habitats and talking about the history of the land, its people and wildlife. It was not just spotting wildlife and aiming for a tick list. (more)Anna Denise Bolks

The mammal sightings was memorable with bison, elk and beaver. (more)Roy Cyster

The most exciting part of the vacation was...early morning when we saw an Elk very close by. The whole ambience including the mist made the sighting a memorable one. (more)Richard Cachia Zammit

A great birding trip, staying at some great small accommodations in beautiful settings. (more)Roger Greeff

The tea plantations are photogenic in a very special way: so impossibly green in the sun. Walking in the forests near Periyar was like being in heaven: in the shade, beautiful birds, no other people around and with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. (more)Christopher Smith

The vacation could not have gone any smoother and our thanks to Thomas for recommending the wonderful Graman Homestay for a break before our bird watching trip began. We more or less just sat in the garden and relaxed whilst Jos and his wife looked after us and gave us some wonderful food. Different Kerala dishes every day. (more)Christopher Wyeth

Memorable parts? Seeing the ribbon seals, the northern right whale and the spoonbill sandpiper. Tips? Be prepared for lots of walking on the tundra. Also understand that the ship does not have stabilizers so even a mild swell rocks the ship. Bring a good layering system as temperatures and ice conditions can vary greatly. Local benefits? Supported conservation and the spoonbill sandpiper project. I suppose that we provided some income for the people in the towns in which... (more)Marian Herz

Memorable parts? The trips to see the oilbirds at Asa Wright and the roosting scarlet ibis and egrets in Caroni Swamp were highlights, but seeing hummingbirds, toucans and parrots from the veranda and the sheer beauty of the islands made it a trip to live long in the memory. Tips? The organised excursions were varied and very worthwhile, especially as the guides were so knowledgeable. However, there was still time to explore alone, so we were very glad we'd taken a bird ID guide... (more)Debra Jones

Memorable parts? Being the only 2 staying in Fox Grove, meeting Vision our ultra cool guide and our beautiful room at Anse Chastenet. I could go on and on, we loved it all! Tips? Basically, do your research so you know what you want from your vacation then be guided by the experts Local benefits? Yes we did. Both places we stayed were committed to using local products and labour and were very environmentally aware Overall rating? We loved every minute and would happily... (more)Graham Meech

There were so many excellent memories, but overall it was the chance to explore so many aspects of Northern Greece, from the coast to the mountains to the lakes, with a hugely knowledgable and enthusiastic guide. (more)Emma Sparkes

The boat ride on lake Kerkini was particularly exciting as we got close-up views of birds in their nesting environment. As avid birders, we were pleased with the varied species observed, and with our guide. (more)Angelo Angelis

The boat trip on Lake Kerkini was wonderful and provided great views of the thousands of birds there. Also a number of unexpected moments as our guide found unusual birds like Spur Winged Lapwing, Stone Curlew and Penduline Tits. A memorable few days - didn't want to come home. (more)Richard Aubery

He fixed it all up for us, we stayed in some really lovely small heritage hotels, family owned as well as basic facilities in one of the birdwatching areas. He arranged the cars and drivers plus the sleeper tickets on the trains. Saurabh came with us for the last stage of the trip in the Sam desert as he is a keen birder too. We struck gold and saw four of the highly endangered Great Indian Bustards, which is roughly equivalent to winning the Lottery twice! He was absolutely excellent and we... (more)Tricia Henton

Memorable parts? The balcony on the Asa Nature Reserve Tips? Take a light raincoat even if it is the dry season Local benefits? Yes to some extent. Getting there is different Overall rating? Thoroughly enjoyable, nice food, friendly staff and good naturalists. It was a sheer joy. Liked the complete difference between Asa Wright and the Blue Waters Inn which is also a great place in a wonderful location on the waters edge. (more)Linda Shaw

Memorable parts? This whole vacation was brilliant. We enjoyed every minute of it. The wildlife is amazing. Tips? Relax and enjoy. Be prepared that FIGAS transports you according to the schedules they daily prepare. Sometimes you will get to move on in the morning and other times you will have to wait till the afternoon. Local benefits? Our vacation definitely benefited local people. All of the lodges and the airline are locally run. I loved that the lodges only cater for... (more)Sherry Koina

Memorable parts? Sitting next to penguins and elephant seals was the most memorable. Tips? Do it! Bring warm clothes. Local benefits? Hosts at various lodges were very warm and obviously loved what they do and wanted to help with all aspects of our trip. Overall rating? Excellent. Is there a rating above 5? (more)Gilbert Grant

The most memorable part of the vacation was seeing 31 different birds with our guide Vision on our first day. (more)David Pope

The most memorable parts of the vacation were The East Coast, Quilesse Reserve and the Vieux Fort Wetlands. This was only made possible because of our exceptional tour guide (more)Denise Sparrow

A wonderful experience. Great country, people and wildlife. The walks were all excellent and the guide makes every effort to ensure clients see as much as possible. (more)Eileen Johnson

Most memorable was the stunning and very diverse scenery we passed through whilst traveling the countryside, the very interesting birds and wildlife and the friendly cheery people. (more)Susie Wiltshire

Overall seeing 306 bird species was my highlight. Specifically the drive across the Sanetti Plateau. (more)Brian Kings

There were so many memorable times that it's difficult to choose, but highlights were birdwatching while eating lunch overlooking Bishoftu Lake far below; walking in Awash National Park guided by Mohamed and eating traditional food overlooking Awash Falls; staying at Sabana Resort and swimming in Lake Lagano... (more)John Payne

We thoroughly enjoyed our well organised trip which met our bird watching requests. Everyone we came in touch with was friendly and helpful. (more)Pauline Lawson

Excellent. A great rip to a very interesting island. The extent of the rainforest was very pleasing to see. The way the villagers at Grande Riviere protest & conserve the leatherback turtles was awd inspiring and a great thing to experience. (more)John Hoyes

All 3 places we stayed in were equally enjoyable as were the birding activities... Overall the vacation was 5* and we’ve booked with this tour operator again for next year. Can’t wait. (more)Derek Putnam

Just what I needed! Plenty of wildlife around, the spotted flycatcher leaping through the garden was great, several species of dragonfly by the ford and several hummingbird hawkmoths feeding on the lavender by the pool, all to the tune of blackbirds, turtle doves and a Cetti's warbler! (more)Nigel Scott

Both my husband and myself loved our week. Lazing by and in the pool late afternoon was lovely and the weather was hot. Being able to walk littlle or miles or not at all, was good -there is no compulsion to be super active, though you can! If you want to be totally catered for and live in verdant peace for a week, but have company too-this is the place for you! (more)Clare McKee

Excellent. It was not a thrills and spills vacation, just a quiet retreat where you are looked after. And if that is what you need, this is a place for you. (more)Tina cook

Seeing St Lucia parrots flying free in their primary forest home was the most memorable part of the vacation... This was a really interesting vacation for the locations, the scenery, the warmth of the weather and the local people. (more)Diane Blakeley

Amazing. Our driver/tour guide was fantastic. The excursions were really good. They gave us ample opportunity to learn about Dominica and it's vast terrain, fauna and natural beauty. (more)Laura Clarke

Visiting the tropical rainforest on St Lucia; snorkelling in St Lucia; the Fond Doux plantation hotel. (more)James Fenton

Memorable parts? The vacation was very good overall, but I particularly enjoyed the spectacle of Kaieteur Falls and the Cock of the Rock. Tips? This trip is fairly serious birdwatching, and devotes little time to anything else. Local benefits? Yes, on all counts. All the eco lodges were entirely run by the local community, and provide employment on many levels, encouraging active preservation of the natural environment. Filtered safe drinking water was always freely available,... (more)Sarah Morrow

Memorable parts? Most memorable was lack of Polar Bears sighted - cruise advertising "promised" more. We saw more than enough Guillemonts and a few whales surfacing, but nothing exciting. Tips? The ship is very small, affected by moderate seas, and is lacking in safety features. Both my wife and I would have not been thrown to the deck and injured if there had been a grab(safety) handle on the wall outside the bathroom, and I would not have been thrown off the chair (twice) if there... (more)Maxwell Leonard