Panama is one of the best birdwatching destinations in Ibero-America and an ideal country to immerse oneself in the Neotropical nature (the biological region encompassing Central and South America, along with the Caribbean). Well-connected with direct flights from Madrid and major airports around the world, Panama is one of the most peaceful and safest countries in Ibero-America, with the best infrastructure in the region. Despite its small size, Panama has a surprisingly diverse geography, with habitats ranging from sea level to 3,400 meters in the highlands of Chiriquí. Located closer to the Equator than the rest of Central America, its biodiversity is extraordinary: nearly a thousand species of birds, 255 species of mammals, 450 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 1,500 species of butterflies.
Discover the magic of birdwatching and photography on a tropical forest adventure at the Rogelio Pretto Biological Reserve and Station, managed by Tamandúa Nature Birding & Photo Travel Panama. This all-inclusive experience focuses on the conservation of key species in the region, offering visitors a unique opportunity to capture unforgettable moments and admire a wide variety of endemic wildlife from the Talamanca mountain range, set against the incomparable backdrop of the La Amistad International Park and the Volcán Barú National Park.
Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVAL TO PANAMA CITY, SUMMIT RAINFOREST RESORT
Arrival at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport, where we will pick you up and drive you in a private vehicle to the Summit Rainforest Resort.
Night at Summit Rainforest resort.
Day 2
Early morning boat ride to Lake Gatun, the main reservoir for the Panama Canal surrounded by lush rainforest. We will be mostly searching for primates: White-faced Capuchin, Mantled Howler, Geoffroy’s Tamarin, plus a variety of water birds.
Later in the morning we will visit Rainforest Discovery Center, a private reserve inside Soberania National Park where feeders attract several species of lowland forest hummingbirds. Trogons, motmots and manakins can be seen and photographed in the reserve, and if we’re lucky we may find an army ant swarm with its following of antbirds, including Ocellated Antbird and, occasionally, Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo. Diurnal mammals include Brown throated Three-toed Sloth, White-nosed Coati and Central American Agouti. Leaf Litter Toads (Rhinella alata) are common along the trails.
Night Summit Rainforest resort.
Day 3
Early morning flight from Panama to David, capital of the western province of Chiriquí. 1-hr drive to Cerro Punta, in the Chiriquí Highlands, in time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the private gardens and feeders for photographing and observation of hummingbirds and other highland birds, with several endemic species of the Talamanca mountain range:
White-throated and Purple-throated Mountain-Gem, Talamanca Hummingbird, Lesser Violetear, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Scintillant Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, Green-crowned Brilliant, Volcano Hummingbird, Thick-billed Euphonia, White-naped Brushfinch, Chestnut- crowned Brushfinch, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Long tailed Silky Flycatcher, Mountain Elaenia, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Acorn Woodpecker…
Dinner and accommodation Hotel Dos Ríos
Day 4
Departure from the hotel after breakfast. Tamandua manages a 103 ha. private reserve in the heart of the cloud forest, bordering La Amistad National Park. Several species of mountain hummingbird and forest birds visit the feeders, including several regional endemics. Elusive birds such as Wrenthrush or Silver- fronted Tapaculo can be found very close to our lodge. Resplendent Quetzals often perch within a few meters of the deck.
At night, Central American Cacomistles come to feed regularly, and we set up lights and blankets to attract insects, particularly moths and beetles. The insects attract many forest birds in the early morning light, including skulking and elusive species like Streak-chested Treehunter, Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Flame-throated Warbler, as well as regional endemics like Collared Redstart, Yellow-thighed Brushfinch, Large-footed Finch.
Hummingbirds are numerous and very active and approachable in the reserve: Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, Talamanca Hummingbird, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, White- throated Mountain-Gem, all offer excellent photo opportunities both in flight and on perches. Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Dos Ríos
Day 5
Today, we will visit the Mount totumas reserve.
This is a great palce for Hummingbird and other great birds like Scintillant Hummingbird, Fiery-thaoted hummingbird, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Violet sabrewing, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, White-throated Mountain-gem, Talamanca Humminbird, Respledent Quetzals and Three Wattled Bellbirds are both common during breeding season from Feb – July and more more .
Dinner and accommodation at the Hotel Dos Ríos.
Day 6
Departure after breakfast, to reach the private reserve at Finca La Cumbres, where Tamandúa has exclusive access. Here we will search for species such as Volcano Hummingbird, Scintillant Hummingbird, Slate-throated Redstart, Costarican Pygmy-owl, Maroon-chested Ground Dove and other highland birds. Lunch
In the afternoon, visit again the gardens that Tamandúa manages for photography and observation of hummingbirds and other mountain birds. Dinner and accommodation at Hotel Dos Ríos.
Night: Dos Ríos.
Day 7
After breakfast, we will leave our hotel fully packed and drive 1 hour to Paraiso, in the Chiriqui Lowlands, where we will search for lower altitude species like Orange-collared Manakin, Spot-crowned Euphonia, Charming Hummingbird, Fiery-billed Aracari and many more. We will visit a small family-owned property with a staggering abundance and variety of hummingbirds: Long-billed and Plain-capped Starthroat, Crowned Woodnymph, Snowy
bellied Hummingbird, Blue-throated Golden-tail and up to 24 hummer species are regularly seen at their feeders. After lunch we will depart to the. airport
Flight back to Panama city
Day 8
Trasnfer out
Price includes:
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Snacks, soft drinks
- Transport to and from airports, 4WD vehicles when needed – English-speaking guides, drivers
- All entrance fees (reserves, indigenous communities, national parks) – Boat ride.
Not included: -International flights -Tips, Laundry -Domestic flights
