Eco-Zone Explorers

This tour is one for people looking for that once in a lifetime trip to Kenya. It is leisurely paced and suitable for any age. It is privately guided throughout. Ask about family rate.

Day 1: Nairobi
Arrival at the airport at night and transfer from the airport to La Mada or equivalent hotel in Nairobi.

Day 2, 3, 4:  Masai Mara
This tour starts with the very best of Kenya’s national parks, Masai Mara the Africa that every one dreams of. For the 3 days we will explore the open savannahs plains, the riverine forests and meandering rivers for elephants, rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, gazelles, crocodiles and hippos.

Wildlife viewing in Masai Mara is an all year-round affair and not restricted to the July-Sep period of wildebeest migration. There is a resident population of wildebeests and plains game throughout the year. The cats, which by nature are territorial, are also permanently there defending their corners. You will possibly see a wide variety of game in Mara outside the migration period as most animals move out with the high stress of the wildebeest “invasion”.

On day 4, after a game drive in the morning, Masai Morans will guide us on a soft walk in the rolling hills and grasslands, out of the park boundaries where we will have close encounters with gazelles, zebras and giraffes. En route we will visit a Masai village.

3 nights at Mara Simba Lodge / Sarova Mara Tented Camp / Keekorok / Mara Leisure Tented Camp. BLD

Day 5: Menengai Crater – Nakuru
We arrive at the Maili Saba tented camp, our base for 2 days, in the late afternoon. With 10 luxurious tents built on the edge of the dormant Menengai Crater, Maili Saba offers all what a nature traveler would want in an African holiday: silence, tranquility, one-off scenery, unique accommodation and food worth traveling for, all rendered in a level of service that is professional and non-intrusive. With a limit of only 20 guests, this is a place for anyone who wants to be away from mass tourism. BLD

Day 6:  Lake Nakuru
We will spend the day in the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its thousands of flamingos as well as vast herds of buffaloes and tens of rhinos. There is a good chance to see cats such as leopard, cheetah and lion. Back to Maili Saba tented camp for overnight. BLD

Day 7:  Swara Conservancy
For wildlife seekers, birders, walkers as well as anyone looking for a nature based tour in Kenya, Swara Plains is ideal for all the right reasons: one-off wildlife viewing experience, guided nature walks, colorful and easily found birds.

Just 30 minutes out of the city of Nairobi, the 20,000 acres ranch is old wild Africa at its very best: wide open savannah grasslands, tall yellow fever trees, endless views.  Swara Plains is part of the Tsavo-Amboseli eco-system and with exception of elephants, rhinos and buffaloes all the other plains game found in Tsavo and Amboseli are found here. You will see big herds of oryx, elands, wildebeests, giraffes, monkeys, hartebeests, zebras, impalas, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles, warthogs and the occasional gerenuk in total absence of mass tourism.

There is also a good number of cheetahs and leopards but unlike the cats in other national parks which are now socialized to act for visitors (a cheetah sitting on a car’s hood is not natural!) Guided walks and game drives.
Overnight at Acacia Camp BLD

Day 8, 9 & 10: Amboseli
We drive south to Amboseli national park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The magic of Amboseli is seeing the big game including huge herds of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, impalas, Grant’s gazelles and elands with the backdrop of the snow-capped Kilimanjaro.

Should you be a birder Amboseli has +425 species of birds recorded. There are water birds, birds of prey as well as dry scrub birds. 3 nights at the Kibo Tented Camp. BLD

Day 11: Transfer To Nairobi
Leave Amboseli in the late morning and drive back to Nairobi and your evening flight out or onward travel. Lunch At Acacia Camp  BL

Includes: 10 nights accommodation, Guided walks and tours as described. all transfers, meals as noted (BLD = breakfast, lunch, dinner), all local taxes. Flying Doctors Evacuation cover. Can be modified to suit your time and interests. Airfares not included.

Costa Rica has an amazing variety of habitats from lowland humid forests to misty cool cloud forests. This program designed by one of Costa Rica’s top ornithologists, Leo Chavez, covers the top birding sites in Costa Rica, including the Costa Rican Birding Route.

Day 1: San Jose
Meet driver at the airport and then transfer & overnight Don Carlos Hotel in San Jose.

Day 2: Cerro de la Muerte
You will meet your driver this morning for your transfer to Savegre Lodge. Savegre Mountain Lodge’s Private Biological Reserve is located in the environs of the Cerro de la Muerte in the Talamanca Mountain Range. It consists of Cloud Forest with elevations varying between 1,220 and 2,560 metres above sea level. The area is frequently visited by eco-tourists from around the world who come to enjoy the large diversity of plant life, including oak and laurel trees, orchids and bromelias. This animal life includes more than 170 species of birds – including the magnificent Quetzal – as well as numerous mammals, amphibians, and insects. (B)

Day 3:  Birding Tour
This morning you’ll meet your guide for a 5 hour birding tour.  You then transfer to the Caribbean foothills.  Rancho Naturalista is considered to be one of the finest birding lodges in Central America. Rancho is known for its peaceful forest surroundings, comfortable well-kept rooms, excellent meals, family style atmosphere, knowledgeable resident bird guide(s), extensive trail system in pre-montane rainforest, banana and hummingbird feeders for the birds, bird bathing pools, and a bird list for the area of over 400 species. (BD)

Day 4: Full day birdwatching with a local resident guide. Overnight at Rancho Naturalista (BLD)

Day 5: La Selva de Sarapiqui
Free morning and transfer to Sarapiqui area. La Selva was originally established in 1954 by Dr. Leslie Holdridge, as a farm dedicated to experimentation on mixed plantations for the improvement of natural resources management. It was purchased in 1968 by the Organization for Tropical Studies and declared a private biological reserve and station. Since then, it has become one of the most important sites in the world for research on tropical rain forest. Over 240 scientific papers are published yearly from research conducted at the site.  La Selva’s juxtaposition of protected ecosystems and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities is unique in the world’s wet tropics. An extensive trail system of more than 50 kilometers provides access to a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Thousands of arthropod species are being currently recorded at La Selva, and more than 400 species of resident and migratory birds have been sighted in the reserve, representing almost half of Costa Rica’s bird species.(BLD)

Fday 6:
Full day birdwatching at La Selva with resident guide. Overnight OTS La Selva Biological Station (BLD)

Day 7: Transfer to Maquenque Lodge
Located on the Northern Territory of San Carlos near the Nicaraguan border this reserve, along with La Selva, forms part of the Costa Rican Birding Route.  The Costa Rican Bird Route is the first of its kind in Central America. Located in the northeastern region of Costa Rica, this eco-tourism project offers a variety of bird watching and nature tourism opportunities. The Bird Route consists nature reserves within 12 official sites, specifically chosen for their high avian diversity. This region also supports the last remaining habitat of the endangered Great Green Macaw (Ara ambigua), and the Costa Rican Bird Route offers the greatest viewing opportunities on the planet of this rare species as well as Scarlet Macaws. Excellent bungalow style  accommodations, surrounded by tropical rainforests, and bordering the Majestic San Carlos River, it has become famous for being a unique region for ecology, wildlife observation, unique birding tours. (B)

Day 8: Birdwatching Tour
Morning birdwatching tour. Free afternoon for optional tours: Overnight at Maquenque (B)

Day 9: San Jose
Free morning by the afternoon transfer back to San Jose. Overnight at Hotel Don Carlos. (B)

Day 10:
Departure transfer (B)

This is a full service semi-private tour program using local lodge  based guides and drivers . There may be other guests sharing the rides from time to time. Accommodation is in a variety of small, specialised lodges. OTS La Selva is the most basic being a research station, however meals are very good and the chance to meet students and scientists makes the stay well worth it for anyone interested in birds.

Price includes: 9 nights accommodation and taxes, meals as noted (BLD), all transfers, all guided tours as noted.

Lakes to cross, birds, wildlife and of course volcanoes:  this program explores a variety of distinct ecosystems ranging from the dry tropical regions of Rincon de la Vieja National Park, the cloudforests of Monteverde, the tropical humid area of Arenal Volcano National Park, and the watery world of Palo Verde National Park.

Day 1: Liberia to Rincon del Vieja. Today you’ll be met at the airport by our representative and made welcome to Costa Rica. You will then be transferred to the Hacienda Guachipelin mountain ecolodge. The hacienda borders the popular Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The hotel is surrounded by lush gardens with native trees, exotic flowers and many types of birds, and it has views to both the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and the Pacific Ocean.

Day 2 : You will have a guided tour into Rincon de la Vieja National Park with a naturalist guide. Rincon de la Vieja with Natural hot springs, virgin forests, jungle waterfalls and volcanic mud pots is considered by many to be the most diverse ecozone in Costa Rica being at the transition between the drier Guanacaste plains and the lush Atlantic rainforests.(B)

Day 3: Day Tour. Palo Verde National Park is one of the richest sites for birding on this continent. Besides the abundant birds, Palo Verde is a showcase of native wetland vegetation and is also home to many exotic animals, such as 3 kinds of monkeys, sloths, caimans, lizards and bats.

Situated at the mouth of the Tempisque River and acting as a watershed for all major area rivers, Palo Verde National Park is a slice of wetland sanctuary in the middle of Costa Rica’s driest province. The 45,500-acre park is a mosaic of 15 different habitats, including mangrove swamps, grassy savannahs, marshes, salt ponds, pastures and evergreen forest, all bordered by sloping limestone hills. It is considered a migratory and resident waterfowl refuge, and its lands are therefore protected by law.

Palo Verde’s myriad of ecological niches makes it an ideal host for plant and animal life. More than 300 bird species have been seen in the park, and it contains the greatest concentration of shorebirds and waterfowl in Central America. Up to 250,000 birds reside here at once, with the most common being egrets, herons, storks, spoonbills, ibis, grebes and ducks. Forest birds like parrots and toucans can also be seen in the trees. Palo Verde hosts the only native colony of scarlet macaws in the dry Pacific . Return to Lodge for the night.(B)

Day 4: Today, you will transfer to the Monteverde and the Cloudforest. This cool, misty location is a beautiful environment for many birds, not seen in the lower elevations. After your transfer here you will have the balance of the day free. There are several small attractions like the butterfly farm and the nocturnal animals exhibit you can visit (all optional)

Day 5: This morning you will meet a local guide who will take you on a guided walk into the cloud forest reserve to spot birds. He or she will also provide a good explanation of this special ecosystem and the protections in place to preserve it. After this you will the small interpretive centre at the park’s entrance. (B)

Day 6: This morning you will explore the Selevatura park with its suspended walkways. Then later today you will travel by van and by boat to cross Lake Arenal (formed by a hydroelectric dam) to you hotel near the town of La Fortuna, near Arenal National Park. (B)

Day 7: Arenal: Today visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges. The Hanging Bridges are a complex of 6 hanging suspension bridges rising above the jungle canopy, with about 3km of trails through the lush Rain Forest. The bridges provide an excellent vantage point to observe the flora and fauna from the ground level to the top of the trees. The chain link fence on either side of each bridge is about 50″ high, so there is little chance of anyone slipping through. Walking the trails you will see many varieties of heliconias, flowering ginger, hear howler monkeys, and see many varieties of butterflies, as you learn about the complexity and beauty of the Rain Forest. This afternoon you will take a guided walk on the dry lava beds of Arenal volcano. The evening is topped off by a soothing visit to the 4 pools at Ecotermales hotsprings and a dinner. Ecotermales Hot Springs is a sanctuary of nature and beauty that has been the life work of the local Hidalgo family. The smallest of the Arenal Hot Springs, Ecotermales is geared toward privacy and relaxation. This intimate and exclusive resort limits daily visitors to 100 and is by reservation only. (B,D)

Day 8: This morning you will be taken to the airport for the flight out to Canada, or to your resort hotel by our transfer service. (B)

Daily Year Round Includes 7 nights accommodation, all transfers, meals as noted (BLD = breakfast, lunch, dinner), all local taxes, tours as noted. Can be modified to suit your time and interests.

On this journey you will see Panama’s stunning beaches, experience an unforgettable encounter with the Chocoe-Embera Indians, then hike the mountains of Chiriqui to observe the elusive, long-tailed Quetzal. The exotic Bocas del Toro Archipelago is located in the Caribbean of West Panama near the border with Costa Rica. It is a diver and outdoor lover’s paradise with unspoiled coral reefs, deep-sea fishing and boating, kayaking, snorkeling and long sandy deserted beaches.  This package introduces you to the very best of Panama’s diverse geography and cultures.

Day 1: Panama City, arrival and transfer.

Day 2: Chagres National Park, visit Chocoe-Embera people. After breakfast visit a paradise found in its purest form. This tour leaves Panama City at 8:30 AM and begins with a ride in a “piragua” (a native boat) following the route commonly used by the Indians for their daily transport along the Chagres River. Then hike through the forest with a local indigenous guide and an expert who will explain the botanical aspects of the trail and the culture of this authentic Chocoe-Embera village. In the village, members of the community will share their culture through dances, rituals, food, etc. You will have the opportunity to partake in “jagua” body painting with vegetable ink. Arrival back to Panama City is estimated at 4:00 PM.  BL

Day 3: Fly to David, visit Chiquiri cloudforest coffee plantation and stay in private estate farm. Finca Lerida is a 10 minute drive from the center of Boquete and located in a exclusive private nature reserve at an altitude ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. This unique ecolodge is a preferred destination for visitors interested in exploring rich flora and fauna, for birders, nature photographers and nature lovers.The ecolodge has 11 very comfortable double rooms with private bath, each with its own porch overlooking the untouched forests of the highland and the surrounding coffee plantation. Each room is individually decorated and named after the native birds found on the property. BLD

Day 4: Walking in the clouds-near Boquete and Baru volcano. This rarely visited area allows even casual birdwatchers to enjoy the chance of seeing the hard to find quetzales.  There are many other bird species as well and beautiful orchids, heliconia dn bromeliads. BLD

Day 5: Transfer to Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean, transfer to nature lodge at Punta Vieja on Bastimentos island. Here you will experience the Afro-Panamanian culture and the Teribe indigenous group. Between jungle and sea, Al Natural Resort has created a comfortable and private retreat, perfectly integrated into the lush tropical environment of Isla Bastimentos.
This resort elegantly combines the ancestral craftsmanship of the Ngobe-bugle Indians with new technologies that allow us to use energy from the sun and limit our impact on the ecosystem.

In order to provide each guest with maximum privacy, and to maintain an intimate setting for the resort, there are only nine bungalows. All the bungalows are stilt houses and provide occupants with uninterrupted views of the sea and surrounding flora and fauna. BLD

Day 6: Visit the Zapatillas Cays, famous for beautiful beaches and protected reefs.  Glide through the mysterious mangrove forest in a cayuco (indigenous canoe). BLD

Day 7: Return flight to Panama City,

Day 8: Transfer and flight out.

IN THE COMPANY OF THE ISLANDERS

After being used for centuries by pirates and whalers the Galapagos were finally claimed by Ecuador in 1832, and since that time have supported a small population, centered mainly on the island of Santa Cruz. And who better to tell you about what life is like here.

On San Cristobal you´ll have a chance to meet, eat and chat with some of the local people. You’ll share a meal with a local family that makes its living fishing on the islands, where you’ll be able to listen to their stories about how their ancestors came to the Galapagos. And on Isabela you’ll be based in the fishing community of Villamil, a small village on the South East of the island where the community is the heart of the program.

The local people are in the front lines defending the environment. Their participation is an essential element in keeping the Galapagos environment in pristine condition. That’s why island communities are involved in all aspects of our program, and why contact between travelers and the community forms an vital part of the company’s commitment to the conservation of the Galapagos. And Galapagos Ecological Adventures’ program makes sure that the money you spend stays on the islands and supports the local people’s efforts.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Fly to San Cristobal Island, and transfer to your hotel. After a tasty lunch, we’ll ride bikes to the Interpretation Center, and then on to the Loberia, a great spot to see colonies of sea lions.

Day 2: Today is the perfect day for taking to the water. We start with a great intro to kayaking, paddling from the Puerto Baquerizo beach to Cerro de las Tijeretas or Frigate Hill, which gets its name from the large number of Frigate Birds (Tijeretas) that live and nest there. Later we’ll snorkel at Leon Dormido, enjoy some fantastic kayaking next to a cliff filled with Galapagos birdlife (experienced paddlers can catch a big wave), and then try some snorkeling, with the chance to see dozens of harmless sharks and a colorful rock channel teeming with tropical fish.

Day 3: Today we’ll take an early morning flight to Isabela Island and check into our hotel. After breakfast we’ll head to the small Tintoreras islands, a Galapagos in miniature. Here we’ll see white tipped reef sharks, sea lions, turtles, rays and Galapagos penguins. There’s also the chance to snorkel in the clear, turquoise waters of the bay, where we’ll be able to get a close up of the islands’ famous underwater life. In the afternoon we’ll visit the giant tortoise breeding centre.

Day 4: Today it’s time to stretch our legs. We’ll visit Sierra Negra, the largest crater of all the Galapagos volcanoes. It is a spectacular hike, and a perfect primer on the geology of the archipelago. We’ll enjoy some spectacular vistas over the island before returning to our hotel.

Day 5: This morning we’ll leave from the white sandy beach in front of our hotel and paddle to Villamil Bay, passing rays, penguins, and blue footed boobies, and watching the friendly sea lions that paddle along with us. In the afternoon we will walk the Wetlands Trail, through the mangroves and marine iguana colonies, to the Wall of Tears, built in the late 1940’s by WWII prisoners housed at the island’s US base.

Day 6: We’ll leave in the early morning sun and travel by speedboat to Santa Cruz Island.  After checking into our hotel we’ll head to the Highlands to see Giant Tortoises, and then explore lava tunnels and the ‘Los Gemelos’ a pair of giant volcanic craters. In the afternoon we’ll head to the spectacular white sand beach at Tortuga Bay where we can swim, snorkel, walk on the beach, and paddle amongst marine iguanas, sharks, and sea turtles.

Day 7: After a morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Center, we transfer to Baltra for our return flight back to mainland Ecuador.  Of course, if you’ve fallen in love with these ‘enchanted’ isles – many people do – you can decide to extend your stay for a few days. There’s lots of scuba diving and naturalist day trips you can take to explore some of the other fascinating Galapagos islands.

This is tour that operates with private driver guide with a minimum of 2 passengers. You can take it year round, any day of the year. Group discounts with 6 or more people travelling together.

Day 1: Quito

Upon arrival, we meet and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2: Mindo

Getting to the ecolodge is half the fun.

This morning the first destination is in the Mindo Cloudforest. Cloud forests are at mid altitude and frequently become misty, creating a cool humid environment that supports an abundant biodiversity. You will travel through a kaleidoscope of landscapes and, upon arrival, you will have a brief introduction to the ecolodge facilities.  This is a very interesting place where the owners have created a mini micro hydro site, and organic vegetable garden, a lovely main lodge with expansive sitting areas open to the cloud forest. The individual bungalows are self contained units with two bedrooms and one bathroom. Rough hewn construction, very comfortable and secure feeling. There are daily guided hikes and a tour of the facility included.  (BLD)

As fresh as cocoa can be

Day 3: Mindo An optional 6:30 wake up call begins the day that starts with a guided walk to observe wildlife. You might see toucans, quetzals, parrots and sometimes small mammals, like squirrels and agoutis. After breakfast is another guided nature walk and several other optional activities: mountain biking, river tubing, zip lining, and horseback riding. Make a point to visiting the town of Mindo to try out the freshest chocolate you will ever taste at the Quetazal Cafe. They offer a free tour of the mini-plantation and show you the magic transformation from seed to elixir. Cacao pods actually originated from this region and were traded and then cultivated by the Azteca in Mexico. For many years, Ecuador was the world’s  largest producer. (BLD)

Day 4: Otavalo

If you are inclined, you can take a very early morning excursion to see the rare courtship display of the cock o the rock. The trip involves a steep hike into a reserve, and then sitting in a blind to see the birds. They appear daily, but you must be quiet and unobtrusive. The display is quite riotous and colourful, although the air can also be quite misty. You come back to the lodge for breakfast.   After breakfast you will travel to Mojanda, a mountainside ecolodge and organic farm, located near the town of Otavalo. (BLD)

Sampling fruits with our guide Jorge

Day 5: Otavalo (You can also read more in detail about Otavalo market by searching this blog for posts.)

Today, see the famous Otavalo market.   Lunch is in a local indigenous-owned restaurant after which you will participate in a guided tour of local craft workshops, homes and nearby villages. Later, back at the lodge, you can take a walk in the amazingly beautiful hills, along foot paths adjacent to local farms. If you are lucky, you can be led by the lodge’s mascot to a pretty waterfall.  (BLD)

Day 6: Quito

Today we’ll continue touring the highlands area, taking a scenic route and return to Quito for the night. (BL)

Day 7: Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.

Belize Ecotourism
These are two specially designed community based ecotourism programs for those seeking less included services, but with good quality locally owned hotels and lodges. You may upgrade to a Model Ecolodge program with the same services for a small supplemental fee.

San Ignacio Community Ecotourism

Day 1 : Arrival in Belize

Today you will arrive independently in Belize and be met at the airport by our driver who will take you to your hotel for the night. Here you will also collect your local vouchers.

Day 2 : Travel to San Ignacio

At the appointed time, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to one of our selected community based lodges in the San Igancio area where you will be spending the next 4 nights. This central area of Belize is great for taking part in various day excursion to explore more fully. (B)

Day 3, 4, 5 : Day Excursions from San Ignacio

While you are at the lodge, 2 of the days have day excursions planned and included. These tours are offered locally by the lodge and there are some choices you can make upon arrival. The excursions range from visiting a Mayan ruin to taking some guided walks in the rain forest and to other sites. If you have a particular interest in birding and wildlife, please let us know in advance and we can arrange (extra cost) to have a specialist guide for you. On the third day here, you will be free to enjoy on your own, choose another tour (extra cost)

Day 6 : Return to Belize

Today we are retracing steps back to Belize city where you may continue on to other destinations.

Trail of the Toucan

Day 1 : Arrival in Belize
Today you will arrive independently in Belize and be met at the airport by our driver who will take you to your hotel for the night. Here you will also collect your local vouchers.

Day 2 : Travel to Cayo District
At the appointed time, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to one of our selected Macal River Nature lodges in the Cayo area where you will be spending the next 4 nights. The Cayo area of Belize in the central area and is great for taking part in various day excursion to explore more fully. (B)

Day 3, 4, 5 : Day Excursions from Cayo
While you are at the lodge, 2 of the days have day excursions planned and included. The excursions include Caracol ruins, Xunantunich & Cahal Pech & Butterfly Farm Tour . At this lodge you have a greater opportunity to view birds and wildlife in a more remote natural setting. There are free daily guided outings to observe the forest life.

Day 6 : Return to Belize
Today we are retracing steps back to Belize city where you may continue on to other destinations.

Both Tours Include: Meals as noted, transfers and tours as noted, 5 nights lodging and taxes.

Is it possible to raise your consciousness just by being a birdwatcher?

Walking down almost any city street I hear robins, sparrows, crows, some starlings and occasionally a jay. All these common city birds live with us and yet how often do we let the sights sounds of birds hover just outside our sphere of awareness? They are probably our closest link with nature on a day to day basis.

Birds are almost always around, but they seem to mostly occupy a parallel universe. Once you start to watch and listen for birds, you start see them everywhere.

I make no claims to be an accomplished birder, but being aware that birds are all around gives me some comfort that I have not entirely eradicated my natural instincts.

Birdwatching is a very popular activity, requires little gear and is easy to learn for men, women and even kids. Once learned and practiced a little, you can really start to see birds all around.

There were no real courses that I could find so we made a program in Costa Rica for anyone interested. Takes place at the beautiful OTS (Organisation for Tropical Studies) sites in Costa Rica and travels to other eco-zones. Its good for adults and families. Accommodations are simple.