Birdwatching Holidays

Ecuador's variety of ecosystems and altitudes means it attracts a variety of bird species (more per square mile than in any other Latin American country), and, as such, is a bird-lover's paradise. There are 330 species in the Tandayapa Valley alone, where Bellavista is located. The Amazon rainforest in Ecuador's eastern half is incredibly species-rich, and its proximity to other destinations like Quito and the Cloud Forest means it easily encompasses a large sample size of the country's landscapes and bird species, even on a relatively short tour.

Visiting Ecuador will likely be the starting point for a holiday to the Galapagos Islands, where around 80% of the land birds are endemic and, therefore, is an almost unique birdwatching experience. Whether it's the finches, made famous by, and since named after, Darwin, the distinctive blue-footed booby, or the Galapagos penguin, there truly is a wonderful variety of bird species.

Costa Rica's varied microclimates and lush greenery pack an incredible density of bird species into a small geographic area. The country's microclimates range from the high-altitude Villa Blanca Cloud Forest to the beautiful Tortuguero National Park on the northeastern Caribbean Coast, home to toucan, kingfisher, heron and over 300 other bird species.

San Gerardo de Dota is one of Costa Rica's best regions for birdwatching. The cloud forest has an incredibly healthy Resplendent Quetzal population, making it one of the best places anywhere in the world to spot the vibrant yet elusive species.Our Quetzal extension, which can be combined with any of our Costa Rica holidays, includes guided walks through cloud forest trails and time at leisure for general birdwatching.

The diverse and distinct landscapes of Peru, spanning the rocky desert of the Pacific coast, the steep Andean highlands and the vast Amazon basin, are habitats for nearly 20% of the world's bird species. The mountainous cloud forests surrounding Machu Picchu are home to the vibrant Andean Cock-of-the-rock and dozens of hummingbird species. Witnessing the majestic Andean Condor soaring on thermal updrafts in Colca Canyon is magnificent.

The sheer scale of Brazil means it encompasses some of Earth's most biodiverse habitats and, as such, creates immaculate conditions for birdwatching. The vast, open plains of the Pantanal (the world's largest wetland) can provide virtually unobstructed viewing of a variety of bird species, including macaw, toucan and jabiru stork.

Chile's unique, slender geography makes a captivating setting for birdwatching. In the northern reaches, the high-altitude salt flats of the Atacama Desert provide a dramatic backdrop for thousands of feeding Andean and Chilean flamingos, as well as the flightless Puna rhea. The remote wilderness of Patagonia and the iconic Torres del Paine National Park are an entirely different avian world, from the condor and caracara to South America's largest woodpecker, the Magellanic.

Sri Lanka is relatively compact, but it nonetheless boasts wildlife riches; more than 30 endemic species of birds call the island's tropical rainforests and coastal wetlands home. Yala National Park is home to thousands of wading birds, including flamingos, and the dry forests of the Cultural Triangle play host to hornbills and junglefowl, among others.

While perhaps best known for its endemic species of orangutan, Borneo's rivers and rainforests make it a brilliant birdwatching destination. The banks of the Kinabatangan River are home to rhinoceros hornbills and the elusive Storm's stork, the rarest of its species. Sepilok are home to hundreds of vibrant species, with steel canopy walkways bringing you up close and eye-level to many of them, from the pitta to the broadbill.

The vast Kruger National Park in South Africa is, of course, famous for the Big Five, but its martial eagles, ground hornbills and lilac-breasted rollers are equally captivating. The Garden Route and Western Cape, while an entirely different landscape from that on safari in Kruger, is home to unique endemic species, including the Cape sugarbird and Knysna turaco. The blend of these two destinations offers a sense of variety appreciated by many birdwatchers.

The jewel in Botswana's wildlife crown, and indeed its birdwatching appeal, is the Okavango Delta. The vast plains and lagoons support more than 400 species of birds, from the wattled crane (the largest crane in Africa) to the rare Pel's fishing owl. Chobe National Park is home to many birds of prey, which are especially visible along the banks of the Chobe River.

Around 700 bird species have adapted to the unique, arid landscapes of Namibia. The endemic Dune Lark is entirely confined to the dunes of Sossuvlei, and the scarce waterholes of Etosha National Park are home to ostrich, kori bustards and secretary birds. The vast landscapes and long drives between locations in Namibia are great opportunities to spot the nation's birds.