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Wildlife Holidays in Burma
Once a British colony, Burma became an independent republic in 1948. Having been under military control since a coup d’état in 1962, Burma is again starting to open up to the outside world, and the military is beginning to relinquish some of its control over government. The country now welcomes responsible tourists who are interested in integrating with Burmese people and supporting local economies.
Burma is the second largest country in Southeast Asia, with a population of over 60 million. The country has many natural resources, including precious stones, the most famous of which are rubies. Burmese is the official language, and Buddhism the main religion. Burma’s longest river is the Irrawaddy and the majority of its population lives in the Irrawaddy Valley.
Speak with our Burma specialist
Featured Tours to Burma
Our Specialist Recommends
"Our ‘Burma Highlights’ tour is a wonderful way to experience this special country. Not only does Burma have some of the most beautiful scenery in Asia, but its culture and wildlife are also wrapped in mystique from having been closed for so long to the outside world. We visit world-famous sites such as Mandalay and the temple complex at Bagan, meet indigenous hill tribes, and cruise along the Irrawaddy River seeking out and enjoying the country’s special wildlife as we travel - it’s the stuff of a classic adventure story!"
Operations Manager - Rajan JollyNaturetrek Tours to Burma
We offer an exciting and varied tour to Burma: a 14-day ‘Burma Highlights - A Wildlife & Cultural Tour’, which includes a cruise along the Irrawaddy River and visits to key archaeological and wildlife sites.
What’s special about the wildlife?
Almost half the country is covered in dense tropical forest, and the country’s slow economic growth has contributed to the preservation of many of its ecosystems. In lower Burma, forests contain a diverse variety of plant-life including valuable teak. In the northern highlands rhododendrons, pines and oaks are all common.
Burma is home to over 800 bird species including parrots, pheasants, herons and peafowl. Gibbons, monkeys, flying foxes, tapirs, deer and antelope are among the country’s mammals, as well as sparsely distributed top predators such as Tigers and Leopards. Reptile and freshwater fish species are also numerous. Perhaps the greatest joy for the naturalist of a visit to Burma, though, is the fact that its wildlife is so little-known.
When should I visit?
Much of the country lies between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator. October to March is the best season to visit as the weather is cooler and drier than at other times of the year. This period also provides the best chance of seeing both resident and migrant species.
What wildlife might I see?
- Asian wetland birds including Pheasant-tailed Jacana, plus lapwings, pratincoles, egrets, herons, whistling-ducks and kingfishers.
- Dry-country specialists such as Red Collared Dove, Barred Buttonquail, Burmese Shrike and Pied Bushchat.
- White-throated Babbler and the exquisite Jerdon’s Minivet at Bagan.
- Hill bird species such as Black-headed Greenfinch and Burmese Yuhina; Hooded Treepie; endemics such as Burmese Bushlark.
- In Mt Victoria (offered as a post-tour extension to our Wildlife & Culture tour), bamboo specialists such as Buff-breasted Parrotbill and the splendid Slender-billed Scimitar-babbler, the endemic White-browed Nuthatch and Burmese Tit, a host of babblers, woodpeckers, minivets, barbets and sunbirds among many other species.
