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Arranged with their usual efficiency, this tour with Naturetrek was a triumph for birders - including those who had visited Central America several times before. The Darien Gap is a fascinating destination, the furthest reaches (close to the border with Colombia) being accessible only by canoe. In the space of one week we saw more than 270 species of birds, including the renowned Harpy Eagle, and several mammals and reptiles. Canopy camp is a small tented lodge situated off the Pan American highway in the tropical rain forest. This is close to the "gap", which is few kilometres of rain forest where the jungle defeated the road builders before the highway could resume its course to South America. The lodge is fairly new, very comfortable and expertly run. Visitors should be aware that they will experience very high temperatures and humidity and the possibility of brief tropical downpours. And maybe a spider or two. All part of the wonderful jungle experience this destination offers. Naturetrek has never let me down with the quality of their trips and this was no exception. The guiding was exceptionally good with the greatest attention given to our various requirements and requests. With a bar operated on the honesty system and wine provided with dinner, what could go wrong?
J.H. Hampshire
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Panama - Birding the Darien Gap
Tour Code: PAN04A 9-day birding holiday in search of a range of exciting species, based at Canopy Camp Darién.
Highlights
- Look for the elusive Broad-billed Sapayoa, Nusagandi foothills
- Africa safari-style walk-in tents
- Bird true Central American wilderness
- Black Antshrike, Rufous-winged Antwren and Orange- crowned Oriole
- White-eared Conebill, Green-naped Tanager & Great Curassow among target species
- Red-and-green Macaw, Saffron-headed Parrot & Crested Eagle, Darién National Park
- Pirre Hummingbird, Pirre Warbler, Viridian Dacnis, Sharpbill & Scarlet-browed Tanager
- Led by expert local birding guides
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Summary
The Darién Gap is a break in the Pan-American Highway consisting of a large swathe of swampland and forest within Panama’s Darién Province in Central America and the northern portion of Colombia’s Chocó Department in South America. Long revered by avid birders as a haven for rare species, including the majestic Harpy Eagle (Panama’s national bird), this region is now readily accessible via a new highway, which extends south through Panama and into the heart of this bird-rich territory! After a night in Panama City we will drive towards the Darién, exploring the foothills of Nusagandi on our way before arriving at the new Canopy Camp Darién. We will be based here for six nights, staying in spacious and comfortable walk-in safari tents, each with full-sized beds, private bathroom facilities with hot water and flush toilets, electricity and a fan. We will spend our days birding within the region’s top reserves, as well as a nearby reservoir, and during our week-long stay we can hope to see in the order of 300 bird species, including a good number of endemics.
Grading
Easy walking but long days on foot so reasonable level of fitness requiredThe Darién Gap is a break in the Pan-American Highway consisting of a large swathe of swampland and forest within Panama’s Darién Province in Central America and the northern portion of Colombia’s Chocó Department in South America. Long revered by avid birders as a haven for rare species, including the majestic Harpy Eagle (Panama’s national bird), this region is now readily accessible via a new highway, which extends south through Panama and into the heart of this bird-rich territory!
After a night in Panama City we drive towards the Darién, exploring the foothills of Nusagandi in search of the elusive Broad-billed Sapayoa, and the Bayano Reservoir in search of Black Antshrike, Rufous-winged Antwren and Orangecrowned Oriole. We then spend six nights at the new Canopy Camp Darién, where we will stay in spacious and comfortable walk-in safari tents, each with full-sized beds, private bathroom facilities with hot water and flush toilets, electricity and a fan. We won’t have to travel too far into the Filo de Tallo Hydrological Reserve which surrounds us, as the camp’s garden is frequented by such regional specialties as Greycheeked Nunlet, White-headed Wren and Palebellied Hermit!
Other species that we’ll be targeting during the week include Spectacled Parrotlet, Duskybacked Jacamar, Double-banded Greytail, Whiteeared Conebill, Green-naped Tanager and the spectacular Great Curassow. We will also venture further into Darién National Park, to the lowlands and foothills of Cerro Pirre where Red-and-green Macaw, Saffron-headed Parrot, Crested Eagle, Pirre Hummingbird, Pirre Warbler, Viridian Dacnis, Sharpbill, Scarlet-browed Tanager and many other species which cannot be seen elsewhere in Central America all become targets.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: En-suite tented camp
- Food: All inclusive
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
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