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We stayed all week in a superb, luxurious camp in the heart of the jungle. From there a world class guide took us on expeditions to a variety of fascinating locations and helped us to see an astonishing array of birds. Very personal touch, I had direct contact with the product managers. All the organisation was right on point, and the trip was very accurately described. They even arranged for the camp to prepare a birthday cake for my son!
R.J. London, Apr 24
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Panama - Harpy Eagle Special
Tour Code: PAN07An 8-day bird-filled holiday providing a wonderful opportunity to see one of world's "must see" species: the mighty Harpy Eagle.
8 days
from
£3,895 (Inc flights)
£3,895 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£3,195
£3,195
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Exciting news has just come in from our friends at the Canopy Tower in Panama. A nesting pair of Harpy Eagles, one of the largest eagles in the world, has recently been located near to the Canopy Camp at the Darién Gap. This majestic predator is on the wish-list of most birders, and once a nest is found, the birds can reliably be seen for a considerable period of time as the parents regularly visit the nest in the early stages and then the fledged juvenile remains close to the nest for up to a year! Only rarely do opportunities like this come around and we have launched this special departure for those with Harpy Eagle as a "bucket list" bird.
- Visit the active nest site of the Harpy Eagle
- Nusagandi foothills
- African safari-style walk-in tents
- Bird true Central American wilderness
- Black Antshrike, Rufous-winged Antwren & Orange-crowned Oriole
- White-eared Conebill, Green-naped Tanager & Great Curassow among target species
- Crested Eagle possible
- Led by expert local birding guides
Grading
Easy walking but considerable time on foot so reasonable level of fitness required.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! We have recently received exciting news that close to the camp an active Harpy Eagle nest has been found. Access has been granted by the local land owners for those staying at the camp to view the nest to offer a wonderful opportunity to see this legendary species. The young bird will fledge after around 6 months and remain in the crown of the nest tree and very nearby for around a year before becoming independent
Although the main target there is a huge amount to see here besides the Harpy Eagle. 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 five 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
Day 1
Fly Panama
Day 2/6
Transfer to Canopy Camp and daily birdwaching.
Day 7
Leave for airport
Day 8
Land UK
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: 1 night at Riande Airport Hotel followed by 5 nights at the Canopy Tented Camp. Rooms en-suite.
- Food: All included in the cost.
Reviews
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The camp is absolutely wonderful. Sleeping in a safari tent to the sound of the forest is an incredible experience. Taking a shower outside under all the stars and the milky way is something I will never forget. The tents and bathrooms are super clean (with the added bonus of under the sink bat roost!). The food is hearty, rustic Panamanian but perfectly fine and a nice touch to have wine included with dinner. The moth light sheet was really exciting every night, and we had some incredible insect visitors to it. Not only for the birds but the whole travel experience too, with the added insight into local life. Loved the whole experience. And the Crested Eagle turning up at the camp was of course an unexpected bonus!
H.H. Kent -
Elie was a fantastic guide, very very good, could not have wished for better. Had a great time, great guide, good food, fantastic location, lovely group of fellow birders. The whole holiday was perfect, saw everything promised and more.
C.N. Essex -
It was a fabulous trip to Panama to see the harpy eagle along with a host of other fantastic bird species – and also three toed sloth, which was an unexpected and exciting surprise. The trip went very well (and all too quickly!). I can’t fault our guide. He was so knowledgeable and helpful; nothing was too much trouble and he was always at pains to ensure everyone in the group saw all the birds. The camp accommodation, the food and the excursions were all first class. It was a punishing schedule but that appealed to me as it meant no time was wasted. Even the weather was kind to us!
D.S. Highland -
I have just returned from an excellent, exciting and stimulating trip to Panama... to the superbly well run Canopy Camp and Canopy Tower. Absolutely superb visit with great guides and stunning wildlife including a mind boggling Harpy Eagle in the depths of the Darien. I can't wait to get back.
D.C. Warwickshire -
Focus of this trip for me was to see the harpy eagle, something I have longed to see. Thanks to a brilliant guide this mission was accomplished against all the odds with the rains coming early and the road to the forest very difficult. Although not a ‘birder’ I was enthralled at the beauty of the canopy camp and all the wildlife it had to offer. So many bird species, it was, indeed a trip to remember.
J.F. Lincolnshire -
Holiday was described as a “Harpy Eagle Special”, a bespoke tour to see a magnificent bird of prey in Panama. [Naturetrek] full met our expectations in respect of the accommodation, travel, facilities AND seeing the bird...
C.S. West Midlands
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Wed 16th Apr – Wed 23rd Apr
2
£3,895
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,195
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£465
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Our bargain birdwatching tours suit keen birders who want an active, fast-paced birding holiday with a dedicated focus on searching for birds rather than on looking at the area’s other wildlife or cultural highlights.
We offer a wide selection of long-haul holidays to many destinations in South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and elsewhere.
What can I expect?
- An expert English-speaking local ornithologist leader
- Outstanding value for money
- Dawn-to-dusk birding with limited time for rest, relaxation and outside interests
- Enviable bird lists
- Focused searches for endemics and regional specialities
Who are these tours best suited to?
- Keen & active birders – whether expert or making their first visit to a country or continent
- People looking for an action-packed bird-focused tour
Where can I go?
Naturetrek's selection of birdwatching holidays includes many South and Central American countries including Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Panama.
In Africa our selection includes Malawi, Ethiopia and South Africa, while in India and Nepal we offer a choice of 17 bargain birdwatching tours! Here are a few more choices:
- Endemics of Western Australia
- Argentina's Mar Chiquita
- Birds of Brazils Atlantic rainforest
- Colombia – home to the world’s richest avifauna
- Sri Lanka’s endemic birds
Our specialist recommends...
"I’d recommend our ‘Nepal’ holiday visiting Chitwan National Park and Koshi Tappu Reserve, and ‘India – Bharatpur & Chambal’ within Asia. Try ‘Ecuador – Cock-of-the-rock’ for a superb introduction to Andean birding, while, if you want a bit of luxury, the accommodation we use on our ‘Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park’ tour is top class.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
All Bargain birdwatching Tours
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Tour Reports
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
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Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
Related articles
Harpy Eagles are truly magnificent and highly sought birds. Each Harpy Eagle pair needs several square miles of undisturbed forest to thrive and breed, hunting their established range continuously to feed themselves and offspring. In this article, read recent Harpy Eagle nest updates from Panama and Brazil.
