Western Highlands Birding Tour in Panama - 8 Days

What a way to kick off one' s Central America birding expeditions! We birded the Gamboa on arrival day (great direct flights from US), discovered an "ant swarm" along The Pipeline in Gamboa on day 2, by day 5 we were cruising down the Chucuque River in The Darien to where Embara Indian guides led us to observe Crested Eagle and Harpy Eagle nests! All rooms had showers and a/c, Charles Clarkson has developed a great network of places to stay, even at the end of the world in Avizas in The Darien (look it up on Google). Totally safe, American dollars the currency. I'll be back with Antbird Tours, count on it.

I enthusiastically recommend Antbird Tours birding trips to Panama in the highest possible terms. I went with Dr. Charles Clarkson on his last birding tour to Panama (in October 2016) and it was the trip of a lifetime. I was so thrilled by the experience that I am taking another trip back to Panama with Dr. Clarkson in March/April 2017. Dr. Clarkson has a deep knowledge of Panamanian birds and boundless enthusiasm for the country and its wildlife. He bent over backwards to make the trip enjoyable and successful for everyone in our small group, which ranged from highly experienced and intrepid birders, who could go all day, to less experienced and less energetic folk like me, who needed a mid-day break.

I have been to Panama twice with Antbird Tours, and am going back a third time in a few months. Dr. Clarkson is a remarkable tour leader -- he knows every bird in Panama by sight and sound, he educates about the ecology and the culture, he sees to every detail of logistics so that the participants are comfortable, safe, and happy, and beyond that he is simply a great guy and a good companion on the adventure. I know a dozen or more folks who, having gone on one of these tours, has gone back for a second, or third, or even a fourth; I can't think of a better recommendation than that. If you are interested in birding in Panama, Antbird Tours must be your first choice!

I have travelled with Antbird Tours three times and have enjoyed and learned from each experience. Dr. Clarkson is extremely knowledgeable about Panama's flora and fauna and experiencing an ant swarm is a memory for life. He is very accommodating and considerate of his traveling guests. I would recommend his tours highly and plan to go on his Western Highlands Trip soon.