Panama, Wildlife Tours

The Wonderful Wildlife Highlights Of Panama

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Tailor-Made Tour
13 Days
From 5490
Birding
Snorkelling and Diving

Tour Introduction

13 Days from  5490 per adult. All trip details below can be tailored just for you

A perfect itinerary for nature lovers wishing to experience the natural wonders of Panama whilst staying in comfortable accommodations. Explore wildlife-rich waterways and the Pipeline Road; visit enchanting cloud forests for resplendent quetzal and three-wattled bellbird; finally, enjoy the Caribbean Sea in luxury to round off a tour designed to make your Panama travels that little bit easier and more enjoyable.

Full Itinerary

Price from  5490 per adult. Based on sharing double / twin rooms
Day 1
Depart London

Arrive Panama City, capital of Panama, in the early evening and transfer to Soberania National Park.

Staying at Canopy Tower. Includes In-flight Meals.

Day 2
Panama Canal

Board an expedition boat and explore Gatun Lake, passing by gigantic cargo ships transiting the Panama Canal. Along the way spot green iguana, three-toed sloth, caiman, osprey, snail kite and keel-billed toucan, and look out for white-faced capuchin, mantled howler monkey, Central American spider monkey, and Geoffroy’s tamarin.

Staying at Canopy Tower. Includes All Meals.

Day 3
Soberania National Park

After breakfast explore Soberania National Park in the Panama Canal watershed. The 55,000-acres of tropical rainforest boast 525 species of birds including the black hawk-eagle and a great array of North American migrants, 105 species of mammals including tamandua, two and three-toed sloth, four species of monkeys, and 59 endemic plant species in four life zones. Enjoy spectacular views of Soberania’s vastness and canpy bird species from a 32-metre observation tower at the Rainforest Discovery Centre, hike the trails and explore the famous Pipeline Road.

Staying at Canopy Tower. Includes All Meals.

Day 4
Volcan

After breakfast transfer to Albrook Airport and fly to David. Met on arrival and transfer to the remote lodge on the western side of the Baru Volcano. Spend the rest of the day in guided exploration of the area.

Staying at Mount Totumas Cloud Forest. Includes All Meals.

Day 5
Volcan

A day at leisure to explore the trails on your own and enjoy the wildlife that inhabits the surrounding forest.

Staying at Mount Totumas Cloud Forest. Includes All Meals.

Day 6
Boquete

After breakfast visit Finca Ceriana and explore the local nature trail, climb the canopy tower, and visit a trapiche (sugar cane mill). Transfer to the eastern side of the Baru Volcano in the late afternoon.

Staying at Finca Lerida. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 7
Boquete

Enjoy a morning’s small group guided birdwatching walk in the Finca’s private cloud forest reserve. There is a network of professionally built trails along which one can spot resplendent quetzal and three-wattled bellbird, among many other fascinating cloud forest species. Also in the forest are mammals such as peccary and deer, and there are fantastic viewpoints along the trails. In the afternoon there is a small group tour of the farm to learn about the production of coffee.

Staying at Finca Lerida. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 8
Bocas del Toro

In the morning drive up through the cloud forest and across the Continental Divide, leaving the Pacific behind and descending through the forest to the pineapple fields and banana plantations of the Caribbean, arriving at La Escapada. From here it is a boat transfer to the lodge on the southern tip of Bastimentos Island in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago.

Staying at Tranquilo Bay. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.

Day 9
Bocas del Toro

Spend the day exploring the area, both on land, and above and below the water! As well as its own rainforest trails with good birdlife, flaming poison frogs, sloths, white-faced capuchins and night monkeys, the lodge abuts the Bastimentos National Marine Park.

Guests can swim, snorkel, kayak and hike directly from the lodge on their own. In addition one guided activity is included each day from a beach trip, birding, snorkelling, rainforest hike, surfing or kayakking.

Staying at Tranquilo Bay. Includes All Meals.

Day 10
Bocas del Toro

Another day to explore the area, both on land, and above and below the water.

Staying at Tranquilo Bay. Includes All Meals.

Day 11
Panama City

A final morning to explore the rainforest and waters around the lodge. In the afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to Albrook domestic airport, Panama City and on to your hotel.

Staying at Country Inn and Suites. Includes Breakfast.

Day 12
Panama City

After an early breakfast explore Panama City’s Metropolitan Park. This park protects some of the last remnants of tropical dry forest in the Central Pacific and harbours 227 species of birds including the lance-tailed manakin, 45 mammals including Geoffroy’s tamarin, 36 reptiles and 14 amphibians. It is also home to the Smithsonian Canopy Crane, a 42-metre tall construction crane owned by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Here visitors are lifted in a small gondola up through the forest canopy to enjoy the rainforest from above, perhaps eyeballing a sloth along the way!

In the afternoon transfer to Tocumen International Airport for the flight out.

Staying at On plane. Includes Breakfast.

Day 13
Depart Panama

Arrive London

Includes In-flight Meals.

Tour Accommodation

Panama Canal Zone

Canopy Tower

Overview

A birdwatcher’s idyll, the Canopy Tower is a converted former US military listening post. You can see the huge 30ft orb on the viewing platform at the top of the cylindrical metal structure, where the electronic surveillance equipment was housed.

The lodge is located at 900ft above sea level on top of Semaphore Hill, in tall, semi-deciduous rainforest in the heart of Soberanía National Park. There are trails through the surrounding forest, and a ten-minute drive takes you to the gate of the famous Pipeline Road that runs for 11 miles through wetter forests of Soberanía.

The lodge offers 12 comfortable rooms with two suites, five twin rooms and five single rooms. The suites and twin rooms have a private bathroom and hot water, whilst the single rooms have shared facilities. All rooms are located at tree top level and offer spectacular views of the surrounding bird-filled forest canopy.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
12
Facilities

Private bathrooms with hot water, restaurant, forest canopy viewing platform

Local Wildlife

Almost 600 bird species, at least 256 varieties of butterfly, 57 mammal species including three- and two-toed sloths, and silky anteater.

Optional Activities

Birdwatching mainly, but also general nature walks, visits to local attractions such as the Panama Canal and old Panama City

Panama Kuna Yala and San Blas

Burbayar Jungle Lodge

Overview

Burbayar is an owner-run, hidden jewel of a rainforest lodge, small and intimate with a maximum capacity of 17 guests housed in seven rustic cabanas. You might be one of only a few guests there, as it’s way off the beaten tourist track. The surrounding forest is magical, with verdant foliage and a network of private trails on which you might encounter a poison dart frog, a green snake or perhaps a little tamarin.

Building materials were sustainably sourced and local guides take you on fascinating hikes through the surrounding Caribbean rainforest to secret waterfalls and hidden valleys. The main building is more like a private house (indeed, that’s what it was), and the traditional, delicious Panamanian fare is served communal-style.

Power is supplied by a small generator, turned off at night when kerosene lamps are used, giving the lodge a natural, romantic glow.

This is the only lodge in the area, adjacent to Kuna Yala, the land of the Kuna indigenous tribe who were never conquered by the Spanish and thus have kept their culture intact. You may well be visited at the lodge by Kuna women selling their distinctive molas, attractive, painstakingly embroidered panels worn on their dresses.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
7
Facilities

Six double and one triple cabins, each with en suite bathrooms.

Local Wildlife

Various monkeys and tamarins, coati, tapir, agouti, puma, jaguar, 39 amphibian species including many dendrobates (poison dart frogs), various reptiles, over 300 bird species including the very rare broad-billed sapayoa, barred hawk, blue-crowned and red-capped manakins, brown-hooded parrot, bat falcon, swallow-tailed kite, slate-collared grossbeak and lattice-tailed trogon (all above bird species were seen at Burbayar by our director, Alan Godwin), various hummingbirds and tanagers, many seen from the cabins. The sheer diversity of insects is staggering.

Optional Activities

Take a boat on Lake Bayano for birdwatching and to visit the Kuna village on the other side, which sees few other visitors.

Panama Chiriqui Highlands Region

Hotel Finca Lerida

Overview

Finca Lerida is one of Boquete’s oldest and most traditional coffee estates. Established in 1922 and, since 1957 until recently, owned and run by members of the Collins family, At an altitude of 5,500 feet on the foothills of the Baru Volcano in western Panama, the estate is surrounded by expanses of primary and secondary cloud forest, preserved originally to protect the water source needed to process the coffee, and contains some of the richest biodiversity of the region. Finca Lerida has a network of professionally built trails where one can usually see the resplendent quetzal and other high altitude birds, and marvel at the magnificent flora within its cloud forest, including huge tree ferns and boughs festooned with various species of epiphytes and orchids.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
22
Facilities

Good network of trails, historic coffee factory, lush gardens

Local Wildlife

As per Robert S. Ridgley's A Guide to the Birds of Panama, Finca Lerida is a good place to go "searching for quetzals and other [cloud forest] specialties", something birders have done for over 70 years. An indication of its importance is the fact that a unique collection of over 1600 bird specimens collected in the vicinity of Lerida by its original owner was donated to the Chicago Natural History Museum in 1957 and now enjoys its own special exhibit. Highland species seen at the lodge include the resplendent quetzal, collared trogon, orange-bellied trogon, three-wattled bellbird, dark pewee, silvery-throated tanager, sulphur-winged parakeet, black guan, violet sabrewing, stripe-tailed hummingbird, white-tailed emerald, volcano hummingbird, white-throated mountain-gem, scintillant hummingbird, prong-billed barbet, red-headed barbet, acorn woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, silvery-fronted tapaculo, barred becard, black-faced solitaire, buff-fronted quail dove, spotted wood quail and the rufous-collared sparrow.

Optional Activities

Birdwatching, hiking, horse riding, coffee estate tour, visit the picturesque town of Boquete

Panama Bocas del Toro Region

Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge

Overview

Set in 200 acres of tropical rainforest and mangroves within the Bocas del Toro archipelago of some 68 tropical islands, owner-run Tranquilo Bay overlooks the warm Caribbean Sea with its coral reefs and diverse marine fauna. There are hiking trails for wildlife watching and you can take boat rides to secluded beaches for snorkelling and swimming.

The six spacious, private detached cabanas are simply yet comfortably furnished with warm neutral colours and hardwood floors. Each air-conditioned cabana has private bathrooms with walk in shower, ceiling fan and a private veranda with hammock and chairs and most have an ocean view.

There are a variety of both independent and guided activities available such as snorkelling, kayaking, swimming, beach trips, bird watching, fishing, scuba diving, jungle hiking, and surfing. There is also a canopy zip line tour available for those looking for a more adventurous activity.

The lodge has recently constructed a tower above the canopy affording wonderful rainforest views and a great way to observe more elusive canopy bird species.

There is an excellent restaurant on site serving a continental style breakfast buffet, with a choice of eggs and daily specials. Lunches are often taken out in the field or a selection of soups, salads and sandwiches are available on the house. The dinners are always very tasty are usually a three or four course affair and are prepared using fresh local ingredients.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
6
Facilities

Private bathrooms, restaurant, bar, lounge, air-conditioning, international direct dial telephone, cable TV and laundry service.

Local Wildlife

Three-toed and two-toed sloths, white-faced capuchin, mantled howler and night monkeys, opossum, racoon, spectacled caiman, iguana, colourful lizards and amphibians such as the vibrant strawberry poison dart frog. Over 180 birds have been recorded from the lodge and up to 400 occur in the surrounding area including toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, manakins and seabirds.

Optional Activities

Guided and self-guided wildlife walks, snorkelling, kayaking, swimming, beach trip, bird watching, fishing, scuba diving, jungle hiking, surfing and zip line tours.

Panama Canal Zone

Radisson Hotel Panama Canal

Overview

This large 4-star hotel offers the best views to the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. All of the 254 rooms have air-conditioning, LCD satellite TV, security safe, minibar, ironing board, balcony, Garden or Panama Canal view and wireless internet access is complimentary.

In addition to the onsite restaurants, bar and cafe it is a 5-minute taxi ride to the lively bars and restaurants of Amador Causeway. The domestic airport is also within a short drive.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
254
Facilities

Bridge View restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, 24 hour Cafe 1914, lobby bar, TGI Fridays, swimming pool, fitness centre, air-conditioning, TV, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi, minibar and business centre.

Local Wildlife

The nearby Panama Canal is home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife that includes 546 bird species, 112 species of reptile and 80 species of amphibian. Brown-throated three toed sloths, white fronted capuchins, Geoffrey’s spider monkeys, mantled howler monkeys and caiman are all regularly spotted.

Optional Activities

The hotel is well positioned for exploring the Panama Canal and other attractions nearby include the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the Frank Gehry-designed Biodiversity Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Route Map

Departure Dates

This tour has no set departure date and can be tailored to suit your travel requirements. Contact us for more details.

Travel Information

Are International Flights Included?

No. Please contact us for a quote if required.

Flight Info:

Fly from London and certain regional airports to Panama City on KLM via Amsterdam, on Iberia via Madrid, or via the USA on Delta, American or United.

Best Visited:

December to April

Are you ATOL Registered?

Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.

John Melton

Area Specialist

If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965

I would like to thank you for putting together such an excellent trip and to highlight a few items. The service provided in country was first class. All drivers were on time and went beyond the call of duty to be of service. I have never been on holiday where the standard of bird guiding has been so good.

Mr RH - Bath