Dominican Republic

Birdwatching

from $USD 1,095 per person

6 days / 5 nights

Birdwatching

Dominican Republic

The diversity of ecosystems in the Dominican Republic allow for the establishment of a great biodiversity, especially in birds (31 endemic species).

The great diversity of species in a relatively small area has made the Dominican Republic a popular destination for birdwatchers. One species endemic to Hispaniola is particularly popular: the palm warbler. This bird is the only species in the palmate family and the national bird of the Dominican Republic. The Sierra de Bahoruco mountain range, located in the southwest of the Dominican Republic, is the best area for bird watching. Of the 31 endemic birds in the country, 30 are located in the Sierra de Bahoruco.

Day 1 - Pick up at hotel in Santo-Domingo / Botanical Garden / Road to Puerto Escondido

Distance: 230 kilometers, about 4 hours

All morning bird watching in the Botanical Garden of Santo-Domingo. Transfer to Puerto Escondido in the afternoon, with a lunch stop on the way. Bird watching in the late afternoon on the Rabo del Gato Trail.

Bird watching in the botanical garden:(All names are English)

Palmchat (E) (*), Hispaniolan Woodpecker (E), Hispaniolan Parakeet (E), Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo (E), Black-crowned Palm-Tanager (E), West-Indian Whistling-duck, Mangrove Cuckoo, Black-whiskered Vireo, Red-legged Thrush, Village Weaver, Antillean Mango, Vervain Hummingbird.

(*): E= Hispaniolan endemic

Bird watching in Rabo del Gato: White-fronted Quail-Dove (E), Broad-billed Tody (E), Narrow-billed Tody (E), White-necked Crow (E), Hispaniolan Oriole (E), Hispaniolan Parrot (E), Scaly-napped Pigeon, Plain Pigeon, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Key West Quail-Dove, Stolid Flycatcher.

Included Meals: Dinner
Night: Villa Barrancoli *, Puerto Escondido

Day 2 - Northern slopes of the Sierra de Bahoruco: Zapoten and pine forest

Distance: 50 kilometers, about 4 hours

Very early morning departure in 4×4 to the northern slope of the Sierra de Bahoruco. All morning bird watching in Zapoten and in the pine forest. Breakfast and lunch (sandwiches) on site. Return to Villa Barrancoli. In the evening, excursion to La Mina to look for the "Least Poorwill".

Bird watching in Zapoten: Hispaniolan Nightjar (E), Hispaniolan Trogon (E), Green-tailed Warbler (E), White-winged Warbler (E), La Selle Thrush (E), Western Chat-Tanager (E), Hispaniolan Spindalis (E), Hispaniolan Pewee (E), Hispaniolan Emerald (E), Narrow-billed Tody (E), Antillean Piculet (E), Antillean Siskin (E), Hispaniolan Crossbill (E), (Hispaniolan) Loggerhead Kingbird, Antillean Euphonia, Greater Antillean Elaenia, Rufous-throated Solitaire, Bicknell’s Thrush, Golden Swallow, Pine Warbler, Greater Antillean Bullfinch.

Bird watching in La Mina (night): Least Poorwill (E), Hispaniolan Nightjar (E), Northern Potoo.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch (sandwiches), dinner
Night: Villa Barrancoli *, Puerto Escondido

Day 3 - North slope of the Sierra de Bahoruco: La Placa / Road to Pedernales

140 kilometers, about 3 hours

Early morning bird watching in La Placa. Lunch at Villa Barrancoli. Road to Pedernales, passing by Barahona. Dinner and overnight in Pedernales.

Bird watching in La Placa: Bay-breasted Cuckoo (E), Flat-billed Vireo (E), Antillean Siskin (E), Hispaniolan Pewee (E), Antillean Piculet (E), Broad-billed Tody (E), Antillean Euphonia, Olive-throated Parakeet, Burrowing Owl, Zeinada Dove

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Night: Pedernales

Day 4 - Southern slopes of the Sierra de Bahoruco: Alcoa Road / Road to Paraiso

150 kilometers, about 3 hours

Bird watching on Alcoa Road in the morning. Lunch at the beach restaurant of La Cueva (Cabo Rojo area). Road to Paraiso. Evening excursion to search for the "Ashy-faced Owl" on the slopes of La Cienaga (Cachote road).

Bird watching at Alcoa Road: Hispaniolan Palm Crow (E), Hispaniolan Parrot (E), Hispaniolan Parakeet (E), Hispaniolan Nightjar (E), Hispaniolan Trogon (E), Green-tailed Warbler (E), Hispaniolan Crossbill (E), Antillean Siskin (E), Golden Swallow, Plain Pigeon, Sharp-shinned Hawk.

Bird watching at La Cueva / Cabo Rojo: White-tailed Tropicbird, Cave Swallow, Caribbean Martin, Brown Booby, Brown Pelican, shorebirds…

Birding on the slopes of La Cienaga: Ashy-faced Owl (E)

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Night: Paraíso

Day 5 - Cachote / Way to Sabana de la Mar

350 kilometers, about 6 hours

Early departure in 4×4 to the cloud forest of Cachote. Bird watching in the morning. Breakfast on site. Transfer to Sabana de la Mar for the rest of the day, with a lunch stop along the way.

Bird watching in Cachote: Eastern Chat-Tanager (E), Narrow-billed Tody (E), Hispaniolan Spindalis (E), Hispaniolan Trogon (E), Hispaniolan Parakeet (E), Hispaniolan Emerald (E), Rufous-throated Solitaire, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Scaly-napped Pigeon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Night: Paraiso Caño Hondo*** or similar, Sabana de la Mar

Day 6 - Caño Hondo / Return to Santo Domingo

150 kilometers, about 2.5 hours

After breakfast, look for the Ridgway's hawk and a nature walk. Lunch at the hotel before taking the road back to Santo Domingo.

Bird watching in Caño Hondo: Ridgway’s Hawk (E), Hispaniolan Oriole (E), Antillean Piculet (E), White-necked Crow (E), Broad-billed Tody (E), Ruddy Quail-Dove, Scaly-napped Pigeon.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Services

Included

Private transfers in air-conditioned minibus, on days 1, 5 and 6.
Transfers in 4×4 (Jeep Safari or similar), on days 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Local English speaking tour guide
5 nights accommodation in one of the listed hotels/cabin rooms (no single rooms available for nights 1 & 2).
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches (partial picnic or sandwiches) and 5 dinners as described.
National Park entrance fees, taxes and service charges.

Not included

Tips for driver/guide
Additional meals and drinks not mentioned
Personal expenses