Sierra de Bahoruco

Birdwatching

from $USD 495 per person

3 days / 2 nights

Birdwatching

Sierra de Bahoruco

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 - Pickup at hotel (Barahona/ Cachote / Hotel by road to Puerto Escondido)

Distance: 150 kilometers, about 4 hours

Early morning departure to the cloud forest of Cachote. Bird watching all morning. Breakfast and lunch on site. Transfer to Puerto Escondido in the afternoon. Bird watching in the late afternoon on the Rabo del Gato Trail.

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

(*): E= Hispaniolan Endemic

Birdwatching 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: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Night: Villa Barrancoli *, Puerto Escondido

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

Distance: 70 kilometers, about 4 hours

Departure to the northern slope of the Sierra de Bahoruco in the early morning. All morning bird watching in Zapoten and in the pine forest. Breakfast and lunch (sandwiches) will be on site. Return to Villa Barrancoli. In the evening you will make an excursion to La Mina, where with a little luck you can see the Hait nightjar.

Bird watching 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.

Birdwatching La Mina (night): Least Poorwill (E), Hispaniolan Nightjar (E), Northern Potoo.

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

Day 3 - Northern Region of the Sierra de Bahoruco: La Placa / Barahona

Distance: 80 kilometers, about 2 hours

Early morning bird watching in La Placa. Lunch at Villa Barrancoli before returning to Barahona.

Bird watching 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.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Services

Included

Transfers by 4×4 (Jeep Safari type or similar), on days 1, 2 and 3.
Local English speaking guide
2 nights accommodation in a cabin in the forest (no single occupancy possible)
3x breakfast, 3x lunch (partial picnic or sandwiches) and 2x dinner, as per description

Not included

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