Explore the Biodiversity of Panama's Caribbean Coast
Discover the biodiversity of Central America as we photograph the wildlife of western Panama at a unique island eco-lodge. You'll photograph rainforest birds, mammals, insects and more. Observe and photograph colorful birds from a 65' high observation tower, tour the rainforest with experienced naturalist guides, and enjoy home-cooked meals at our luxury air-conditioned eco lodge retreat.
When: October 18-26, 2024 from Panama City, Panama
Experience Level: Intermediate to advanced
You are expected to have a working knowledge of exposure and how to set up your camera's exposure and autofocus settings.
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
You must be able to carry your camera gear on open-deck boats, up stairs, and along uneven rainforest terrain.
Maximum Group Size: 6 Photographers (Min: 4)
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrive in Panama City, where you will be transferred to our group hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you are free to explore Panama City on your own. We will meet for a brief orientation and welcome session.
Day 1: Monkey Island + Sloth Sanctuary excursion on Gatun Lake, part of the Panama Canal system. Get up close to monkeys and sloths in a safe environment! Travel by boat on huge Gatun Lake, where we'll look out for crocodiles, toucans, turtles, and many kinds of butterfly.
Day 2: Fly to Bocas Del Toro, Panama. We will be met by our guides and taken by boat to Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge. After we check in at our lodge, we'll take nature walks into the rainforest to photograph birds and other wildlife on-site.
Day 3: Wildlife photography sessions on-site at Tranquilo Bay. Private guides will asisst us to find all the wildlife hotspots on-site, including sloths, parrots, hummingbirds, basilisk lizards, and poison dart frogs.
Day 4: Excursion to SAN SAN POND SAK WETLANDS | BIRDING & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOAT
We will travel by boat to the Schneider canal, where we will see kingfishers, tanagers, herons, and other shorebirds. We'll then continue to bird island, where we'll see tropicbirds and brown-footed boobies as they fly around their island nesting sites.
Day 5: Wildlife photography sessions on-site at Tranquilo Bay.
Day 6: Return to Panama City by air and transfer to our group hotel
Day 7: Walking tour of the old town (Casca Vieja) neighborhood in Panama City, and the Panama Canal Locks
Day 8: Transfer to the airport and return home
Our Accommodations: Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge
Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge is strategically located in the epicenter of national parks and protected reserves. The well-appointed lodge and its amenities, reside on 200-forested acres covering three distinct ecosystems, adjacent to Bastimentos Island National Marine Park, within the La Amistad UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The main lodge’s veranda, air-conditioned private cabanas and canopy observation tower provide elevated decks for a birds-eye view of the extraordinary wildlife found here. Several kilometers of hiking trails, in addition to the lodge’s grounds, often provide encounters with Two and Three-toed sloths, White-faced Capuchin and Panamanian Night Monkeys, Nine-banded Armadillo, Spectacled Caiman, Central American Woolly Opossum, Grey Four-eyed Opossum, Northern Tamandua, Greater White-lined Bats, kettles of migrating raptors, Three-wattled Bellbird, Golden-collard Manakin (several leks), and hummingbird bathing pools.
All cabins are air-conditioned and have their own water purification system.
What's Included
- Hotel accommodations with breakfast in Panama City
- Monkey Island & Sloth Sanctuary Tour in Panama City
- Old Town Panama City Tour
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Air transportation to Bocas del Toro
- 4 nights at the Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge Includes:
- Lodging in single occupancy cabanas, all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, all taxes, WIFI, entrance fees to national parks, meals, snacks and beverages during outings.
- Guided boat tour to San San Sak Ponds Wetlands
- Bilingual naturalist guides
- Group photo tours as described above
Not Included
- Travel to and from Panama City from your home city
- Tips, departure tax, alcoholic beverages, meals in Panama City.
Safari Fee
- $4999 per person (single occupancy) $500 deposit due by May 1, 2024
- Deposit reserves your space until July 1, 2024
- Non-participant companions are welcome! (contact me for pricing)
Deposit is non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.
Final payment is due 90 days before the tour date. Final payment is not refundable (I recommend trip insurance to protect your investment)
*Non-photographer companions will not go on the Canal Birding excursion. These guests will have access to use of facilities, and one session each day with available naturalist guides. Any additional activities or excursions can be purchased onsite.
Trip Insurance (Required)
All participants are required to have travel insurance to cover medical emergencies during the trip. You can also use travel insurance to protect your investment in this tour in the event that you are unable to attend. Contact me for a policy quote.
