Tropical Birding Tours Reviews 163

It's when things go wrong that one finds out about the quality of a company and its staff. We had been traveling in Tanzania for 3 weeks and were on the last part of our trip. We were flying back from Pemba Island with a change over in Zanzibar back to Arusha. Our plane was delayed in Pemba, missed the connection in Zanzibar to Arusha. One potential flight left leaving at 10 that night (12 hours from now) with a change of airports in Arusha. All flights were full for the next day. The change of airports is important because it meant a 90 minute trip to the hotel instead of 20 minutes.

Once we got provisional booking (airline would not confirm our booking for several hours yet) on the 10 pm fight that was now delayed to 11 pm, I sent an email to Desiree, the office mgr asking for some help in contacting the hotel to let them know of our late arrival. TB had already been aware of our missed flight, when we didn't show up at the original time and had already been working on our situation. We heard back from our Guide Ken, the owner Keith, our dirver Njona and the local tour operator Stephanie. All were primed to assists us. When the flight finally left Zanzibar at 1 am, arrived at 2 am in Arusha Njona was there to pick us up with a smile. Hotel was ready and waiting at 3:30 am when we arrived. Hotel in the case is small family run affair that only has 8 rooms, Katambuga House and is highly recommended as well by us. This review is a big thank you to the folks a TB for all their efforts behind the scenes.

But how was the birding you might ask? Incredible, knowledgeable, and interesting guides, both Ken and Andres. Tanzania should be on everyone's bucket list. In our pre-decision planning, we were trying where to go in Africa. Based on their suggestion, "If you are only going to visit Africa one time in your life, make it Tanzania." We couldn't agree more.

Date of experience: April 24, 2025

Because our dates in country did not align with any group tour offered by Tropical Birding, they arranged a custom tour for us in the Tandayapa Valley region of Northwest Ecuador. The staff at TB were incredibly helpful and worked with us to design and schedule the tour that we wanted. Several times during the planning process we asked for changes or accommodations, and they were able to make these happen.
Our experience was amazing, in very large part due to our guide, Andres de la Torres. His knowledge of birds (by sight and by song or call), as well as of the flora and other natural history of the region was extensive. We have engaged a number of guides on our birding travels and Andres was clearly among the best - we recommend him without any reservations at all! He is fully bilingual, was extremely attentive to our interests and desires, and was a pleasure to be with for our 8-day tour.
The only downside to an overall great tour experience was the lodging. TB owns the Tandayapa Birding Lodge, which features helpful and friendly staff, and good food. TBL is set in the forest, but unlike several other lodges we visited in the area there is no clear space or view of the valley. There are feeders set out at TBL, but the hummingbird feeders and solid food feeders are on opposite sides of the building, so we had to choose to watch one or the other. Additionally, our visit was during the rainy season, and there are regular mudslides that block the road above and below TBL. On two separate occasions we had to alter our day’s itinerary because the road was blocked. Fortunately, Andres was able to come up with alternative plans on those days and our biding adventures continued.
Overall a great tour – thank you Andres and Tropical Birding!

Date of experience: February 28, 2025

Full disclosure - I did not go on a tour with this group, but had a great experience with their guides that made me feel I ought to write a good review regardless. While at Artemis Station in FNQ I happened upon a Tropical Birding tour group, and while making small talk with the guides idly mentioned it was my first time heading up to the Iron Ranges. Despite not having hired them they proceeded to give me a full in-depth lecture on where to find each specific target species of note, in some cases down to describing the exact place to stand and direction to look, and so far this intel has proved flawless. They clearly know their stuff, so I must highly recommend them.

Date of experience: September 07, 2024

This was probably my best birding trip ever (Costa Rica Photo, Feb. 2024).

First, as things turned out, there were only two of us on the tour with Pablo Cervantes as our guide and driver. We were all reasonably compatible personalities so, virtually the whole time, the trip atmosphere was very congenial, respectful and mutually considerate.

Second, the pace was mostly easy, balanced and manageable (for old bodies). We had enough time everywhere to indulge our respective interests, to see all the birds that were reasonably seeable and to take all the photos we wanted. None of us are maniacal listers, so the balance between birding, photography and our respective abilities to enjoy the whole experience was just right. Virtually perfect from my septuagenarian perspective.

Third, I learned more about my camera, photography and bird photography in particular, thanks to Pablo’s experience and tactful readiness to teach a slow learner and to help correct ingrained habits.

Fourth, in prepping for the trip, I had identified some 450 species we might see (based on eBird sightings over the past five years) of which over half would be lifers for me. By the time we finished, we had seen 250 total species (some not on my list!) and I had 99 lifers. In addition, for most of them, I managed to get good photos.

Fifth, apart from one lodge whose infrastructure and management had clearly seen better days, accommodation and meals ranged from good to enjoyably unique, to truly spectacular.

Finally, all TB staff - and especially Pablo - were unfailingly friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and willing to accommodate special and specific interests.

This was one exceedingly excellent and very memorable trip.

Date of experience: February 12, 2024

My fourth trip to Ecuador with Tropical Birding was going fabulously! Guide José was finding birds that I had missed on my prior visit to the eastern Andes and even coaxing most of the ‘difficult’ birds into view. José was cheerful and energetic regardless the long trails, rain and mud that you encounter when searching for special birds.
But. News of Corvid-19 loomed ominously. What happened next proves the value of traveling with a company with capable and devoted office support with extensive connections throughout the region, as well as exceptional guides. First, Tropical personnel arranged an alternative lodge because national parks were closing. One day later Guide José and Office Staff worked very late on a Saturday night to arrange travel back to the US, starting with scheduling a 3-hour boat trip to the nearest airport city, when news indicated that borders and airports were closing in 24 hours.
I already have another trip scheduled with Tropical and I will certainly plan more. At times like those – emergencies or any event that might impact the usual smooth operation and great bird-watching that I’ve experienced on prior trips - the value of a trip with Tropical is priceless!

Date of experience: March 18, 2020

Exceeded all my expectations. Simply an amazing experience. Our guide Jose is undoubtedly the best bird guide I have ever been with. Everything worked perfectly and it was wonderful to just enjoy the birds and not have to worry about anything.

Date of experience: March 12, 2020

Excellent. Good accommodation, superb food, and top class birding. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and the itinerary was well designed to ensure new & interesting birds every day. Highly recommended.

Date of experience: March 09, 2020

Nice people , decent lodgings, adequate food in a spectacular setting. The lodge is a great birding location within easy range of very good birding sites. Our guide was very helpful and knowledgeable of the plethora of bird species we encountered, as was the driver who often pointed out birds for us. All in all the trip met our expectations. A fun trip

Date of experience: March 06, 2020

The Costa Rica Introtour far exceeded my expectations. In all four different regions on the itinerary, there were certain birds expected to be found. When it was a bird that can be difficult to see, if our guide heard it, he could lure it into view. His experience combined with that of other Tropical Birding guides who lead Costa Rica tours has led to building a network of local guides. That network is invaluable in tracking down the more difficult to see birds, e.g., the Lesser Ground Cuckoo. Our local guide directed us to a remote location where he knew the Lesser Ground Cuckoo was currently roaming. Within about twenty minutes, he and our TB guide lured it into view when, otherwise, we probably wouldn't have seen it.

When you sign on with Tropical Birding, you don't just get the obvious; they are committed to flushing out the shyest, most challenging birds to see. A lot of the value of touring with Tropical Birding can't be quantified because it is found in the world of experience the guide brings to the trip. Trust that you are dealing with professionals.

As far as the logistics of the trip, the guide will tell you every day what to expect, and between the written description online and the day-to-day briefings by the guide, there should be no surprises.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country and I couldn’t imagine experiencing it for the first time any other way than by touring with the Tropical Birding Costa Rica Introtour.

Date of experience: March 05, 2020

We saw 300 species in six days. Many were spectacular birds that I dared not hope for. Our guide was very knowledgeable and was determined to make sure every guest saw every bird. Of course that is not always possible, but he seemed more disappointed than the guest when someone missed a bird. He also made sure that person would get the first look if we encountered the bird again.

Tropical Birding anticipated all our needs. There was a driver waiting for us at the airport. We were taken to an very nice, quiet hotel in Quito, Breakfast was waiting in the morning at 5:00 a.m. We boarded a very comfortable bus with lots of big windows and headed to our first stop. From sword-billed hummingbirds to plate-billed mountain toucans, the trip was full of wonderful birds.

My guest and I had two dietary restrictions which were worked around at every meal, whether at the lodge or at a restaurant.

This was my best week of birding ever and I would not hesitate to go back. i highly recommend Tropical Birding's Andes Intro Tour.

Date of experience: February 29, 2020

We had an outstanding private tour in S. Ecuador. We saw almost 500 species, including many rare and critically endangered species. Our leader Sam Woods was excellent, a great leader with a deep knowledge and passion for birds. Accommodations and food were about the best I've come across in S. America. The office staff seemed very professional and on top of things. I can't wait to go back to Ecuador some day. We have already booked a Tropical Birding tour in 2021.

The extension took us to the mainland's west coast. Our leader for this portion was not as up to speed on his shore birds and needed to be encouraged to have a plan for what we might see each day. He did catch on and we had some great sightings.

Date of experience: February 28, 2020

The Andes Introtour was fantastic. Everything was so well planned and executed for seeing a maximum number of birds on a shorter trip. Our guide, driver, lodging, and food were all too notched!

Date of experience: February 28, 2020

Great job in coordinating a wonderful trip

Date of experience: February 27, 2020

The tour was very well organized and excellent leader.

Date of experience: February 27, 2020

Tropical Birding has always taken excellent care of us and fulfilled our desires. The tour guides are first rate. We always feel we are in excellent hands with this company as well as their guides and drivers.

Date of experience: February 27, 2020

Amazing Tour with an Amazing Guide. Charley Hesse Introduced us not just to the amazing birds, but to the food and culture of Japan. Charley's extensive knowledge of the country allowed us to find many rarities off the main Japanese birding routes.

Date of experience: February 21, 2020

A fantastic tour to Japan in Winter with Tropical Birding!
Great Guide Charley Hesse, we saw all target birds including Stellers Sea
Eagles, Blakinston Fish Owl and the rare Ross’s Gull.
Excellent Food and Hotels and Lodges.
An excellent tour couldn’t have been better!

Date of experience: February 20, 2020

This was my first Tropical Birding Tours trip and it more than met my expectations. Everything went smoothly, beginning with the airport pickup upon arrival at 2:30 a.m. They arranged lovely accommodations for me a day ahead of the tour and at the end of the tour, and a taxi at the end of the tour. Both the company guide Lisle and our local guide Saman had amazing birding skills and were very attentive to ensure all six of us got to see the birds well. We saw all 34 species of Sri Lankan endemics and more than 260 species in total. I liked that we were able to see owls at their daytime roosts, something I have not experienced on other tours. I also liked that we had other activities, including the trip out to see blue whales, and visits to the Glenloch tea factory and the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth. Our accommodations were clean and comfortable and I really enjoyed the excellent authentic Sri Lankan meals served at most of our hotels. I recommend this company and definitely plan to go on another one of their tours in the near future.

Date of experience: February 16, 2020

Excellent tour with a variety of habitats. Jose was an outstanding tour leader not only because of his uncanny ability to spot and identify birds but manage a sometimes challenging tour.He got us through several land slides unscathed!
One suggestion. We could have been provided, as Australian tours are, with a mid-morning and mid-afternoon cup of tea and snack and break. As an 81 year-old I could keep up but would have welcomed some breaks.

Date of experience: February 15, 2020

Jose Illanos was one of the best birders we have had the good fortune to travel with.
Recommend insisting on seat rotation and more regular bathroom breaks.

Date of experience: February 14, 2020