2025 Discover the Beautiful Birds of Costa Rica! A Benefit Tour for the Great Swamp Conservancy
Birding Costa Rica
From the Rainforest to the Påramo, Wetlands and Highlands
Discover Costa Rica’s colorful and captivating biodiversity
Benefit the Great Swamp Conservancy
Small Group
12 Days - 11 Nights
Discover the secret places that Costa Rican birders love
Professional Costa Rican birding guide
Comfortable vehicle; all lodging and meals included
March 02 - March 13, 2025
Small Group - limited to 6 Guests
$6987.00 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement $595.00
Your trip cost includes a $1000 tax-deductible donation to the Great Swamp Conservancy
Interested?
Why This Tour is Special
The Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota, New York, directly benefits from your trip. The ticket cost of your unforgettable birding vacation includes a $1000.00 donation in your name and a donation receipt for your taxes.
Spangle-cheeked Tanager Image: Martin Palanek
Beautiful, Bountiful Birds!
Costa Rica is home to more than 900 species of birds, including 50 species of Hummingbirds, so whether in the cloud forests, humid Caribbean lowlands, arid mountain peaks, dry Pacific forests, or mangroves, we will enjoy the humm of these fascinating little jewels all around us.
What's in that Tree?
There are more than birds in the foliage! Over 500,000 wildlife species, or more than 5% of the world's total, call Costa Rica "home." We could become captivated by white-faced capuchins, be surprised by Central American spider monkeys, or hear the howl of a mantled howler! We may find sleeping sloths, beautiful butterflies, active amphibians, an armadillo … and so much more.
Community, Conservation, and Commerce.
Celebrating nature is at the heart of Costa Rican life! Our visit will take us to comfortable, independently owned properties where we meet individuals, families, and whole communities that have enhanced their personal and economic well-being through businesses and lifestyles that protect and preserve nature. Looking for luxury? This is not your tour. Excited about discovering Costa Rica’s soul: good people, good food, and the best of birds and nature? Welcome!
Beauty is everywhere
In the birds, butterflies, flowers, and people's smiles. That's Pura Vida!
Costa Rica and The Great Swamp Conservancy – Perfect Together
The country of Costa Rica and the Great Swamp Conservancy have a lot in common. Both Costa Rica and the GSC lands began as fecund, natural havens of biodiversity but then developed until depleted. Both have been ecologically reborn through tough decisions, hard work, determination, and devotion. Costa Rica and The Great Swamp Conservancy are bright lights for the future of our planet.
Let's celebrate together.
Detailed Itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Costa Rica!
Fiery-throated Hummingbirds - near endemic Image: ©Rinus Baak
Arrive in San José via the Juan Santamaria International Airport. You will be met and transferred to the family-owned Robledal Hotel, a garden oasis just a few minutes from the airport. Relax and refresh after your trip! (Secret: the gardens attract hummingbirds, and the family maintains a nest box of ferruginous pygmy owls; take a peek!) This evening, we will meet our traveling companions with a welcome dinner. Then snuggle in for a good night’s sleep - our adventure begins in earnest in the morning!
Included: Dinner Overnight at Robledal Hotel
Day 2:
Selva Verde Lodge | Sarapiqui Lowlands
After breakfast, we will travel towards the lowlands of the Caribbean until we arrive at Selva Verde Lodge and Reserve.
Welcome to the rainforest!
More than a lodge, Selva Verde has been committed to conserving this rainforest and its inhabitants for over thirty years. It protects over 500 acres (202.3 hectares) of primary and secondary rainforest, home to more than 370 species of birds, 100 species of amphibians and reptiles, 80 species of mammals, and more than 300 species of trees.
At Selva Verde, we will seek out birds such as the keel-billed toucan, white-winged becard, sunbittern, rufous-winged woodpecker, and the endangered great green macaw, plus mammals including the (IUNC rated Vulnerable) mantled howler and white-faced monkeys, agoutis and coatis (coatimundi.) And we will keep our eyes open for amphibians and reptiles such as the big green iguanas, emerald basiliscus and the popular red-eyed tree frogs, green and black frogs, poison frog, and blue jeans poison frogs.
Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)
Day 3
Selva Verde Lodge | Sarapiqui Lowlands
Today, we will visit Cope's Place in Guapiles, searching for owls (crested and spectacled) and other special birds. This place perfectly exemplifies how great bird and nature sighting and photography opportunities can support local families. Cope’s Place is the home of Costa Rican artist and photographer Jóse “Cope” Perez. His beautiful gardens have become a famous and sought-after location for people who love to watch or photograph birds - especially hummingbirds!
We will return to the hotel for lunch.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy the chance to spot birds and wildlife from the water on a two-hour boat safari on the Sarapiquí River; keep your eyes open for the caimans, iguanas, green ibis, and much more! Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)
We will look for Sunbittern in the North Pacific Lowlands. Image: Taani El Emam
Day 4
Selva Verde Lodge | Sarapiqui Lowlands
We depart the lodge early this morning for birding at the nearby Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Biological Field Station.
La Selva comprises approximately 2,500 acres (112 hectares) of land, over 90% of which is virgin forest. The area averages over 13 feet (4 meters) of rainfall yearly, making it a prime spot for bird watching.
Birdwatchers have spotted over half of Costa Rica's more than 900 recorded bird species at La Selva, including the red-capped manakin, great antshrike, chestnut-backed antbird, slaty-tailed trogon, slate-colored grosbeak, broad-billed motmot, slaty-breasted tinamou and more.
We return to Selva Verde for lunch.
In the afternoon, we visit the foothills of the volcanoes in the Central Mountain range. Here, we will find the Cinchona hummingbird feeders. We will stop at the roadside Galeria de Colibri y Soda Cinchona cafe, famous for its hummingbird feeders and a perennial favorite for birders. We’ll head to the back deck, where you can order a coffee, relax, and enjoy the scene!
Keep your eyes open for white hawks, barred hawks, prong-billed barbets, red-headed barbets, sooty-faced finch, American dippers, and hummingbirds! We may see white-bellied mountain-gem, torrent tyrannulet, violet sabrewing, and green thorntail here. And we will search among the hummingbirds for our very special Costa Rica endemic, the coppery-headed emerald, and more. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)
Day 5
Paraiso Quetzal Lodge | Talamanca Highlands
Today, we will move from the Caribbean coast towards our next destination: the highlands of Costa Rica.
We will strategically stop at Casa Dowii Reserve for lunch, a special place for birdwatchers, and with some of the best food in the region! Here, we will look for the incredible spangle-cheeked tanager, the elusive buff-fronted quail-dove, and the interesting buffy-crowned wood partridge.
Golden-naped Woodpecker, near endemic Image: ©Rinus Baak
After lunch, we will continue our route until we reach Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, located in the region's oak forests and páramo, a privileged place to find regional endemic species of Costa Rica. Note: The night temperatures are cool here. You will appreciate your layers.
Overnight at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge . (BLD)
Day 6
Paraiso Quetzal Lodge | Talamanca Highlands
We begin our day in search of one of the most exotic and beautiful birds in the world, the resplendent quetzal, thanks to the help of the KABEK project (Proyecto Kabek Familias Pro-Quetzal) and the families that protect this bird and the particular habitat it requires. The community initiative, begun by Jorge Serrano, the owner of our lodge, focuses the local economy on the conservation of the ecosystems of this extraordinary species.
We return to the lodge for breakfast and spend the rest of the day enjoying the beautiful hummingbirds at the feeders. We will look for the Talamanca hummingbird, volcano hummingbird, lesser violetear, fiery-throated hummingbird, white-throated mountain-gem, and more.
We will also search for regional endemics such as the collared redstart (also known as the collared whitestart), large-footed finch, black-billed nightingale thrush, sooty-capped chlorospingus, long-tailed silky flycatcher, and more.
Overnight at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge . (BLD)
Day 7
Paraiso Quetzal Lodge | Talamanca Highlands
This morning's adventure finds us visiting one of Costa Rica's highest mountains and the Pan-American Highway in search of the specialties of the Páramo ecosystem. We will look for the timberline wren, volcano junco, peg-billed finch, and more.
After a delicious lunch in an authentic Costa Rican restaurant, we will visit the Providencia route to search for the Costa Rican pygmy owl, wren thrush, black-and-yellow silky flycatcher, black-capped flycatcher, flame-throated warbler, and more.
Overnight at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge. (BLD)
Day 8
Hotel Tarcoles | Carara Central Pacific Lowlands
Today, we leave the highlands to search for the unique birds of Costa Rica's lowlands. Our destination is Villa Lapas, located between two different eco-zones, the humid tropical forest and the high-humidity pre-montane forest.
This place is home to regional avian specials, including the endemic fiery-billed Aracari, orange-collared manakin, velvety manakin, many tanager species, and more toucans.
We will have lunch in a local restaurant and then enjoy a boat tour on the Tárcoles River (The Río Grande de Tárcoles), famed for having more crocodiles than any other river in the world. We will not swim here! Instead, we will search for birds such as the endemic mangrove hummingbird, roseate spoonbill, black-bellied whistling duck, tricolored heron, kingfishers, and more.
Overnight at Villa Lapas Jungle Village (BLD)
Day 9
Hotel Tarcoles | Carara Central Pacific Lowlands
We rise early because today we have an entire morning at the famous Carara National Park! This place consists of transitional forests and is home to many humid forest bird species only found in southwestern Costa Rica.
Keep alert for the golden-naped woodpecker, Baird's trogon, royal flycatcher, great tinamou, white-whiskered puffbird, and the colorful scarlet macaw.
We will enjoy lunch in the area, and in the afternoon, we will continue looking for special birds.
Overnight at Villa Lapas Jungle Village (BLD)
Day 10
La Ensenada Lodge | Northern Pacific Lowlands
Today, we experience the Costa Rican Dry Forest, a zone with very particular vegetation, birds, and animals.
We will arrive at La Ensenada Lodge in time for lunch and then have some time on the trails looking for the beautiful White-throated Magpie-Jay, Crested Caracara, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Black-headed Trogon, and more. Overnight at La Ensenada (BLD)
Overnight at La Ensenada Lodge (BLD)
Day 11
La Ensenada Lodge | Northern Pacific Lowlands
This morning, we will search for the largest bird in Costa Rica, the jabiru. We will also look for Pacific screech-owl, double-striped thick-knee, yellow-naped parrot, streak-backed oriole, and more.
In the afternoon, we will go on a tractor-safari through the intermarial and open areas of the lodge property! We will have the chance to see aquatic species such as sandpipers, plovers, gulls, jacanas, and more. This evening, we will celebrate the conclusion of our wonderful Costa Rica birding adventure with our final farewell dinner.
Overnight at La Ensenada (BLD)
Day 12
Departure
After our final Costa Rican breakfast, we head to the airport for the trip home, with our hearts filled with Pura Vida and unforgettable memories of our adventure in Costa Rica - plus an exciting and colorful bird list! (B)
Wildlife
Birds and Wildlife
Nature: It’s Costa Rica’s national wealth. Although a small country comprised of only .03% of the earth’s surface, Costa Rica is home to nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity! With over 500,000 species (approximately 220 land mammals, 900 birds, about 240 reptiles, and 210 amphibians plus insects, marine mammals, fish, and an amazing abundance of flora) making their home in Costa Rica, we are likely to come across a variety of fascinating species.
Cinnamon Hummingbird Image: ©Ondrej Prosicki
Collared Redstart (or Collared whitestart) - near endemic Image: ©Martin Pelanek
Birds
We have a good chance to see White-faced Capuchin Monkeys as well as other primates. Image ©Ondrej Prosicky
In our 12 days together, we will visit 5 of Costa Rica's seven ecozones, from the wetlands to the påramo in the highest mountains, and visit the most important areas of endemism. We estimate to see between 300-350 species of birds, including:
Keel-billed toucan, white-winged becard, sunbittern, rufous-winged woodpecker (near-endemic), the endangered great green macaw, green ibis, white hawks, barred hawks, prong-billed barbets (near-endemic), red-headed barbets, sooty-faced finch (near-endemic), American dippers, spangle-cheeked tanager, the elusive buff-fronted quail-dove, and buffy-crowned wood partridge, collared redstart also known as the collared whitestart (near-endemic), large-footed finch (near-endemic), black-billed nightingale thrush (near-endemic), sooty-capped chlorospingus (near-endemic), long-tailed silky flycatcher. And timberline wren (near-endemic), volcano junco (near-endemic), peg-billed finch, Costa Rican pygmy owl (near-endemic), wren thrush, black-and-yellow silky flycatcher (near-endemic),black-capped flycatcher, and flame-throated warbler (near-endemic), fiery-billed Aracari (endemic), orange-collared manakin (near-endemic), velvety manakin (near-endemic), many tanager species, golden-naped woodpecker (near-endemic), Baird's trogon (near-endemic), royal flycatcher, great tinamou, slatey-breasted tinamou, white-whiskered puffbird, and the colorful scarlet macaw, white-throated magpie-jay, crested caracara, black-headed trogon, Pacific screech-owl, mangrove swallow, , double-striped thick-knee, orange-chinned, orange-fronted and yellow-naped parrot, crested bobwhite, streak-backed oriole, and Western and stilt sandpipers, black-bellied and Wilson's plovers, gulls, Northern jacana, flame-colored tanager, spectacled owl and crested owl, and more.
Hummingbirds! Including white-bellied mountain-gem (near-endemic), torrent tyrannulet, violet sabrewing, and green thorntail, the coppery-headed emerald (endemic), Talamanca hummingbird (Near endemic), volcano hummingbird (near-endemic), lesser violetear, fiery-throated hummingbird (near-endemic), white-throated mountain-gem (near-endemic), cinnamon Hummingbird, green violetear, and mangrove hummingbird (endemic)
Note: Over 110 of Costa Rica’s avian species are near-endemics, found only in Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, or the Darien border area of Colombia. Costa Rica is the most accessible place to spot them.
Mammals
Primates include the mantled howler (IUNC rated Vulnerable) American spider and white-faced capuchin monkeys, agoutis and Coatis (coatimundi), Collared peccary, Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, Brown-throated three-toed sloth, Derby’s wooly opossum,
Amphibians and reptiles
We may see the green iguana, emerald Basiliscus lizard, red-eyed tree frogs, green and black frogs, poison frogs, blue jeans poison frogs, caimans, and crocodiles.
Others
Sara Longwing, rusted clearwing-satyr, banded-owl butterfly, and banded and white peacock butterflies, or the glorious blue-skipper.
Golden-hooded tanagers Image: ©Ondrej Prosicky
Accommodations
Accommodations
At Destination: Wildlife, we strive to apply the principles of responsible tourism—that is, travel that supports wildlife, habitats, and the well-being of local communities. We are committed to ensuring your tourism dollars stay local, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of those who live there. We choose locally owned and operated accommodations, restaurants, and other providers for these reasons. Our family-owned accommodations in Costa Rica are basic (all have separate bathrooms), comfortable, and authentic, with the personal touch only a family business can provide. Each family is devoted to you, the community - and to nature. This is Pura Vida!
The Selva Verde Lodge
Welcome to the magical world of the rainforest where Alemendro trees tower and the sound of mantled howler monkeys mixes with the calls, chirps, croaks, and rustling of a thousand creatures!
In the early 1980s, Giovanna Holbrook was on the cutting (or stop-cutting) edge in Costa Rica's environmental about-face when she discovered a sizeable still-in-tact swath of old-growth forest and promptly bought it. Today, the Selva Verde is a premier (comfortable) eco-lodge committed to protecting Costa Rica's most accessible rainforest through eco-tourism. Selva Verde strongly supports the Certification for Sustainable Tourism and is committed to education and rainforest preservation, working with organizations such as Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC), the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor, and others. You may notice a few lodge practices: solar-heated water for the rooms, restaurant waste composting, and no chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides in the garden; their compost is the fertilizer. There is also a feeding prohibition of wildlife of any kind.
The La Ensenada Lodge and Wildlife Reserve
Here, we will experience the peace and serenity of the 800-acre La Ensenada Wildlife Refuge located on the Nicoya Gulf. We will explore the mangroves and nature trails and enjoy our cozy cabins. Since 1977, the Tretti family has been rewilding parts of their still-working cattle, horse, and salt production ranch. Today, 30% of their land is being reforested and replanted with native species. It is one of the last primary and secondary forests in the region. The cabins are rustic (no air conditioning) but comfortable, and the views of the Gulf are fantastic.
The Paraiso Quetzal Lodge
Jorge Serrano had a vision in 2005; he wanted to create a paradise for the most beautiful bird in the world, the Resplendent Quetzal. He and his young family left his family's iconic lodge, The Mirador (trails connect the properties), to realize his dream: The Paraiso del Quetzal, now recognized as a model of sustainable development.
The 8-acre property on a mountainside was once a pasture but is now lush with native plants and the birds that love them. The incline gives the comfortable, red-roofed cabins fabulous views! The mountain can be cool at night, but snuggle under the welcome pile of cozy blankets and let the wonderful mountain air and soft forest noises lull you to sleep.
As the sun rises, the gardens surrounding the cabins attract a plethora of gorgeous hummingbirds. However, we must walk the trail where wild avocados grow to see the quetzals. Quetzals eat wild avocados, and although wildlife is never guaranteed, thanks to the vision and hard work of Jorge Serrano and his family, it's a good bet that we will see these elusive, rare, and beautiful birds.
Hotel Tarcoles
This is a brand-new property by one of the premier birding hospitality specialists in Costa Rica. The tiny boutique hotel offers an intimate setting, exemplary hospitality, and wonderful birding.
Tour Information
Tour Information
Red-Eyed Tree Frog is a famous Costa Rica resident! Image: Ondrej Prosecky
Dates
March 11 - 23, 2025
©Price
$6989.00 ex flights double occupancy. Single supplement of $585.00
The tour price includes a $1,000 donation to the Great Swamp Conservancy in your name, which is tax deductible for US residents. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation.
Group Size
Limited to 6 Guests. The group size on this tour is limited to 6 guests plus a tour leader and a Costa Rican bird specialist guide. An important aspect of responsible tourism is the limited group size, and wildlife is always best experienced in smaller groups. Our small group size is less likely to influence wildlife behavior, allows for each of us to enjoy more meaningful interaction with our guide and our hosts, and allows us more flexibility in our daily itinerary decisions.
Included
► Tour Price The price is given in US dollars and includes:
✓ Full-time bilingual professional birding guide
✓ Full-time tour Leader
✓ Full-time driver and minibus.
✓ Taxes
✓ Transportation from and to the airport
✓ The Meal Plan is full board. Starting with dinner on arrival day and finishing with breakfast on departure day.
✓ All the accommodations.
✓ Activities as per the itinerary
► Donation: A $1,000 donation to the Great Swamp Conservancy is included in the price of the tour, and this donation is tax deductible for US residents.
Not Included
x Travel to and from Costa Rica,
x alcoholic beverages,
x gratuities,
x personal items (phone service, laundry, internet, souveniers, etc.),
x airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any),
x travel insurance protection, and medical evacuation insurance.
Golden-browed Chorophonia Image: ©Martin Pelanek
Physical Requirements
Easy. This bird-watching tour with Destination: Wildlife will include intermittent travel in a vehicle each day in a vehicle, sometimes over rough roads, and moderate walking or hiking over rough trails, including some elevation.
Meals
All meals are included. Most meals will be taken at the lodges where we will be treated to home-cooked Costa Rican specialties.
Most dietary restrictions (plant-based diets, gluten-free, etc.) can be accommodated if we are advised in advance. Please let us know as soon as possible of any dietary requirements due to serious medical conditions or strict personal restrictions.
Need to Know
Entry Requirements for US Citizens:
Passport: Valid for time of Visit with one (1) empty page
(Note: most countries require the passport to be valid for six months past the end date of the visit. This is a good policy to flow when you travel, whether required or not.)
Visa: None required for US citizens
Vaccinations: None required
(Note: We recommend being updated with COVID, flu and other routine vaccinations when you travel. For more information from the CDC look here )
(Note: we recommend taking precautions against mosquitos.)
Return Tickets
Proof of funds (minimum 100.00USD / per day)
(Note. No more than 10,000 USD cash is to be carried allowed into or out of the country)
Getting There and Back
Please schedule your flights to arrive by 3 pm on DAY 1 to allow time for delays and to be able to attend the orientation / welcome dinner. You are free to depart at any time on the final day. If you would like to arrive a day early (Day 0) please let us know in advance. If you would like Destination: WIldlife to book your flights, please let us know. There is a $125.00 one-time booking fee. No extra charge if we need to make changes
Cancellation Policy
Due to the nature of our tours, no refunds are available once a tour has started or for any package, accommodation, meals, or other services included. We understand that sometimes, even the most eagerly anticipated plans may need to be canceled. Please see below for our cancellation policy. We strongly recommend that every traveler purchase travel insurance.
Cancellation: More than 120 Days
Forfeiture of 20% of trip fees, including extensions, plus any specified donations to the sponsor, any non-refundable train/airfare, and a $150 cancellation processing fee.*
Cancellation 120 to 90 Days
Forfeiture of 30% of trip fees, including extensions, plus any specified donations to the sponsor, any non-refundable train/airfare or other, and a $150 cancellation processing fee.*
Cancellation 90 to 61 Days
Forfeiture of 50% of trip fees, including extensions, plus any specified donations to the sponsor, any non-refundable train/airfare or other, and a $150 cancellation processing fee.*
Cancellation 60 Days or Less
Forfeiture of 100% of trip fees, including extensions, plus any specified donations to the sponsor, any non-refundable train/airfare or other, and a $150 cancellation processing fee.*
*Where another guest fills the space, a portion of your fees may be eligible for an additional partial refund, subject to Destination: Wildlife's sole and exclusive discretion.
Travel, Medical and Evacuation Insurance
Travel Insurance:
We strongly suggest travel insurance that covers travel delays, cancellations, luggage, medical, or other unexpected occurrences. There are many good travel insurance providers. We have worked with Allianz for many years and recommend them as cost-effective, comprehensive, and fair.
They have multiple policy choices and will cover couples or families traveling together under one plan. We are happy to provide a comparison of their policies for you. Just ask.
Evacuation Insurance:
This is NOT the same as travel insurance. Evacuation insurance will evacuate you in case of serious medical or other emergency. It is a membership plan that covers you for a year or more regardless of the location of the emergency, from your backyard to the Himalayas. We are happy to assist you in securing the right policy.
White-throated Magpie Image: Thanks to ©Birding Central America
Making a Difference
How Your Trip Makes A Difference
The Great Swamp Conservancy
Mission Statement:
“TO FOSTER ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, AND NATURAL HISTORY EDUCATION, PROMOTE OUTDOOR RECREATION AND PRESERVE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, AND CONSERVE AND MANAGE NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE ONEIDA LAKE AND LAKE ONTARIO WATERSHEDS.”
The primary focus area of the Great Swamp Conservancy (GSC) is on the southeastern shore of Oneida Lake in the towns of Lenox and Sullivan. This area is home to what the Iroquois called the Great Swamp, a remnant of Lake Iroquois. The Great Swamp was drained for agriculture from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, creating rich black muck soils. The GSC’s driving force has been to return a portion of these wetlands to their original state through partnerships with landowners, and local, state, and federal governmental agencies.
About the Great Swamp Conservancy
The Great Swamp Conservancy is an example and an inspiration of what one person can do to help the world. One morning in 1985, Michael Patane, a landscape specialist, nature lover, and duck hunter (yes, most responsible hunters are also nature lovers), realized that the great numbers and variety of birds and other wildlife he'd grown up with in Madison County were gone. The drained lands were barren of biodiversity and economically viable crops – no good for anyone. Michael decided to restore the natural ecosystem.
Great Swamp Conservancy’s restored wetlands are vital habitat for hundreds of species. Image: The Great Swamp Conservancy. Canastota, New York (Madison County)
Over 27 years later, The Great Swamp Conservancy is a small organization with a significant environmental and community impact. Michael, his wife Rusty, their Board of directors, and passionate volunteers are dedicated to the GSC’s mission: to foster environmental, cultural, and natural history education, promote outdoor recreation, preserve biological diversity, and conserve and manage natural resources in the Oneida Lake and Lake Ontario watersheds. They are an integral part of the community, welcoming visitors, running environmental education programs for all ages and interests, hosting arts and crafts fairs and classes, and celebrating the migrations with walks, talks, photography meetings, and more.
Located in Madison County, New York, the GSC consists of approximately 175 acres plus 260 acres in other counties that are held “In Trust” by the GSC of forested wetlands and fields, with about 7 miles of maintained (seasonally wet) trails through fields, forests, and alongside a beaver pond! These trails, including a 900ft accessible boardwalk through a flooded wood, allow unparalleled opportunities to view, study, or photograph this unique habitat.
The healthy, restored habitats of The Great Swamp Conservancy, designated an IBA (Important Bird Area) by Audubon, are again home to a plethora of resident and migratory birds. Depending on the season, you might see breeding osprey and great blue herons (the rookery is fascinating!) or great horned owls, wild turkeys, bobwhite quail, bluebirds (I saw my first one here), cedar waxwings, belted kingfishers and other wetland birds, Cooper's hawks, and numerous woodpecker and songbird species. You might also find beavers, muskrats, fishers, coyotes, white-tailed deer, frogs, and other amphibians, garter snakes, and turtles. And fish! Including bass, sunfish, bluegills and bullheads
The generous donation from your trip helps maintain the restored lands, build and maintain trails for the public, and helps to finance educational programs for adults and children all year.
Go to https://www.greatswampconservancy.org/ to learn more about this wonderful organization.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a World Leader in Conservation and Ecological Restoration
Between the 1940s and 1980s, over 50% of Costa Rica’s original forest was destroyed due to forestry and other clearing - Costa Rica was on a track to permanently eliminating vital habitats and biodiversity, including rare and endangered species. Then, the government made a country-wide decision to reverse course. A plan was hatched to enhance its people's well-being by protecting the environment's health. Rather than devoting resources to developing a military, Costa Rican officials decided to build educational and social security programs.
Supported by the people, Costa Rica is today the world's only tropical country to stop and reverse deforestation. Costa Rica has regenerated 50% of its forests, protected 27% of its land, and gets 98% of its energy from renewable sources. In 2019, the UN declared them "Champion of the Earth" for their contribution to fighting climate change and protecting nature.
We designed our trip to support the country's direction and communities by visiting and staying with local families, using local guides and other services, and learning about this beautiful country's culture, customs, and unique ecologies.
Squirrel Cuckoo watching the rear. Image Thanks to ©Birding Central America
Reviews
Guest Reviews
Reviews for Destination: Wildlife
Doug, Utah
Winter Wolf Watching and Learning, 2023
Thanks for a wonderful trip. I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with everyone involved. It was the best trip of its kind that I have attended. All in all, it was a grand time, and I look forward to another adventure with you. I really like the learning mixed with the photography. Thanks for a wonderful trip. I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with everyone involved. It was the best trip of its kind that I have attended…Exceeded my expectations.
Amy, New York
Winter Wolf Watching and Learning, 2023
An absolute 10!!! This trip was a total home run and delivered on wolves and wildlife well above my hopes and expectations. The lectures were outstanding and extremely informative and each of the lecturers captured and held my attention throughout. Cara McGary [our guide] was an absolute gem--the depth of her knowledge and experience, as well as her personality, elevated the experience, and you did an excellent job in seeing that all arrangements, meals, etc., ran timely, that accommodations were comfortable, etc. Looking forward to future trips-- and definitely Namibia.
Noreen, New York
Exploring Women’s Winter Wolf Trek, 2022
The trip was fabulous and couldn't have been much better. …I was impressed that you did a Zoom call rather than just sending a gear list - it is an example of how much personal attention you devoted to us.
John, Connecticut 2023
Namibia, Africa. Birding and Wildlife Safari
I highly recommend the Birding Safari presented by Destination Wildlife and it’s US affiliate, Signpost Publishing. Professional, highly educated guides treat one to the beauty of nature and all the creatures big and small living within. An absolute must in your journeys. 10 stars.
When asked for a “ favorite moment,” I am at a loss, as the whole trip was filled with so many memorable moments. One just has to go and see, and they’ll understand.
I don’t know if I would change anything. For this price point, I feel you truly get value and much more.
The guides were more than expected, and so knowledgeable in so many other areas.
Roberta, Les, and Destination Wildlife met my expectations 100%. The whole experience for me was 10.
Kathy, New York 2023
Namibia, Africa Birding and WIldlife Safari 2023
We were so impressed with Destination Wildlife's meticulous organizational skills as well as the wonderful choice of lodges
Liz and Alan, New York
Costa Rica Birding 2022
We are in awe of the care that you took to make our trip successful. The attention to detail, your ready availability when things didn’t go as planned
Your excitement as our trip progressed and the supervision to the very end to make sure everything turned out alright.
Thank you for all that you do. Liz & Alan
Like this Jibaru stork, you will want to fly back to Costa Rica before you have even gone away! Image: Thanks to Birding Central America