Spend the morning with me, @stacebird as we traverse across hill and dale throughout one of my dear indigenous Ngäbe family’s land where the birding is simply fantastic and before you know it, you’ll be enamoured with this beautiful native culture!
Mainland birding is especially attractive to birdwatchers as it means the entirety of bird species of this area are represented, those that make up Panama’s Western Caribbean Slope. While the Bocas del Toro archipelago chain of islands are each unique in their own way, they don’t harbor all the species that we will be able to find on mainland. This is always the case with islands and the scientific term for this phenomena is called island biogeography.
Therefore, I’m working with my dear Ngäbe friends, who have become like family over the years, as we create this new and unique birding and wildlife tour which also will include an in-depth experience and understanding of the indigenous of Bocas del Toro, the Ngäbe people.
The walk is through the lowland tropical rainforest here on Panama’s Western Caribbean Slope and some countryside pasture for an array of different ecosystems. In some areas we will be hiking up and down a few hills but the whole trek is less than a mile.
This is a half-day tour, about 3.5hrs in length and has several add-ons depending upon the desire of our guests..some options include the full indigenous experience that includes a few workshops in traditional handmade clothes and gifts as well as a traditional Ngäbe lunch had with my beloved Ellington family.
If you have kids and are interested in doing art, we can share time with the local children and everybody gets a sketchbook and together we contemplate nature and draw what speaks to us. Afterwards, we can write out the names of our drawings in Spanish, English and the traditional Ngäbere language, making art together and creating memories to last for always.
There is also a unique snorkeling option along the way back for an additional $20/pp.
$60/pp (single person $120) for boat + $10/pp land entry fee + guide fee $60/pp.
Wear your close-toed shoes for the hike, bring sun protection and a full water bottle!
Provided: Snacks, extra water, binoculars if needed, spotting scope for close up-views of wildlife and birds, snorkel masks, sketchbooks and art supplies (as needed).