The enchanted forests of Sierra de Bahoruco
Embark on an exhilarating expedition to the northern facing slopes of Sierra de Bahoruco in the southwest region of the Dominican Republic, where you can find up to 84 bird species. Our journey is designed to unveil the extraordinary diversity of endemic bird species on the island of Hispaniola, many of which inhabit restricted ranges. Bahoruco is home to almost all of our endemic avian treasures!
Embark on an exhilarating expedition to the northern facing slopes of Sierra de Bahoruco in the southwest region of the Dominican Republic, where you can find up to 84 bird species. Our journey is designed to unveil the extraordinary diversity of endemic bird species on the island of Hispaniola, many of which inhabit restricted ranges. Bahoruco is home to almost all of our endemic avian treasures!
Ascending from approximately 100 meters to a staggering 1,900 meters, our exploration spans across a tapestry of landscapes, encompassing dry forests, agricultural fields, broadleaf, cloud, and pine forests.
Ascending from approximately 100 meters to a staggering 1,900 meters, our exploration spans across a tapestry of landscapes, encompassing dry forests, agricultural fields, broadleaf, cloud, and pine forests.
Endemic Birds you may find:
Endemic Birds you may find:
Broad and Narrow-billed Tody, Hispaniolan Lizard Cuckoo, Hispaniolan Mango, Vervain Hummingbird, Hispaniolan Parrot, White-necked Crow, Hispaniolan Woodpecker, Flat-billed Vireo, Ashy-faced Owl, La Selle Thrush, Hispaniolan Euphonia, Hispaniolan Emerald, Hispaniolan Pewee, Antillean Piculet, Black-Crowned Palm-Tanager, Green-tailed Ground Tanager, White-winged Highland-Tanager, Hispaniolan Trogon, Greater Antillean Elaenia, Hispaniolan Oriole, Antillean Siskin, Antillean Nighthawk, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, White-fronted Quail-Dove, Hispaniolan Crossbill, Western Chat-Tanager, Golden Swallow, Loggerhead Kingbird (Hispaniolan), Key West Quail-Dove.
Dates: July 15th-17th and July 23rd-25th
Dates: July 15th-17th and July 23rd-25th
Maximum Group size: 8 people
Maximum Group size: 8 people
Cost: $460 USD
Cost: $460 USD
Location: Sierra de Bahoruco
Location: Sierra de Bahoruco
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Sorry! Both dates are SOLD OUT. Please contact Laura Collado at birdscaribbean2024@gmail.com to add your name to a waiting list (in case there are cancellations). We encourage you to book another one of our awesome options.
Images from Sierra de Bahoruco
Images from Sierra de Bahoruco
Thanks Ivan Mota for all the beautiful pictures on this page.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1
(Updated) 5:30 a.m. Departure to Puerto Escondido, Independencia Provice.
(Updated) 5:30 a.m. Departure to Puerto Escondido, Independencia Provice.
10:30 a.m. Arrival at Villa Barrancolí Lodge. Light lunch then off birding the strip of riparian forest along Rabo de Gato trail and adjacent open fields and dry forest.
10:30 a.m. Arrival at Villa Barrancolí Lodge. Light lunch then off birding the strip of riparian forest along Rabo de Gato trail and adjacent open fields and dry forest.
4:00 p.m. depart to Baitoa to look for the Palm Crow.
4:00 p.m. depart to Baitoa to look for the Palm Crow.
7:00 p.m. Back at the Loge. Dinner.
7:00 p.m. Back at the Loge. Dinner.
8:00 p.m. Short night birding in the surrounding of the lodge.
8:00 p.m. Short night birding in the surrounding of the lodge.
Day 2
Day 2
4:15 a.m. depart to Zapotén. Rough 2 hrs. drive in to reach high elevation montane broadleaf forests and transitional pine forest, between ~ 1,500 to 1,900m. Here we’ll be birding from dawn until midday. Breakfast and light lunch in the field.
4:15 a.m. depart to Zapotén. Rough 2 hrs. drive in to reach high elevation montane broadleaf forests and transitional pine forest, between ~ 1,500 to 1,900m. Here we’ll be birding from dawn until midday. Breakfast and light lunch in the field.
Continue birding at lower elevation.
Continue birding at lower elevation.
4:00 p.m. Back to VB. Early dinner followed by night birding.
4:00 p.m. Back to VB. Early dinner followed by night birding.
Day 3
Day 3
5:45 a.m. Early breakfast, then birding for the rest of the morning around Puerto Escondido dry forests and agricultural fields.
5:45 a.m. Early breakfast, then birding for the rest of the morning around Puerto Escondido dry forests and agricultural fields.
12:00 p.m. Back at VB for light lunch.
12:00 p.m. Back at VB for light lunch.
1:00 p.m. Depart to Santo Domingo.
1:00 p.m. Depart to Santo Domingo.
What to bring:
What to bring:
Pack very light, it’s only two nights! Bring light field clothes, hiking shoes or sneakers with good ankle support and grip, binoculars, light rain jacket, sunscreen, reusable water bottle, headlamp or torch, insect repellent, chargers for electronic devices, a pair of rubber sandals. Bring any prescribed medication.
Pack very light, it’s only two nights! Bring light field clothes, hiking shoes or sneakers with good ankle support and grip, binoculars, light rain jacket, sunscreen, reusable water bottle, headlamp or torch, insect repellent, chargers for electronic devices, a pair of rubber sandals. Bring any prescribed medication.
Safety Consideration:
Safety Consideration:
Slips, trips and falls, insect bites, dehydration, heatstroke. Wear proper clothing, including footwear with ankle support and good traction, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and hat. We will take many breaks while out birding. Many people have adverse reaction when exposed to DEET, if using insect repellent, please chose DEET FREE like Picaridin or Eucalyptus Spray.
Slips, trips and falls, insect bites, dehydration, heatstroke. Wear proper clothing, including footwear with ankle support and good traction, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and hat. We will take many breaks while out birding. Many people have adverse reaction when exposed to DEET, if using insect repellent, please chose DEET FREE like Picaridin or Eucalyptus Spray.