Wildlife holidays in Panama
Tell me about Panama …
Panama forms the narrowest part of the Mesoamerican Isthmus, which is not only of huge historical importance linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by rail and canal, but also of considerable biogeographical importance as the land bridge between North and South America.
It is the southernmost country of Central America. It has a tropical climate and inland its most dominant feature is its central spine of mountains.
The customs, language and culture of the Panamanians are mainly Caribbean and Spanish. Many of the country’s musical and artistic traditions reflect a blending of Native American, African and European cultures. It has one unique art form, ‘molas’ – attractive and fascinating embroidered panels made by the Kuna tribe.
Our Panama specialist recommends...
"I recommend our ‘Panama – Canopy Tower’ for the best of the birding opportunities in the rainforests of Soberania National Park. We stay in the canopy tower, in the centre of the forest and all of the birding is done directly from the Canopy Tower."
Andy Tucker
Operations Manager
What’s special about its wildlife?
Panama offers some of the best bird watching in Central America. It is home to nearly one thousand bird species in an area covering just 80,000 square kilometres! Many South American as well as North American species are found here.
It has prime locations at which to witness spectacular spring and autumn bird migrations. Panama also contains large tracts of avian-rich tropical rainforest, of which the Soberania National Park extends right down to the suburbs of Panama City and the famous Panama Canal.
Panama is home to over 200 species of mammal – from sloths and anteaters to tapirs and Kinkajous.
Naturetrek tours to Panama
Naturetrek offers two wildlife holidays to Panama: a bargain bird watching holiday and a bargain mammal tour. These are both based in the rainforests of Soberania National Park and the famous Canopy Tower, where the main observation deck offers superb 360° views over the canopy and a chance to see otherwise elusive species.
What wildlife might I see?
- Superb Neotropical bird watching including trogons, motmots, jacamars, puffbirds, manakins, antbirds & tanagers
- Mammals such as Mantled Howler Monkey, Nine-banded Long-nosed Armadillo, White-nosed Coati, grisons, soledons & bats that make tents!
WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SAYING ABOUT OUR Panama HOLIDAYS
Both leaders were excellent, but I would like to particularly mention Danilo, our local guide for the El Valle extension... He knows the birds back to front (as well as their English names) and was a very pleasant individual to spend time with. His ability to locate and pin-point birds in the dense forest undergrowth was nothing short of astounding.
Our leader Jose Soto was very friendly and helpful and excelelnt at spotting wildlife. We were very well looked after at all the places we stayed... The food was very good and plentiful. I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday.
The El Valle Lodge was superb and an absolutely essential part of a trip to Panama. The food was excellent and our guide was superb.