9 days from £2,895
(Inc flights)
Land only price from £2,395
This is a single-centre holiday based at the Green Castle Eco-retreat, which is set within a beautiful 1,600-acre private reserve. Each day we will look for Jamaica’s endemic species (seeing all 28 during the tour is a possibility!) and other exciting species visiting sites in the Blue, and the John Crow Mountains – in mountainous areas we’ll look for species such as Blue Mountain Vireo and Jamaican Blackbird, as well as the secretive Crested Quail Dove, the only endemic not to have been recorded within the Green Castle Estate. We’ll explore the 20+ miles of trails radiating out from our lodge on daily guided birdwatching excursions and there will be time for leisure, should you wish, to reclining in a hammock, reading by the pool or walking in the gardens .
- Jamaica has 28 endemic birds, more than any other Caribbean island!
- Look for colourful American wood warblers (en route to northern breeding grounds)
- Our lodge has its own secluded private beach!
- Lizard Cuckoo, Jamaican Mango & Jamaican Tody, lodge’s grounds
- Yellow-billed Parrot & White-chinned Thrush possible
- Night-walks to look for endemic Jamaican Owl plus Northern Potoo
- Look for spectacular Black-billed Streamertail in the mountains
- An ideal birdwatching break to enjoy with a non-birding partner!
- Superb photographic opportunities
- Led by expert naturalist guides
Can I help you?
Highlights
Tom Mabbett
Tom
Tom has been fascinated by wildlife and the natural world since childhood. At primary school he learnt all the British bird species, and he's been watching and enjoying them ever since! Trips to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) Slimbridge further fuelled his passion for birds and, when Tom's family bought 10 acres of land, he created his very own nature reserve on it! After gaining a degree in Biology from Exeter University, Tom set off in search of some of the planet's incredible wildlife, first travelling slowly around the world, and then returning to Australia. As well as seeing a wonderful variety of the world's birds on his travels, he also spent a lot of time beneath the surface of the ocean, scuba diving in Thailand, Australia and Fiji. Two of Tom's many highlights were diving with mighty Bull Sharks and swimming alongside gigantic Whale Sharks. Since returning to the UK Tom has worked in school wildlife clubs and also worked at WWT Slimbridge. Having grown up in the Cotswolds, a lot of Tom's spare time has been spent recording the birds and reptiles of this area's commons and wetlands. He also travels in search of overseas wildlife as often as he can, and amongst the European destinations that Tom and his brother have explored have been Hungary, France, Spain, Holland and, most recently, snow-clad Poland in the depths of winter to focus on mammal-tracking. Tom has now lead and co-led over 20 Naturetrek tours in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Finland, Belgium, Greenland, Guyana, La Palma and Scotland as well as short UK breaks including the Somerset Levels and Forest of Dean. Tom remains a very popular leader with our groups and when not out in the field works within our busy operations team at our new office in Chawton. Please feel free to contact Tom on 01962 733051 or email tom@naturetrek.co.uk with any questions or to discuss a future tour.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Kingston and transfer Green Castle Estate House.
Day 2/7
Varied birding excursions from Green Castle.
Day 8
Depart Kingston.
Day 9
Arrive UK.
A walking and bird watching holiday. I am not an expert and do not know all the birds unlike other people on the trip but the leader and local guide were very good at showing and telling us what the birds were. Stayed at a lovely small hotel. Great rooms, great staff, great food.
D.T. Orkney, Feb 19
Food & Accommodation
All included in the price.
A fabulous eco-retreat on Jamaica's north coast. All rooms have private facilities.
Tour leaders
-
Neil McMahon Tour leader -
Greg Mabbett Tour leader
Neil McMahon
Neil McMahon grew up in Northamptonshire and, from a very young age, developed an interest in the natural world. His first love is the study and identification of wild birds and he enjoys the challenge of trying to identify birds by the way they move and act as well as by their calls and songs. His passion for bird and wildlife-watching has taken him all around the world and he's visited more than 50 countries. Neil is a retired Police Officer and, when not leading Naturetrek tours, spends much of his time completing various conservation and wildlife management surveys as well as volunteering for his local Wildlife Trust. He is also a licensed Bird Ringer and Trainer. During the winter months he maintains numerous wild bird feeding stations in central Northamptonshire and is a serving committee member of the Northants Bird Club.
Greg Mabbett
Greg has shown a keen interest in wildlife since childhood. At the age of 12, Greg was given his first set of binoculars and he has spent as much time outdoors scouring the British countryside for wildlife ever since! Greg's brother is Naturetrek staff member and tour leader Tom Mabbett; they have spent countless hours watching birds and other wildlife (in the UK and abroad) together since boyhood! Never happier than when he is outdoors, surrounded by nature, Greg has helped develop his family's 10-acre small-holding by creating ponds and log piles, planting trees and making his own nest boxes - he's even managed to attract a pair of Barn Owls to one of his creations! A qualified tree surgeon, Greg is also planning to train as a tree surveyor - so he has succeeded in achieving his goal of spending the majority of his time outside! Greg's European wildlife experience includes looking for sought-after bird and mammal species in Spain, France, Hungary and Poland, and we're delighted that he has joined the Naturetrek naturalist team as a tour leader on our European holidays. In his spare time, Greg enjoys playing 5-a-side football, fishing, spending time in Devon out at sea on the family boat . and birding, of course!
Tom Mabbett
Tom
Tom has been fascinated by wildlife and the natural world since childhood. At primary school he learnt all the British bird species, and he's been watching and enjoying them ever since! Trips to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) Slimbridge further fuelled his passion for birds and, when Tom's family bought 10 acres of land, he created his very own nature reserve on it! After gaining a degree in Biology from Exeter University, Tom set off in search of some of the planet's incredible wildlife, first travelling slowly around the world, and then returning to Australia. As well as seeing a wonderful variety of the world's birds on his travels, he also spent a lot of time beneath the surface of the ocean, scuba diving in Thailand, Australia and Fiji. Two of Tom's many highlights were diving with mighty Bull Sharks and swimming alongside gigantic Whale Sharks. Since returning to the UK Tom has worked in school wildlife clubs and also worked at WWT Slimbridge. Having grown up in the Cotswolds, a lot of Tom's spare time has been spent recording the birds and reptiles of this area's commons and wetlands. He also travels in search of overseas wildlife as often as he can, and amongst the European destinations that Tom and his brother have explored have been Hungary, France, Spain, Holland and, most recently, snow-clad Poland in the depths of winter to focus on mammal-tracking. Tom has now lead and co-led over 20 Naturetrek tours in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Finland, Belgium, Greenland, Guyana, La Palma and Scotland as well as short UK breaks including the Somerset Levels and Forest of Dean. Tom remains a very popular leader with our groups and when not out in the field works within our busy operations team at our new office in Chawton. Please feel free to contact Tom on 01962 733051 or email tom@naturetrek.co.uk with any questions or to discuss a future tour.
