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A week spent at the Greencastle Estate a delightful base in a forested area near the coast. There are many trails through the estate which provide excellent bird watching opportunities. A short walk to the coast enables a chance to snorkel at a reef. The accommodation is very comfortable and the meals are wholesome and varied. All arrangements were spot on and detailed information was provided throughout the booking process.
B.P. Suffolk, Feb 20
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Jamaica - An Island of Endemics!
Tour Code: JAM02A hugely rewarding, yet relaxed, single-centre 9-day birdwatching holiday to the Caribbean island of Jamaica based at the excellent Green Castle Eco-retreat.
9 days
from
£2,995 (Inc flights)
£2,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£2,395
£2,395
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
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
Grading
Grade A. Easy bird walks only.If fabulous birdwatching, Caribbean sun and a luxury eco-retreat sound like the ingredients for your perfect early spring break, then this new Birdwatching holiday to Jamaica could be just for you! Set within a beautiful private reserve of 1,600 acres, the Green Castle Estate lies on the northern coast of the island, tucked between the forest-clad Blue Mountains and the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Over 20 miles of private trails radiate out from the lodge and make the birding here both easy and relaxing. It is also exciting and hugely varied, with habitats that include tropical forest, freshwater wetlands, mangrove swamps and open pastures to explore, with the coastline and beaches very close by
Jamaica is home to 28 species of endemic bird, more than on any other Caribbean island. These are joined each spring by numerous northbound migrants — amongst them a host of colourful American wood warblers — which use the island as a stepping stone between their wintering grounds in South America and their breeding grounds further north. All bar one of the endemics can be found within the grounds of the Green Castle Estate and seeing all 28 during the course of the week is a distinct possibility! These species include Lizard Cuckoo, Jamaican Mango, Orangequit, Jamaican Tody, Yellow-billed Parrot and White-chinned Thrush, whilst a night-walk could reveal the endemic Jamaican Owl or perhaps the more widespread Northern Potoo.
During our 7-night stay at the Green Castle Ecoretreat, we will not only spend time thoroughly exploring the grounds of the estate, but will also head further afield into both the Blue Mountains, which dominate the eastern section of the island, and the nearby John Crow Mountains. In these two mountain regions we will be looking for the localised Blue Mountain Vireo, plus Jamaican Blackbird and the spectacular Black-billed Streamertail. If fortunate, we may even find the beautiful, but secretive, Crested Quail Dove.
Although daily guided birdwatching excursions are planned throughout the week, you are, of course, free to take part in one of the more relaxing activities on offer too. These include reclining in a hammock, reading by the pool or stolling around the gardens. This is therefore the perfect birding holiday to enjoy (and perhaps extend) with a non-birding partner!
With a host of special birds, warm sunshine and superb photographic opportunities on offer, all from an exceptionally comfortable base, we expect this to be a popular holiday.
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.
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: A fabulous eco-retreat on Jamaica's north coast. All rooms have private facilities.
- Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
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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 -
Special for me in the first sighting of a Tody and my first visit to the exotic island of Jamaica. My husband had always had a desire to visit Jamaica the birth place of Bob Marley, since he loves the music, so it was an exciting trip for both of us. We enjoyed the vibrancy, the flowers, the birds and the people who are so relaxed about life. Our Jamaican birding guides were entertaining and excellent at their task, the food was enjoyable and the accommodation just fine for us. I think this was our kind of holiday, if only the weather had been a little bit kinder.
M.C. Lancashire -
Excellent local guides enabled us to see all the Jamaican endemics, together with the expertise of our leader Tom Mabbett. Overall an enjoyable holiday, covering a range of habitats from the well located Green Castle Estate.
P.C. Leicestershire -
Staff welcoming and helpful with dietary requirements. General ambience good and enjoyed the Jamaican food. Both guides were good at knowing where to find the endemic birds and assisting us to spot them.
J.C. Leicestershire -
The accommodation and grounds were outstanding and Richard, Elaine, Opal and the rest of the staff made us feel so welcome and relaxed. Marcus was a great guide and companion. There were wonderful opportunities to see the birds throughout the stay.
M.F. Dorset
Dates & Prices
2021
Departures
Availability
Cost
Mon 1st Feb - Tue 9th Feb
SPACES
£2,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£355
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
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