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A 2 week tour of the Lower Rio Grande Valley looking for a wide variety of wildlife both fauna and flora. Many areas were visited in the peak time for bird migration. Visits to huge ranches, State Parks, the World Birding Centre and National Butterfly Centre were definite highlights. Both guides were fantastic with incredible knowledge about everything we saw. We have travelled with them [Naturetrek] for over 20 years and have enjoyed outstanding holidays everywhere we have visited. Guides are exceptionally knowledgeable and take great care of all travellers. The service received from everyone who works for Naturetrek cannot be faulted and they operate with a professional, friendly and helpful ethos at all times.
J.F. Nottinghamshire, Mar 23
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The Best of Texas in Early Spring
Tour Code: USA24A 14-day birdwatching and butterflying tour to the Gulf Coast, Rio Grande Valley and Hill Country of south Texas.
14 days
from
£5,495
£5,495
Land only price
from
£4,795
£4,795
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
A relaxed 14-day birdwatching and butterfly tour showcasing the best of Texas, visiting the iconic reserves of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Texas Hill Country.
Texas is one of the most exciting states in the United States for birdwatching and butterflies. From the Hill Country north of San Antonio to South Padre Island on the coast and the Rio Grande Valley in the south, this region is prized among birders and naturalists as a premier place to see birds and butterflies found nowhere else in the United States. Subtropical habitats along the lower Rio Grande showcase bird and butterfly-life characteristic of north-eastern Mexico. An explosion of butterfly gardens throughout the Valley, including the National Butterfly Centre, has resulted in more species of butterfly being recorded here than in any other region of the United States. Most of the world’s population of Whooping Cranes gather along a small stretch of the Texas coast to the north of the lower Rio Grande Valley. Our visit to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is a chance to see these birds at close range from a boat, and to enjoy the abundance of birds, butterflies and mammals that use the rich central Texas coastline during the winter months. Our visit to Texas Hill Country, an area that is much drier with vegetation more typical of western deserts such as junipers and cacti, introduces us to a completely different selection of birds and butterflies, including Texas’s only breeding endemic, the gorgeous Golden-cheeked Warbler.
- An abundance of birds and butterflies, many found nowhere else in the United States
- Boat trip to view endangered Whooping Cranes (migration dependent)
- Visit some of the best early spring wildlife viewing areas in the United States, including National Butterfly and World Birding Centres with animal, bird and butterfly feeding stations
- Tour the Texas Hill Country to see its unique bird and butterfly species, and witness the spectacular exodus of 10-million or more Mexican Free-tailed Bats from the Rio Frio bat cave
- Reserves with photography hides provide fantastic photographic opportunities
- Visit the Alamo World Heritage Site and the famous San Antonio Riverwalk
Grading
Grade A. Easy day walks only, all at a relaxed pace, covering a few miles over the day.
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in comfortable accommodation throughout, including two famous ‘birding inns’: Knolle Farm Ranch and The Alamo Inn. All rooms have private facilities, except for two bedrooms at both Knolle Farm and The Alamo Inn, which share a bathroom between them. One of these rooms at each inn will be taken by your tour leaders, and the other, depending on the group size, may be allocated to our group. The inns are well set up for birders and natural history enthusiasts, with easy trails, feeders and sometimes butterfly gardens too. Single occupancy is available at a supplement, though many rooms do have two queen sized beds, making sharing a room a comfortable experience! Twin rooms are limited in some locations, so subject to availability.
- Food:
We have chosen to include breakfasts only on this tour; lunches and dinners will be payable locally. This means you can order according to your appetite each day, rather than taking on three course set menus with American-sized portions for every meal! We suggest budgeting around $15 -$20 per day for lunch and $35 - $45 per day for dinner; approximately $50 - $65 per person per day in total would be sensible. We will enjoy breakfast at our accommodation each morning, and eat dinner either here or a nearby restaurant in the evening. During the day, we will enjoy a mixture of local restaurants and the occasional picnic.
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 18th Apr – Fri 1st May
SPACES
£5,495
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.
£4,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,295
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Marcus John
Tour Leader: Marcus John
Marcus developed a passion for wildlife during his childhood spent in rural Somerset. He was never without ‘The Observer’s Book of Birds’ and spent all his free time walking and cycling in the countryside between Wells and Cheddar. His obsession with birds soon extended to mammals and insects, as well as wildlife photography. Over the years, he has participated in various surveys for Natural Resources Wales and the BTO. He has also led walks and presented talks at RPSB events in Wales and England and is an active member of the Gwent Ornithological Society.
After graduating from Bristol University, he started a family and embarked on a career in education – but he never missed an opportunity to travel! Over the past thirty years, he has sought out wildlife across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and the Caribbean, and has been leading Naturetrek tours since 2011.
Ten years ago, he established our first tours to Ardnamurchan, and he has returned to lead in the Scottish Highlands every year since. He has subsequently taken Naturetrek groups to many European destinations, his favourites being Iceland and the Camargue. With a life-long interest in Africa, he has relished opportunities to lead tours in Ethiopia, Tanzania and The Gambia, and also has some expertise in Caribbean wildlife, having guided groups to both Jamaica and Trinidad.
Marcus has developed a strong reputation as a naturalist guide and his approachability, friendly advice and sense of humour are always appreciated by our clients!
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Tour Reports
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
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
