Jamaica: Island Endemics & Blue Mountain Coffee

      Kingston, Jamaica

      VB
      Ventures Birding Tours
      • Email address verified
      85 reviews
      Dec 4 - 9, 2022
      Group size: 8 - 12
      Jamaica: Island Endemics & Blue Mountain Coffee
      Kingston, Jamaica

      Ventures Birding Tours
      • Email address verified
      85 reviews

      Dec 4 - 9, 2022
      Group size: 8 - 12

      About this trip

      Home of reggae music, the Rastafari religion, jerk spice, and strong ginger beer, Jamaica is a small island nation in the Caribbean Sea about 90 miles south of Cuba and 120 miles west of Haiti. Together with Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands, it forms part of the Greater Antilles. An Anglophone country whose economy heavily depends on tourism, Jamaica is part of the Commonwealth of Nations, which includes ten Caribbean Islands that were former territories of the British Empire with Queen Elizabeth II as the current Head of State. Climate is tropical (i.e., hot and humid), with some cooler weather in the moist montane forests inland. Jamaica is famously home to one of the most expensive and sought-after coffee in the world, Blue Mountain Coffee, noted for its mild flavor and lack of bitterness. Our tour will traverse right through the heart of Blue Mountain Coffee country, giving us ample opportunity to sample this local specialty!

      Jamaica is a relatively large island (ranked third in size in the Caribbean) with a diverse range of ecosystems, including lush coastal thickets, tropical wetlands, sandy shorelines, and montane forests. Thus, it should come as no surprise that Jamaica supports a wealth of birdlife. Of particular interest from a birding perspective is the 28 Jamaican endemic species. On our trip, we have a very good chance of recording all 28 endemics, which include the striking Red-billed Streamertail (Jamaica's national bird, locally known as the doctor bird), the shy Crested Quail-Dove, two globally Endangered species (Black-billed Amazon and Jamaican Blackbird), and the dainty, but fierce Jamaican Tody.

      Our tour starts in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, from where we'll visit Hellshire Hills to search for Stolid Flycatcher, the local subspecies of the Bahama Mockingbird, and Yellow (Golden) Warbler. From here we'll venture north in search of other island endemics at sites such as the Blue and John Crow Mountain National Park, as well as Ecclesdown Road. With most of Jamaica’s endemics relatively easy to locate, we’ll almost certainty have time to sample Blue Mountain Coffee, traditional jerk cuisine, and perhaps even a sandy beach for a quick dip in the crystal-clear tropical waters.

      What’s included

      • Food
      • Accommodation
      • Ground transportation
      • Guide services

      What’s not included

      • Airfare
      • Alcoholic beverages
      • Laundry
      • Gratuities
      • Items of personal nature

      Available Packages

      Double Occupancy

      Room-sharing

      $3,595
      Deposit: $300
      Single Traveler

      For those wanting their own room

      $3,995
      Deposit: $300


      Your Organizer


      VB
      Ventures Birding Tours
      85 reviews
      Small travel company based in Asheville, NC, specializing in birding & nature tours both locally & worldwide.

      Reviews

      MC
      Great trip. Vicky knows her ducks and other waterbirds and where to find them. We look forward to more trips with her as a guide
      By Mike C for Duck Day in Asheville on Feb 13, 2024
      The trip was very enjoyable, in spite of the cold weather. Michael Werndley is a great guide and fun to be with. The main attraction was the chance to see up to ten species of owls, many of which can often be seen after migrating down from more northern areas in Canada. The group saw a Snowy Owl, Hawk Owl, Barred Owl, and (the major attraction) two impressive Great Gray Owls! Other local species included Snow Buntings, Common and Hoary Redpolls, a Northern Shrike, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeaks, Golden Eye, numerous Bald Eagles, and a Merlin (sitting atop our hotel in Minneapolis). In addition, the group saw many winter species common to our own area. An unexpected treat was the sight of three wolves totting along the frozen harbor shoreline in Duluth! A great time was had by all!
      By Peter H for Northern Minnesota 2024 - Owls & Winter Finches on Feb 05, 2024
      Weather was a lot better than I anticipated, but even if it had been exceptionally cold, this trip is definitely worth it. To see the snow-covered landscape scenes, the beauty of the Black Spruce trees, all the native habitat for the Great Gray Owl, was an exciting and enjoyable experience. The food choices were fantastic as were the views of Lake Superior. Dress warmly and go for it!
      By Shirley A for Northern Minnesota 2024 - Owls & Winter Finches on Feb 04, 2024
      This was our second trip with Keith Watson and it was very special - he is wonderful to bird with, and to just be with. Our group was small and it made the trip that much more meaningful. We saw beautiful places, beautiful birds, and had lots of good food and good company. We had difficult weather at times and Keith was able to keep our spirits up and make it feel adventurous rather than adverse. Very grateful.
      By RHONDA B for Cranes Galore at Hiwassee on Feb 03, 2024
      This was a uniquely wonderful birding trip. Great group and great birding, with fantastic local guide, Sean, and always wonderful, Simon Thompson. We had our own chefs, one of whom traveled with us, with wonderful food and some Suriname local food. The Surinamese people were warm and welcoming. Fantastic trip!1
      By Toni M for Suriname 2023 on Dec 15, 2023
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