7 Day Ultimate Birding Package in the Dominican Republic
Spend seven private days linking salt pans, mangroves, Bahoruco highlands, Lake Enriquillo and Los Haitises in pursuit of Hispaniolan specialities.
About this tour
This seven-day private circuit crosses a wide range of Dominican bird habitats for travellers seeking a comprehensive endemic and regional list. From Santo Domingo, the route turns west through the Salinas de Baní wetlands before working the dry, cloud and pine forests of Sierra de Bahoruco and the shore of Lake Enriquillo.
The final stage moves northeast to Los Haitises, adding karst forest, mangroves and coastal waterbirds. Early starts, repeated highland sessions and targeted evening searches support priorities such as Ridgway’s Hawk, Ashy-faced Owl, West Indian Whistling-Duck and numerous birds found only on Hispaniola.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Dominican Republic.
Birds you can spot
Tyto glaucops
target
Todus subulatus
target
Amazona ventralis
target
Anthracothorax dominicus
target
Corvus palmarum
target
Melanerpes striatus
target
Buteo ridgwayi
target
Thalasseus maximus
target
Myiarchus stolidus
target
Mellisuga minima
target
Organizer
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Salinas de Baní wetlands and Barahona coast
Travel west from Santo Domingo and begin among the salt pans and mangroves of Salinas de Baní, scanning for shorebirds and other waders. Continue toward the Barahona area for an overnight by the sea. If circumstances are suitable, finish with an evening attempt for Ashy-faced Owl.
Day 2
Cachote highlands and Cabo Rojo shorebirds
Reach Cachote by 4x4 before dawn and spend the morning in cloud forest. After lunch, continue west toward Pedernales and use the late afternoon for waders around Cabo Rojo and the Jaragua National Park area.
Day 3
La Charca, Aceitillar and Rabo de Gato
Ascend the southern face of Sierra de Bahoruco to bird the high elevations at La Charca and the pine forest of Aceitillar. Later, move toward Puerto Escondido for an afternoon along Rabo de Gato Trail, then overnight near Duvergé.
Day 4
Zapoten heights and Puerto Escondido after dark
Set out very early by 4x4 toward the cloud and pine forest around Zapoten, birding at night on the approach and through the highlands into early afternoon. Rest after returning to Duvergé, then revisit Puerto Escondido for late-day and evening activity.
Day 5
Charco Azul and Lake Enriquillo
Search Loma Charco Azul in the Puerto Escondido area before visiting the edge of Lake Enriquillo National Park, where Hispaniolan Palm Crow is a priority. Drive back to Santo Domingo for the night.
Day 6
Los Haitises by boat and forest edge
Head northeast for a private boat journey through the mangroves, islands and caves of Los Haitises. The morning emphasis includes West Indian Whistling-Duck and other aquatic or coastal birds. After lunch, work the forest near the lodge and begin a focused search for Ridgway’s Hawk.
Day 7
Ridgway’s Hawk search and capital parakeet roost
Continue birding around Los Haitises in the morning, with another opportunity for Ridgway’s Hawk. Following lunch near Sabana de la Mar, return to Santo Domingo and visit the Hispaniolan Parakeet roost in the Colonial Zone before drop-off.
Locations & map
- Santo Domingo - Distrito Nacional Dominican Republic (Start/end city and final parakeet roost visit in the Colonial Zone.)
- Salinas de Bani - Peravia Dominican Republic (Salt pans, dunes and mangroves for shorebirds and waders.)
- Sierra de Bahoruco National Park - Southwest Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (Primary endemic birding region with cloud, pine and dry forest sites.)
- Lake Enriquillo National Park - Independencia Dominican Republic (Lakeshore habitat and Hispaniolan Palm Crow area according to the source.)
- Los Haitises National Park - Northeast Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (Karst, mangroves and rainforest for waterbirds, sea birds and Ridgway's Hawk search.)
5 stops in itinerary order. Select a marker for its name.
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Private 7-day package; confirm current dates, weather, road access and lodging availability before booking.
Included
- Bilingual certified nature and birding guides - Guide preparation covers first aid through Red Cross training, plus nature and birding instruction delivered by Hispaniola Ornithological Society and The Nature Conservancy.
- Comfortable private transportation - Transportation to and from Santo Domingo is listed as included.
- Most meals - All meals are listed as included except dinners on days 5 and 7.
- Six nights lodging - Shared rooms and route-specific accommodations are listed in the tour itinerary.
- Snacks and drinking water - Listed by Explora Ecotour as available at all times.
- International or domestic flights - Not included unless specifically confirmed.
- Travel insurance - Recommended but not included.
- Tips and personal expenses - Gratuities, personal purchases and optional extras are not included.
- Unconfirmed services - Any service not explicitly confirmed by Explora Ecotour should be treated as excluded.
- Dinners on days 5 and 7 - The partner source explicitly excludes these dinners from included meals.
- Single supplement - Listed as USD 300 per person when available.
Transport & stays
- Private vehicle and 4x4 access where required The tour itinerary includes long drives, 4x4 mountain access and a private boat tour in Los Haitises. Exact vehicle, road and boat logistics should be confirmed before booking. | Meet: Santo Domingo hotel or agreed pickup point to be confirmed | Pickup: Santo Domingo pickup and return are listed; other starting points require confirmation.
Accommodations
- Barahona area seaside hotel (day 1) Shared twin / private as confirmed Comfortable seaside hotel according to source
- Pedernales lodging (day 2) Shared twin / private as confirmed Comfortable lodging according to source
- Duverge accommodations (days 3-4) Basic comfortable apartment-like accommodations Route-based lodging near Puerto Escondido
- Santo Domingo Colonial Zone hotel (day 5) Comfortable boutique hotel Colonial Zone location according to source
- Los Haitises area eco lodge or nearby hotel (day 6) Shared twin / private as confirmed Eco lodge near Los Haitises when available
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Is the day order fixed?
No. The partner source notes that the order of days may change for weather or logistical reasons.
Are all meals included?
The tour features all meals as included except dinners on days 5 and 7. Confirm current meal plan before booking.
Is this suitable for serious birders?
Yes. Explora Ecotour describes this as the recommended option for serious birdwatchers trying to maximize Hispaniolan endemics and overall species count.
Are prices final?
Prices are copied from the partner source as a tour. Confirm current price, lodging availability and route details through BirdWatch before payment.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.