Andaman & Nicobar Islands Endemic Birds

This tour is a special exploratory tour concentrating on the Nicobar Islands, Great Nicobar in particular. Only in recent years have the Government of India issued permits for foreigners to visit, and travel logistics are still unreliable and weather dependent. Great Nicobar is 540 km by sea from Port Blair, with the journey by boat typically taking 2 days and 1 night, but can be up to 4 days. Private helicopter and boat hire may be available, albeit expensive.

The key reason for travelling to the Nicobar Islands, and Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve on Great Nicobar Island especially, are the additional endemic species, namely Nicobar Megapode, Great Nicobar Serpent Eagle, Nicobar Sparrowhawk, Nicobar Imperial Pigeon, Nicobar Parakeet, Nicobar Jungle Flycatcher, Nicobar Scops Owl and Nicobar Bulbul, plus the newly discovered and as yet undescribed ‘Great Nicobar Crake’.

We start the tour by sailing to Great Nicobar as soon as we can, to allow contingency for our return sailing being delayed or cancelled! If all goes well, we will have time on the Andamans to look for the other endemics there, following a similar plan as our separate Andamans tour. In addition, we will attempt to arrange a day trip by boat to visit remote Narcondam Island, famous for its endemic Narcondam Hornbill. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to land, but the hornbills are normally easily visible in the treetops, and in flight, from the boat.

Whether this tour will go ahead, plus a more detailed itinerary and costs, will be available nearer the time. Contact us if you wish to register your interest.

This Bubo Birding itinerary is available through BirdWatch.info as a private or custom departure. Current dates, exact routing, accommodation and final price should be confirmed after inquiry.