An Itinerary that Gives Something
for the Birder & Their Partner

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is listed in Birds of the West Indies as “one of the best places for bird-watching in Jamaica; 28 endemic species and some endangered ones that can be viewed in the grounds of the property."

As with our 10-day itinerary, the goal of this 7-day birding tour, organised by Hotel Mocking Bird Hill and local birding experts, is for you to see all 28 of the island’s endemic bird species but with a slightly different rhythm and cost. In addition to time on the Caribbean coast, you’ll explore a variety of habitats, including steep mountains and rainforest, quiet rivers and lush valleys. This week-long journey is a great opportunity to combine the tropical pleasures of a Caribbean vacation with birding on an exceptional island. Note: the route and locations are weather dependent and subject to change.

Birding 28 Endemics Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival Kingston Airport, pick-up/transfer to Forres Park which will be your birding base for the first 3 nights in Jamaica. This is a nature resort/spa set within a 60-acre coffee plantation in the Blue Mountains. During your 3-night full board stay here, a packed breakfast and picnic lunch is included as well as a 3-course meal each evening. Your stay will be in a Superior Room with King or Queen Sized bed, jacuzzi and an uninterrupted view of the Blue Mountains.

Day 2

An early morning departure for birding on Mine Road commences at 5.30 am with your local bird guide.

Day 3

Early morning departure at approximately 5.30 am to bird the higher elevations at Abbey Green with a local bird guide.

Day 4

Early morning departure at approximately 5.30 am for birding Hardwar Gap accompanied by a local bird guide (see description of Hardwar Gap birding above.) From here you will be transferred to Hotel Mocking Bird Hill in Port Antonio via Kingston. A 3-course evening meal will be provided at Mille Fleurs, the hotel’s award winning organic restaurant and accommodation is provided in Garden View Rooms

Day 5

An early morning departure with packed breakfast and accompanied by a local bird guide to renowned Ecclesdown Road or Sherwood. Lunch is not provided on Day 5 or Day 6 as our guest birders are encouraged to try a local meal at one of the beach eateries or Jamaica’s famous original barbecue, ‘Jerk’ at nearby Boston. Savour a delicious 3-course evening meal served on the terrace at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill’s Mille Fleurs restaurant.

Day 6

Early morning birding within Hotel Mocking Bird’s extensive gardens, listed as one of the best places for birdwatching in Jamaica, followed by a full breakfast on the Mille Fleurs terrace. Visit Sherwood Forest or return to Ecclesdown Road for further birding followed by a 3-course evening gourmet meal at Mille Fleurs.

Day 7

Transfer to the Rio Grande for a scenic rafting and a fantastic way to spy the local waders and lunch the other side of the river. The afternoon is spent at the beach Frenchmans Cove.

Day 8

Following breakfast at Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, transfer to Kingston via Hellshire Hills for an attempt at Bahama Mockingbird (a Caribbean specialty) with a packed picnic lunch.

"Dear Shireen & Barbara

Our travels in search of birds, have taken us almost everywhere in the New World. No place has been more pleasent or more perfectly situated. Every Jamaiacn endemic (but one) is here on your property or along the nearby Ecclesdown Road.

We have enjoyed our stay with you to put it mildly. The food...! You are wonderful people - you have been kind and very helpful. Thank you for a memory."

Mark Sokol & Elaine Langlois

Pricing

Prices
20th Dec -31st May
US $ 2,504.10 per person
1st June-19th December
US$ 2,315.00 per person

in Garden View Room plus energy tax US$3.00 per night whilst at Hotel Mockingbird Hill.

Upgrade
Superior Room- US$ 160.00/US 165.00 (high/low season) per couple plus energy tax US$ 3.00.

You can also opt to leave the hotel early and then first do a historical/cultural tour of Kingston, have a late lunch at Port Royal before checking in for your flight home.

Beverages, entrance fees to Reach Falls and any possible tours such as Kingston historical tour etc are not included.

Depending on choice of tour, transportation costs will be adjusted.

Current pricing is based on direct transfer from the hotel.