About Me

My photo
Mission, Texas, United States
I'm Tiffany Kersten, a professional bird guide based in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I spent 2021 traveling, birding, and gifting personal safety alarms to women birders I met on the trails along the way during my Lower 48 States Big Year. In 2022, I founded Nature Ninja Birding Tours, offering customized private tours in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

International Tours

Nature Ninja Birding Tours - International

All NNBT International tours include:

Transportation from airport 

One NNBT Guide 

One or two local guides depending on group size 

All meals 


Tour fee does not include: 

Airfare 

Travel insurance (not required, but recommended) 

Alcohol

Laundry services 

Tips for guides and lodge staff 

Any souvenirs


Costa Rica - January 2025 


The recommended field guide for all Costa Rica tours can be found here: newest but heaviest and here: most used but a little outdated


Birding Costa Rica with Evan Farese (FULL) 

Jan 10 - 19, 2025 

$4250 double occupancy; single supplement $480

Lodging to include: Hotel Bougainvillea, Gema Del Bosque, Hotel Quelitales, with day trips from those locations. Hotspots to include Talamanca Highlands, Caribbean Foothills, El Copal, Tapanti NP, Irazu NP, Tarcoles River boat cruise, and Carara NP. Email for full itinerary. 

$1000 deposit to hold your spot; balance due by Oct 10.

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Intro to Birding Costa Rica with Evan Farese (1/8 spaces available) 

Jan 20 - 25, 2025 

$2700 double occupancy; single supplement $300

Lodging to include: Hotel Bougainvillea & Gema Del Bosque, with day trips from those locations. 

Hotspots to include Talamanca Highlands, Caribbean Foothills. Email for full itinerary. 

$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due by Oct 20.

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Taiwan - March 2025 


Breeding Endemic Birds Tour (Alpine areas of Dasyueshan, Hehuanshan and Yushan) (3/8 spaces available) 

Dates: March 15 - 22, 2025

Trip Leaders: Tiffany Kersten & John Sterling 

This trip will target endemic species. Email for full itinerary and target list. 

Cost: $2800 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $700.

Non-refundable Deposit: $800. Balance due 90 days prior (Dec 15).   

Payment info at bottom of page. 



Colombia - Summer 2025


Northern Colombia (8/8 spaces available) 

Dates: June 20 - 27, 2025

Trip Leader: Evan Farese

Cost: $2650, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400

Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due 90 days prior.  

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Colombia: Western & Central Andes (8/8 spaces available) 

Dates: June 27 - July 4, 2025

Trip Leader: Evan Farese

Cost: $3450, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400

Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due 90 days prior.  

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Western Colombia (8/8 spaces available) 

Dates: July 4 - 9, 2025

Trip Leader: Evan Farese

Cost: $2950 double occupancy. Single supplement: $400

Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due 90 days prior.  

Payment info at bottom of page. 



Panama - Fall 2025 


The recommended field guide for all Panama tours can be found here


Tropical Island Birding (8/8 spaces available) 

Tranquilo Bay, Bocas del Toro, Panama 

Dates: Sept 8 - 14, 2025

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

Tailored to first-timers to Central America, but open to all, we'll spend six nights at the beautiful, world-renowned Tranquilo Bay.

Cost: $2400 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $700. 

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (June 25).  

Tour fee does not include the domestic flight from Panama City to Bocas del Toro and back (approx. $250 fee). 

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Tranquilo Bay 2024

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Private Tour for "Kestrels & Friends" - Canopy Tower (6/10 spaces available) 

Canopy Tower, Panama 

Dates: Sept 15 - 20, 2025

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

Tailored to first-timers to Central America, but open to all, we'll spend five nights at the beautiful, world-renowned Canopy Tower, taking in raptor migration as well as resident birds, including daily trips to visit nearby sites. 

Cost: $1950 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $350 (subject to availability). 

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (June 15).  

*NOTE: Participants must be able ascend and descend 3 flights of stairs multiple times per day, as there is no elevator. 

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Panama's Canopy Tower 2022Panama's Canopy Tower 2023 

Payment info at bottom of page.  


Private Tour for Little Rock Birders (FULL 10/10) 

Canopy Lodge & Canopy Tower, Panama 

Dates: Sept 22 - 29, 2025

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

We'll spend five nights at the beautiful and serene Canopy Lodge, including daily trips to visit nearby sites, then spend two nights at Canopy Tower, with more birding and a tour of the Panama Canal. 

Cost: $2850 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400 (subject to availability). 

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (June 22).  

View the Panama Canopy Lodge Fruit Feeder Cam Here

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Panama's Canopy Lodge 2022Panama's Canopy Lodge 2023

Payment info at bottom of page. 


"Hawks & Harpies" Tour (5/10 spaces available) 

Canopy Tower (Four Nights - Hawk Migration) & Canopy Camp Darien (Five Nights - Harpy Eagle & More) 

Dates: Sept 30 - Oct 9, 2025 

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

Cost: $3800 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement for Canopy Tower: $300 (subject to availability). 

All tents at Canopy Camp are double occupancy (no single supplement option.) 

*NOTE: Participants must be able ascend and descend 3 flights of stairs multiple times per day, as there is no elevator at Canopy Tower. 

**Option to sign up only for or only for "Hawks" portion to Canopy Tower ($1550 - 4 nights) or

"Harpies" portion to Canopy Camp ($2250 - 5 nights) 

Non-refundable Deposit: $1,000 for full tour / $500 for one segment of tour. Balance due 90 days prior (June 30). 

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Panama Hawks & Harpies Tour 2023 

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Birding & Being - Canopy Lodge (12/12 spaces available) 

Canopy Lodge, Panama 

Dates: Oct 11 - 16, 2025 

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

We'll spend five nights at the beautiful and serene Canopy Lodge, including daily trips to visit nearby sites. Much of the focus will be on meditation, yoga, journaling, and a few hours of birding each day. 

Cost: $1950 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $350 (subject to availability). 

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (July 11).  

View the Panama Canopy Lodge Fruit Feeder Cam Here

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Canopy Lodge 2022Canopy Lodge 2023Canopy Lodge 2024 (Birding & Being)Canopy Lodge 2024 

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Intro to Birding the Tropics- Canopy Lodge (4/10 spaces available) 

Canopy Lodge, Panama 

Dates: Oct 17 - 22, 2025 

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

We'll spend five nights at the beautiful and serene Canopy Lodge, including daily trips to visit nearby sites. Perfect for casual or beginning birders. 

Cost: $1950 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $350 (subject to availability). 

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (July 11).  

View the Panama Canopy Lodge Fruit Feeder Cam Here

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Canopy Lodge 2022Canopy Lodge 2023, Canopy Lodge 2024 (Birding & Being), Canopy Lodge 2024 

Payment info at bottom of page. 




Costa Rica - November 2025 


The recommended field guides for all Costa Rica tours can be found here: newest but heaviest and here: most used but a little outdated


Costa Rica: Women's Tour (6/10 spaces

Rancho Naturalista

Nov 1 - 7, 2025

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

$2300 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee). 

Email for full itinerary. 

$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due by Aug 1.

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Costa Rica - January 2026 


The recommended field guides for all Costa Rica tours can be found here: newest but heaviest and here: most used but a little outdated


Intro to Birding Costa Rica: (10/10 spaces

Rancho Naturalista

Jan 3 - 8, 2026 

Trip Leader: TBD (Evan or Tiffany) 

$2100 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee). 

Email for full itinerary. 

$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due by Oct 3.

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Birding Costa Rica (8/8 spaces

Jan 10 - 19, 2026 

Trip Leader: TBD (Evan or Tiffany) 

$4250 double occupancy; single supplement $600

Lodging to include: Hotel Bougainvillea, Gema Del Bosque, Hotel Quelitales, with day trips from those locations. Hotspots to include Talamanca Highlands, Caribbean Foothills, El Copal, Tapanti NP, Irazu NP, Tarcoles River boat cruise, and Carara NP. Email for full itinerary. 

$1000 deposit to hold your spot; balance due by Oct 10.

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Panama - Fall 2026


The recommended field guide for all Panama tours can be found here


Tropical Island Birding: Women's Tour - Tranquilo Bay  (8/8 spaces available) 

Dates: Sept 25 - Oct 1, 2026

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

Tailored to first-timers to Central America, but open to all, we'll spend six nights at the beautiful, world-renowned Tranquilo Bay.

Cost: $2400 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $800 (subject to availability). 

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (June 25).  

Tour fee does not include the domestic flight from Panama City to Bocas del Toro and back (approx. $250 fee). 

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Tranquilo Bay 2024

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Intro to Birding the Tropics - Canopy Tower (10/10 spaces available) 

Canopy Tower, Panama 

Dates: Oct 4 - 9, 2026

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

Tailored to first-timers to Central America, but open to all, we'll spend five nights at the beautiful, world-renowned Canopy Tower, taking in raptor migration as well as resident birds, including daily trips to visit nearby sites. 

Cost: $1950 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (June 15).  

*NOTE: Participants must be able ascend and descend 3 flights of stairs multiple times per day, as there is no elevator. 

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Canopy Tower 2022Canopy Tower 2023, Canopy Tower 2024

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Intro to Birding the Tropics - Canopy Lodge (10/10 spaces available) 

Canopy Lodge, Panama 

Dates: Oct 11 - 17, 2026

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

We'll spend six nights at the beautiful and serene Canopy Lodge, including daily trips to visit nearby sites.

Cost: $2300 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400 (subject to availability). 

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (June 22).  

View the Panama Canopy Lodge Fruit Feeder Cam Here

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Panama's Canopy Lodge 2022Panama's Canopy Lodge 2023Canopy Lodge 2024 (Birding & Being), Canopy Lodge 2024 

Payment info at bottom of page. 


"Hawks & Harpies" Tour (10/10 spaces available) 

Canopy Camp Darien (Five Nights - Harpy Eagle) & Canopy Tower (Five Nights - Hawk Migration); tour price includes one night at the Riande Airport Hotel

Dates: Oct 18 - 29, 2026

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

Cost: $3900 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement for Canopy Tower: $400. 

All tents at Canopy Camp are double occupancy (no single supplement option.) 

*NOTE: Participants must be able ascend and descend 3 flights of stairs multiple times per day, as there is no elevator at Canopy Tower. 

**Option to sign up only for or only for "Hawks" portion to Canopy Tower ($1950 - 5 nights) or

"Harpies" portion to Canopy Camp ($2350 - 5 nights + 1 night at airport hotel) 

Non-refundable Deposit: $1,000 for full tour / $500 for one segment of tour. Balance due 90 days prior (June 30). 

Tour fee does not cover the first night at the airport hotel, which will be booked independently. 

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Hawks & Harpies Tour 2023, Hawks & Harpies Tour 2024

Payment info at bottom of page. 



Trip Deposits & Balance Payments: 


Payment methods accepted: Zelle (tiffanykersten@gmail.com), Venmo/PayPal (@natureninjabirding), or a mailed check.


Mailing Address: 

Nature Ninja Birding Tours 

1806 W 16th St 

Mission, TX 78572


Please note: No refunds are available for deposits or balance payments. 

In some cases, purchasing travel insurance may be helpful in recovering trip costs in certain circumstances.