Nature Ninja Birding Tours
Domestic & International Set Departures
These are our set departure tours for trips OUTSIDE of Texas.
For our Texas tours, please see Texas Birding Retreats.
All NNBT group tours include:
Transportation from airport
One NNBT Guide
One or two local guides depending on group size
All meals for duration of tour (first and last meals denoted in full itinerary)
Tour fee does NOT include:
Airfare
Travel insurance (not required, but recommended)
Alcohol
Laundry services
Tips for guides and lodge staff
Any souvenirs
Colombia - June 2026
The recommended field guide for our Colombia tours can be found here.
Northern Colombia (FULL 8/8) Waitlist Available
Dates: June 16 - 23, 2026
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Cost: $2750, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400
Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due 90 days prior.
Hawaii - September 2026
The recommended field guide for our Hawaii tours can be found here.
Hawaii's Islands - Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island (FULL 8/8) Waitlist Available
Dates: Sept 14-23, 2026 (10 days)
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten & Local Guide Mandy Talpas
Cost: $7,400 double occupancy. Single supplement: $1,500.
Non-refundable Deposit: $2,000. Balance due June 14.
Panama - Fall 2026
The recommended field guide for our Panama tours can be found here.
Private Tour for JBNHS Members - Canopy Tower (FULL 12/12) Waitlist Available; 2027 & 2028 Dates Below
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: $2150 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due July 4.
View the Canopy Tower Hummingbird Feeder here.
*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 2022, Canopy Tower 2023, Canopy Tower 2024, Canopy Tower 2025
Intro to Birding the Tropics - Canopy Lodge (FULL 9/9) Waitlist Available; 2027 & 2028 Dates Below
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: $2450 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 July 11.
View the Canopy Lodge Fruit Feeder Cam here.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Canopy Lodge 2022, Canopy Lodge 2023. Canopy Lodge 2024 (Birding & Being), Canopy Lodge 2024, Canopy Lodge 2025
"Harpies & More" - Canopy Camp (3/8 spaces available)
Canopy Camp, Darien (Five Nights - Harpy Eagle); tour price includes one pre-tour night at the Riande Airport Hotel in preparation for an early morning start, then morning departure on Oct 19th to Canopy Camp, departing in the morning of October 24th.
Dates: Oct 18 - 24, 2026
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Cost: $2450 per person
*All tents at Canopy Camp are double occupancy (no single supplement option).
Non-refundable Deposit: $500. Balance due July 18.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Harpies & More 2025
"Hawks & More" - Canopy Tower (1/8 spaces available)
Canopy Tower, Panama
Dates: Oct 24 - 29, 2026
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
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: $2150 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.
*NOTE: Participants must be able ascend and descend 3 flights of stairs multiple times per day, as there is no elevator at Canopy Tower.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due July 24.
View the Canopy Tower Hummingbird Feeder here.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Hawks & More 2025
"Harpies & Hawks" Tour (1/8 spaces available)
Combine our Canopy Camp and Canopy Tower tours (listed above) to create a longer, 11 day tour.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Hawks & Harpies Tour 2023, Hawks & Harpies Tour 2024, Hawks & Harpies Tour 2025
Costa Rica - Fall 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.
Costa Rica: Private Tour for Kestrels Women's Bird Club (FULL 12/12) Waitlist Available
Rancho Naturalista
October 30 - November 5, 2026
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Local Guide: Mercedes Alpizar
Lodging at Rancho Naturalista.
Arrival & Departure: San Juan Santamaria (SJO)
$2,400 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee).
Email for full itinerary.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; balance due by July 29.
Trip Report from 2025: Rancho Naturalista 2025
Costa Rica: Women's Tour (FULL 8/8) Waitlist Available; 2027 & 2028 Dates Below
Rancho Naturalista
November 6 - 12, 2026
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Local Guide: Mercedes Alpizar
Lodging at Rancho Naturalista.
Arrival & Departure: San Juan Santamaria (SJO)
$2400 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee).
Email for full itinerary.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; balance due by August 6th.
Trip Report from 2025: Rancho Naturalista 2025
Mexico - January 2027
The recommended field guide for Mexico can be found here.
Birding Oaxaca (4/10 spaces available) Additional 2028 Dates Below
Oaxaca, Mexico
Dates: January 21 - 28, 2027
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten & Local Guide Eric Antonio Martinez
Lodging at Hotel Victoria, Cabanas Puesta del Sol, and Hotel Villablanca.
Arrival: Oaxaca (OAX). Departure: Huatulco (HUX)
$3,300. Single supplement: $650.
Email for full itinerary.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; balance due by October 21.
Puerto Rico - February 2027
The recommended field guide for Puerto Rico can be found here.
Puerto Rico Endemics (6/10 spaces available)
Dates: February 25 - March 3, 2027
Trip Leaders: Tiffany Kersten & Raymond Van Buskirk
Lodging at Villa Parguera Hotel (with oceanview rooms!)
$3,200 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $800.
Email for full itinerary.
Non-refundable Deposit: $1,000; balance due by November 25.
Costa Rica - March 2027
Kiandra's Private Rancho Naturalista Tour (FULL 12/12) Waitlist Available; Fall 2027 & 2028 Dates Below
Dates: March 21 - 27, 2027
Trip Leaders: Tiffany Kersten & Kiandra Mitchell
Local Guide Mercedes Alpizar
Lodging at Rancho Naturalista.
$2450 whether single or double occupancy.
Email for full itinerary.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; balance due by December 21.
Taiwan - March 2027
Taiwan Endemics: Alpine areas of Dasyueshan, Hehuanshan and Yushan
(6/9 spaces available)
Dates: March 21 - 30, 2027
Trip Leader: Evan Farese; Local Guide Jianlong Wu
This trip will target endemic species. Email for full itinerary and target list.
Cost: $3,900 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $1200.
Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due by Dec 21.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Taiwan Endemics 2025, Taiwan Endemics 2026
Panama - Fall 2027
The recommended field guide for all Panama tours can be found here.
Relaxed Pace Tour - Canopy Lodge & Canopy Tower (8/8 spaces available)
Canopy Tower, Panama
Dates: Sept 25 - Oct 3, 2027
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Tailored to first-timers to Central America, but open to all, we'll spend four nights at the serene and beautiful Canopy Lodge, followed by four nights at the world-renowned Canopy Tower,
Cost: $3,500 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $600.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (July 24).
*NOTE: Participants must be able ascend and descend 3 flights of stairs multiple times per day, as there is no elevator.
View the Canopy Tower Hummingbird Feeder here.
View the Panama Canopy Lodge Fruit Feeder Cam Here.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Canopy Lodge 2022, Canopy Lodge 2023.Canopy Lodge 2024, Canopy Lodge 2025, Canopy Lodge 2026
Canopy Tower 2022, Canopy Tower 2023, Canopy Tower 2024, Canopy Tower 2025
Women's Tour - Canopy Tower (6/8 spaces available)
Canopy Lodge, Panama
Dates: Oct 5 - 10, 2027
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
We'll spend five nights at the at the beautiful, world-renowned Canopy Tower, taking in raptor migration as well as resident birds, including daily trips to visit nearby sites.
Cost: $2,150 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (July 5).
View the Canopy Tower Hummingbird Feeder here.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Canopy Tower 2022, Canopy Tower 2023, Canopy Tower 2024, Canopy Tower 2025, Canopy Tower 2026
Private Tour for "Lady Birder Friends" - Canopy Lodge (1/8 spaces available)
Canopy Lodge, Panama
Dates: Oct 12 - 17, 2027
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
We'll spend five nights at the beautiful and serene Canopy Lodge, including daily trips to visit nearby sites.
Cost: $2,200 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.
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: Panama's Canopy Lodge 2022, Panama's Canopy Lodge 2023. Canopy Lodge 2024, Canopy Lodge 2025, Canopy Lodge 2026
"Hawks & Harpies" Tour (8/8 spaces available)
Canopy Tower (Five Nights - Hawk Migration), Canopy Camp Darien (Five Nights - Harpy Eagle)
Dates: Oct 18 - 28, 2027
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Cost: $4,700 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement for Canopy Tower: $400.
All tents at Canopy Camp are double occupancy (no single supplement option), due to limited space.
*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 ($2250 - 5 nights) or
"Harpies" portion to Canopy Camp ($2450 - 5 nights)
Non-refundable Deposit: $1,000 for full tour / $500 for one segment of tour. Balance due 90 days prior (July 18).
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Hawks & Harpies Tour 2023, Hawks & Harpies Tour 2024, Hawks & Harpies Tour 2025
Costa Rica - Fall 2027
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 (8/10 spaces available)
Rancho Naturalista
October 30 - November 5, 2027
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Local Guide: Mercedes Alpizar
Lodging at Rancho Naturalista.
$2,450 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee).
Email for full itinerary.
$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due 90 days prior.
Trip Report from 2025: Rancho Naturalista 2025
Costa Rica: Private Tour for JBNHS Members (9/12 spaces available)
Rancho Naturalista
November 6 - November 12, 2027
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Local Guide: Mercedes Alpizar
Lodging at Rancho Naturalista.
$2,450 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee).
Email for full itinerary.
$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due 90 days prior.
Trip Report from 2025: Rancho Naturalista 2025
Costa Rica: Private Tour for the "Shovelers" (10/10 spaces available)
Rancho Naturalista
November 13 - 19, 2027
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
$2,450 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee).
Email for full itinerary.
$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due 90 days prior.
Trip Report from 2025: Rancho Naturalista 2025
Mexico - January 2028
The recommended field guide for our Colombia tour can be found here.
Oaxaca: Private Tour for Kestrels Birding Club (6/10 spaces available)
Oaxaca, Mexico
Dates: January 15 -22, 2028
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten & Local Guide Eric Antonio Martinez
Lodging at Hotel Victoria, Cabanas Puesta del Sol, and Hotel Villablanca.
$3,300. Single supplement: $650.
Email for full itinerary.
$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due by October 15.
Birding Oaxaca (10/10 spaces available)
Oaxaca, Mexico
Dates: January 24 -31, 2028
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten & Local Guide Eric Antonio Martinez
Lodging at Hotel Victoria, Cabanas Puesta del Sol, and Hotel Villablanca.
$3,300. Single supplement: $650.
Email for full itinerary.
$1000 deposit to hold your spot; balance due by October 24.
Ecuador - February/March 2028
Tandayapa Bird Lodge (4/10 spaces available)
Dates: Feb 20 - 26, 2028
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Email for full itinerary and target list.
Cost: $2750 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $250.
Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due Nov 20.
Millennial-ish Birders Tour
(Open to ages 50 and under)
Tandayapa Bird Lodge (8/10 spaces available)
Dates: Feb 27 - March 5, 2028
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Email for full itinerary and target list.
Cost: $3200 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $300.
Non-refundable Deposit: $750. Balance due Nov 27.
Taiwan - March 2028
Taiwan Endemics: Alpine areas of Dasyueshan, Hehuanshan and Yushan
(9/9 spaces available)
Dates: TBD
Trip Leader: Evan Farese
This trip will target endemic species. Email for full itinerary and target list.
Cost: $TBD per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $TBD.
Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due 90 days prior (Dec).
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Taiwan Endemics 2025, Taiwan Endemics 2026
Hawaii - DATE TBD 2028
The recommended field guide for our Hawaii tours can be found here.
Hawaii's Islands - Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island (8 SPACES) 8 TOTAL
Dates: TBD (10 days)
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten & Local Guide Mandy Talpas
Cost: $7,400 double occupancy. Single supplement: $1,500.
Non-refundable Deposit: $2,000. Balance due 90 days before departure.
Oahu & the Big Island (8/8 spaces available)
Dates: TBD (7 days)
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten & Local Guide Mandy Talpas
Cost: $4,800 double occupancy. Single supplement: $1,000.
Non-refundable Deposit: $1500. Balance due 90 days before departure.
Colombia - September 2028
The recommended field guide for our Colombia tour can be found here.
Central Andes ( 8/8 spaces available)
Dates: September TBD
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Cost: $TBD, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400
Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due 90 days prior.
Western Andes ( 8/8 spaces available)
Dates: September TBD
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Cost: $TBD double occupancy. Single supplement: $400
Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due 90 days prior.
Panama - Fall 2028
The recommended field guide for all Panama tours can be found here.
Canopy Tower (7/8 spaces available)
Canopy Lodge, Panama
Dates: Oct 1 - 6, 2028
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
We'll spend five nights at the at the beautiful, world-renowned Canopy Tower, taking in raptor migration as well as resident birds, including daily trips to visit nearby sites.
Cost: $2250 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (July 1).
View the Canopy Tower Hummingbird Feeder here.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Canopy Tower 2022, Canopy Tower 2023, Canopy Tower 2024, Canopy Tower 2025, Canopy Tower 2026
Canopy Lodge for Cancer Survivors (8/8 spaces available)
Canopy Lodge, Panama
Dates: Oct 7 - 12, 2028
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Sometimes, life after cancer, or living with cancer, is something we feel a lot of others in our lives cannot relate to. Trip leader Tiffany Kersten is a cancer survivor, and welcomes you to share the week with her. Participants should be in reasonable general health and be able to walk at least two miles per day. The tour will be run at a slightly more relaxed pace than our typical tours - we'll be savoring every moment of every day.
Cost: $2300 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (July 7).
View the Panama Canopy Lodge Fruit Feeder Cam Here.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Panama's Canopy Lodge 2022, Panama's Canopy Lodge 2023. Canopy Lodge 2024, Canopy Lodge 2025, Canopy Lodge 2026
Canopy Lodge for Cancer Survivors (8/8 spaces available)
Canopy Lodge, Panama
Dates: Oct 7 - 12, 2028
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Sometimes, life after cancer, or living with cancer, is something we feel a lot of others in our lives cannot relate to. Trip leader Tiffany Kersten is a cancer survivor, and welcomes you to share the week with her. Participants should be in reasonable general health and be able to walk at least two miles per day. The tour will be run at a slightly more relaxed pace than our typical tours - we'll be savoring every moment of every day.
Cost: $2300 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.
Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (July 7).
View the Panama Canopy Lodge Fruit Feeder Cam Here.
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Panama's Canopy Lodge 2022, Panama's Canopy Lodge 2023. Canopy Lodge 2024, Canopy Lodge 2025, Canopy Lodge 2026
"Hawks & Harpies" Tour (8/8 spaces available)
Canopy Camp Darien (Five Nights - Harpy Eagle), Canopy Tower (Five Nights - Hawk Migration)
Dates: Oct 20 - 31, 2028
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Cost: $4750 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 "Harpies" portion to Canopy Camp ($2550 - 5 nights + 1 night at airport hotel) or "Hawks" portion to Canopy Tower ($2250 - 5 nights)
Non-refundable Deposit: $1,000 for full tour / $500 for one segment of tour. Balance due 90 days prior (July 20).
Trip Reports from Prior Years: Hawks & Harpies Tour 2023, Hawks & Harpies Tour 2024, Hawks & Harpies Tour 2025
Costa Rica - Fall 2028
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: Intro to Birding the Tropics (10/10 spaces available)
Rancho Naturalista
Dates: Nov 3 - 9, 2028
Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten
Local Guide: Mercedes Alpizar
Lodging at Rancho Naturalista.
$2450 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee).
Email for full itinerary.
$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due 90 days prior.
Trip Report from 2025: Rancho Naturalista 2025
Australia - December 2028
Australia - locations TBD (6/6 spaces available)
Dates: TBD
Trip Leaders: Tiffany Kersten & Ben Knoot
Cost: $TBD, double occupancy. Single supplement: $TBD
Non-refundable Deposit: $1000. Balance due 90 days prior.
Payment info at bottom of page.
Trip Deposits & Balance Payments:
Payment methods accepted:
Preferred methods: Zelle to tiffanykersten@gmail.com, or a mailed check. Email for mailing address.
Other methods: Venmo/PayPal to @natureninjabirding
****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 the event you need to cancel.
