About Me

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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 2026 


The recommended field guides for all Costa Rica tours can be found here: newest but heaviest and most used but a little outdated


Intro to Costa Rica: Rancho Naturalista  (4/8 spaces

Jan 3 - 8, 2026 

Trip Leader: Evan Farese

Local Gude: Mercedes Alpizar 

$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. 


Taiwan - March 2026


Taiwan Endemics: Alpine areas of Dasyueshan, Hehuanshan and Yushan 

(4/8 spaces available) 

Dates: March 22 - 31, 2026 

Trip Leader: Evan Farese 

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

Cost: $3250 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $1000. 

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

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Taiwan Endemics 2025 (2026 tour will be one day longer than 2025)

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Colombia - Summer 2026


Northern Colombia (8/8 spaces available) 

Dates: June 16 - 23, 2026

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

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 23 - 30, 2026

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

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

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

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Western Colombia (6/8 spaces available) 

Dates: June 30 - July 5, 2026

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

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

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

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Panama - Fall 2026


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


Tropical Island Birding: 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 Tranquilo Bay.

Cost: $2450 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $800. 

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 JBNHS Members - Canopy Tower (12/12 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: $2150 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400.

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (July 4).  

*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, Canopy Tower 2025 

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Intro to Birding the Tropics - Canopy Lodge (6/8 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: $2450 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 2022Panama's Canopy Lodge 2023Canopy Lodge 2024 (Birding & Being), Canopy Lodge 2024, Canopy Lodge 2025 Trip 1, Canopy Lodge 2025 Trip 2, Canopy Lodge 2025 Trip 3 

Payment info at bottom of page. 


"Harpies & More" - Canopy Camp (8/8 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. 

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 90 days prior (July 18). 

Trip Reports from Prior Years: 


"Hawks & More" - Canopy Tower (8/8 spaces available) 

Canopy Tower, Panama 

Dates: Oct 24 - 29, 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.

*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 90 days prior (July 24). 

Trip Reports from Prior Years: 


"Harpies & Hawks" Tour (8/8 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 

Payment info at bottom of page. 


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

Rancho Naturalista

October 30 - November 5, 2026

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

Local Guide: Mercedes Alpizar 

$2400 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee). 

Email for full itinerary. 

$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due by July 29.

Trip Report from 2025: 

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Costa Rica: Women's Tour (FULL 8/8

Rancho Naturalista

November 6 - 12, 2026

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

Local Guide: Mercedes Alpizar 

$2400 whether single or double occupancy. (No single supplement fee). 

Email for full itinerary. 

$500 deposit to hold your spot; balance due by July 29.

Trip Report from 2025: 

Payment info at bottom of page. 



Panama - October 2027


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


Intro to Birding the Tropics - Canopy Lodge & Canopy Tower (8/8 spaces available) 

Canopy Tower, Panama 

Dates: Sept 24 - Oct 2, 2027

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: $3900 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. 

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

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Women's Tour - Canopy Tower (8/8 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: $2200 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $400. 

Non-refundable Deposit: $500; Balance due 90 days prior (July 5).  

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. 


Women's Tour - Canopy Lodge (8/8 spaces available) 

Canopy Lodge, Panama 

Dates: Oct 11 - 16, 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: $2200 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 2022Panama's Canopy Lodge 2023Canopy Lodge 2024 (Birding & Being)Canopy Lodge 2024, Canopy Lodge 2025 Trip 1, Canopy Lodge 2025 Trip 2, Canopy Lodge 2025 Trip 3 

Payment info at bottom of page. 


"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: $4400 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 ($2150 - 5 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 (July 18). 

Trip Reports from Prior Years: Hawks & Harpies Tour 2023Hawks & Harpies Tour 2024, Hawks & Harpies Tour 2025

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Costa Rica: Rancho Naturalista (8/8 spaces available

Rancho Naturalista

October 30 - November 5, 2027 

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

$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: 

Payment info at bottom of page. 


Costa Rica: Women's Tour (8/8 spaces available

Rancho Naturalista

November 6 - November 12, 2027 

Trip Leader: Tiffany Kersten 

$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: 

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.