Nicaragua Birding

Two Week Nicaragua Birding Itinerary

Day 01: Managua – Montibelli Private Nature Reserve

Greeting at the airport by an English speaking guide and private transfer to the Sierra Managua mountain range and the low mountain private nature reserve of Montibelli. Lodging in private cabin.

Day 02: Montibelli Private Nature Reserve

All meals and lodging at Montibelli. Birding with local guide.

Day 03: Montibelli – Chocoyero Nature Reserve

Country breakfast and birding with local expert guide. Lunch at the reserve and private transfer with birding guide to the tiny and nature rich canyon nature reserve of El Chocoyero, home to more than a thousand cliff dwelling parakeets. Return to Montibelli for dinner and lodging in cabin.

Day 04: Montibelli – San Carlos – Solentiname Archipelago

Breakfast at the reserve and transfer San Carlos and private motorboat transfer on Lake Nicaragua to the Solentiname Archipelago. On route lunch and then afternoon walk for bird watching. Lodging and all meals at the rustic Hotel Cabañas Paraiso.

Day 05: Solentiname – Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge

Early morning departure in private boat to the virgin island of Zapote, nesting site for more than 12,000 birds. Boat visit to the Río Zapote, a seldom seen corner of the Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge, home to more than 300 species of birds. Continue in private boat for the rain forest river of Río Papaturro in the Los Guatuzos Wildlife Reserve. Return in private boat for lodging, lunch and dinner at Hotel Cabañas Paraiso.

Day 06: Solentiname – San Juan River

Private boat transfer to San Carlos and then down the mighty Rio San Juan. The San Juan River is Nicaragua’s most historic waterway and also marks the southern border of the rain forest wildlife of the pristine Indio-Maiz Biological Reserve. Lunch, dinner and lodging at Guacimo Lodge on the banks of the San Juan River.

Day 07: Rio San Juan – Indio-Maiz Biological Reserve

Early breakfast at the hotel and private boat transfer down river to the several visited trails inside the Indio-Maíz Reserve for birding with our expert naturalist guide. Simple pack lunch between walks. Dinner and lodging at Guacimo Lodge.

Day 08: San Juan River – Selva Negra Private Nature Reserve

Country breakfast and private transfer to Selva Negra private cloud forest reserve in Matagalpa. Lodging in cabin at Selva Negra.

Day 09: Selva Negra – Cerro Arenal Nature Reserve

Breakfast and private transfer to the misty peaks of the Cerro Arenal Nature Reserve, home to the Resplendent Quetzal, Three Wattled-bell Bird and other unique birds for hiking through the reserve and down into the Selva Negra private nature reserve. Afternoon birding at Selva Negra.

Day 10: Selva Negra – White Rock Massif Reserve

Breakfast at the reserve and private transfer into the remote mountains of Matagalpa and Jinotega, to the White Rock Massif Reserve. Lunch in route and dinner at the reserve. Lodging in rustic cabins of Center for Understanding Nature (CEN) with private bath and forest view.

Day 11: White Rock Massif Reserve

Birdwatching at White Rock Massif Reserve and afternoon hike to the Arcoiris Waterfalls. All meals provided by Center for Understanding Nature (CEN), lodging in cabin.

Day 12: White Rock Massif Reserve – Leon

Breakfast and private transfer with naturalist guide to León with birding in route. Lodging in León at the Hotel El Convento.

Day 13: Leon – Juan Venado Wildlife Refuge, Pacific Ocean

Breakfast and private transfer to the Pacific Coast estuary reserve of Juan Venado Island for guided bird watching in private motorboat or kayaks. Lodging in León at Hotel El Convento.

Day 14: Leon – Managua

Breakfast at hotel and private transfer to airport for flight home.