bird-watching EIGHT GREAT 23
BIRD-WATCHING CHOICES
Keen observers of our feathered friends will travel to the world’s far-flung corners. And whether it’s the sheer
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and Sabah, perhaps better known for its orangutans and coral reefs, is the ideal destination in which to experience these riches. ‘A-listers’ such as rhinoceros hornbill and Asian paradise flycatcher are easily found in Tabin Reserve and the Danum Valley, where birders will also enjoy working through the prolific mixed-species flocks in the canopy. And for such riverine specials as buffy fish owl, white-bellied sea-eagle and kingfishers, don’t miss a cruise along the Kinabatangan. SELL IT: Audley Travel’s 15-day Wildlife Safari in Borneo visits the Kinabatangan River, Tabin Wildlife Reserve and the Danum Valley, all with excellent guided birdwatching. From £3,785pp, including international flights and transfers. 01993 838 000;
audleytravel.com
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and lowland rainforest makes it a haven for birdwatchers, with the country’s list of more than 1,600 species being the fifth-highest in the world. Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, set at 2,000m on misty hillsides just 52km from Quito, offers a microcosm of these avian delights. Here, among gardens hung with creepers and orchids,
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ECUADOR Ecuador’s combination of high Andes, cloud forest
SABAH The tropical forests of Borneo teem with birdlife
highlights include numerous hummingbirds and the elusive Andean cock-of-the-rock. Other wildlife is prolific along the more than 10km of trails. SELL IT: Journey Latin America offers a 15-day Ecuador trip. Highlights include the Avenue of the Volcanoes, Cotopaxi National Park and Mindo Cloud Forest, with three nights at the Bellavista Lodge. From £3,503pp, including international flights, rail journey and B&B accommodation. 020 8622 8444;
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
Arabian Peninsula marks the junction of the African, Oriental and Eurasian realms, and its diverse birdlife – with some 460 species recorded – reflects the influences of all three. Thus, birdwatchers can seek out such Afro-tropical species as paradise flycatcher in the mountain forests, such eastern specials as pheasant-tailed jacana in the coastal khors, and such desert denizens as houbara bustard in the arid interior. Countless raptors, shrikes, warblers and other migrants pass through in season, while the coast offers flamingo-packed lagoons and excellent sea-watching. The Gulf of Oman is known for its red-necked
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OMAN Oman’s position at the very tip of the
phalaropes and sooty gulls, Khor Rawri inlet for waders and flamingos and Wadi Darbat for wintering eagles and African Paradise flycatchers. SELL IT: Kudu Travel’s 13-day Exploring Oman tour includes boat trips into the Gulf of Oman, visits to the Khor Rawri inlet and excursions inland to Wadi Darbat. From £4,190pp (November 15–27 2013), including international flights, internal flights, transfers, accommodation, all entries and meals with wine and beer. 01225 436 115;
kudutravel.com
spectacle – perhaps a ‘flamboyance’ of flamingos or a fly past of macaws – or tracking down rare endemics on a remote island, each continent has its hotspots, says Mike Unwin
Main image: Oman is home to fl amingo-packed
lagoons. Above: toucans of many shades and colours can be seen across Latin America
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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