A dedicated birding tour can be the birding trip of a lifetime, but tours aren't always right for every birder. Understanding the pros and cons of birding tours is the first step toward decided whether or not this type of experience is right for your birding ambitions.

Benefits of Birding Tours

Birding tours organized by reputable companies offer many benefits, not the least of which is the opportunity to see a wide range of bird species in exotic and unique destinations.

When you participate in a birding tour, you can take advantage of…

• All-Inclusive Planning: Most birding tours include all the necessary arrangements for accommodations, meals, transportation, entrance fees, translators and other essential preparations throughout the entire tour, from the moment the group is together until the day of departure. This eliminates a lot of the stress of planning your own birding getaway, particularly if you are not an experienced traveler or are nervous about unfamiliar destinations.
   
• Birding Focus: Unlike general tours, a birding tour has a bird-specific focus and the itinerary will maximize birding opportunities. Many tours make extra efforts to seek out endemic species or will work to accommodate participants' requests for specific target birds, and if rare birds are sighted during the tour, plans may be changed at the last minute to take advantage of the rarity.
   
• Like-Minded Guests: It can be a refreshing and rejuvenating experience to join a tour with other guests who are just as enthusiastic about birding as you are. Connecting with other birders can lead to long-lasting friendships, new information about birds, new birding tips and just greater enjoyment of a hobby that is often solitary.
   

• Safety: Because tour companies rely on the repeat business and recommendations of satisfied customers, they carefully investigate every aspect of a proposed tour to be sure it is safe for participants. Not only are destinations in safe areas, but local guides, drivers and other essential staff are thoroughly vetted for appropriate references and reputability to keep guests safe and comfortable.
   
• Experience: One of the most important benefits of any birding tour is the presence of expert guides. Experienced local and regional guides, as well as well-traveled guides from around the world, are dedicated leaders for tour groups and are well-versed in local birds, bird behaviors, hidden hotspots and other details that can make the most of the experience for everyone involved.

Possible Tour Problems to Consider

Despite how exceptional a birding tour may seem, it isn't always the best choice for every birder. While all tour companies have their own policies and procedures and experiences can differ, potential issues that can detract from a tour include…

• Length: To make the most of extensive travel and far-flung destinations, many birding tours are 2-3 weeks in length or longer. Depending on your individual circumstances, this may be too long a time period for distant travel, and because many tours are offered only a few times each year (typically at the peak of local birding), it may not be possible to choose a different departure time that could better suit your schedule.
   
• Cost: Because most tours include all accommodations and travel arrangements during the tour's duration, often in areas where selections are limited and prices may be higher, the overall cost can be significant. Furthermore, solo travelers may be assessed a single supplement fee, and even travelers who hope to be paired up with another participant may find themselves charged the supplement if a roommate cannot be arranged. With even less expensive tours typically costing $2,000 per person or higher, it can be well outside a tight budget.
   
• Extra Expenses: While the essentials of a birding tour are included in the cost, there are a number of other expenses that are not included in the tour fees. Airfare or other travel arrangements to the starting point of the tour are not usually included, and other costs birders may need to pay along the way include passport or visa fees, vaccinations, luggage charges, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages and other personal expenses.
   
• Group Size: Tour companies strive to find the best balance between group size and individual costs. A smaller group can have a more intimate experience without disrupting birds but the individual costs will be higher, whereas larger groups may have more limitations but overall lower costs for participants. The smaller a group is, the sooner reservations will need to be made, even a year or longer before the tour departs, which can make planning more difficult for participants.
   
• Exertion Level: A detailed description of tours will include information about what type of physical conditions to expect, including whether long or strenuous hikes are part of the itinerary. Other exertions such as early mornings, late nights, long drives and difficult climates can make a tour less enjoyable than expected if participants are not prepared for the conditions.

Despite the potential difficulties of a birding tour, it can still be a rewarding and amazing experience, one every birder may want to try.

Deciding if a Tour is Right for You

After considering the pros and cons of birding tours, it is best to review different birding tour companies' policies along with recent tour reviews and testimonials to see if taking a tour is a good option for you. If possible, trying a shorter regional tour first may be useful, and asking questions of the company and its guides can help clarify issues to feel more confident about making the right decision. A birding tour can be an amazing experience, and a prepared birder will understand just what type of experience they will be in for before they pack their field bag.

Photo – Global Map © Nicolas Raymond