Birding Safaris Around the World: The 15 Best

1.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,221 reviews · 2 hours · from $175Our pick

Review of Húsavík’s 2-hour RIB whale safari, with puffins, blue whales, expert guides, practical tips, price advice, and honest drawbacks.

“On a sunny day we were lucky to see a total of 3 individual humpback whales for at least 7 times. We had a great and knowledgeable guide which was able answer any questions we had about the wildlife. The skipper was amazing in bringing us to any whale that was popping up and navigated us as close as possible providing great views for people on both sides of the boat. Booking the speed boat is worth the extra as you can be at any sighting very quickly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180Top rated

Review of Húsavík’s 2-hour RIB whale and puffin tour, with practical advice on wildlife, price, weather, clothing, and who should book.

“Guide was very knowledgeable and personable! Boat was on top condition and very comfortable. A must do!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Morning Falconry & Nature Desert Safari with Transfers from Dubai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 254 reviews · from $166

Review of Dubai’s morning falconry safari, with a conservation reserve drive, camel ride, Emirati breakfast, transfers, and practical tips.

“Amazing Eco-Friendly Desert Safari – Highly Recommend!I had a fantastic experience on this desert safari, and I highly recommend it! From the start, communication was excellent—the company confirmed my pickup time the day before, and Norman, our guide, arrived prRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Dubai Falconry Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 171 reviews · 5 hours · from $183

Review of Dubai’s 5-hour falconry safari, with desert wildlife, hands-on bird flights, camel racing, museum visits, and practical booking advice.

“An absolutely incredible experience. our guide Khan was superb.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Wetlands Safari Eco-Cruise in Cape May (Osprey Birding By Boat)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $38Best value

Explore Cape May’s salt marsh by boat, spot ospreys and eagles, and learn about secretive wetland birds on this relaxed two-hour eco-cruise.

“The tour was well worth it! Captain Bob and Vince were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly! They know so much about the salt marshes of Cape May as well as avian migration patterns. I’ve always wondered what was living within the tall grasses I could see from the bridges. Now I know! Absolutely a great trip that won’t disappoint!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Falcon 1—Private Dubai Falconry Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · from $274

Review of Dubai’s private falconry safari, with desert wildlife, hands-on bird flights, 4x4 transport, breakfast option, price, and practical tips.

“My wife, five-year-old daughter and myself really enjoyed this excursion. The 5 AM hotel pickup was a little rough (waking up early), but everything went smoothly. Our guide was personable and provided lots of information on falconry and local culture. The location was stuRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas: Safari Flamingo Luxury

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 90 reviews · 3 hours

Review of a private Río Lagartos boat tour with flamingos, crocodiles, Las Coloradas pink lagoons, Mayan clay, and a Gulf beach.

“I had an amazing experience on this tour! Everything was so well organized, and I truly enjoyed every moment. Our guide was excellent – extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and very attentive to everyone in the group. He made the whole experience even more enjoyable with his kindness and enthusiasm. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting, it was definitely a highlight of my trip!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Small-Group Tour: Falcon 2—Dubai Falconry Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $199

Fly falcons, spot Arabian oryx, and enjoy desert scenery on this intimate Dubai safari with optional Al Maha breakfast.

“This private tour was among the top 10 experiences of my entire life. Mohammed and his team were absolutely amazing professionals. Communication was outstanding. Hotel pickup was right on time. They had coffee and dates set out on a beautiful carpet in the desert rRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Private Falconry Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · 5 hours · from $288

Review of Dubai’s private falconry safari, with desert wildlife, five birds of prey, luxury transport, breakfast options, and practical booking advice.

“Khan gave us a really great morning. It was just great. We even had sunrise in the desert and were able to see lots of different animals. The birds were just beautiful and unique. A really great trip that I would recommend everyone to experience. Thank you Khan for this great experience and also for the fantastic photos!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Iguassu Falls Brazilian Side: Macuco Safari, Helicopter Flight and Bird Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $415

Review of Iguassu Falls Brazil with Macuco Safari, helicopter flight and Bird Park, including cost, timing, tips and honest drawbacks.

“It is a full exhausting day, but a truly amazing experience. Because of Eric‘s experience and knowledge, we were able to spend much more time at the falls, then waiting in long lines at the border or at the park. Eric gave us the opportunity to get the real essence of the Iguassu Falls!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.The Bird Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 50 reviews · 3 hours · from $292

Explore Gjesværstappan’s puffins, eagles, and gannets by boat, with fjord views, arctic wildlife, and practical tips from Honningsvåg.

“not seen many birds, overall at least 50 percent to expensive”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Turtle Swim at TurtleBay visit Flamingos & KnipBeach Safari Truck

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 35 reviews · from $82

Swim with sea turtles, visit Knip Beach, and look for flamingos on Curaçao’s open-air safari tour, with snorkeling gear and refreshments included.

“Very dirty, long ride, spent more time in the car than any of the stops. 2 of the stops we were literally only there for 10 minutes each. They charged you to use the restroom. Disgusting beach and only saw 1 turtle.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Private Everglades 10,000 Islands Photo and Birding Boat Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Review of a private Everglades 10,000 Islands photo and birding safari, with boat details, timing, price, wildlife, and practical tips.

“Charlie was an awesome tour guide. Highly recommend this tour it was informative with perfect weather”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.From Delhi: 5 Day Golden Triangle, Safari, & Bird Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 15 reviews · 5 days · from $142

Five days through Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Ranthambore, with Taj Mahal sunrise, two safaris, guides, hotels, and transport.

“Guddu, our driver, was without comparison the best I’ve ever had in India—kind, calm, attentive, helpful and discreet. The tour guides at both the Taj Mahal and Jaipur were extremely knowledgeable and added great value to the experience. The administration was always forthcoming and helpful. Ranthambore was amazing and the Tiger Den a wonderful resort. However, there were a few areas for improvement. Details about the trip were shared quite late. The hotels varied significantly, and it would have been preferable to know in advance where we were staying, with the option to upgrade. Although the car was large, it felt cramped for our long-legged family of four with six…”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Private Zambezi River Birdwatching Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 14 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $80

Review of a private Zambezi River birdwatching safari near Victoria Falls, with rare birds, hippos, crocodiles, guides, costs, and practical tips.

“Brilliant trip. Very knowledgeable and friendly guides who were keen to know what you wanted out of the excursion. Highly recommend - and thanks again Itela for making the trip out such a good one!”

Check availability →Read our full review