Where to go birding in October? (World)

[wildlifeweb]

Hi all,
finally being in a financial position this year to go on holiday for a couple of weeks in mid-October, I'm looking for some good suggestions for where to go that isn't currently at war, famine-ridden, etc., and that won't cost more than a couple of thousand pounds each. Thought about Cape May- it is generally a week or two too late for the birding tour companies. We are restricted to the timing because of work commitments- can be one week or two weeks but not more. Any suggestions? Given that it is about 10 years since the last holiday and may be another 10 years to the next one I want to make the most of it!
Cheers
Paul Doyle

[harvelle]

How about Kenya? It's a great place to go birding (I was there last October).

[wildlifeweb]

Hi Harvelle,
Kenya would be brilliant- but I passed it off as too expensive. Did you go with a tour?

[Birdingam]

I daren't suggest anywhere, because usually when I decide to go somewhere, political unrest breaks out, civil war or some natural disaster. Examples being Sri Lanka - political turmoil, Ecuador - volcano erupts and covers the country in ash, shuts down airport the lot, Cyprus - earthquake 6.4 on the richter scale, USA - 9/11, Ethiopia - famine, Costa Rica - earthquake but small.

I believe Aberdeenshire can be nice in October though. Seriously though, try Costa Rica, helluva place.

Andy

[harvelle]

Hi Harvelle,
Kenya would be brilliant- but I passed it off as too expensive. Did you go with a tour?
I've been with tours in the past but these days self and partner design an itinerary and then go. I can pm you the details of the guy we use if you want.

[Steve G]

The other African option is South Africa-heaps of birds & the exchange rate against the Rand is very good. A do it yourself arrangement should be achievable given your budget without roughing it in any way - perhaps starting at Cape town & heading up the garden route with an additional short stay allowing sorties into the Kruger. With a trip like this visits to non-birding tourist venues will still bring in lots of new species.

[Steve Lister]

I would second South Africa - October is spring there and a good time to visit. Another place that could be good then is southern Egypt - combine the Nile, Lake Nasser and the Red Sea coast.

Steve

[wildlifeweb]

Anyone been to Botswana? This was suggested to me a couple of years ago.

[Steve Lister]

Anyone been to Botswana? This was suggested to me a couple of years ago.

From what I have seen Botswana is quite expensive, but maybe you can do it cheaply. Get in touch with Birding Africa to see if they have any advice.

Steve

[BhutanBirds]

Hi Paul,

Come to Bhutan. October is an ideal time to visit Bhutan with few festivals taking place and lots of birds. Especially the White bellied Heron & Black necked crane both globally threatened. Bhutan is the most peacful nation you will experience on the earth far from mainstream westernization.
You can easily do a two week trip within your said budget.

BhutanBirds.
www.naturetourism-bhutan.com

[Steve Lister]

Hi Paul,

Come to Bhutan.
You can easily do a two week trip within your said budget.

BhutanBirds.
www.naturetourism-bhutan.com

I thought that the cost for visits to Bhutan was $200 a person a day, plus an extra payment for small groups. Is this no longer the case? If it still applies, the total cost of over $2800, plus flights, could well be above Paul's budget.

Steve

[BhutanBirds]

Hi Steve,

Yes, you're right, the official tariff is $200 per person per night and plus extra surcharge of $40 and $30 for an individual, and two members (the extra surcharges besides the daily rates are charged for groups less than 3 member ). If if is okay to mention on the forum, we have made a special price for BirdForum members and can let you know our price.

Paul is expecting to spend about 2000 pounds on his birding trip, our exchange rate is 81.90 local currency for 1 pound that is about $ 3685. With this amount he can buy Delhi/Paro/Delhi Drukair ticket and pay for 2 weeks birding trip in Bhutan. Even better if he can pull couple of friends to exempt paying the extra surcharge besides the daily rates.

BhutanBirds.