Cuba -the largest island in the Caribbean is just 90 miles from the coast of Florida but it's Socialist ideology provides a complete contrast to the United States. The island has produced some of the most famous icons of the 20th century - Fidel Castro and Ché Guevara and is steeped in history, famous landmarks and culture. With our top British guide and relaxed itinerary we shall gain an insight into this wonderful and interesting island. Never mind the cigars!.
Around 365 species have been recorded, the number of resident species being augmented by migrants and “winter” residents from both north and south. It has probably the best birdwatching in the whole of the Caribbean, with 149 breeding species of birds, of which 24 are endemic to Cuba. In the early spring months it is also particularly busy with migrants. The diversity and abundance of the birdlife is complemented by a tropical landscape and a relaxed, easy going atmosphere. These combine to make a very enjoyable, safe and ornithologically productive holiday destination. Some of Cuba’s endemic birds are quite widespread such as Cuban Trogon (the national bird), the delightful Cuban Tody and Cuban Green Woodpecker. Others include the rare Gundlach’s Hawk and the quail-doves are more difficult and 
during this tour we’ll focus on these and some of the other regional specialities. However, our typically tropical birding timetable (early morning, late afternoon) means that there will be plenty of time to relax and get a taste of what Cuba is about – we also include an afternoon tour of the old city of Camagüey and some time in the World Heritage site of Old Havana. The timing of our trip means that there’ll be plenty of migrants around as well as the remaining winter visitors from the north such as the colourful wood warblers and shorebirds to search for too. Local experts with the up-to-date bird information’ll assist us throughout the tour. You won’t see Ivory-billed Woodpecker (although it may still be there) but you will have a great experience in a country where the people and the music are as warm as the climate. Oh, and you will see the smallest bird in world, Bee Hummingbird.
In Andy Mitchell we have unquestionably the leading British authority
on Cuba, its birds and wildlife having led numerous trips here for several high profile nature tour companies. We are lucky to have him.
For Virgin flights from London Gatwick to La Habana, these can be arranged by Oliva Rama Tours at no extra cost.
Day 1 :- Arrive Havana, Cuba where you will be met by Andy and our local guide then drive to our first hotel in the incredibly beautiful Viñales valley. This is a drive of around two hours to the west in Pinar del Rio province. Here we spend the next three nights at the Hotel Los Jazmines.
Day 2 :- A short drive takes us to a footpath through the limestone knolls or "mogotes" down in the valley. A good introduction to Cuban birdlife with plenty of the endemic woodland birds such as Cuban Vireo, Cuban Green Woodpecker and Cuban Tody as well as mixed flocks of American wood warblers in the shape of Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green & Palm Warblers, which are common here.. This area also has good numbers of the Cuban Solitaire with its strange, haunting flute-like song, an endemic that we won’t see anywhere else on the trip.
Day 3 :- Today we have a drive of around an hour to the La Güira NP for yet more woodland birdwatching searching for species such as Olive-capped Warbler, which is only found among pine trees. We will also be searching for endemics such as Yellow-headed Warbler, Cuban Vireo and their national bird; Cuban Trogon. This is also a good place to find the superb and rare Stygian Owl. In the afternoon we’ll visit a small farm where endemic Cuban Grassquits can usually be found.
Day 4 :- Today we are leaving the Viñales valley and travelling east to Cayo Coco, an offshore key reached by a causeway off the northern coast of the island. The drive takes most of the day through miles of agricultural land seeing flocks of Smooth billed Anis behaving like babblers as they follow each other from around the bushes and fence posts. Occasioanal roadside stops for refreshments could produce Tawny shouldered Blackbirds, Cap May & Palm Wablers amongst the shade of the trees. Eventually we will arrive at the small islet of Cayo Coco were we spend the next three nights in the all-inclusive Hotel Krystal Laguna.
Day 5 :- We make an early start to drive to Cayo Paredon Grande and the strip of coastal scrub near the lighthouse – the roadside will have several recently-split Cuban Black-hawks. First, we’ll find the endemic Cuban Gnatcatcher and alongside will be a race of Thick-billed Vireo (a potential split!) which can only be found here. Next we’ll walk along the track parallel to the sea and try to find the elusive Mangrove Cuckoo. There will be plenty of other species to keep us busy and the beach at the end of the track often has Piping Plover amongst other waders. In the afternoon we’ll drive on to the next key to the north, Cayo Guillermo, for the Bahama Mockingbird. The dry coastal scrub is the only place it can be found in Cuba. On the way back we’ll stop to look through waders and herons on the mudflats and any gulls or terns on the sea.
Day 6 :- We make an early start to drive to Cayo Paredon Grande and the strip of coastal scrub near the lighthouse – the roadside will have several recently-split Cuban Black-hawks. First, we’ll look for the endemic Cuban Gnatcatcher and alongside will be a race of Thick-billed Vireo (possible split!) which can only be found here. Next we’ll walk along the track parallel to the sea and try to find the elusive Mangrove Cuckoo. There will be plenty of other species to keep us busy and the beach at the end of the track often has Piping Plover amongst other waders. In the afternoon we’ll explore some of the wader pools around the coast and check areas of scrub for unusual migrants.
Day 7 :- There’s an excellent wader beach close to our hotel and we’ll check it before moving on to our next base in Camagüey. This is a drive of about two and a half hours that will be punctuated by stops for birds. After lunch we’ll drive down to the Sierra de Najasa, just south of the city, and this reserve here has plenty of endemics such as Cuban Parakeet, Cuban Crow and the gorgeous Cuban Pygmy Owl. This is just a taster for the following day! Overnight Hotel Camaguey.
Day 8 :- We’ll make a very early start back down to Najasa to catch up with the rare Palm Crow, the endemic and little-known Giant Kingbird, Plain Pigeon and maybe a nesting Gundlach’s Hawk plus much much more. After lunch at our hotel, we’ll take the coach into the old city of Camaguey for a tour round – no doubt ending up in a bar! Overnight Hotel Camaguey.
Days 9, 10, 11, 12 :- Although the area is called Zapata Swamp there are a variety of habitats to be found – coastal woodlands, wet forest, swamp proper and coastal mangrove – and we will explore all of them during these four days. Our local guide will decide which area to explore on which according to weather conditions. At Bermejas the birdwatching is excellent, with flocks of warblers move through the trees and the woodland trails have the endangered Blue-headed & Grey-headed Quail-doves. Dead palm trunks have Cuban Screech Owls roosting in them and this is the best place to find Fernandina's Flicker. There are lots of other places to explore in the woodlands around the villages of Soplillar, La Majagua and Los Sábalos. Rose-throated Parrots should be in evidence, there may be many migrants moving through and this is the place to find the world’s smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird. One day we will have an early start to drive and walk into the heart of the Zapata Swamp, where we hope to find the endemic Zapata Wren. The invisible Zapata Rail is also in this area but almost impossible to find although we should hear both this species and a Spotted Rail. We should also find another endemic - Red-shouldered Blackbird at this wonderful site. Next 5 nights at Hotel Playa Larga.
One
late afternoon after our siesta we can have a guided tour of the Playa Giron museum. Playa Giron was a
major strategic site in the Invasion in the Bay of Pigs in 1962. Cuban-Americans tried to set up a
temporary government in Playa Giron with an invasion force of 1500 men. However, in less than three
days they were defeated by Fidel Castro’s forces. The whole story and more will be ably explained by our
lively and well informed guide, with the aid of the museum’s illustrations, photographs and memorabilia.
Day 13 :-We’ll leave Zapata after a leisurely breakfast and drive to Havana. Here we will tour the old city, on the coach to begin with and then on foot. Our expert Cuban guide will be able to answer all your questions and you will get a real feel for the past and present of this vibrant city. Overnight at the Plaza Hotel in the heart of La Habana.
Day 14 :- We’ll have most of the day to further explore Havana before taking the short trip to the airport for the flight home.
Day 15 :- Arrive home.
