Frequently asked questions

We are a team of driven and realitvely young birders, dedicated to finding the world’s rarest and least-known species. Operating approximately 50 small-group tours each year, we rotate between destinations and within our team have in-depth birding knowledge covering most countries in the world. Our itineraries are cutting-edge and constantly updated to include new sites for megas, endemics, and rediscovered species. We prioritise maximum field time, and our leaders always have the persistence to ensure you see the birds that others miss. Passionate about ethical ecotourism and conservation, we always generously tip our local guides, agents, and service providers, these costs included in our tour pricing. As well as making sure we operate with the correct permits in all countries and wildlife reserves across the globe, we designate a portion of all tour proceeds towards funding our lost bird grants (https://www.ornis-birding.com/grants)while also donating annually to conservation organisations like the African Bird Club and Oriental Bird Club.

The primary focus of our tours is to locate and enjoy good views of all the possible specialised endemic or range-restricted birds that occur in the regions we visit. We also seek out the mammals and other wildlife of the area where possible, while trying our best to incorporate photographic opportunities during our birding sesssions. That said, it is important to note that our scheduled tours are birding / wildlife tours and not photography tours. The primary focus is to observe all the target species, and photography is typically opportunistic. Many of our tours visit destinations like New Guinea and West Africa with extremely shy species which are usually found in challenging conditions, but our leaders are highly-accomplished bird photographers with excellent fieldcraft who can help you make the most of any opportunities which present themsleves.

Our tours are frequented by a wide variety of birdwatchers with all levels of skill and experience, from top listers and twitchers to enthusiastic birders who want to visit a particular couple of places. Our leaders are extremely patient and have the skills required to get a whole group onto the birds, incorporating teaching of identification wherever relevant. That said, there is one thing which is unique about those who most enjoy our tours. This is simply possessing a strong drive to do what it takes to see the birds! If a particular special species requires us to depart early, have a late lunch, stay in basic accommodation, or endure some discomfort related to the weather or road conditions, we will do it. As such, anyone used to pursusing birds in this way will fit right in.

More than 95% of our advertised tours get enough bookings for us to operate them, a statistic that we are particularly proud of. If it becomes necessary that we must cancel or move the advertised date of a particular tour by more than two days (due to insufficient reservations or other factors within our control), then all deposits and other payments made to us will be immediately refunded in full. For more details, please see our Terms & Conditions.(https://www.ornis-birding.com/conditions)

Our tour costs include all accommodation, internal flights (as stated in itinerary), main meals, drinking water, overland transport, tips to local drivers and guides, travel permits, entrance fees, and guide fees. We also include generous tipping budgets for our trusted local guides who help escort and run the tour, as well as local agents, operators, drivers, and service staff. These amounts exceed the industry standard, but if you feel that anybody has gone above-and-beyond then you are welcome to add additional tips. Optional gratuities for your Ornis leader are not expected, but of course welcome if you think they have done an excellent job. Our tour costs exclude flights before and after the tour start/end, visa, travel insurance, tips to tour leaders, laundry, drinks, and other items of a personal nature. For more details, please see our Terms & Conditions.(https://www.ornis-birding.com/conditions)

We offer a range of intensities, from comfortable birding cruises in the Subantarctic and adventurous 4WD expeditions in the Australian Outback which require minimal walking, all the way up to extremely strenuous multi-day hiking expeditions in remote places like Melanesia and Eastern Tanzania. Each tour page lists specific details about the walking difficulty so that you can choose the right trip for your fitness level, but please get in touch if you are unsure.

We pride ourselves in putting in the maximum possible effort to increase success with finding the hardest birds around the world during our tours. More so than most other tour companies, we go to extremes to make sure you see the rarest species and will spend the majority of most days in the field. Your leader will give warnings before any extremely challenging birding sessions which can be skipped by those who do not feel up to it, which is especially important if difficult terrain is involved. Using more basic accommodation and having simple meals can be expected if the logistics require it in order to access the best birding sites, but otherwise we aim for comfortable lodgings and good food wherever it is available. Typically you can expect a mix of these categories on any given tour, but some destinations (especially those with fewer birding targets) are much more comfortable and/or relaxed. Details on this can be found on the specific tour pages.

Our leaders do not shy away from doing whatever it takes to find the birds, even if that means to occasional 3am wakeup! We traditionally have very early starts and late finishes after long days in the field, the plan on each day dictated by what we still need to see and how much time we need to find it. Long drives are likely (sometimes on bad roads), and spotlighting is always on offer where possible (though in some cases can be skipped for those who feel the need to catch up on sleep).

We have curated a team that represents the upper echelon of field birders, comprising individuals widely regarded as some of the most talented and knowledgeable experts in the profession. Our leaders are selected for elite fieldcraft and identification skills that places them firmly among the most respected figures in the global birding community, while also possessing the drive to never give up while searching for target species. This exceptional level of expertise ensures you are guided by the very best in the business, yet our leaders pride themselves equally on being approachable, attentive, and fun.

Our tours are first and foremost birding tours dedicated towards the keen birder. However several specific itineraries are more relaxed and have a wider variety of general wildlife encounters which are sure to excite anyone who enjoys nature. Noteworthy destinations which non-birding partners have enjoyed with us in the past include China Mammals, Gabon Primates, Madagascar, Mongolia Snow Leopard, Nepal Red Panda, Uganda Highlights, Vogelkop West Papua, as well as our cruises which cover everywhere from Antarctica to the Tropical Pacific. Get in touch with our team if you to discuss the details of visiting a specific destination.

Some of our schedules tours have planned extensions already advertised, but we regularly set up private extensions upon request. An extension can be just for you with the Ornis leader or directly with one of our trusted local guides, or alternatively we can ask others booked on your tour if they wish to join in order to reduce costs. Just send us an email and we can advise on the possiblities!

Yes, this is something we do regularly! Private or tailor-made tours can be set up within our global network of trusted local guides, and/or with a dedicated Ornis leader coming along. Such a departure allows you to choose who you travel with, what level of accommodation you desire, which sections of the itinerary you wish to add or remove, while also giving complete flexibility on target species. Please feel free to contact us at any time to discuss ideas. Within our team, we have in-depth birding knowledge covering nearly the entire world. Arranging custom tours is possible nearly anywhere, even for destinations not listed in our scheduled tour calendar.

Yes, we certainly specialise in pelagic birding cruises and remote island expeditions. Most Ornis leaders are extremely skilled at seabird identification, and our professionally-led versions of the Antarctica Emperor Penguin Special, comprehensive Atlantic Odyssey, and bird-filled New Zealand Subantarctic cruises take you to the most remote corners of the ocean for rare tubenoses, albatrosses, and penguins. We also charter vessels in tropical regions for specific targets in the Pacific Islands, including Polynesia and Melanesia, and the Solomon Islands. Our team maintains a list of keen birders who are up for remote pelagics, and we always have our eyes out for the next exciting opportunity with a special vessel. Visit our cruise page (https://www.ornis-birding.com/destinations/birding-cruises)for more details.