nanciej

Hi
I am new to this forum spending most of my Fodors time in the Africa forums! I am planning to take a month of in late-jan to late feb and was thinking of Panama. I started researching but am a little overwhelmed. I am a wildlife photographer so access to this is a priority-but also just want time to lay low and relax. I want to split our time, but also don't want to move 4 times. So maybe 2 and 2? I am told Darien is a top spot for wildlife photography. Would welcome any suggestions on how to get started on this...given how late I am! Oh-would also be interested in hiring a guide specializing in wildlife for a few days if anyone has worked with one.

thanks
Nancie

Price range is moderate. Not budget, and not lux. We will be 2 women.

bluesphere

We visited Panama not long ago.
Used the services of Sendero Panama tours, their naturalist guides are fantastic, and one of the things help me make my mind about their services was that I followed their facebook page. Many images about nature and wildlife.
Check them out
http://www.facebook.com/senderopanama
http://www.senderopanama.com

Travelwisdom

Hi, well I can recommend besides Darien, you can go to Coiba National Park is a great spot for wildlife photo shoot, there is also Soberania National Park. Let me give you a contact I know, they work in a personal way so there will only be you and your friend and your private guide and driver. You can ask them better about prices or any other details.
www.isthmustravelpanama.com

jfwoodman

Nancie - what did you decide? I'm trying to plan a similar trip (but shorter duration) and wondering if you already went and have any advice.

Thanks,

Jim

qwovadis

www.mamallena.com Stuart the owner a Tsmanian Devil posts over on Thorntree most knowledgable poster on the area.Darien is quite dodgy rent a move called The Art of Travel to get an
idea. Thedariengapster.com is a safe way to do it Kuna Yala is fine MANY other areas FARC druggy and dodgy so be VERY careful.

qwovadis

Personally prefer Ecuador deep amazon with www.huaorani.com www.guanguiltagua.com [email protected] set me up a great discounted trip last fall.Have done both Amazon plus
Galapagos best wildlife photo ops for me ecoventura.com best
galavengalapagos.com from $600 on a 2 for sale cheapest.

snorkelluvn

If you are a photographer, check out birdingpanama.com. These guys use digiscopes and their website has photos they've taken...very nice, very knowlegeable and a great website. They know how to recognize and even call the birds. I am scheduled to have a tour with Carlos in March. Please give a trip report at end of your trip!! I think Panama could be a good choice cuz it is more accessible than Ecuador for north Americans and rumor has it that this is a country that is developing its ecotourism, following the well-tread footsteps of Costa Rica. That's why i wanna go NOW!