New Zealand

Fragile endemics and rare seabirds across Aotearoa's iconic wildlands

New Zealand is home to one of the most distinctive bird faunas on Earth, shaped by isolation and evolution-and now marked by a high number of endemic, range-restricted, and vulnerable species. This 11-day tour spans both North and South Islands, blending exceptional birding with striking volcanic peaks, ancient forests, remote islands, and dramatic coasts. You’ll visit Tiritiri Matangi, where conservation efforts have helped preserve North Island Kokako, Takahe, Stitchbird, and Saddleback, and explore Miranda’s tidal flats for Wrybill and other shorebirds. Forests inland may yield Blue Duck, New Zealand Falcon, and Rifleman. On the South Island, a Kaikoura pelagic promises close views of albatrosses and petrels, while coastal sites host Yellow-eyed Penguin, Otago Shag, and Black Stilt. The journey ends on Stewart and Ulva Islands, where predator-free forest shelters rare endemics like South Island Saddleback, Yellowhead, and Southern Brown Kiwi. With expert guides and access to key habitats, this is an excellent chance to connect with Aotearoa’s remarkable birdlife.

USD 6 800

/ person sharing

single supp. USD 835

  • 26 Oct - 4 Nov 2026
  • 11 days
  • 6 to 10
  • AKL
  • IVC
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Included
  • 10 hotel nights.
  • All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 11.
  • All in-country ground transport.
  • All guiding fees for tour leaders and local guides.
  • All entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary.
  • All activities as described in the itinerary.
  • Global Rescue Membership*
Excluded
  • International flights (to AKL and from IVC).
  • Taxi from airport to hotel on arrival day.
  • Alcoholic drinks.
  • Personal purchases such as (but not limited to) laundry, room service, phone calls, souvenirs, etc.
  • Insurance. We strongly recommend participants get travel, cancelation, and medical insurance in their home country.
  • Any tips you would like to offer tour leaders, guides, drivers, porters, wait staff, housekeeping, etc. for outstanding service.
  • Any other items not explicitly included.
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Itinerary

Please note that while the general itinerary is set, hotels and daily activities may slightly differ depending on circumstances.

  • Day 1 ⎸ Arrival in Auckland

    Arrive at your leisure in Auckland, New Zealand. Upon landing, simply take a short taxi ride to our nearby hotel where we’ll gather for a welcoming dinner and introductions. It’s a relaxed start to what promises to be an unforgettable birding adventure.

  • Day 2 ⎸ Tiritiri Island – A Conservation Triumph

    Today, you’ll step into one of New Zealand’s most inspiring conservation success stories: Tiritiri Matangi Island. This predator-free sanctuary bursts with life, offering intimate encounters with some of the country’s rarest species. We’ll search for Takahē, North Island Kōkako, and Little Blue Penguin among lush native forest. Watch for the near-extinct Stitchbird, New Zealand Bellbird, Whitehead, Red-crowned Parakeet, Fernbird, and the shy Brown Teal. With luck, you might even spot the diminutive Rifleman. As the day winds down, we’ll head to Miranda, satisfied with a full day of extraordinary birding.

  • Day 3 ⎸ Miranda Mudflats and the Heart of the North Island

    This morning, you’ll witness the spectacle of Miranda’s famed mudflats, where migratory and resident shorebirds gather by the thousands. Here, the unique Wrybill—with its sideways-curved bill—takes center stage. Keep your eyes peeled for rarities like the Hudsonian Godwit. Afterward, you’ll head inland toward Taupo to spot New Zealand Grebe and New Zealand Scaup, with a chance at the swift, formidable New Zealand Falcon. It’s a day that showcases the striking diversity of New Zealand’s birdlife—from tidal flats to forested lakes.

  • Day 4 ⎸ Into the Ancient Pureora Forest

    This morning, we'll venture deep into the Pureora Forest, where ancient trees tower overhead and rare birds call from the canopy. Here, we’ll listen for the flute-like notes of the Bellbird and the cheerful chatter of the Fantail. Search for Tomtit, Yellow-crowned Parakeet, Long-tailed Cuckoo, and Kaka, the bold forest parrot. With a little persistence, you might glimpse the tiny Rifleman or spot a New Zealand Falcon soaring above. In the afternoon, we’ll head toward Turangi, where our day ends with the thrill of looking for the elusive Blue Duck in pristine river habitat.

  • Day 5 ⎸ From Turangi to the Sea – Ferry to the South Island

    We take the morning to catch any birds we may have missed before heading south to Wellington. Here, we’ll board the ferry across Cook Strait to the South Island, watching for seabirds along the way. Keep your binoculars ready—this crossing often reveals albatrosses, shearwaters, Fairy Prion, Common Diving Petrel, Spotted Shag, Red-billed Gull, and White-fronted Tern gliding above the waves. By evening, you’ll arrive in the charming coastal town of Picton.

  • Day 6 ⎸ Serene Waters of the Marlborough Sounds

    This morning, we’ll glide through the tranquil Marlborough Sounds, an exquisite landscape of sunken valleys and forested headlands. Our boat trip to Blumine Island offers the rare chance to see the striking King Shag and the vibrant Orange-fronted Parakeet. With a bit of luck, we might also find South Island Saddleback, South Island Robin, and even spot a Hector’s Dolphin surfacing nearby. Later, we’ll journey south to Kaikoura, your gateway to tomorrow’s pelagic adventure.

  • Day 7 ⎸ Seabird Encounter in Kaikoura, Then to Twizel

    Prepare yourself for one of the most intimate seabird experiences in the world. From Kaikoura, we’ll head just 15 minutes offshore to the edge of the continental shelf, where nutrient-rich waters attract an astonishing variety of birds. Watch as giant albatrosses—including Northern & Southern Royal, Antipodean, Black-browed, and Salvin’s—soar past your boat, sometimes within arm’s reach. You’ll also see Northern and Southern Giant Petrel, Cape and White-chinned Petrel, Westland Petrel, Buller’s and Hutton’s Shearwaters, and more. After lunch, we head inland to the high country town of Twizel, where our focus turns to one of the world’s rarest waders: the striking Black Stilt. Keep watch for Black-fronted Tern and New Zealand Falcon as you arrive.

  • Day 8 ⎸ Coastal Encounters with Penguins and Shags

    Today we’ll descend from the mountains to the South Island’s dramatic east coast. Here, we’ll visit a protected colony of Yellow-eyed Penguins—an endangered and deeply charismatic species found nowhere else on Earth. With their piercing gaze and upright posture, these birds offer one of the most memorable wildlife encounters of the trip. Along the coast, we’ll also search for the rare Otago Shag and South Island Pied Oystercatcher among the rocky inlets and crashing surf.

  • Day 9 ⎸ Through the Catlins to Stewart Island

    Our day begins with a special visit to the only mainland breeding colony of the Northern Royal Albatross in the world, near Dunedin. Nearby, we’ll also look for the rare Foveaux Shag. Then it's on to the forested, waterfall-rich region of the Catlins, where you’ll have a final opportunity to pick up any remaining forest birds. By afternoon, we’ll arrive at the southern tip of the South Island and take the ferry across Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island, a place where native birds flourish in the absence of mammalian predators. Tonight, we’ll venture into the forest in search of the Southern Brown Kiwi—a true trip highlight.

  • Day 10 ⎸ The Magic of Ulva Island

    Ulva Island is a treasure—a predator-free paradise where rare birds thrive in a pristine coastal rainforest. We’ll wander through native bush alive with birdsong, encountering Southern Brown Kiwi, South Island Saddleback, Yellowhead, Weka, Kaka, Brown Creeper, and both Red- and Yellow-crowned Parakeets. The chance of spotting a Fiordland Penguin adds extra excitement. This is birding as it was meant to be—intimate, peaceful, and unforgettable.

  • Day 11 ⎸ A Farewell to Wild New Zealand

    Our final morning offers one last stroll in Stewart Island’s wilderness before boarding the ferry back to the mainland. As we travel to Invercargill for your onward journey, take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary diversity of birds you’ve seen—and the wild, beautiful places they call home.

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