Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure

This was an amazing experience!!! My granddaughter and I took part in this excursion while on the Big Island. Our guide was very knowledgeable and found several of the endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers as well as other species. Both of us are birders and it was such a thrill to see these endangered birds in their natural environment. I would very much recommend this tour!

Incredible experience— Gary was an amazing guide. He identified all the birds by ear and found everything we were looking for! His expert knowledge of the birds, their habitat, other flora and fauna, and the general geographic region and its history was extensive. Very patient in answering all questions and making sure everyone had a chance to see and spend enough time looking at and photographing the birds. The experience of seeing these rarest of Hawaiian birds can’t really be compared to just walking around the parks on one’s own, since the Hakalau Reserve is carefully restricted to access from permitted visitors only (such as Hawaii Forest & Trails), in order to protect the birds and their habitat, and the habitat is very specific. We had the good fortune to have perfect weather and the birds were very active. An absolutely fabulous day of birdwatching in very beautiful and special place.

Great for seeing the endemic birds of the high country. Relatively vigorous but not out of reach for anyone who is in reasonable shape. We were blessed with ideal weather and saw all of the endemic birds that are present. Only the palila was not seen and that requires a trip to a totally separate area. Gary Dean is a great guide and knew the area and birds intimately. We also saw many great birds on the way there and back from the Kona area that added both Hawaiian Hawk and the Hawaiian Short-eared Owl.

Oh my gosh this tour was everything I wanted it to be and more!! Our guide Garry was SO friendly, considerate, helpful and beyond knowledgeable about Hawaii's nature history as well as all plants and birds. I swear he is a bird whisperer!! We did a little birding on the way to the reserve and got to see a few different kinds. Then before we started the walk he educated us on the kinds of birds we would hope to see and within the first 30-45 minutes of starting the walk we were able to see the top 3 endangered birds on the island!! I almost cried it was so awesome!! Garry even took the time to help me track down a bird on my own list that I had been wanting to see. He knows where they all hang out LOL The road to the reserve is insanely rough but manageable. The walk it's self is easy. I had my two 84 year old parents with me and they did just fine. We were there the first week of May and our weather could not have been more perfect. Thank you HF&T for the great memories!!

This birding trip was even more than we hoped for!!! Garry, our guide, was the very best -- personable, professional, quite knowledgeable about not only the birds and their behaviors, but native habitat, plants being restored, and some interesting history of the Island. This area is being protected and native habitat is being restored thru incredible challenges. A truly special place. The birds were fantastic and difficult to ID but thru our great tour guide we observed some special endemic species. The Mini Bird List plus Honeycreeper Bill adaptations was an added bonus. Not easy to get to but truly worth the effort!