Discover the Wild Heart of the Southeast: A Seven-Day Birding & Nature Adventure
The southeastern United States often goes unnoticed as a premier travel destination, but its landscapes have a story to tell. This seven-day adventure immerses you in the Deep South’s extraordinary natural beauty, from the sun-drenched Gulf Coast to the mysterious blackwater swamps of the Okefenokee. Designed for birders, nature lovers, and curious explorers, this trip highlights the region’s rich biodiversity, where ancient ecosystems thrive and every corner reveals something unexpected.
Straddling the Florida-Georgia border, this itinerary maximizes your opportunities to experience why this area is a must-visit for birding and wildlife enthusiasts. Fall offers perfect conditions, with mild temperatures and a dynamic mix of resident species and neotropical migrants making their southward journey.
And, of course, no trip to the Deep South is complete without savoring its culinary heritage. We’ve handpicked dining experiences that showcase the region’s flavors, from fresh Gulf seafood to beloved Southern comfort dishes. Throughout the journey, expert naturalist Carly Crow—born and raised in the Southeast and with nearly a decade of experience studying its ecosystems—will guide you through these remarkable habitats.
With expert guidance, diverse habitats, and exceptional birding opportunities, you’ll discover the Southeast like never before. Join Front Range Birding & Optics and Reefs to Rockies for an unforgettable deep dive into one of the country’s most ecologically rich regions. Spend seven days uncovering the Wild Heart of the Southeast!
About Your Expedition Leader: Carly Crow has been dedicated to avian research since 2017, specializing in bird banding and field studies. Her work as a field biologist has taken her across the United States and internationally, providing her with a wealth of experience in diverse ecosystems. With a strong background in tropical ecology, she has conducted research and educational projects in Costa Rica, Mexico, and Ecuador. Recently, Carly joined Reefs to Rockies to assist in trip development and guiding. Born and raised in Georgia, she looks forward to showing off the best of the Southeast, from amazing birds to delicious food.
Conservation Impact: The mission of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island is to rehabilitate injured sea turtles, conduct research, and educate the public about sea turtle conservation and coastal wildlife, ultimately promoting environmental stewardship and empowering individuals to protect the environment. A donation to support the center will be made on behalf of all participants.
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Tues, Oct 21): Arrival to Florida ~ Arrive at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) at your convenience. A complimentary airport shuttle will take you to our selected hotel, where your guide will be ready to assist with check-in. Rest up and prepare for a week of discovery!
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Jacksonville Airport
Meals: None
Day 2 (Wed, Oct 22): Jacksonville to Gainesville ~ Our journey begins with an early departure southward to explore the diverse habitats of the Ocala Wildlife Management Area. This region’s lowland wetlands and subtropical scrub are unique within the U.S. and home to an array of wildlife. En route to Gainesville, we’ll visit renowned birding hotspots, increasing our chances of spotting Florida specialty birds—and perhaps our first of many alligators!
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Gainesville I75
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 (Thurs, Oct 23): Gainesville to Tallahassee ~ We set off toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, exploring charming coastal towns and protected wildlife areas. Our focus will be on shorebirds, skimmers, and secretive coastal sparrows. As the sun sets, we’ll arrive in Tallahassee, where we’ll have a relaxed evening in preparation for the next day’s adventures.
Accommodations: Hampton Inn Tallahassee – Central
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 (Fri, Oct 24): St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge & Longleaf Pine Forest ~ This morning, we’ll explore the legendary St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, a vital stopover for migrating passerines and a haven for striking marsh birds. After lunch in Tallahassee, we’ll visit a longleaf pine forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. Here, we’ll seek out the rare Red-cockaded Woodpecker and listen for the evocative evening calls of Northern Bobwhites. As dusk falls, we’ll head into town for a well-earned Southern meal.
Accommodations: Hampton Inn Tallahassee – Central
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 (Sat, Oct 25): Okefenokee Swamp & Jekyll Island, Georgia ~ Crossing into Georgia, we’ll venture into the ancient Okefenokee Swamp, a vast wilderness teeming with alligators, Wood Storks, and carnivorous plants. A motorized boat tour will take us deep into this hauntingly beautiful landscape. In the evening, we’ll settle into Jekyll Island, where we’ll unwind and prepare for another day of discovery.
Accommodations: Hampton Inn & Suites – Jekyll Island
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6 (Sun, Oct 26): Jekyll Island: Coastal Birding & Conservation ~ Today is dedicated to exploring the rich coastal habitats of Jekyll Island. We’ll start early at prime birding locations, searching for waders, shorebirds, and raptors. A visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will offer insight into sea turtle conservation, and in the afternoon, we’ll comb the shores of Shark Tooth Beach for fossilized treasures. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate our journey and share our favorite moments.
Accommodations: Hampton Inn & Suites – Jekyll Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7 (Mon, Oct 27): Return to Jacksonville & Final Birding Stops ~ On our final morning, we’ll make our way back to Jacksonville, stopping at key birding locations along the route based on recent sightings and group interests. Flights can be scheduled for the afternoon, concluding our immersive exploration of the Southeast’s wild landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast
DETAILS
Price: $3275* per person based on two people sharing a double occupancy room. Add $665** if you prefer a private, single occupancy room.
Inclusions: Accommodations; Driver/Guide – Carly Crow; Transportation in a Ford Transit van or similar; Daily guiding w/ spotting scope available; Entrance fees and special use permits; Boat tour on Oct 25; Meals as listed; Gratuities for your full-time guide, boat tour staff on Oct 25, and at restaurants for included meals. A conservation donation will be made on behalf of all participants.
Exclusions: flights; travel insurance; gratuities for hotel staff; 2 dinners; personal expenses; and activities not listed in the itinerary.
*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees assessed at time of payment.
**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a room, we’ll do our best to pair you. If we are unable to find a roommate for you, the private room supplement will apply.
Group Size:Min 6 and Max 8 Participants + Carly Crow. We are known for having smaller group sizes with a better participant to guide ratio than most companies offering similar itineraries.
A Note About Gratuities– Your trip cost includes gratuities for your guide, as well as at restaurants for included meals. This allows us to reliably and equitably compensate everyone working so hard to keep you happy, healthy, and safe during your trip.
Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.When seeking out birds on foot, there will be primarily short to moderate walks on a variety of terrain, though mostly flat and even. Most walks will be less than a mile, but some will be up to a mile and a half. We are expecting to walk up to three miles on a given day.
Day 5 (Sat, Oct 25): Okefenokee Swamp & Jekyll Island, Georgia ~ Crossing into Georgia, we’ll venture into the ancient Okefenokee Swamp, a vast wilderness teeming with alligators, Wood Storks, and carnivorous plants. A motorized boat tour will take us deep into this hauntingly beautiful landscape. In the evening, we’ll settle into Jekyll Island, where we’ll unwind and prepare for another day of discovery.
