Nebraska: Where the Wild Migration Begins
Trip Overview
Every spring, millions of birds pass through Nebraska on one of North America’s great migration routes. Among them are Sandhill Cranes, traveling north through the Great Plains and relying on Nebraska’s rivers, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands to rest and refuel. On this three-night journey, we’ll experience the migration as it begins to unfold, exploring a remarkable landscape that is both a vital stopover for wildlife and a crossroads of human history.
In collaboration with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, we’ll discover why conserving these landscapes matters—and see how science, stewardship, and partnerships with local communities are helping protect them. We’ll travel from the dramatic bluffs of western Nebraska along the historic Platte River corridor, following a route once traveled by pioneers on the Oregon Trail and still used today by millions of migrating birds. Along the way, we’ll search for Sandhill Cranes, encounter Greater Prairie-Chickens, and gain a deeper appreciation for a part of the Great Plains that is essential to wildlife and often overlooked.
Traveling in our Roaming Bison safari van, this immersive Reefs to Rockies journey puts you close to the landscape and the wildlife that depend on it. More than a wildlife-viewing trip, it’s an opportunity to see Nebraska through a new lens—and to experience how conservation is helping ensure these remarkable migrations continue for generations to come.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Denver to Scottsbluff
We’ll depart Denver and travel into western Nebraska, making birding and wildlife-viewing stops along the way. In the Scottsbluff area, we’ll search for Sandhill Cranes and begin exploring the importance of the North Platte River Valley to migratory birds.
This landscape also tells the story of human migration. Scottsbluff was a landmark along the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails, creating a striking connection between the journeys of pioneers and the ancient migrations of birds that continue through this valley today.
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites Scottsbluff
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2 | Scottsbluff to Ogallala
Continuing east through the North Platte River Valley, we’ll explore wildlife habitat and look for Sandhill Cranes and other birds beginning their spring migration. Along the way, we’ll learn more about the habitats that make this region so important and the conservation work helping protect them.
Our collaboration with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies adds another dimension to the experience, giving us a closer look at the challenges—and opportunities—of conserving wildlife habitat across Nebraska’s working landscapes.
Accommodations: Hampton Inn Ogallala
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3 | Ogallala to McCook
We’ll continue east through Nebraska, exploring the diverse habitats along the way and keeping watch for Sandhill Cranes and other wildlife. As we travel deeper into the Great Plains, we’ll learn more about the conservation efforts that help sustain these important landscapes for birds and other wildlife.
We’ll arrive in McCook this afternoon and settle in for our final evening in Nebraska, surrounded by the landscapes that have shaped both wildlife and human history across the region.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express McCook
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4 | McCook to Denver
We’ll rise early for a visit to a Nebraska ranch in search of Greater Prairie-Chickens at their traditional breeding grounds. Before sunrise, males gather to perform their spectacular courtship displays, stomping, booming, sparring, and competing for the attention of females.
After a hearty breakfast, we’ll begin our journey back to Denver. We’ll leave Nebraska with a deeper appreciation for its remarkable wildlife, vital habitats, and the conservation work helping protect them.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
About Your Expedition Leader
Sheridan Samano, Co-Founder of Reefs to Rockies, is thrilled to lead this four-day safari to the wilds of Nebraska. Throughout the journey, Sheridan will share her extensive field experience, deep knowledge, and passion for wildlife and habitats, while guiding you through scenic landscapes and highlighting collaborations that advance our mission of conservation-based, sustainable tourism.
Details
Price: $2,195* per person based on double occupancy accommodations, i.e. two people sharing a room. If you prefer a private, single occupancy room, add $235**.
Tour cost includes accommodations, transportation from Denver in the Roaming Bison Safari Vehicle, all meals starting with lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 4, driver/guide expedition leader, daily guided wildlife viewing with spotting scope available, entrance fees, activities as listed, additional local guide in McCook at the prairie-chicken lek, and gratuities for local guides and at restaurants. A conservation donation to support Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be made on behalf of all participants.
Exclusions: transportation to/from meeting point in northeast Denver, travel insurance, optional activities, gratuities for hotel staff, and personal items.
*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees, if applicable will be assessed at time of booking.
**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a double occupancy room, but we aren’t able to find a suitable roommate for you, the private room surcharge will apply.
Group Size: min of 5 and max of 7 participants + Expedition Leader. We are known for smaller group sizes with a better participant to guide ratio than most companies offering similar itineraries. This trip starts and ends in the Denver Metro area (likely RTD’s Central Park Station Park-N-Ride).
Level of Difficulty: Winter weather in Nebraska can be cold and windy. Participants should be prepared to spend birding periods of 30 minutes to an hour outside with walks up to a mile in length. Blinds are not heated and sessions typically last 2 hrs. Ability to climb up and down from a passenger van that is lifted for 4WD with a stool provided is required.
Conservation Impact
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is a Colorado-based nonprofit that works to conserve birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education, and land stewardship. Their work extends from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico, and beyond. A donation to Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will be made on behalf of all trip participants.