Looking for Endemics and Specials in Nanling NNR, Nonggang NNR, Hainan Island
Located in the southernmost territory of China, Hainan Island is the second-largest island in China. With a combination of diverse eco resources featuring mountains, hills, mesas, and savannas, Hainan is home to a number of endemic special island species of birds such as Hainan Partridge, Red Junglefowl, Silver Pheasant, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Greater Coucal, Green-billed Malkoha, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Goshawk, Mountain Scops Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Chinese Barbet, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Sultan Tit, etc.
Besides, we will visit two of its adjacent provinces, namely Guangxi and Guangdong provinces where we focus on some interesting forest species. In Nanling National Nature Reserve of Guangdong, we will focus on Cabot's Tragopan, White-necklaced Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Greater Coucal, Lesser Coucal, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Square-tailed Drongo Cuckoo, Crested Serpent Eagle, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, etc.
While visiting Nonggang National Nature Reserve, Nonggang Babbler that identified in 2008 is our top target. Other birds like Bar-backed Partridge, Red Junglefowl, Greater Coucal, Green-billed Malkoha, Crested Honey-buzzard, Jerdon's Baza, Crested Serpent Eagle, Collared Scops Owl, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Dollarbird, etc., are also on our wish list.
For mammals, we may encounter White-headed Langur, Francois' Langur, etc.
Tour Info Sheet
| Highlight Birds | Cabot's Tragopan, White-necklaced Partridge, Hainan Partridge, Bar-backed Partridge, Red Junglefowl, Silver Pheasant, Mountain Scops Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Nonggang Babbler, Chinese Barbet, Green-billed Malkoha, Greater Coucal, Lesser Coucal, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Square-tailed Drongo Cuckoo, White-browed Piculet, Bay Woodpecker, Long-tailed Broadbill, Blue-rumped Pitta, Black-naped Monarch, White-rumped Shama, Indochinese Green Magpie, White-winged Magpie, Golden-headed Cisticola, Black-crested Bulbul, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Large Scimitar Babbler, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Crow-billed Drongo, Sultan Tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Eyebrowed Wren Babbler, Streaked Wren Babbler, Pygmy Cupwing, Hainan Leaf Warbler, Hartert's Leaf Warbler, Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Limestone Leaf Warbler, Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Yellow-bellied Warbler, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Golden Parrotbill, Whistling Duck, Grey-headed Swamphen, Black-faced Spoonbill, Black-winged Stilt, Grey Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, etc. |
|---|---|
| Numbers of Species to Expect | 180-220 |
| Ease of Birding | mostly easy birding with a few tricky species |
| Highlight Mammals | White-headed Langur, Francois' Langur, etc. |
| Other Attractions | Cantonese cuisine, Lingnan architecture, rich ethnic minority culture, stunning island scenery |
| Photography Opportunities | birding focused but with very good photography chances |
| Habitats Covered | subtropical forests, woodlands, wetlands, coast, island |
| Expected Climate | cold in the morning, windy on the coast, rain is possible |
| Physical Requirements | mostly easy, demanding but optional in certain parts |
| Accommodation | very comfortable |
| Transportation | 19-seat van |
What makes this trip irreplaceable?
1. Visiting Hainan Island for its endemics and specials.
2. Exploring Nanling and Nonggang nature reserves for its unique forest species.
3. Guided by a professional national bird guide and an experienced local guide to ensure a high-end birding experience.
4. Traveling in a small group size of no more than 8 birders.
5. We have worked as a local partner for some prestigious western companies specialized in birds and wildlife for more than 15 years.
6. Supported by a strong logistic team in the office to ensure the smooth operation and full enjoyment of the trip by every participant.
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Booking Status | Price | Single Supplement | Group Size | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15-30, 2025 | Space Available | 4,750USD/pax | 420USD/pax | 8 | Bella Zhang & Local Guide |
Slide the sheet to the left to see the full sheet if you are viewing it on your phone or tablet.
The cost includes the following:
1. Private transportation throughout the trip, including airport pick-up at Guangzhou International Airport and drop-off at Nanning International Airport; Internal flight tickets as listed in the itinerary.
2. All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 16.
3. All the entrance tickets for places listed in the itinerary including cable cars and shuttle buses.
4. Hotel stays from the first day to the last day, two clients occupy one twin-bed room on sharing basis at nice 3 or 4 star hotels in big cities and local best guesthouses in remote areas.
5. Bottled water and snacks throughout the trip.
6. Simple western breakfast whenever possible.
7. Service charges of a professional national bird guide and an experienced local guide throughout the whole trip.
8. China domestic travel insurance.
9. Service of all logistic supports.
The cost does not include the following:
a. Drinks during meals.
b. Extra charges due to changes in the itinerary from the client's side or factors beyond the control of AlpineBirding such as natural disasters or government policy changes.
c. Discretionary tips to guides and drivers.
d. All personal expenses such as laundry service.
e. ANY AIRFARE except those stated in the itinerary.
f. Any program not listed in the itinerary.
Itinerary
Tour Map
Day 1: Arrival in Guangzhou, China.
On the first day of the tour, a private guide or driver will meet you upon your arrival at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. After you board our transportation, you will be driven for about 30 minutes to the downtown hotel for one night stay. For early arrivals, we will go for a relaxing birding at a local park nearby.
Day 2: Guangzhou to Nanling National Nature Reserve.
We will have a short visit to Zhongshan University before driving to the Nanling region. Found in 1924, Zhongshan University is one of the top universities in China. The beautiful environments inside the campus have attracted lots of birds. In the woods and by the side of small lakes inside the campus we will have opportunity to see Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Common Tailorbird, Mountain Tailorbird, Slaty-legged Crake, Collared Scops Owl, Asian Barred Owlet, Plaintive Cuckoo, Great Barbet, Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Tiger Shrike, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Light-vented Bulbul, Chestnut Bulbul, Orange-headed Thrush, Grey-backed Thrush, Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Robin, Siberian Blue Robin, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Fork-tailed Sunbird, etc.
Following the exploration, we will complete a 4-hours journey to Nanling.
Day 3-5: Nanling National Nature Reserve.
Established in 1984 and upgraded to a national nature reserve in 1994, Nanling National Nature Reserve covers 58,400 hectares. With a 98% forest coverage, the reserve is lying in Shaoguan and Qingyuan cities north of Guangdong. It is the source of Beijiang River—a branch of Pearl River. It is the distribution center of the sub-tropical broad-leaved evergreen forest where the boreal and austral creatures are mixed together. More than 300 bird species have been recorded in the reserve. We will spend three days birding in this fascinating birding site trying to find birds like Cabot's Tragopan, White-necklaced Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Greater Coucal, Lesser Coucal, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Square-tailed Drongo Cuckoo, Crested Serpent Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Blue-throated Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Chinese Barbet, Crow-billed Drongo, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Pygmy Cupwing, Chestnut Bulbul, Mountain Bulbul, Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Mountain Tailorbird, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Golden Parrotbill, Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Small Niltava, etc.
Day 6: Nanling to Guangzhou, then fly to Sanya and drive to Jianfengling.
Today is a long day of travel. After breakfast in the hotel this morning, we will drive 3.5 hours to Guangzhou to catch our flight to Sanya of Hainan, and then drive about 1.5 hours to the Jianfengling area.
Day 7-9: Jianfengling National Forest Park.
Located in Ledong County, the southwest of Hainan Island, Jianfengling National Forest Park is 90 kilometers away from Sanya City. The park covers 1,600 hectares and was established in 1992 to preserve the rainforest and rare animals live there. It is the largest and most preserved tropical rainforest in China that is home to 215 species of birds. The birding tour to Jianfengling is highlighted by the Mingfenggu Valley section where has the most typical original tropical highland rainforest and is known for its variety of birds.
We will spend three days birding in Jianfengling trying to find birds including Hainan Partridge, Red Junglefowl, Silver Pheasant, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Greater Coucal, Green-billed Malkoha, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Goshawk, Mountain Scops Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Chinese Barbet, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, White-winged Magpie, Indochinese Green Magpie, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Sultan Tit, Hainan Leaf Warbler, Hartert's Leaf Warbler, Large Scimitar Babbler, Eyebrowed Wren Babbler, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, etc.
Day 10: Jianfengling to Haiwei Wetland Park.
This morning we will have another chance to search for our targets again before driving to Haiwei Wetland Park. On the way, we will visit Black-faced Spoonbill Nature Reserve and look for some wetland birds including Black-faced Spoonbill, Black-winged Stilt, Grey Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Lesser Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Terek Sandpiper, Grey Heron, Great White Egret, Intermediate Egret, White-throated Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, etc.
Day 11: Haiwei Wetland Park to Haikou, and visit Dongzhai Harbour.
Haiwei Wetland Park is located on the west coast of Hainan, it is a flat and thick coastal beach which is a rare and well-protected wetland in Hainan that provides a good habitat for many wetland birds. Here, we will try to find Lesser Whistling Duck, Grey-headed Swamphen, Purple Heron, Chinese Pond Heron, Greater Coucal, Black-winged Kite, Western Osprey, Manchurian Bush Warbler, Dusky Warbler, etc.
After our exploration in the park, we will drive on and finish a 3-hour journey to Haikou and visit Dongzhai Harbour National Mangrove Nature Reserve. Dongzhai Harbor is located in the northeast of Hainan that has the largest mangrove forest in China. Here we have chance to find birds like Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Greater Coucal, Black-winged Stilt, Pacific Golden Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Red Knot, Ruff, Red-necked Phalarope, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Black-collared Starling, White-shouldered Starling, Olive-backed Sunbird, etc.
Day 12: Haikou to Nanning by air, then drive to Nonggang.
After breakfast in the hotel, we will drive to Haikou Meilan International Airport to catch our flight to Nanning of Guangxi, then we drive about 3 hours to Nonggang.
Day 13-14: Nonggang National Nature Reserve.
Covering 10,077 hectares, Nonggang is located in Longzhou and Ningming counties. The reserve was established in 1979 and upgraded to a national level reserve in 1994. It is lying on the north edge of tropics, aims to protect rare and precious species and the habitats they depend on. The unique karst forest ecosystem makes Nonggang one of the 14 key regions of biodiversity protection in China.
There are 203 bird species that have been recorded in the reserve so far. The reserve is the best spot to try the new species of Nonggang Babbler that identified in 2008. Other birds we have good chances to see in this area including Bar-backed Partridge, Red Junglefowl, Greater Coucal, Green-billed Malkoha, Crested Honey-buzzard, Jerdon's Baza, Crested Serpent Eagle, Collared Scops Owl, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Dollarbird, White-browed Piculet, Bay Woodpecker, Long-tailed Broadbill, Blue-rumped Pitta, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Black-naped Monarch, Indochinese Green Magpie, White-winged Magpie, Golden-headed Cisticola, Puff-throated Bulbul, Black-crested Bulbul, Limestone Leaf Warbler, Pale-footed Bush Warbler, Yellow-bellied Warbler, Yellow-eyed Babbler, Pin-striped Tit Babbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Large Scimitar Babbler, Spot-necked Babbler, Streaked Wren Babbler, White-rumped Shama, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, etc.
Day 15: Nonggang to Nanning.
Continue our exploration in Nonggang in the morning. After that, we will drive back to Nanning to have a nice stay.
Day 16: Departure from Nanning.
Following a lovely breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport to depart from Nanning. This will conclude the services for this scheduled itinerary from AlpineBirding.
Guide(s)
We will arrange one of our best local guides for this trip who has rich experience of guiding tours in this region. The followings are some of our professional guides who have guided tours in this area for many years.
Bella Zhang
Bella, the director of AlpineBirding, graduated from Sichuan Agricultural University with a Bachelor's Degree. She joined AlpineBirding in early 2016 and became the director of AlpineBirding in 2018. She was born and grew up in a Bai ethnic family in Yunnan Province which boasts of the largest number of bird species in China. Her interests toward birds started with her observation of a Long-tailed Minivet in her mom's garden at a very young age. As she grows up, the interests and love toward birds become stronger and stronger. Because of that, she found AlpineBirding before graduation and joined the company for further learning of birds. Bella has guided a number of birding trips in cooperation with AlpineBirding guide in the past years, her passion, readiness to help and detail-oriented attitude have won her lots of praise from our clients.
Besides, one of AlpineBirding's local guides in South China will participate in this trip to ensure a high-end birding experience.
Linked Tours
This trip can be linked with the second departure of our "Southeast China Winter Birding Tour" which departs on Dec 1. It focuses on cranes, endemics and winter migratory birds in southeast china.
Reports
We don't have a report available for this tour at this stage, please feel free to email us, we are more than happy to answer any of your questions and share the latest bird information with you.
Testimonials
We don't have feedback on this trip yet. Please see other testimonials of AlpinBirding on the page linked at: http://www.alpinebirding.com/About/testimonials/
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Wonderful Birding trip with AlpineBirding
On November 2019 we had an amazing birding trip to Sichuan area with AlpineBirding.
We went for 6 days to Wolong, Longcanggou and Labahe, and thanks to Shay, our guide, we manage to see many beautiful birds in an incredible scenery.
One of the highlights were 4 different Red Pandas that gave us amazing view!!!
You can't go wrong with AlpineBirding and I can highly recommend to travel in Sichuan and china with them, and I hope to do that again myself.
Yohay Wasserlauf / Western Sichuan October 13, 2019
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Nonggang Preserve
I had 2 day trip from Nanning and AlpineBirding suggested Nonggang Preserve. It was 3+ hour drive but we stopped on the way to see the White-headed Langur monkeys and got within 20 meters for pic.In the reserve we saw the rare Nonggang Babbler very close (5 meters) at feeding station. Also photos Collared Owlet and many songbirdsHotel OK for rural China and food typical for same
David Mcdonald / South China (Guangxi) April 06, 2019
