Kansas - The Middle Of It All: Spring Migration and Prairie-Chickens

      Phillipsburg, KS 67661, USA

      Rt
      Reefs to Rockies
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      49 reviews
      Apr 21 - 24, 2023
      Group size: 5 - 7
      Kansas - The Middle Of It All: Spring Migration and Prairie-Chickens
      Phillipsburg, KS 67661, USA

      Reefs to Rockies
      • Email address verified
      49 reviews

      Apr 21 - 24, 2023
      Group size: 5 - 7

      About this trip

      An American Serengeti Series Trip


      Much has been written over the years about Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Kansas. These wetlands fall square in the middle of the Central Flyway and are two of the most important stopover sites for migrating shorebirds in the world. Up to 250,000 waterfowl and nearly half of all North American shorebirds migrating east of the Rockies stop in the area to rest and refuel during migration. Of the 460+ bird species known to Kansas, more than 310 species have been observed at Quivira and more than 340 at the Bottoms. Flocks of Sandhill Cranes pass through in the spring and fall, with an occasional group of Whooping Cranes. Where there are waterfowl and shorebirds, there will be birds of prey.


      In addition to birding at Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira, we’ll visit two different prairie-chicken leks – one morning at a private ranch with resident Greater Prairie-Chickens and a second morning in the heart of Kansas’ Lesser Prairie-Chicken habitat. The raucous displays of prairie-chickens include stomping, booming, whooping, and sparring. With exposed tail coverts and colorful balloon-like air sacs flashing, few performances in the bird world are more memorable than the dawn dance of prairie-chickens.


      We’ll spend four days exploring Kansas’ birding and wildlife hotspots. We have strategically selected areas away from crowds so that we have the time and space to truly enjoy these wildlife spectacles in true Reefs to Rockies style. We’ll travel along scenic and historic byways in a custom American safari van with a conversion pop-top and spacious seating. This is not the traditional passenger van you may have traveled in on past trips. This one-of-a-kind vehicle has been specially designed by two wildlife biologists to allow for optimal viewing. It makes a perfect ‘blind’ and there’s ample room for everyone to view at the same time. 


      Join Reefs to Rockies Co-founder Sheridan Samano for an unforgettable spring migration trip to The Middle Of It All. 


      Conservation Impact

      The Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT), founded in 1998, creates and protects a network of shortgrass prairie preserves, ensuring a future for native flora and fauna. A donation to SPLT to aid in their land acquisition efforts will be made on behalf of all participants. 

      What’s included

      • Accommodations
        Double occupancy standard room
      • Meals as listed
        3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners
      • Private transportation
        From Denver in a custom American safari van
      • Expedition Leader
        Sheridan Samano, Co-founder of Reefs to Rockies
      • Daily wildlife viewing
        With spotting scope available
      • Activities as listed
      • Conservation donation

      What’s not included

      • Meeting point
        Transportation to/from the meeting point in east Denver.
      • Travel insurance
      • 1 dinner
      • Personal items

      Available Packages

      Trip Price
      $1,775
      Deposit: $750

      Available options

      Itinerary

      Day 1 (Fri, April 21)
      Denver to Phillipsburg, KS

      Morning departure from Denver. As we work our way east to Phillipsburg, we’ll stop at Nicodemus National Historic Site and in the Maxwell area to search for migrating waterfowl. Late afternoon arrival to Phillipsburg. We’ll have time to check in at our hotel before our Welcome Dinner in town.

      Accommodations: Econo Lodge

      Meals: Lunch and Dinner 

      Estimated drive time today: Denver to Phillipsburg – 5 hrs

      Your Organizer


      Rt
      Reefs to Rockies
      49 reviews
      Our specialty is nature and wildlife travel. We know when and where to go for the best experiences. Travel time is limited. It’s important to choose a travel company that knows how to personalize a trip just for you. Our travel specialists will help you plan a custom trip that matches your travel style, budget, interests, and ideal dates.

      Reviews

      This was an extremely well run trip with fantastic wildlife viewing and very comfortable accommodations. Sheridan kept everything running smoothly, and her choice of the local Maasai guides for the large part of the trip, Ping and Peter, was outstanding. I particularly liked the more rustic lodge, Enaidura, that Ping and his partners owned. Having a small group of eight was great, and bird identification by Sheridan and the guides was amazing. The highlight of the trip for me was seeing the big cats( lion, cheetah and leopard), but the extension to Uganda was also an experience of a lifetime. Getting to observe two different mountain gorilla families was such a thrill. I look forward to traveling again with Reefs to Rockies in the future.
      By Lucy H for Kenya Big Cat Safari w/ Optional Uganda Mountain Gorilla Extension​ on Mar 17, 2024
      I have booked personal trips before with Sheridan and reefs to Rockies and they have been amazing. This was my first time doing a small group trip. My trip with Sheridan was amazing. From the well communicated schedule to the other people in the group to the quintessential Kenyan and Uganda vistas, everything about this trip was perfect. I saw so many animals, had so many experiences with our guides Ping and Peter, and had delicious food and drink. , If I could give this trip and my experience with Reefs to Rockies more stars I would.
      By Rebecca H for Kenya Big Cat Safari w/ Optional Uganda Mountain Gorilla Extension​ on Mar 13, 2024
      This was truly the trip of a lifetime. Sheridan and her team always deliver an excellent experience and this trip was no exception. All the camps we stayed at were wonderful and I loved that they employed so many local people. Sheridan put a real focus on ensuring we were supporting the communities we visited and giving back to those communities, which I truly appreciated. While you are often at the mercy of the Mother Nature when looking for wildlife, having such knowledgeable and professional guides who knew the area, knew the individual animals and their behaviors, and knew just where to look ensured that we got to see as many species as possible. I have used Reefs to Rockies now for custom trips where I self guided and group travel. In both situations Reefs to Rockies is a class act that you can count on to deliver a truly wonderful and well-thought out wildlife experience. Thanks Sheridan and team for making this a truly extraordinary trip!
      By Scott S for Kenya Big Cat Safari w/ Optional Uganda Mountain Gorilla Extension​ on Mar 12, 2024
      This was our second trip with Reefs to Rockies and it did not disappoint! In Search of Big Cats Safari was absolutely wonderful. Guides were outstanding, accommodations wonderful and food delicious. Sheridan and R2R does an excellent job of putting together top rate trips! We plan to have them arrange a few more for us.
      By Lorraine L for Kenya Big Cat Safari w/ Optional Uganda Mountain Gorilla Extension​ on Mar 12, 2024
      This was a wonderful trip. There wasn’t anything we had hoped to see that we missed. We enjoyed the group, the guides, and the accommodations. It was a pleasure having Sheridan along with the group. Her knowledge and commitment to assure that all the participants had an exceptional time helped make it a special experience. Thank you. We recommend Reef to Rockies to anyone looking to plan a special vacation.
      By Victor S for Kenya Big Cat Safari w/ Optional Uganda Mountain Gorilla Extension​ on Mar 12, 2024
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