Where exploration, luxury & birdwatching combine

Aman Resorts has carved a name for itself in the luxury hospitality industry, but its allure goes far beyond high-end accommodations and exceptional service.

For nature lovers and birdwatching enthusiasts, Aman’s properties offer unique experiences in some of the world’s most beautiful and protected environments, each location providing a window into the diverse world of birdlife.

Below are a selection of the unique luxury birdwatching locations available at Aman’s resorts around the globe, choose your favourite, pack your binoculars and get watching.

Amanwella, Sri Lanka: A Coastal Birdwatcher’s Dream

Located on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Amanwella is a paradise of palm-fringed beaches and lush jungles, with a rich biodiversity that draws birdwatchers from around the world. Just a short journey from the resort, guests can enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the Mawella Lagoon. Here, Amanwella’s floating lounge provides a serene setting to watch pelicans, kingfishers, and other bird species gliding above the water, all while enjoying a sunrise or sunset canapé.

Floating lounge Sri Lanka
Image: Maja Laxdal

For those seeking more active birdwatching, the nearby Bundala National Park is home to nearly 200 species, making it a top destination for ornithologists and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The park is especially remarkable in winter, when large flocks of migratory birds, including the graceful Greater Flamingo, congregate in the area. This park is a sanctuary for birds like the Sri Lanka Woodpigeon and the elusive Sri Lanka Blue-magpie, offering birdwatchers the chance to observe rare species in their natural habitat.

Amanpulo, Philippines: Island Isolation with a Feathered Twist

Amanpulo, situated on Pamilican Island in the Philippines, is a haven for birds and nature lovers alike. This private island resort sits in a setting of undisturbed wilderness, where lush forests provide a sanctuary for endemic species. Guests have the opportunity to join guided birdwatching tours led by expert naturalists who reveal the island’s secrets and introduce the many feathered inhabitants of the forest, from Black-naped Orioles to colourful Kingfishers.

Birding hut in the Philippines
Image: Francisco Guerrero

Amanpulo’s birdwatching experience goes beyond guided tours, however. Each guest receives a thoughtfully curated exploration map and a bamboo bird whistle, allowing for self-guided exploration of the island’s abundant natural beauty. The experience concludes with an intimate picnic served in a native outdoor sala, where the sights and sounds of the forest make for a truly memorable experience. For bird enthusiasts, Amanpulo offers a peaceful escape where one can reconnect with nature and witness the rhythms of island life.

Aman-i-Khás, India: Birdwatching on the Edge of a Tiger Reserve

Aman-i-Khás sits on the edge of the famed Ranthambore National Park in India, a reserve known for its majestic Bengal tigers. However, the park’s rich avian diversity often steals the spotlight, with more than 350 exotic species, including the Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Golden Oriole, and Indian Peacock, Aman-i-Khás offers an unparalleled birdwatching experience in an environment steeped in natural beauty.

India Jeep safari
Image: Robert Rieger

Aman-i-Khás recently launched a dining experience for birdwatchers. Guests dine above the forest floor in a traditional Machan, or raised platform, allowing them to enjoy a meal while observing the surrounding birdlife. This experience is especially popular during the migratory season, as many birds flock to the nearby Surwal Lake and Banas Riverbed between October and March, creating an atmosphere filled with birdsong and vibrant colours.

Amanwana, Indonesia: A Conservation Paradise on Moyo Island

In Indonesia, Amanwana offers a unique twist on the traditional luxury resort. Set on Moyo Island, a protected national park, Amanwana provides a wilderness retreat surrounded by pristine natural beauty. This conservation area is home to a stunning variety of bird species, many of which are endemic to the region. Guided birdwatching tours here take guests along trails that wind through the island’s forests, with highlights including sightings of the rare Yellow-headed Parrot and the Tanimbar Megapode, a small bird endemic to the Tanimbar Islands.

Moyo Island swimming pool
Image: © Amanresorts Limited 1996-present

The experience at Amanwana is tailored to the natural surroundings, with just 17 luxury tents set on the shores of Moyo Island. This intimate setup enhances the immersive quality of the birdwatching excursions, allowing guests to feel truly connected to the environment. Treks and mountain bike rides to Crocodile Head, a notable birdwatching spot, provide opportunities to spot a variety of avian species, making this location ideal for those who seek both adventure and tranquility.

Amankora, Bhutan: Witnessing Sacred Cranes in the Land of Thunder Dragon

For a birdwatching experience that combines spirituality with nature, Amankora Gangtey in Bhutan is unparalleled. Located in the remote Phobjikha Valley, this resort lies within the Black Mountains National Park, a protected area that becomes a sanctuary for the endangered Black-necked Crane each winter. These cranes are deeply revered in Bhutanese culture, symbolising good fortune and serving as avatars of ancestors. Each autumn, they migrate from Tibet to Bhutan, with their arrival celebrated in a vibrant festival of song and dance.

Black-necked Cranes
Image: Ben Richards

Guided by local ornithologists, guests at Amankora can experience early-morning excursions to witness these rare cranes in their natural environment. The resort also arranges visits to the Crane Centre, where guests can learn more about Bhutan’s conservation efforts to protect this endangered species. Amankora’s birdwatching experience is not only visually captivating but also deeply moving, offering insight into Bhutan’s unique cultural reverence for its wildlife.

Amanera, Dominican Republic: Tropical Birdwatching in a Jungle Paradise

Amanera Dominican Republic
Image: Sarah & Stefann Murphy

Surrounded by protected jungle on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast, Amanera resort is home to over 160 bird species, all taking place in the lush green heart of the country embracing the sights and sounds of a tropical jungle to blend adventure and relaxation. Guests can trek through the dense jungle accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, who helps them spot vibrant species such as the Hispaniola Woodpecker, the American Kestrel, and the Palmchat, the country’s national bird.

Amangani, Wyoming: The Wild Heart of the American West

View from Aman resort Wyoming
Image: © Amanresorts Limited 1996-present

In Wyoming’s Jackson Hole, Amangani offers a birdwatching experience set against the rugged landscape of the American West. Surrounded by open valleys, wetlands, and forests, Amangani is a prime spot for spotting North American species such as Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, and Sandhill Cranes. Guided wildlife safaris in luxury SUVs provide an up-close experience of this unique ecosystem, where guests can observe migratory patterns and appreciate the beauty of birds in their natural habitat.

Embracing the Avian World

Aman Resorts’ birdwatching experiences offer more than just luxury—they provide a chance to connect with nature in its purest form. Each location immerses guests in the world of birds, providing a tranquil yet exhilarating journey into some of the planet’s most precious ecosystems. Whether in the Himalayan valleys or the tropical forests of the Caribbean, Aman Resorts’ commitment to preservation and guest experience makes these birdwatching adventures truly unforgettable.

About Aman

Aman was founded in 1988 with the vision of building a collection of intimate retreats with the unassuming, warm hospitality of a gracious private home. The first, Amanpuri (place of peace), in Phuket, Thailand, introduced the concept and, since then, Aman has grown to encompass 35 exquisitely serene hotels, resorts and branded residences, ranging from the urban to the remote, in 20 destinations across the globe. Aman has a robust pipeline of future projects under construction.

For more information on the destinations served by Aman properties or the experiences listed click here

Don’t forget to subscribe to the WWTR newsletter for more

Eamonn is an ocean lover, and a sustainable traveller with a curious spirit along with a passion for people and unique experiences. Probably where he caught the travel bug was as a child going on deep sea adventures with his parents on merchant ships crossing the globe. He believes travel is about exploring sustainably, engaging people and always, always sharing the food! Eamonn has set foot on every continent except Antarctica, but like anyone, still has so many more places to experience. When not exploring, you’ll find Eamonn based in his adopted hometown of Adelaide, cooking tasty food, drinking world-class wines, hiking trails and scuba diving.

emerrifield@gmail.com