Foris Eco-tours
We offer two fantastic birding trips - a full-day trip highlighting the best parts of the stunning Whirinaki Forest and a river & rainforest trip combining the forest with a gentle rafting trip. Owner Tom Lynch knows his stuff and delivers a great day out - he's built a career in conservation education, he's a secondary teacher and conservation expert with more than 20 years experience as a senior river guide.
Head out for a gentle bush walk in Whirinaki Forest among massive 1000-year-old trees in dinosaur forest and get face-to-face with rare and endangered New Zealand birds – kaka (North Island parrot), yellow-crowned kakariki (parakeet), toutouwai (North Island robin), karearea (NZ falcon), titipounamu (rifleman), matata (fernbird), miromiro (tomtit), keruru (wood pigeon), tui and more in their natural habitat.
Trips leave Rotorua at 9.30am daily, returning around 4pm. Trips are suitable for anyone with moderate fitness – no hiking or rafting experience is necessary. Children welcome – minimum age is 10 years old and children must weigh at least 40kg to fit lifejackets properly. Lunch, transport to and from Rotorua (we pick from Rotorua accommodation providers) and all river gear provided.
River and rainforest trip - adult $169, child (10-16 years' old) $99. Full-day guided trip in Whirinaki Forest - adult $199, child $99.
This stunning 60m forest is also home to the North Island brown kiwi and secretive neighbours include the Hochsetter frog, long- and short-tailed bats and giant Powelliphanta snails. Our full-day walk takes in a number of short, easy walks to show you the highlights of this stunning forest and its amazing inhabitants.
Our river & rainforest trip goes on to experience the magic of the beautiful Rangitaiki River - fun, easy grade 2/3 white water combined with expert nature interpretation and the chance to view papango (scaup), whio (blue duck), tuna (long-finned eel) and other river wildlife in the crystal-clear waters of their natural habitat. We’ll take you down fun rapids (no scary grade-5 white-water), with plenty of time to float and take in the fresh air, clean water, dramatic scenery and wildlife.
