Experience the dramatic wonder of over 500,000 Sandhill Cranes converging on the Platte River Valley in Central Nebraska on this private trip in 2026 led by Master Birder Curt Frankenfeld and a guide from the Headwaters Corporation. The small group will visit private blinds on Saturday, March 21st, for a few hours at sunset and again on Sunday, March 22nd, for sunrise and a few hours after. This trip has a fixed price of $135 per person with only 10 spots available.

National Geographic named this annual migration event of one of North America's greatest natural wildlife phenomena, drawing people from across the world. Rumor has it that Jane Goodall, who comes to Nebraska every year for the cranes, has compared it to the great wildebeest migration through the Masai Mara in Kenya. Don't miss your opportunity to be up close and immersed in this amazing pilgrimage of both birds and birders. You may even be rewarded with a sighting of endangered Whooping Cranes nearby.

Headwaters Corporation provides the independent Executive Director and staff for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP or Program), a major national species recovery program focused on three bird species (least tern, piping plover, whooping crane) and one fish species (pallid sturgeon). Their 3 blinds are not publicly available and are generally only used by members of the Platte River Recovery Implementation program and limited educational and research opportunities.

Please note that travel to Nebraska and meals are not included. Carpooling from nearby Kearney, Nebraska hotels is encouraged (and we'll help you coordinate!)

March 21-22, 2026 (Expect to leave Kearney around 6pm on Saturday evening and 6am on Sunday morning).