INTRODUCTION

Brazil, one of the most bio-diverse countries on the planet, is a dream destination for any naturalist. During this tour we will explore the celebrated Pantanal, the planet's largest wetland, encompassing 96,500 square miles (250,000 square kms) of emerald forests, savannas, swathing rivers and shallow lagoons; as well as the verdant Amazon rainforest with its amazing diversity of avifauna rivalled nowhere else on earth. The Pantanal is on three major migratory routes for birds and as the water level retreats considerable numbers of fish and amphibians become trapped in pools, providing a rich source of food. In many respects this is perhaps the easiest place in South America to watch a wide variety of tropical wildlife and our tour is timed to coincide with maximum bird numbers, abundant flora and the most tolerable weather conditions. Our journey will expose you to the superb birding that this region is famous for, as well as some of the best mammal watching in South America! The Pantanal is home to a number of mammals including Giant River Otter, Ant-eaters, Crab-eating Fox, Ocelot and Jaguar. In addition, just to the north of the Pantanal wetlands lies a completely different biome, the arid Cerrado, where a quite different community of birds occur and where patches of gallery forest provide a chance for species of a more Amazonian character.

Itinerary

Day 1- Oct 10th: Flight from UK to Cuiaba, Brazil (via Sao Paolo). Overnight in Sao Paolo.

  
Day 2 - OCt 11th: Transfer to the Serra das Araras, arriving by lunch time. In the afternoon we will search for the Harpy Eagle and other interesting birds such as Cream-Coloured, Lineated and Yellow-Tufted Woodpeckers. We may also see White and Gray Hawks. We will stay long enough in the evening to try for Tawny-bellied Screech and Spectacled Owls. Return to the Lodge, complete our check lists and then dinner. Overnight at the Curupira Lodge.

Day 3- Oct 12th: After an early breakfast we will transfer to the Pantanal, birding en route, arriving by lunch time. In the afternoon we’ll take a forest walk in search of birds such as the Mato Grosso Antbird,  Saffron-billed Sparrow, Jabirus and Hyacinth Macaws. We will also undertake a boat ride, followed by a visit to an observation tower, from where we will see a colony of Roseate Spoonbills. Again, we will stay long enough for night birds, such as Nacunda and Band-tailed Nighthawks, Great and Grey Potoo. Return to the lodge. Overnight at the Piuval Lodge.

Day 4- Oct 13th: After an early breakfast and check out, we will be transferring to the Porto Jofre Hotel. With lots of birdwatching and lunch along the route, we may see Scarlet-headed Blackbird, Black-capped Donacobious, Yellow-billed and Red-Crested Cardinal, just to mention a few. We will be arriving at the Porto Jofre Hotel by the end of the day and just in time to appreciate a very beautiful sunset.  Overnight at the Porto Jofre Hotel.

Day 5-Oct 14th: After yet another early breakfast we will have a full morning boat ride in search of the very famous Jaguars. Believe it or not, we may see more than just one! Besides the Jaguar(s), we may also see Southern Screamers, Black Skimmers, Large and Yellow-billed Terns, Collared and Pied Plovers. We will return for lunch and after a short break, embark on another boat ride in the afternoon. Return to the Lodge at the end of the day. Overnight at the Porto Jofre Hotel.

Day 6- Oct 15th: After an early breakfast we will check out and transfer to the Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel, with birdwatching along the route. Targets are Chotoy and Cinereous-breasted Spinetail, Maguari Stork, Savanna and Great Black Hawks. We will arrive at lunch time and after a siesta we will take a lovely boat ride in search of all the five South American Kingfishers (Ringed, Amazon, Green, Green-and-Rufous and Pygmy), plus the very rare Agami Heron. We will return at sunset, with a night drive in search of  nocturnal mammals such as Ocelots, Crab-eating Fox and Crab-eating Raccons. We may also find Scissor-tailed and Spotted-tailed Nightjars. Overnight at the Hotel Pantanal Mato Grosso.

Day 7- Oct 16th:  An early breakfast will be followed by a forest walk. Targets include Helmeted Manakin, Large-billed Antwren, Red-billed Scythebill, Band-tailed Antbird (...again), just to mention a few. Return by noon for lunch and siesta. In the afternoon another boat ride in search of species we may have missed before. Later, we will have another night drive with the same purpose - finding any missing animals/birds from the previous night. Return to the lodge. Overnight at the Hotel Pantanal Mato Grosso.

Day 8- Oct 17th: We’ll check out after an early breakfast heading for the Penhasco Hotel, in the village of Chapada dos Guimarães, right at the border of the National Park of the same name. We will arrive for lunch at a typical local restaurant, before checking in at our hotel. In the afternoon we will be birding for Brazilian Savanna (known as the Cerrado) specialties, such as White-banded & White-rumped Tanagers, Collared Crescentchest, Horned Sunbeam, among many other very interesting birds. We shall stay long enough to try for Tropical Screech-Owl. We will return to the village for dinner and then return to our hotel. Overnight at the Penhasco Hotel.

Days 9, 10- Oct 18th, 19th: Another early breakfast and for the first part of the day we will return to the Cerrado in search of as many birds as possible, including Chapada Flycatcher and Checkered Woodpecker. Once it gets hot in the morning, we will move to a forested area in search of  Band-tailed and Fiery-capped Manakins. We’ll return to the village for lunch and then a break at our hotel before returning to the Cerrado once more – for those missing birds, which might this time include Rusty-backed Antwren, Pale-breasted Spinetail and both Red-winged and Small-billed Tinamous. Again, we should stay long enough for some ‘owling’, this time trying for Rufous Nightjar – a bird with a very interesting call. Both days, overnight at the Penhasco Hotel.

Day 11- Oct 20th: After another early breakfast we will check out and bird en route to Cuiaba Airport for homeward flights - arriving the following day.
For those joining the Iguazu Falls extension - an early morning start will be necessary to catch our flight to Foz de Iguazu. The Igazu Falls extension will include visiting both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides. For further details please contact us josele@boletas.org