The Pantanal is the largest floodplain in the Americas an area which is unique in the world. Everything in the Pantanal reminds you of the presence of animals. Caiman crocodiles, wood ibis, jaguars, snakebirds, hawks, deer, herons, howler monkeys, countless insects, and parrots add colour and sound to the ecosystem of the Pantanal.
In the Pantanal we will be staying at the Refugio Ecologico Caiman, home of the Hyacinth Macaw Project and the Jaguar Project.
We will be staying at the Reserva Ecologica de Guapiacu (REGUA) a 20000 acre nature reserve north of Rio de Janeiro in the Atlantic Rainforest.
REGUA is an area of very varied habitats including wetlands, lowland and highland secondary forests,thick forests, bromeliad dominated areas, highland native bamboo thickets, waterfalls, caves and open areas at every level from 30 to 2000 metres above sea level
2 very different areas of Brazil.
DAY 1
We depart from Birmingham, UK on a scheduled overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro via Paris
DAY 2
We will be met at Rio airport and transferred to Villa Sao Jose. After lunch we will have a tour around the wetland area close to the villa to acclimatise.
DAY 3 - 13
Depending on weather we have lots of options which include:-
Sao Jose wetlands and the adjacent forest edge
Transfer by land rover to the base of the Marias Trail where we take a guided walk to Casa Anibel then onto the Ridge Trail and return down the Lost Trail
Transfer by land rover to Casa Pesquisa with a guided walk to the waterfalls and beyond to the mid elevation research base
Various forest walks
Transfer by land rover to Casa Pesquisa with a guided walk to Toco de Viola
Optional overnight stay in a forest shelter located at 400 metres above sea level
Trip to the Primatology centre where they breed for re-release into the wild native monkeys
Trip to David Millers orchid farm and home to numerous species of hummingbirds as well as other birds. We saw maroon bellied conures in February 2005.
Trip to Andy Fosters with a garden so full of birds it is easy to be extremely envious of an everyday delight. Garden is an understatement as it has 2 rivers and many trails with 190 bird species reported to date. We saw Plain parakeets and Scaly headed parrots in November 2005.
Trip to the Sumidouro range of Blue winged macaws as well as 3 toed jacamar. We saw both as well as white eyed conures and howler monkeys and many more in November 2005.
Most days we will set off at or before daybreak straight after breakfast (sometimes taking a packed breakfast) to maximise our chances of seeing as many parrot species as possible.
DAY 14
Early morning transfer to Rio de Janeiro airport for a flight to Campo Grande via Sao Paulo with a pick up from Campo Grande airport and transfer to Caiman Lodge for a series of excursions that will be similar to the list below
Evening - video about the region
DAY 15
Morning - a photograph safari with trekking at the nearby Baiazinha Lodge
Afternoon - horse riding safari
Evening - slide presentation
DAY 16
Morning - visit to Arara Azul (Hyacinth) Project
Evening - Alligator spotting
DAY 17
Morning - trekking in the Pantanal and feeding alligators
Afternoon - Photographic safari near the Cordilheira Lodge
Evening - Free
DAY 18
Morning - Free to cover anything we may have missed or do something again
Afternoon - Transfer back to Campo Grande for a flight to Sao Paulo
Evening flight from Sao Paulo to Birmingham, UK
DAY 19 Arrive back at Birmingham, UK airport.
ACCOMMODATION
We will be staying at one of the most acclaimed lodges in the Pantanal, Caiman Lodge. It is an Ibero-American style building with 11 rooms all with private bathrooms and air conditioning. A swimming pool to cool off in and a home-style restaurant and common lounge.
Villa Sao Jose is the place we are staying in REGUA situated on a small landscaped hill overlooking the wetlands and with stunning views of the rich, forested mountains beyond. It has 5 deluxe master bedrooms each with ensuite bathroom and air conditioning plus 2 additional bedrooms with shared facilities. It is a very spacious house with lightly landscaped gardens, swimming pool, patio and extensive verandas for relaxing in the shade offering the ultimate in comfort, refinement and tranquillity for guests.
Laundry service is available at a low cost enabling less baggage.
PANTANAL AT SUNSET
On our previous visits to these areas we saw 13 out of 16 species of parrot in the Pantanal and 8 out of 11 species in the Atlantic Rainforest as well as 107 out of 345 species of birds in the Pantanal and 150 out of 403 species in the Atlantic Rainforest in addition to lots of other wildlife. We saw parrots almost every day some in groups of about 200 individuals.
PARROT SPECIES LIST CAIMAN LODGE
Hyacinth Macaw, Blue and Yellow Macaw, Green Winged Macaw, Yellow Collared Macaw, Red Shouldered Macaw, White Eyed Conure, Blue Crowned Conure, Peach Fronted Conure, Nanday Conure, Blaze Winged Parakeet, Monk Parakeet, Canary Winged Parakeet, Scaly Headed Parrot, Yellow Faced Amazon, Blue Fronted Amazon, Orange Winged Amazon.
REGUA
Golden Tailed Parrotlet, Brown Backed Parrotlet, Blue Winged Parrotlet, Blue Winged Macaw, White Eyed Conure, Maroon Bellied Conure, Plain Parakeet, Red Capped Parrot, Scaly Headed Parrot, Orange Winged Amazon, Purple Bellied Parrot.
All other bird, mammal, reptile species lists are available at :-
This price includes for all International and Internal Brazilian flights, Transfers, Very Comfortable Accommodation, All Meals, Drinks (excluding Alcoholic drinks) and Local Guides.
For anyone wanting to join us from any other country please contact us for details.
