Sunrise Birding LLC - Birding & Wildlife Tours - Brazil's Amazing PANTANAL! September 2024

PANTANAL
WILDLIFE SAFARI!
September 1 - 10, 2024

With Eduardo Patrial & Nick Bonomo!

Spectacular birds & mammals
in one of the world’s greatest wetlands,
the Pantanal, in the heart of Brazil!

Plus: Jardim da Amazônia extension
August 28 - September 1, 2024

Contact [email protected] to reserve your space!

Trip Cost> Registration Form(pdf)> Tour Registration, Terms, Cancellation Policies>

The vast Brazilian Pantanal is one of the greatest wetlands anywhere on earth, where the incredible number of water birds has to be seen to be believed. Reminiscent of an African safari but in South America, the Pantanal has been one of our most popular tours, and rightly so. This is an easy and relaxed tour with excellent opportunities to see the wealth of wildlife on offer at fairly close range. Situated close to the border with Bolivia, the Pantanal astounds everyone who visits by its sheer size (around 55,000 square miles!) and openness.

From the Transpantaneira highway, you can watch huge Jabiru wading in the shallow marshes, families of Southern Screamers, Sunbitterns and more storks, herons, ibis and water birds than it is possible to count. Parrots and macaws brighten the tree tops, while the truly spectacular Hyacinth Macaw, the largest parrot in the world is simply stunning and very easy to get close to allowing excellent photographic possibilities.

One of the many highlights of this tour will be our search for the magnificent Jaguar. One of our three special boat trips will go in search of this elusive species and lets hope we continue our run of luck seeing this huge predator. We also have chances to see Giant Anteater, Capybara, Brazilian Tapir, Giant River Otter and with luck an Anaconda or the rare Maned Wolf.

To complement the sprawling landscape of the Pantanal we will spend some of our time in Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park taking in its dry scrub, huge waterfalls, cerrado, and riverine forest, and its own selection of very special birds including hummingbirds, manakins, antbirds, motmots, tinamous and tanagers.

In addition, we are offering a very special extension to the fabulous Jardim da Amazônia a tropical lodge that supports a whole range of species not possible on our main tour and this is also the only place in the world to see the newly discovered Cone-billed Tanager.

Here are just a few of the fabulous possibilities on this tour:

MAIN TOUR:
* Hyacinth Macaw
* Red-legged Seriema
* Southern Screamer
* Jaguar
* Horned Sungem
* Helmeted Manakin
* Sunbittern
* Sungrebe
* Greater Rhea
* Giant River Otter
* Curl-crested Jay
* Giant Anteater

JARDIM da AMAZONIA
* Cone-billed Tanager
* Razor-billed Currasow
* Flame-crested Manakin
* Blue-and-yellow Macaw
* Glossy Antshrike
* Snow-capped Manakin
* Spotted Antbird
* Blackish Nightjar
* Rose-breasted Chat
* Red-necked Aracari
* Amazonian Umbrellabird
* Black-bellied Thorntail

Trip Cost> Registration Form> Go here for past trip reports>

PANTANAL - MAIN TOUR ITINERARY, September 1 - 10, 2024:
Day 1: Arrive Cuiabá.
Plan on arriving today at Marechal Rondon International Airport in Cuiabá, Brazil (Airport code: CGB) where the group will meet for our first dinner. Night Cuiabá. (D)

Day 2: Cuiabá to Rio Claro
This morning after breakfast we will pack up and head into the Pantanal! We make our way south toward the city of Pocone and the start of the Transpantaneira Highway which traverses the northern Pantanal. Even before we reach the entrance gate to the Pantanal, we will likely see Greater Rheas in the open fields. As we travel the first part of the 120 km long Transpantaneira, we should get our first taste of this truly magical area passing patches of natural forest surrounded by dry floodplain and savannas.

Along our route, we will look for our first Bare-faced Ibis, Greater Thornbird, Amazonian Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Striped Cuckoo, Lesser Seed-Finch, White-tailed Goldenthroat, Crested Oropendola, Black-collared Hawk, Green-barred Woodpecker, Band-tailed Antbird, Little Woodpecker, Rusty-collared Seedeater, Masked Gnatcatcher, Large Elaenia, Wattled Jacana, Maguari Stork, Capped Heron, White-wedged Piculet, Yellow-billed Cardinal, and Red-pileated Finches.

Later in the day, we will arrive at our first Pantanal lodge, Rio Claro. On the way in, we'll stop along the entrance road to look for Whistling Heron, Sunbittern and Red-billed Scythebill. When we reach the lodge, the bird feeders around our rooms may have Nanday and Blue-crowned Parakeets. The small ponds and wet areas are a great place to see the wonderful Sunbittern and this evening we have an opportunity to do an evening boat trip along the Rio Claro River which can offer such delights at Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher and if we are lucky, Zigzag Heron. (B,L,D)

Days 3 & 4: Hotel Santa Rosa, Porto Jofre
This morning we bird around the lodge and then continue our journey along the Transpantaneira through the heart of the Pantanal, with plenty of opportunities to appreciate and enjoy one of the greatest avian spectacles anywhere in the world, as an amazing abundance of water birds, including a wide variety of ibis, storks, herons and egrets compete for our attention.

We can expect extremely close views as many species feeding next to the road, allowing superb photographic opportunities. Eventually we will arrive at the end of this road and our lodge where we spend the next 2 nights. Hopefully, we will have enough daylight to look around the grounds of this lovely lodge situated on the shores of the Cuiabá River and see the Toco Toucans that make the lodge grounds their home.

Our well positioned base allows us ample opportunities to find some of the areas best birds, including the world’s largest parrot, the fantastic and noisy Hyacinth Macaw which is often in the palm trees just outside our rooms. This is sure to be a memorable experience and one of the major highlights of the tour, as we watch these spectacular birds feeding and flying to and from their roosting trees.

The main focus of today will be to embark on a boat trip onto the Cuiabá River where our primary target species is the magnificent Jaguar, and absolutely awesome predator that is on many enthusiasts most wanted list. In the heat of the day these animals come down to the river banks to rest in the cool breeze that comes off the water’s surface. Other times of day, we may see Jaguars swimming in the river, hunting Caiman along the shore or walking the sand bars of the river.

The success rate of seeing Jaguars here has improved enormously over the last few years as the locals guides knowledge on how to find them has also improved. We stand a very good chance of seeing this big cat, but no guarantees as it is nature and not a zoo! There will be plenty of avian distractions as we search for Jaguars and we can expect species such as Large-billed and Yellow-billed Terns, Black Skimmer, Rufescent Tiger-Heron and Wattled Jacana. We could also come across Giant River Otters. In the evening we may make use of spotlights to search for a variety of nocturnal wildlife. With luck we could find Tapir, Giant Anteater, Crab-eating Racoon, Margay or Ocelot, as well as both Nacunda and Band-tailed Nighthawks. Night Porte Jofre. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Santa Rosa to Hotel Mato Grosso
This morning we will bird areas of the highest bird diversity in the region. Birds are literally everywhere, and by covering various forest types and swamps we may find Greater Rhea, Toco Toucan, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Aplomado and Bat Falcons, Pearl and Snail Kites, Crane and Black-collared Hawks, Sungrebe, Buff-necked and Green Ibises, Undulated Tinamou, Brazilian Teal, Capped and Cocoi Helmeted Manakin

Herons, Sunbittern, the endemic Chestnut-bellied Guan, Blue-throated Piping Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Toco Toucan, Red-and-Green Macaw, Peach-fronted, Yellow-chevroned and Monk Parakeets, Turquoise-fronted Amazon, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Pale-crested Woodpecker, Red-billed Scythebill, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, White Monjita, Gilded Hummingbird, Buff-bellied Hermit, Glittering-throated Emerald, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Pale-legged Hornero, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Black-capped Donacobius, Yellowish Pipit, Flavescent Warbler, Silver-beaked Tanager, Blue-crowned Trogon, Solitary Black Cacique, Thrush-like Wren, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, Purplish Jay, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Unicolored and Scarlet-headed Blackbirds among the many, many other possibilities.

As the day cools, we'll search some of the nearby forests and open wetland habitat for a multitude of species such as Whistling Heron, Plumbeous Ibis, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Campo Oriole, Greater Thornbird, Rufous Cacholote, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Mato Grosso Antbird, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Dull-capped Attila, Forest Elaenia, Pale-crested and Golden-green Woodpeckers, Campo Flicker, Rusty-backed Spinetail and the gorgeous Helmeted Manakin. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Hotel Mato Grosso to Pousa Alegre
This morning, we will take a fabulous early morning boat ride onto the quiet waters of the Pixiam River. Here, along weedy river edges and floating vegetation, we can hope to get close and personal with many wonderful species. Sunbitterns are often absurdly approachable, Agami Herons incredibly shy and the Sungrebe is always a challenge to spot. Our tranquil time spent on the river should produce other excellent species such as Blue-throated Piping Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Chestnut-bellied Guan, Boat-billed Heron, Pale-legged Hornero, huge Jabiru, Grey-cowled Wood-Rail, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Green Ibis, Black-collared Hawk, Blue-crowned Trogon, Cocoi Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and a few other creatures such as Caiman, Capybara, Black-and-gold Howler Monkeys and if were lucky the superb Giant River Otter.

We may spend time catching up with any species in the area that we may have missed before driving back along the Transpantaneira towards and yet another fabulous lodge. As we leave those fabulous Hyacinth Macaws behind us, we will once again find that photo opportunities abound and we could add species such as Pied Lapwing, Azure Gallinule, Collared Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper and more. We'll traverse the Transpantaneira to Pousada Alegre where Red-legged Seriema is a specialty. On arrival we'll explore the area to make the most of our time here. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Pousa Alegre to Piuval Lodge
Southern Screamer

This morning after breakfast we begin our birding to Piuval Lodge. Along the way, we will keep a look out for Red-legged Seriema plus Buff-necked Ibis, Plumbeous Ibis, the huge Jabiru, Golden-collared Macaws, Long-tailed Ground-Dove and Guira Cuckoos. As we progress further through the Pantanal, patches of scrubby forest and surrounding area should offer Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Rufous Cachalote, Chaco Chachalaca, Chestnut-eared Aracaris, White Woodpecker, Masked Gnatcatcher, Black-fronted Nunbird, Planalto and Mato Grosso Antshrikes, Yellow-billed and Red-crested Cardinals plus a host of other species. The many roadside ponds hold numerous Yacare Caiman and we can search for smart looking Capped and Whistling Herons and possibly our first Southern Screamers.

Our next lodge along the Transpantaneira is Pousa Alegre, famed for its birds around the rooms as well as the chance to look for Brazilian Tapir and even Giant Anteater or the rarely seen Giant Armadillo. In the afternoon, we'll explore the area and the wealth of birds here. We also have opportunities to see many species of dragonfly and butterfly. (B,L,D)

Days 8 & 9: Chapada dos Guimaraes
Today we head to the dry Chapada dos Guimaraes where the high plains of central Brazil abruptly come to an end, with the habitat changing to reveal red rocky outcrops, canyons, riverine and cerrado forest with ferns, orchids and bromeliads. This stunning area offers excellent birding amidst spectacular scenery. A whole new range of bird species await us among the dry Chapada habitat. Red-winged Tinamou, Channel-billed Toucan, King Vulture, American Swallow-tailed Kite, Crested Black-Tyrant, Peach-fronted and White-eyed Parakeets, Curl-crested Jay, Red-and-Green Macaw, Blue-headed Parrot, Biscutate and Greater Dusky Swifts, Horned Sungem (Photo: Diego Calderon), Dot-eared Coquette, Cinnamon-throated Hermit, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Blue-crowned Motmot, the endemic Rufous-winged Antshrike, Chapadas Flycatcher, Plain-crested Elaenia, Southern Scrub Flycatcher, White-eared and Spot-backed Puffbird, Large-billed Antwren, Planalto Slaty Antshrike, Masked Tityra, Band-tailed and Helmeted Manakins, White-bellied Warbler, Campo Flicker, Thick-billed Euphonia, Guira, Black-faced, Grey-headed, White-banded, Cinnamon, White-rumped and Swallow Tanagers, Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch, Coal-crested Finches, Collared Crescentchest and possibly the mighty Crowned Eagle are among the a host of species available. We have even been lucky enough to see the elegant and rare Maned Wolf here!

We will spend our time exploring this fabulous area and look for such species as Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Laughing Falcon, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Green-barred Woodpecker, Masked Tityra, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Rusty-backed Spinetail, White-backed Fire-Eye and the fantastic Horned Sungem. Pheasant Cuckoos are also in the area but are incredibly difficult to see so we would need luck on our side to actually see one. Beside a wonderful waterfall we can see Biscutate and Great Sooty Swifts as well as White-eared Puffbird, Blue-shouldered Macaw and with luck the elusive Blue Finch. Another great area holds the rare Yellow-faced Parrot, plus Chapada Flycatcher, Swallow-wing and both Least Nighthawk and Little Nightjar towards dusk. This is also a super place to see Red-legged Seriema. A patch of woodland offers us the chance to see Band-tailed and Fiery-capped Manakins as well as White-backed Fire-eye, Channel-billed Toucan and Amazonian Motmot. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Cuiabá, end of tour
After breakfast we will leave the chapada and drive back toward Cuiabá in time to get to Cuiabá Airport for your international departures. We would advise that we should get to the airport between noon and 1 PM so please do not arrange any international flights to leave Cuiabá before the earliest 3:30 PM. (B)

PRE-TOUR EXTENSION to Jardim da Amazônia
August 28: Arrival Cuiabá
Plan to arrive in Cuiabá today. You will be transferred to a nearby hotel and meet the group for dinner. No activities are planned for today as it is an arrival day.

August 29: Cuiabá – Jardim da Amazônia
Breakfast the then travel to the tropical lodge of Jardim da Amazônia. Check-in is 3 PM so we hope to have some time explore the surroundings of our base before settling into our rooms for the next 3 nights. (D)

August 30 & 31: Jardim da Amazônia
We have two full days to explore this wonderful area where many species not available on the regular Pantanal trip can be seen. This superb jungle lodge is the only place in the world you can see the critically endangered Cone-billed Tanager (Photo: Eduardo Patrial) a species only rediscovered in 2003 after being lost for 100 years, and we will be making a special effort to try and find this rarely seen species. Today we will bird the area. We'll likely see the common Brown Jacamar (Photo: Gina Nichol), our first Kingfishers and perhaps a troupe of Gray's Monk Saki Monkeys as well as the local Capybaras on the lodge grounds. At sunset, we'll go out to the entrance road of the lodge and watch the Blue-and-yellow Macaws come in to their palm tree roosts for the night.

Cone-billed Tanager

There are plenty of other superb birds in this area and we have lots of time to search a variety of habitats in search of a good variety. Among the Mauritia palms that abound around the lodge we will look for specialties like Point-tailed Palmcreeper and Sulphury Flycatcher, while Bare-necked Fruitcrows and a host of tanagers and flycatcher should entertain us. Nearby trails and a boat trip will have us searching for such avian delights as Razor-billed Currasow, Natterer’s Slaty Antshrike, Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Red-necked Aracari, Gould’s Toucanet, Rose-breasted Chat, Pink-throated Becard and a host of parrot species including the spectacular Blue-and-yellow Macaw, plus Red-bellied, Blue-winged and Red-shouldered Macaws. There are many superb smaller birds to look for including Tooth-billed Wren, Glossy Antshrike, Black-girdled Barbet, Spotted Puffbird, Flame-crested, Fiery-capped, Red-headed and Snow-capped Manakins, and many more species. With pools and a clear river nearby, if it gets too hot there will be a chance to relax midday. Nights Jardim de Amazônia (B,L,D)

September 1 : Jardim de Amazônia – Cuiabá
Today, we will make our way back toward Cuiabá for the main Pantanal tour. (B,L,D)

LEADER: Eduardo Patrial, plus Nick Bonomo (with 8+ pax)