Our Amazon Rainforest Birding Extension takes us to the soon to be famous Thaimacu Lodge. Here we will explore the trails and waterways while also scanning from a productive canopy tower in search of Bald Parrot, Razor-billed Curassow, Zigzag Heron, Cryptic Forest Falcon, Curl-crested Aracari, Rufous-faced and Bare-eyed Antbirds, and Fiery-capped, Flame-crested and Band-tailed Manakins to name just a few of the special species we hope to see!
This is a highly recommended addition to our Brazil – Birds & Wildlife of the Pantanal & Cerrado tour for anyone wishing to maximize their time in this vast and beautiful country!
*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Bald Parrot; Cryptic Forest Falcon; Zigzag & Agami Herons; Dark-winged Trumpeter; Razor-billed Curassow; Kawall’s Amazon; Crimson-bellied & Santarem Parakeets; Collared, Rufous-necked & Brown-banded Puffbirds; Paradise Jacamar; Amazonian Pygmy Owl; Gould’s Toucanet; Black-girdled Barbet; Pavonine Quetzal; Glossy Antshrike; Bare-eyed Antbird; Xingu Scale-backed Antbird; Curve-billed Scythebill; Tooth-billed Wren; Snow-capped, Flame-crested & Fiery-capped Manakins; Alta Floresta Antpitta; Scaled Ground Cuckoo (rare); Pompadour & Spangled Cotingas; Curl-crested & Red-necked Aracaris; Channel-billed & White-throated Toucans; Long-billed Woodcreeper; Amazonian Umbrellabird; White-browed Hawk; Harpy & Crested Eagles (both rare, but occasionally seen from the towers).
Top Mammals Southern Tamandua; Giant & Neotropical Otters; South American Tapir; South American Coati; White-whiskered Spider Monkey; Spotted Paca; Jaguar (rare), Puma (rare).
Habitats Covered rainforest trails and canopy, primary tropical forest, mixed savanna with granite outcrops, wetland, and seasonally flooded forest
Expected Climate warm to hot and humid
Max Group Size 6 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Tour Pace & Walking moderate pace, undemanding walks
Accommodation comfortable lodge
Ease of Birding moderate with numerous challenging species
Number of Species Expected 200+
Photographic Opportunities good
The tour was fantastic and both of our guides were excellent. We enjoyed traveling with Lev. He is so enthusiastic! He is an excellent birding guide and also very knowledgeable about the natural history of the animals we saw. That made the experience even more enjoyable. He worked very hard to enable us to see some of the trickier birds, like the Zigzag Heron that was hiding in the trees. It turns out, he even speaks 'zigzag', as he carried on a 10 min conversation (back and forth calls) with the heron, trying to coax him into a better view. It was wonderful having a local guide, Leo, on this trip as well. He added a lot to the birding experience, was essential for dealing with logistics, and had a wealth of knowledge about the history of Brazil and the places we visited, that made it an even more interesting trip. Well Done Rockjumper!!
We really appreciated our trip. Our Rockjumper guide, Bobby Wilcox, and the local guides were awesome; always on the lookout for new birds and other animals, even on the long drives. The organization was flawless, the lodges were great and perfectly located. Our triplist and lifers goals were exceeded! The group was great and always well controlled by Bobby. Very well done! Our long sighting of a female jaguar was certainly the peak of this trip !!!
Rich Lindie was excellent and very helpful. His knowledge of the birds & wildlife of Brazil was phenomenal; in addition he told us much about other areas of the world. [W]e had a great time.
A fantastic inaugural tour of the Manaus area. As usual, rainforest birding presented its challenges, especially all those skulkers, the names of which invariably begin with ant-! However, our brilliant leader, Forrest Rowland, and his equally brilliant offsider and local guide, Brad, showed endless patience trying to get everyone to see as many species as possible - with almost 500 spp seen in 17 days! We visited a variety of habitats in addition to terra firme forest, including varzea, campinarana and riverine islands, each with a different suite of birds. The trip went off without a hitch with efficient van and boat transport, comfortable accommodation and delicious local food.
Amazing trip! Wonderful birds, great accommodations and outstanding guides. Leo is an exceptional guide who is very personable and ensures everyone gets a chance to see even the hard to find birds.