Brazil, one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, is a dream destination for any naturalist – and especially so for a birding tour! During this remarkable and thoroughly rewarding adventure we will be birding the celebrated Pantanal, the planet’s largest tropical wetland, encompassing 96,500 square miles (250,000 square kms) of emerald forests, savannas, swathing rivers and shallow lagoons; as well as exploring the scenic Chapada dos Guimarães with its Cerrado habitat full of local specialties. 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! For those wishing to maximise their time spent in Brazil, we have also created an Amazon Rainforest extension set amongst thousands of acres of pristine forest and an extension to the incredible Iguazú Falls on the Brazil and Argentina border.
*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Top Birds Hyacinth, Red-and-green & Golden-collared Macaw; Bare-faced Currasow; Chestnut-bellied Guan; Chaco Chachalaca; Zigzag & Agami Herons; Red-legged Seriema; Greater Rhea; Southern Screamer; Jabiru; Maguari Stork; Sunbittern; Sungrebe; Black-collared Hawk; King Vulture; Nanday Parakeet; Yellow-faced Parrot; Nacunda Nighthawk; Horned Sungem; Swallow-tailed Hummingbird; White-eared & Caatinga Puffbirds; Toco Toucan; Campo Flicker; Pale-crested Woodpecker; Great Rufous Woodcreeper; Grey-crested Cacholote; White-lored & Chotoy Spinetails; Black-bellied Antwren; Mato Grosso Antbird; White-rumped Monjita; Rufous Casiornis; White-naped Xenopsaris; Chapada Flycatcher; Band-tailed & Helmeted Manakins; Collared Crescentchest; Purplish & Curl-crested Jay; Fawn-breasted Wren; Shrike-like Tanager; Coal-crested Finch; Scarlet-headed Blackbird; Black-throated Saltator; Blue Finch.
Top Mammals Jaguar; Giant Anteater; Giant River Otter; South American Tapir; Capybara; Marsh Deer; Grey Brocket; Black Howler Monkey; Bearded Capuchin; Black-tailed Marmoset; Tapeti; Azara's Agouti; Yellow-toothed Cavy; Crab-eating Fox; South American Coati; Greater Bulldog Bat.
Habitats Covered forest trails, grasslands, rivers and Pantanal wetlands, dry Cerrado scrub, deciduous forest.
Expected Climate warm to hot and humid
Max Group Size 12 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
Tour Pace & Walking moderate pace, undemanding walks
Accommodation comfortable lodges
Ease of Birding easy but with numerous challenging species
Number of Species Expected +-300
Other Attractions Jaguar search by cruising the waterways of the Pantanal, night spotting for birds and mammals, scenic waterfall, visiting the Geodesic centre of South America.
Photographic Opportunities excellent
The trip was excellent, and there is no praise too high for Stephan Lorenz!
I had the very best time on tour with Stephan. He is an excellent leader and a lovely, kind human being. In terms of his technical ability as a birding leader, his eyesight and hearing skills are excellent, which coupled with his first class fieldcraft and ID skills, meant that we saw/heard over 500 species during our tour. He also gelled well with the local guide Caio , so that in terms of finding, IDing and showing the birds to the group, we were treated to splendid views of our target species plus many many 'bonus birds' too. Stephan was also very patient with group members, some of whom for a variety of personal reasons, were less able to see the birds than the majority of the group-so that wherever possible-every group member who wanted to, had the opportunity to see every bird.
"The whole tour was perfectly organised: the transportation to the lodge, the accommodation itself, and of course the different trips incl the local guide. Our tour guide Carlos was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Everything went perfect. As this was my first experience with Rockjumper, I was pleasantly surprised about how effortless the whole trip was. I will for sure travel with you again!"
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 !!!
We had an unbelievably great tour. ALL the guides were extraordinary and fun to be around. They went out of their way to provide us non-birders with very interesting, novel activities. We all enjoyed seeing all the wildlife - it was beyond expectations. The 50th anniversary surprise was an unexpected, delightful treat. We don't know how the tour could have been any better.