Mato Grosso, Brazil:  The Pantanal, Chapada Dos Guimaraes, and Cristalino Jungle Lodge

July 23 - August 6, 2012 - in association with Bird Treks

With its lush tropical forests, abundance of rivers and wetlands, tremendous diversity of flora and fauna, and outstanding birding and wildlife viewing, Mato Grosso, Brazil, is one of the world's finest wildlife viewing destination.  We’ll enjoy one of nature’s greatest spectacles as we explore a roughly 500-mile long, north-south transect and travel through some of the richest habitats on Earth where over 200 species of mammals and almost 750 species of birds make their homes.

Our journey begins in the Pantanal, the world’s largest freshwater wetland, where we'll have great opportunities to see hundreds of bird species, including hyacinth macaw, Toco toucan, Mato Grosso antbird, plumbeous ibis, Chaco chachalaca, chestnut-bellied guan, white-headed marsh-tyrant, yellow-chinned and Chotoy spinetails, Campo flicker, green-backed becard, and pearly-vented tody-tyrant.  We may also encounter mammals including giant river otter, capybara, marsh deer, crab-eating fox, South American coati, several primate species, and maybe even a jaguar.  From the Pantanal, we’ll head to the southern Amazon and one of the greatest biological shows on Earth.  Over 570 species of birds have been recorded near Cristalino Jungle Lodge, and among them we'll look for curl-crested aracari, spangled cotinga, harpy eagle, white-browed hawk, blue-cheeked and brown jacamars, rufous-necked puffbird, Manu antbird, glossy antshrike, and range-restricted species such as bare-eyed antbird and Kawall's parrot.  We'll also have good opportunties to see mammals such as white-whiskered spider monkey, white-nosed bearded saki monkey, Brazilian tapir, southern river otter, Azara's agouti, and southern tamandua.  We’ll travel the river, enjoy a great variety of trails and microhabitats, and marvel at the tropical world from atop the lodges two canopy towers.  Finally we’ll head to Chapada dos Guimaraes, a national park known for its dramatic sandstone escarpments, waterfalls, and unique cerrado habitat.  Here we’ll look for blue-winged and red-shouldered macaws, collared crescent-chest, helmeted manakin, rufous-winged antshrike, green-winged saltator, cliff flycatcher, curl-crested jay, white-eared puffbird, rufous-sided pygmy-tyrant, white-rumped and white-banded tanagers, Chapada flycatcher, and many others.

Throughout the trip, we’ll enjoy the comforts of some of Brazil’s best nature lodges – Fazenda Santa Tereza, Pousada Piuval, Pousada do Parque and the incomparable Cristalino Jungle Lodge.  

Since 2004, when I first worked as a guide at the Cristalino Jungle Lodge, I've had the good fortune to spend almost one year in Mato Grosso exploring its diverse habitats, learning about its amazing biodiversity, and guiding dozens of nature enthusiasts.  I can't wait to return to this spectacular place and share its wonders with many of you.

Detailed itinerary and references available upon request.

Harpy Eagle by Franck Ishoj 
Jaguar by Jonathan Morris

Last updated: January 23, 2012.