Brazil is a
vast country with several distinctly different biomes. The mighty Amazon
rain forest covers almost half of the country. Below that on the west is
the Pantanal, the world's largest wetlands. Central Brazil is covered with
Cerrado, or grassland and gallery forest habitat. Northeastern Brazil is
caatinga desert, with patches of tropical moist forest on the coast. Southeastern
Brazil hosts Atlantic rain forests, less well known than the Amazon but
20 million years older. The great Serra do Mar mountain range follows up
much of the southeastern coast and inland north of Rio de Janeiro. In the
upper altitudes of these mountains one finds Brazilian alpine and isolated
mountain tops with many endemic species. The southern part of the country
turns temperate, with grasslands, wetlands and stands of Araucaria pine
forests. Douglas & Alessandra The Pantanal is considered the easiest place to see a wide variety of
tropical animals on the South American continent. Wide open areas facilitate
the spotting of animals such as the rare Marsh Deer, Giant Anteater, Capybara,
Black-and-Gold Howler, Yellow Anaconda and Jaguar. While this impressive
cat occurs over a wide range, the Pantanal is the only place where one
has a reasonable chance of seeing a Jaguar. In fact, we have seen at least
one Jaguar on around 25% of our tours here over the last seven years.
Here, the giant subspecies, Onca panthera palustris, dwarfs its Amazonian
form. Weighing over 135 kg (300 lbs.), a paw print in the dirt can be
18cm (5") in diameter. Its head is larger than a basketball.
While the mammals are impressive, it is the amazing abundance of birds
that gives the Pantanal its fame. It is a destination of three major South
American migratory routes. The shrinking of vast flooded areas in the
beginning of the dry season concentrates fish for waders such as Jabiru,
Maguari and Wood Storks, Great and Snowy Egrets, numerous herons, five
species of ibis and Roseate Spoonbills. Four species of kingfishers, Snail
Kite, Black-collared and Roadside Hawks and several other raptor species,
many parrots, parakeets and macaws and an array of other interesting birds
make this a favorite destination for bird watchers the world over. Some
of the specialties we'll look for include Hyacinth Macaw, Nanday Parakeet,
Yellow-billed Cardinal, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Buff-bellied Hermit,
Guilded Hummingbird, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Toco Toucan, Plumbeous
Ibis, Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Unicolored and Scarlet-headed Blackbirds,
Chaco Chachalaca, Bare-faced Curassow, Rufous Cachalote, Mato Grosso Antbird
and many, many others. The ease with which the birds can be seen is equally
a bonus for the experienced birder and first time nature tour participant.
This is our most popular tour destination, and we have several offerings
each year. If you have to choose just one place to tour in Brazil, this
may well be it.
One other comparison to Madagascar is just as telling. The Atlantic
forest is considered the second most endangered tropical forest ecosystem,
following Madagascar. Over 95% of the original forests are gone, and only
isolated patches remain. Many of the world's most striking creatures live
a precarious existence in a series of spectacular parks, reserves, and
unprotected areas.
This tour visits two of the most spectacular reserves in the Atlantic
forest system, with a chance to visit the World Heritage City of Ouro
Preto as well. Caraça Natural Park is a reserve in the mountains
a few hours east of Belo Horizonte, the state capital. The reserve was
originally a seminary retreat placed amid tall mountains and lush tropical
forests. The spectacular beauty of the reserve is surpassed only by the
abundant diversity of wildlife living within it. Three primate species
occur here. Our accommodations are in the renovated rooms of the monastery,
overlooking an attractive garden and the montane forests below.
Toucans, guans and hummingbirds abound, and with just a little luck
we can see and photograph the rare Maned Wolf. The only wolf in South
America, it is endangered due to habitat destruction and an insatiable
taste for chickens. While it is normally a solitary animal, priests at
the seminary have been leaving food for the wolves on the front steps
of the church for years. It is not unusual for two or more to come each
night. While quick motions scare them, they are not bothered by flash
photography. We see the Maned Wolf on our nature tours to Emas National Park
and occasionally in a few other areas, but they are usually in tall grass
or at some distance. Only here can one see the entire animal with ease.
The Caratinga Biological Station is a private reserve located within
the Fazenda Montes Claros, or Montes Claros Ranch. The entire lowland
region was forested as recently as the early 1940's, but settlement brought
rapid destruction of the rain forest. One man, Sr. Feliciano Miguel Abdalla,
had the foresight to save roughly 2,000 acres, which is now the Station.
The star attraction here is the Muriqui. This is the largest primate
in the Americas, the largest mammal endemic to Brazil and one of the most
endangered primates on Earth. Three other primate species occur here,
along with the Three-toed Sloth, other mammals and over 200 bird species.
We'll look for the Rufous-capped Motmot, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Blue-winged
Macaw, Flame-capped (Golden-capped) and Blue-throated Parakeets, Vinaceous-breasted
Parrot, Tawny-browed Owl, White-tailed Trogon, Reddish Hermit, Black Jacobin,
Crescent-Chested Puffbird, Black-necked Araçari, Shrike-like Cotinga,
Scaled Antbird, Streamer-tailed and Long-tailed Tyrants, Red-rumped Cacique,
Blue Dacnis, Green-headed, Fawn-breasted, Gilt-edged, Burnished Buff,
Flame-crested, Black-goggled, Guira and Magpie Tanagers. The fazenda,
or ranch, is a coffee plantation, and there is a good chance of enjoying
a cup of Brazil's best during our visit.
This is another of our most popular tours, and we have several offerings
each year. One can add Serra do Cipó National Park to itineraries designed
in this region. Serra da Canastra National Park, to the west, is another
impressive destination in the state, with Giant Anteaters, Maned Wolves
and a number of rare bird species including the Brazilian Merganser.
In spite of all this, the first time visitor to the Amazon often sees
little more than lush vegetation. In most of the well-visited areas even
this is second growth. Man's impact on the basin has been substantial,
and it is difficult to find even a small river that is uninhabited.
Our Focus on the Amazon nature tours expedition is designed to let you see the animals
and unaltered rain forests. This tour focuses on the little known rain
forests of the southern Amazon. It is without doubt one of the richest
areas of the Brazilian Amazon, yet remains relatively unexplored. Each
tour has the chance of seeing a variety of rare birds and mammals, as
well as species that no other tour to date has seen in this part of the
Amazon. Our accommodations range from a lodge on the Cristalino River
with eight rooms with private bath to our nice hotel in the town of Alta
Floresta.
We've seen more mammals here than in any other Amazonian destination.
We'll be looking for the very rare and endangered White-nosed Bearded
Saki Monkey and the Brown Titi Monkey. Other primate possibilities include
Southern Red-necked Night Monkeys, White-fronted Capuchin, Common Woolly
Monkey, White-whiskered Spider Monkey, Red, Red-handed and Black-and-Gold
Howlers and Bare-ear Marmoset. We saw Jaguar on two of our first six trips
here and as recently as November '94, a few after that as well. We also
recorded on tour the first confirmed sighting of the very rare Short-eared
Dog and also picked up the rare and much sought after Harpy Eagle. Tapirs
are often seen swimming across the river in front of the lodge, and most
tours see Giant River Otter as well. Three-toed Sloth occurs in the trees
in the immediate vicinity. The bird life is equally impressive. At least
five species of macaws occur: Hyacinth, Blue-and-Yellow, Scarlet, Red-and-Green,
and Chestnut-fronted. Rare and colorful parrots such as the White-bellied,
Vulturine, Yellow-crowned, Mealy, and Orange-winged Parrot are here, along
with Paradise Jacamar, Red-necked, Lettered, Curl-crested and Chestnut-eared
Araçaris. Other specialties include Dark-winged Trumpeter, Rufous-capped
Nunlet, Black-girdled Barbet, Gould's Toucanet, Sclater's Antwren, Bare-eyed
Antbird, Striolated Puffbird, Chestnut-throated Spinetail, Manu Antbird,
Purple-throated Cotinga, White-winged Shrike-Tanager and many, many more.
We should mention another Amazonian destination we are offering, but
is not included in this tour: the Rancho Grande in the state of Rondonia.
This state faces one of the highest deforestation rates in the Amazon,
and at the same time has one of the richest faunas. The Rancho Grande
offers comfortable facilities and several forest "islands" rich in wildlife
and spectacular for the number of butterflies that occur there. We can
combine several days here with our Alta Floresta tour to get a more rounded
view of Amazonia as well as substantially increase the number of birds,
mammals and other animals you'd see in either place by itself.
Deep in the heart of the Brazilian Cerrado lies Emas National Park.
The 328,317 acres of undulating grasslands, campo sujo, cerrado woodlands
and gallery forests host the world's largest concentration of termite
mounds. They provide a surreal setting for large concentrations of Pampas
Deer, Giant Anteater and Greater Rhea, or "Ema" in Portuguese. Maned Wolf
are frequently seen roaming the grasses in search of tinamou and other
prey. The park holds the greatest concentration of Blue-and-Yellow Macaws
outside Amazonia, and Blue-winged, Red-shouldered and Red-bellied Macaws
can also be seen. The park headquarters building for scientists are visited
daily by a pair of Bare-faced Currasows, White Woodpeckers, Streamer-tailed
Tyrants and other showy birds.
Along with the grasslands, the park supports a vast marsh on one side
and rich gallery forests on the other. The crystal clear waters of the
Rio Formosa pass right by the headquarters and wander through the park.
With the presence of large mammals and birds, it is little wonder that
many have compared this park to the African savannas.
For those traveling in the months September and October, a special treat
may await. In the thousands of termite mounds, the larvae of a beetle
species waits for the first couple of rains after the long dry season.
Rain triggers the flight of millions of termites, the favored meal of
the beetle larvae. With the rain the larvae emerge, and with bioluminescence
attract the termites, which see out light. When the termites fly close
to the glowing larvae, they grab and devour the unsuspecting insects.
Each mound may have a hundred or more larvae, and mounds sit side by side
for miles. Those lucky enough to time their visit to the first rain will
be treated to an impressive natural phenomenon.
In addition to the mammals and large birds, the park is known for other
bird specialties. Look for Spotted and Lesser Northuras, Dwarf and Red-winged
Tinamou, the endemic White-winged Nightjar, Cock-tailed, Streamer-tailed
and Sharp-tailed Tyrants, Blue and Black-masked Finches, Red-legged Seriema,
Curl-crested Jay, White-vented Violetear, Dot-eared Coquette, Collared
Crescent-Chest, White-rumped, White-banded and Masked Tanagers, Coal-crested
Finch, Pale-crested Woodpecker, Russet-mantled Foliage-gleaner, Large-billed
and Black-capped Antwrens and others.
Our days will be spent on foot and in a vehicle. We'll walk the trails
along the river, enter a rich gallery forest, and cross much of the park
searching for the birds, mammals and strange and beautiful scenery that
make this park so unique. Come join us on a four-day adventure filled
with odd animals, strange and beautiful birds, a myriad of termite mounds
and the varied vegetation of Emas National Park. This is a popular tour
with those who have taken it, but it is remote and rarely visited.
Our recent scouting trip out of Luis Alves, south of the Bananal, discovered
places to see and even hand-feed Pink River Dolphins! Hundreds of strange
Hoatzins lined the river shore. Yellow and the endangered Black Caiman
are plentiful, and huge Giant River Turtles join slide-necked South American
River Turtles. Marsh Deer is still common in some areas, along with several
species of armadillos, Common Iguana, two species of rays, Brown Capuchin,
Black Spider Monkey, Crab-eating Fox, Crab-eating Raccoon and many other
animals.
It is similar to Brazil's exciting Pantanal, with an Amazonian twist.
Giant Wood-Rail replaces the Grey-necked; Northern Screamer the Southern.
Water levels rise and fall considerably, leaving flooded wetlands. Huge
flocks of Jabirus with Maguari and Wood Storks are joined by other waterbirds
from May to September. As a birder's destination, it is superb. Over 300
species occur, including the highly restricted and endemic Bananal Antbird.
We suggest starting the tour spending the first night in the historic
city of Goiás. Surrounding this charming town is rich Cerrado woodlands,
similar to some of the habitat around Chapada dos Guimarães and Emas National
Park, but more extensive. You'll certainly want to spend at least one
morning here, and it breaks up the drive to Luis Alves.
Great wildlife on land and in the water, fun boat trips, friendly people,
great food and more make this a prime if undiscovered destination for
the adventurer and ecotourist. We suggest five to eight days, depending
on your interests.
Itatiaia is the most famous reserve in the Atlantic forest region. (Refer
to the Caraça & the Caratinga Biological Station tour description
for a description of the Atlantic forests.) It sits just 70 miles from
the sea, and is easily accessible from Rio de Janeiro. Being closer to
the sea, it receives more moisture than the forests in Caraça and
the Caratinga Biological Station. The vegetation is exuberant, as is the
avifauna. Itatiaia provides the last stronghold for many of Brazil's endemic
species.
Specialties in the park include Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets, Variegated
Antpitta, Mantled Hawk, Plovercrest, Surucua Trogon, Blond-crested Woodpecker,
Itatiaia Spinetail, Slaty Bristlefront, Giant and Large-tailed Antshrikes,
Swallow-tailed, Shrike-like and Black-and-Gold Cotingas, White-collared
Foliage-gleaner, Black-billed Scythebill, Rufous-tailed, Scaled, Ochre-rumped,
Dusky-tailed, Ferruginous and Bertoni's Antbirds, Shear-tailed Gray-Tyrant
and a fabulous variety of hummingbirds.
Even if you are not a bird watcher, Itatiaia is worth a visit for its
vegetation and spectacular scenic beauty. Trails wind up mountainsides
affording views of the forests and valley below. The transitional elfin
forest in the upper reaches gives way to marshes fed by clouds, rain and
an occasional snowstorm. The tall rocky mountains up here are known as
the "Black Needles" (Agulhas Negras) reach above 9,000'.
Itatiaia is a popular tour both for those with just a few extra days
when in Rio and as a part of a longer tour. Birders may want to spend
6 or more days here, as the park is a center of Brazilian avifauna endenism.
The impressive series of falls rank as one of the most spectacular settings
on the continent. Thousands of people come here each year to see the spectacular
falls, yet the national parks on both sides remain almost undiscovered
as a wildlife-viewing destination. Their luxurious sub-tropical rainforests
constitute one of South America's finest areas for seeing mammals such
as Little and Red Brocket Deer, South American Coati, White-eared Opossum,
and a sub-species of the Brown Capuchin. Also occurring but harder to
see are Jaguar, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Puma, Margay, White-lipped Peccary,
Bush Dog and Southern River Otter. The endangered Tegu Lizard is common,
and the number of butterflies one can see is astounding.
The two parks are a top bird watching destination as well. Five members
of the toucan family are regularly seen: Toco and Red-breasted Toucans,
Chestnut-eared Araçari, Saffron and Spot-billed Toucanets. Other
exciting bird possibilities include Spotted Bamboowren, Grey-bellied Spinetail,
several antshrikes, Short-tailed Antthrush, and others in the bamboo stands.
Forest possibilities include Rufous-thighed Kite, Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle,
Black-fronted Piping-Guan, Blue Ground Dove, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Black-capped
Screech-Owl, the nattereri race of Short-tailed Nighthawk, Great Dusky
Swift by the thousands as they dart in and out of the falls or perch on
the rock walls, Surucua Trogon, Chestnut-eared Araçari, Rufous-winged
Antwren, Black-crowned Tityra, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, White-winged Swallow,
Plush-crested Jay, Cream-bellied Gnatcatcher, Black-goggled and Magpie
Tanagers, Green-chinned Euphonia, Black-throated and Ultramarine Grosbeaks,
Yellow-billed Cardinal, Red-crested Finch and many more. In the evenings
we'll spotlight for deer, Agouti and other mammals that come out of the
forest to feed at night, and have a spot for the magnificent Rusty-barred
Owl.
Whether Iguaçu Falls is your main destination or just part of a
larger tour, it will certainly be a favorite, and shouldn't be missed!
Two full days are recommended for most tours, however serious birders
will want up to a week.
On the eastern edge of the Planalto Central, rocky high ridges above
4,500 feet present a strange and exciting biome. Serra do Cipó
National Park is composed of high mountainous grasslands marked with areas
of rough rocky outcroppings. It creates a surreal backdrop for black and
orange grasshoppers, carnivorous plants and birds found here and no where
else. Serra do Cipó National Park was created to protect a number
of odd and endemic plants, insects, frogs and birds, including the recently
described Cipó Canestero, endemic to this park. We should have
stunning views of the Black Tufted-eared Marmoset, an endemic primate
that is common in the lower reaches of the park.
Your naturalist guide is equipped with a spotting telescope for seeing
distant or hard to see animals, microphone and tape recorder for luring
in rare and hard to see animals that respond to their own call, and the
appropriate bird and mammal identification books for your enjoyment. By
the end of the tour, participants will have an intimate knowledge of six
distinctly different biomes and many more micro-ecosystems. We will likely
have seen at least six if not all nine possible primate species and races,
several other mammal, reptile and amphibian species, hundreds of bird
species, numerous flowering trees and other spectacular plants. An extraordinary
number of the flora and fauna species we'll see are found here and only
here.
Join us on an unforgettable journey into some of the richest and most
beautiful areas on earth... the Best of Brazil.
Backpacker Special!
Pantanal Wildlife Adventure at the
Pantanal Bush Camp
Focus Tours, the premier high end Pantanal wildlife tour operator, now offers tours for backpackers at an affordable price. The Pantanal Bush Camp is in a rich area on the Claro River, 45km into the Pantanal. Located in the habitat of giant river otters, Pantanal marmosets, black and gold howler monkeys, capybaras, ocelots and other wildlife, enjoy delicious Pantaneiro home cooked meals. Sleep in hammocks in a screened building, with bathrooms and running water. The bar has cold drinks, hard liquor and other items for purchase. Spend your days seeing wildlife, partying with old and new friends, fishing for piranha and enjoying the world’s largest wetlands.
Price: R$140 per person per day, 2 day (1 night) minimum.
Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, hammocks and a Pantaneiro naturalist guide.
Not Included: Transportation to and from the Pantanal Bush Camp, beverages and optional tours available at the camp, laundry & personal items, tips for the guide and staff and anything not specifically mentioned as included.
TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for this tour, complete our registration form and pay for the number of days you plan to be there. You will get a receipt that you will take to the Pantanal Bush Camp. Should you wish to stay more days, you will notify the camp staff and pay for the extra number of days you will stay at the time. If you wish to pre-reserve a stay at the Pantanal Bush Camp, a deposit of the first two days is required. Contact us for details at Focus Tours@aol.com. If you do not pre-reserve, we cannot guarantee that space will be available when you arrive at the Cuiabá airport.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you choose to cancel your stay, the next day’s payment is the cancellation penalty. If you pre-reserve and don’t show up, the total deposit is not refunded.
TOUR LEADER: Eduardo Falcão, Fabricio Dorelio or Douglas Trent...to be determined.
Our knowledge of Brazil is unequaled. We offer our services in all of Brazil,
and operate nature tours in all of the areas mentioned above, including amazon nature tours. Our naturalist guides
are equipped with a spotting telescope for seeing distant animals and for
fantastic views of those that are close. We also use a microphone and tape
recorder for luring in rare and hard to see animals that respond to their
own call, and the appropriate bird and mammal identification books for your
enjoyment. Here we present descriptions of our nature tours in several of the regions.
Read it all, and then let us know what you are most interested in and when
you want to travel. We'll forward daily itineraries and, if we don't already
have a tour to fit your interests, will help you design one. Enjoy reading,
and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Focus Tours Inc.
THE
PANTANAL & CHAPADA DOS GUIMARÃES - Wetlands, Waterfalls &
Wildlife
Located on Brazil's border with Bolivia, the Pantanal is an ever-changing
celebration of life. Its sheer size, around 55,000 square miles, makes
it the largest wetland in the world, challenged only by the Okavango Swamp
in Botswana. Located in the middle of the continent on the border of Bolivia,
the lowland plains are characterized by pronounced wet and dry seasons.
Habitats range from semi-deciduous and evergreen forests to palm woodlands
and true pantanal (seasonally flooded grasslands with scattered clumps
of cerrado scrub on elevated patches of land). An enormous number of lakes
and rivers dot and cross the region, constantly cleansing and renewing
the wetlands.
The cliffs and strange rock formations of the Chapada present a distinctly
different habitat from the others on this tour. Chapada National Park
sits at the division of the Amazonia and Parana River basins on the western
edge of the Cerrado grasslands of the Planalto Central. Clear water rivers
and rich gallery cut seemingly endless grasslands forests. Where the red
soils turn to sand, strange, twisted trees and scrub undergrowth create
another habitat. Nearly 90% of the species of the Cerrado are found in
the gallery forests, and here the species represent Amazonia as well as
the Planalto Central. Recent tours have seen Bare-ear Marmoset, Puma and
Giant River Otter, but the most memorable aspects may be the scenic canyons
with rich tropical forest and screaming macaws. Bird specialties here
include Stripe-tailed Yellow-Finch, White-rumped and White-banded Tanagers,
Coal-crested Finch, Helmeted and Band-tailed Manakins, Dot-eared Coquette,
Cinnamon-throated Hermit, Blue-winged and Red-shouldered and Red-and Green
Macaws, King Vulture and others.
CARAÇA
AND THE CARATINGA BIOLOGICAL STATION - Monkeys & More!
Brazil's Atlantic forests were thriving for 20 million years before the
Amazon River started flowing and the Andes rose from the plains. Isolated
from other wet forests by the Chaco to the west, Cerrado dry grasslands
to the north and Atlantic ocean to the east and south, the flora and fauna
of these forests have evolved to make the region a world leader in endemics.
Of the 21 primate species and subspecies found in the Atlantic forest,
18 are endemic. Close to 160 bird species are endemic to the Atlantic
forests and edge habitats. Around 1,000 of Brazil's 2,305 known orchid
species are found here, although a thorough inventory has yet to be completed.
In terms of endemics, the forests of southeastern Brazil are often likened
to Madagascar.
Caraça
Natural Park also hosts a number of rare, endemic and endangered bird
species. Specialties include Pale-throated Pampa-Finch, Hyacinth Visorbearer,
Gray-backed Tachuri, Gilt-edged, Brassy-breasted, Green-headed and Cinnamon
Tanagers, Long-trained and Scissor-tailed Nightjars, Ochre-rumped and
Dusky-tailed Antbirds, Large-tailed Antshrike, Brazilian Ruby, White-throated
Hummingbird, Swallow-tailed Cotinga and others.
THE AMAZON
- Rain Forests, Rivers and Wildlife of Alta Floresta
Most of the great Amazon Basin lies in Brazil. It contains by far the
world's largest continuous tropical forest, and holds the world's largest
river as well as at least six others of the top 20 worldwide. Most of
this region remains biologically unexplored. Almost anyone with the proper
background can discover an insect or plant species new to science. The
number of known bird, primate, bat and rodent species living here is astounding,
and we can only guess as to how many million insect species occur. Some
indigenous people can differentiate between plant species that botanists
can't tell apart until they get them in a laboratory.
EMAS
NATIONAL PARK - Anteaters, Rheas and Maned Wolves in a Sea of Grass
Cerrado is the biome that covers the sprawling Planalto Central, the central
plains of Brazil. It consists of several different habitat types. So unique
is Cerrado that several of the Portuguese words for the habitat types
have been adapted to English. Grasslands, or campo, cover much of the
region. Campo sujo has shorter grass and sparse woody vegetation. Woodlands
of short, twisted tree with waxy leaves and cork-like bark make up cerrado,
not to be confused with Cerrado, the biome name. Gallery forests are moist
forests that follow the watercourses. Some 90% of the plant and animal
species of the Cerrado are found in the gallery forests.
THE ARAGUAIA RIVER - Fresh Water Dolphins and More
The great Araguaia River traverses Brazil's central state of Goiás.
It is widely believed, but not yet proved, that this 1,630 mile-long (2,630km-long)
river supports more fish species than any other does. On its way to the
Amazon, at one point it splits and later rejoins, forming the Ilha do
Bananal. The Bananal is the world's largest river island; nearly 200 miles
(320km) from end to end. This incredible river is also a fantastic wildlife
and adventure destination. Due to an active sport fishing industry, boats
and accommodations are readily available.
ITATIAIA
NATIONAL PARK - Cloud Forests and the Brazilian Alpine
Itatiaia National Park is Brazil's oldest, established in 1937. Situated
on a forested slope, the park extends up to 9,104'. Rich Atlantic coastal
rain forest covers the lower area where the hotels are situated. Moving
up the mountains the vegetation changes and at around 5,500' a very different
flora provides habitat to an almost complete change of fauna. At around
7,000' the forest opens into granite walled meadows and yet another change
of fauna. The different altitudes and habitats within this park make it
one of the most popular places in South America for ecotourists and bird
watchers. Comfortable accommodations, world class wildlife and easy accessibility
make this an ideal destination for those interested in nature.
IGUASSU
FALLS - Rain Forests, Wildlife & Spectacular Waterfalls
Perhaps the largest remaining area of Atlantic forest is not on the coast
but inland at Iguaçu Falls. The national parks on the Brazilian and
Argentine side of the mighty Iguassu River and Falls total over 550,000
acres of sub-tropical rainforest. With the added year-round humidity created
by the crashing water at the falls, the forests are especially rich in
vegetation and the accompanying fauna.
THE BEST OF BRAZIL - Rain Forests, Wetlands, Cerrado
& Highlands
18 Days & 15 Nights
This is the combination of destinations we'd recommend before visiting
the others, unless you have a special interest. This tour concentrates
on several of the richest habitats in the country; in fact, some of the
richest on the continent. For 16 full days we'll search for a great variety
of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in Brazil's Atlantic rain forests,
the world's largest wetlands, the grasslands of central Brazil often likened
to Africa's savannas, and the unique mountainous habitats above the rain
forest. Our Best of Brazil tour combines our Pantanal & Chapada, Caraça
& Caratinga and Iguaçu Falls itineraries with an additional reserve
near Caraça. You can refer to the descriptions for the first three
tours, and below read about the previously undescribed national park.
Eduardo is a Pantaneiro, born and raised at the Jaguar Ecological Reserve. Our non-profit arm, the Focus Conservation Fund, trained Eduardo and he has successfully guided several tours over the last two years, and developed a loyal following. He speaks conversational English and is improving all the time. Eduardo knows the birds and mammals in the Pantanal. He has a great sense of humor and is delightful to travel with. He lives at the Jaguar Ecological Reserve with his wife Juscineide, daughter Eduarda and son Joao Paulo.
Fabricio is also a Pantaneiro. Also trained by our non-profit arm, the Focus Conservation Fund, supplied and continues to support and train him. Fabricio knows the majority of birds and mammals in the Pantanal. He has the same spotting telescope, tape recording equipment, bird and mammal books and spotlights that all our naturalist guides use. His youthful enthusiasm and professional manner has already made him a popular guide. Fabricio lives at the Jaguar Ecological Reserve when he is not guiding in Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais states.
Douglas is an American who lived in Brazil for 10 of the 24 years that he has been guiding birding and general nature tours in South America. He holds a degree in Ecology from the University of Kansas. His keen ear and impressive knowledge of both birds and mammals have earned him a reputation as one of the top naturalist guides working in this part of the world. His affection for the natural world, combined with his impressive knowledge of conservation issues, have led him to be active in a number of efforts to save the areas he knows and loves. Douglas is a leader in ecotourism, and a regular speaker at international tourism and environmental congresses. He wrote the "Tropical Forest" chapter of the 1991 Mother Earth Handbook and the "American Forest" chapter of the 1999 book The Piracy of America. His paper "Making Ecotourism an Ally in Biodiversity Protection" was published in the Yale Bulletin. Douglas is the founder of the Focus Conservation Fund, a tax-exempt non-profit organization, and CECD -- Community Ecotourism Consulting & Development Inc. He is a conservation consultant, working in several countries, and speaks fluent English, Portuguese and conversational Spanish. Doug travels much of the year, and has a residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Brazil.
TOUR DATES: The tours described herein can be operated any time of the
year. If we don't have a tour scheduled for the time you want to travel,
we'll happily schedule a tour. This tour can then be opened to others,
or, for a small supplement, kept private for your group or family. For
private groups with 10 participants or more, there is no private tour
supplement.
GROUP SIZE: Varies with the specific tour, however most tours we operate
have between 6 and 8 participants. Contact us for details.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Tour accommodations vary from simple to luxury hotels.
Nearly all accommodations have private bath with hot water showers. Each
detailed tour itinerary provides information about the specific accommodations
for that tour. Tours usually stay in the best accommodations available,
except in large cities where nice hotels are available without paying
five star prices.
TOUR DOCUMENTS: Brazil requires a visa for Americans and many other
nationalities. Please contact your nearest Brazilian consulate or us for
more information.