NORTHEAST BRAZIL
This endemic rich trip promises some top birds (that just so happen to be country endemics!) such as Grey-breasted Parakeet, Great Xenops, Araripe Manakin and Lear’s Macaw. We start on the coast in the Ceará state, and end off in the Atlantic forests in northern Bahia state, crossing some unique and interesting habitats, full of endemics.
Itinerary:
Day 1 – We take a flight from Sáo Paulo to Fortaleza and meet for lunch before transferring to Guaramiranga. In a small mountain range, this city is surrounded by some of the northernmost Atlantic rainforests in Brazil. On our first afternoon there we will visit the headquarters of the Grey-breasted Parakeet Conservation project. The bird is critically endangered and endemic to Ceará state, this forest hosts the last remaining population of this beautiful parakeet. Other target species include Ceará Gnateater, Ceará Leaftosser, Spot-backed Puffbird and the isolated population of the scarlatinasubspecies of the Band-tailed Manakin , amongst many other restricted range species. Overnight Hotel Alto da Serra, Guaramiranga.
Day 2 – AM birding in Guaramiranga. We will be searching for rarities such as Buff- beasted Tody-tyrant, Gray-headed Spinetail, Ceará Woodcreeper and Ochraceous Piculet in the forests of Guaramiranga. After lunch we drive towards Quixada. Our nice hotel in a rocky plateau is one of the best places on earth to see the Pygmy Nightjar during the day. White-browed Guan is also a target here, amongst other caatinga specialities. Night at Hotel Pedra dos Ventos.
Day 3 – After breakfast we drive south towards Barbalha. We will make our first visit to the forests that are home to the amazing Araripe Manakin. We then drive to Potengi to a birding lodge in the middle of the Caatinga. Night at Sitio do Pau Preto.
Day 4 – Full day exploring the dry forests of Potengi. The targets are numerous, including Silver-cheeked Antshrike, Red-shouldered Spinetail, White-browed Antpitta, Stripe-backed Antbird, Great Xenops, Broad-tipped Hermit, Bahia Wagtail- tyrant, Black-bellied Antwren and Spotted Piculet.
Day 5 – After some final birding in Potengi, we drive into Bahia State to the city of Canudos. Night at Pousada Por do Sol.
Day 6 – Today we have a early visit to the Lear’s Macaw conservation area. Almost extinct in the 1990’s, when only 50 macaws were left, the macaw population is growing slowly, and nowadays scientists estimate the population to be over 2,000 individuals. We will visit a nest and roost area to watch them waking up. It’s a pretty spectacular scene to watch, while dozens of macaws come out of the cliffs flying around before moving to the feeding grounds. We will be back to the hotel around 9 Am for breakfast and drive to Lençóis. Night at Pousada Casa da Geleia.
Day 7 – Lençóis is the main city surrounding the Chapada Diamantina National Park, that protects a spectacular environment in the transition area between the Atlantic rainforest, the caatinga and the cerrado. The bird list is pretty amazing as we can visit the 3 different habitats in a single day. The 2 main targets here very range restricted Hooded Visorbearer and the Sincora Antwren. Night at Pousada Casa da Geleia.
Day 8 – We have a second day birding our way into the national park, visiting different environments to the city of Mucuge. Target species today include Narrow- billed Antwren, Sao Francisco Sparrow, and Diamantina Tapaculo. Night at Pousada Mucuge.
Day 9 – After some final morning birding at Chapada we drive to Boa Nova. The city lies in the transition area of the Atlantic rainforest to the caatinga, and it is the only site where we can see the critically endangered Slender Antbird, among other endemics to both habitats. Night at Hotel do Sande, Boa Nova.
Day 10 – Early morning birding in Boa Nova, looking for specialities like Bahia Spinetail, Bahia Tyranulet, among others. We then drive towards the coast to Itacaré. The area is good for many lowland specialities like Kinglet Manakin, Blue-backed Manakin, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Scaled Antbird, White-bellied Tanager, Band- tailed Antwren and White-winged Cotinga. Night Pousada vila dos Pássaros.
Day 11 – Morning birding around Itacaré with visit to Conduru State Park. The place is home to 5 kinds of manakins, and our visit includes a visit to a lek-site for the Margaretta Hermit. Afternoon drive to Reserva Serra Bonita, Camacan. When travelling in a van, we need to be picked up by some 4×4 wheels drive vehicles to get there. Serra Bonita is one of the last remaining sub-montane forests in Bahia State.
Day 12 – Full day at Serra Bonita . The birding is amazing and include chances for Banded Cotinga, unique Pink-legged Graveteiro, Plumbeous Antvireo, Ochre- marked Parakeet, Salvadori’s Antwren and several other exciting rarities.
Day 13 – After some more birding at Serra a Bonita, we drive south to Porto Seguro. Night at Quinta do Sol.
Day 14 – Full day exploring the forests at Estação Veracel, outside Porto Seguro, and its well preserved lowland forests. Targets include Banded and White-winged Cotinga, Bahia Antwren, Silvery-breasted Tanager, Red-browed Parrot, Bahia Piculet, Hook-billed Hermit, Ochre-marked Parakeet among others.
Day 15 – Final birding in Porto Seguro before taking our flights back to São Paulo.
Tour cost available on request.
Tour cost is inclusive of:
- Travel in an airconditioned vehicle
- Meals and accommodation during the tour
- Drinking water
- Entrance fees
Excluded are:
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry etc
- Drinks
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic (2) flights
- Accommodation in Guaralhos before and after the trip.
- Visa costs
- Gratuities