The Best of Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest

The Atlantic rainforests of south-eastern Brazil offer the visiting birder a wealth of species that include a large number of endemics. Less than 7% of the original forest cover now remains in the state of Rio de Janeiro but, thankfully, the majority of this is now protected. Half of the 103 bird species designated as ‘endangered’ in Brazil occur in the Atlantic forests and many other rare species are known only from this area. This rare habitat provides a wonderful base for this new tour, our time here being split between two very comfortable lodges, both situated in protected areas.

Eco-lodge Itororo, located in the Tres Picos State Park, is situated at an altitude of 1200 metres and offers the perfect location from which to observe a whole host of endemic birds. Over 150 species of bird have been recorded in the lodge’s grounds alone and the feeders here offer a quite remarkable opportunity to photograph a stunning mixture of colourful tanagers, parakeets and toucanets. Using the lodge as a base, we will access the higher altitude areas for the first four days of the tour, where we can expect to see a dazzling array of species, with highlights likely to include Spot-billed and Saffron Toucanets, Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Black and Gold Cotinga and the stunning Plovercrest.

The Guapi Assu Bird Lodge is beautifully situated on a small hill overlooking the restored wetland area of the Reserva Ecologica de Guapi Assu (REGUA). The wetlands, together with the surrounding lowland forests, provide the perfect contrast to the higher areas explored earlier in the tour and here we are likely to encounter an exciting variety of new species. Exploring the lowland areas of the Atlantic forest, together with the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, new birds are likely to include Rufous-sided Crake, Giant Snipe, Rufous-capped Motmot, Channel-billed Toucan, Tawny-browed Owl, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird and Shrike-like Cotinga.

Based in two very comfortable lodges, with a plethora of birds on their doorsteps, excellent photographic opportunities, and a flexible itinerary that allows you to opt in and out of the daily excursions, this tour is designed for those of you that enjoy birdwatching, but do not want to be tied in to a rigidly fixed programme.