Brazil

Day 1: DEPART UK FOR SALVADOR
We will depart on an overnight flight to Sao Paulo with an onward connection to Salvador.

Day 2: ARRIVE SALVADOR AND TRANSFER TO PRAIA DO FORTE
Subject to flight times, we hope to arrive in Salvador by late morning and will then transfer north for approximately one hour (60 km) to Praia do Forte. After checking in at our comfortable hotel and having lunch, we will make our first visit to the nearby Arua Reserve where we plan to walk along quiet forest roads in search of highly sought-after mammals which could include Northern Maned Sloth, Bristle-spined Porcupine and Bahian Hairy Dwarf Porcupine.

Other mammals we could find here include Common Marmoset and White-eared Opossum, however, the birdlife is also exceptional, with a number of threatened Atlantic Forest endemics to look for such as Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Fringe-backed Fire-eye, Bahia Antwren and White-winged Cotinga. Other more widespread possibilities include Channel-billed Toucan, Red-headed Manakin, White-bearded Manakin, Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin and Moustached Wren.  Night Praia do Forte

Day 3: PRAIA DO FORTE
We have the full day to continue our exploration of the Arua Reserve which protects 2,365 acres of forest and has one of the highest densities of Northern Maned Sloths anywhere in the world.

This endemic species which only occurs in the states of Bahia and Sergipe is increasing coming pressure from urban development. However, the team at this reserve are involved in a project to install canopy bridges between forest fragments to allow sloths and other arboreal animals to move safely between remaining areas of habitat.  Second night Praia do Forte

Day 4: TRANSFER FROM SALVADOR TO ILHÉUS
We will have a further opportunity during the early morning to look for any species we may not have seen before heading south to Ilhéus. Depending on flight times, we will either drive (just under 500kms) or fly.

After checking in to our comfortable beachside hotel which is located about 15 miles to the south of Ilhéus, there may be time to begin looking for wildlife. Night Ilhéus

Days 5-6: UNA REGION
We have two full days scheduled to explore the Una Biological Reserve and other areas and after an early breakfast, plan to drive for approximately 40 minutes to the best areas of forest.

Both days will be devoted to searching for the stunning Golden-headed Lion Tamarin, a species which is classified as endangered by the IUCN with a world population which may be as low as 2,500 mature individuals.

With the assistance of a local guide, we have a great chance of finding this charismatic miniature primate, however, there are several other threatened species to look for in this region including Buff-headed Capuchin which is critically endangered.

We hope to find both Wied’s Marmoset and Black-handed Titi which whilst more numerous than the two aforementioned species, nevertheless, are both still regarded as vulnerable to extinction.

The reserve is also outstanding for birds with a host of Atlantic Forest endemics with Golden-capped Parakeet, White-bellied Tanager and Bare-throated Bellbird amongst the specialities we hope to see. Two further nights Ilhéus

Day 7: ILHÉUS TO VITÓRIA
This will largely be a travel day with a flight from Ilhéus to Vitória, however, depending on flight schedules, there may either be the opportunity for some final wildlife watching near Ilhéus before we head to the airport or around Vitória on arrival there. Night Vitória

Day 8: VALE NATURAL RESERVE
We plan to make an early departure from our hotel for the Vale Natural Reserve which is approximately three hours north of Vitória. Owned by the Brazilian multinational Vale, this vast 23,000-hectare reserve protects a magnificent area of Atlantic rainforest, including the remarkable Tabuleiro Coastal Tableland Forest where trees reach heights of over 40 metres.

When taken together with the adjacent Sooretama Biological Reserve, the Vale Natural Reserve protects one of the largest remnants of southeastern Atlantic coastal lowland rainforest and from a wildlife perspective, these forests share many species with the Amazon. This makes it a truly exceptional site for both mammals and birds and our primate targets include Crested Capuchin, Atlantic (Masked) Titi, Geoffroy’s Tufted-ear Marmoset and Brown Howler Monkey.

We may well also find more widespread mammals such as Red-rumped Agouti and with over 400 species of birds having been recorded at the reserve, we can expect to see a good range of species during our visit.  Amongst those we could see is Red-billed Curassow, as the reserve protects the largest remaining population of this species, however, like all cracids, this bird requires a degree of luck to find.

Other Atlantic rainforest endemics we could see include Ochre-marked Parakeet, Black-cheeked Gnateater, Robust Woodpecker and Black-headed Berryeater with many other species also possible.

After a full day in the reserve, we will drive to Linhares in the early evening where we will spend the night. Night Linhares

Day 9: VALE NATURAL RESERVE
We plan to have a second day to continue exploring this outstanding reserve, with further opportunities to look for any mammals we may not have encountered the previous day.

We can also expect to encounter more birds with further Atlantic rainforest endemics such as Red-browed Amazon, Maroon-faced Parakeet, Minute Hermit and the critically endangered Banded Cotinga all possible.

After a full day at the reserve, we will return to Linhares. Second night Linhales

Day 10: SANTA TERESA
We plan to leave our hotel in the early morning for the 2.5 hour drive to the charming mountain community of Santa Teresa.

Founded by Italian immigrants, the town is situated in the mountains of Espírito Santo and provides access to the Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve, where our goal will be to find the Southern Maned Sloth.  Like so many of the species we will look for on this tour, this species is classified as endangered by the IUCN.

Our lodge is one of the best places in the region to observe and photograph hummingbirds with Frilled Coquette, White-throated Hummingbird, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, White-vented Violetear, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Planalto Hermit and Rufous-breasted Hermit all possible.  Other birds in the area include Spot-billed Toucanet, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Variegated Antpitta, Least Pygmy-Owl and Chestnut-crowned Becard.

In the afternoon, we will drive to a nearby site to look for the critically endangered Buffy-headed Marmoset. Night Santa Teresa

Day 11: SANTA TERESA TO VITÓRIA TO RIO DE JANEIRO
We have a final morning around Santa Teresa to search for any remaining species we may not have seen, with one option being to visit a different location where Black-pencilled Marmoset can usually be found.

After lunch, we will drive to Vitória Airport for a flight to Rio de Janeiro, arriving in the evening. Night Rio de Janeiro

Day 12: SILVA JARDIM. RIO DE JANEIRO.  FLY HOME
Making an early start from our hotel, we will drive for approximately two hours to Silva Jardim which is the stronghold of one of Brazil’s most iconic primates, the endangered Golden Lion Tamarin.  This species is endemic to the lowland Atlantic coastal rainforest of Rio de Janeiro State and has been the subject of one of the world’s most celebrated and successful conservation programmes.

We will spend the morning searching for the tamarins alongside the research team of the Golden Lion Tamarin Association which will give us a fascinating insight into the conservation work being carried out to protect both the species and its remaining habitat.

After the visit and lunch, we will return to our hotel in Rio de Janeiro to pack, change and then head to the airport for an overnight flight back to the UK.

Day 13: ARRIVE UK
Arrival in the UK where our mammals and birds tour to the Brazilian Atlantic rainforests concludes.

WHAT TO EXPECT
A 13-day mammal-focused wildlife tour to the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest with the emphasis on many of the rarer species of this highly threatened biome.

We will also look for some of the iconic birds which occur in this region but participants should understand that we will not be chasing a big list of “little brown jobs”.

Like most of our tours to tropical regions, there will be early starts and late finishes.  Except on travel days, all trips are optional but you are obviously encouraged to join them all.

It is important to appreciate that Brazil is a huge country and driving from Salvador in the north to Rio de Janeiro would take a considerable time.  As a result, we plan to take several internal flights to reduce the amount of time spent travelling overland.

WEATHER
Throughout the course of this holiday, we will be in the tropics travelling from Salvador at 12°S to Rio de Janeiro at 23°S.  Temperatures are likely to be warm to hot throughout with likely highs of 30°C although it will be cooler when we are in the mountains around Santa Teresa where we will be at altitudes of around 700 metres.

Although we are not visiting during the wet season, we still may encounter an occasional and sometimes heavy downpour.

BIRDS
XXX species

MAMMALS
YYY  species

TRANSPORT
All road transport is in comfortable minivans or other suitable vehicles depending on the group size.

Luggage space is limited so soft bags rather than large hard suitcases are preferable.

It is important to appreciate that there are a number of days when we will be driving for several hours, however, we plan to break these up with stops to look for wildlife where possible.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS
As noted above, there are four internal flights in our itinerary namely Rio de Janeiro to Salvador, Salvador to Ilhéus, Ilhéus to Vitória and Vitória to Rio de Janeiro.

The land only price includes the latter three flights (ie Salvador to Ilhéus, Ilhéus to Vitória and Vitória to Rio de Janeiro) as the flight from Rio de Janeiro to Salvador can be included on an international flight ticket.

We have made an allowance of GB£750 for the three included internal flights, however, given the current uncertainty over flight prices should these cost more than this amount, unfortunately, we will have to pass on the additional cost as a flight supplement.

ACCOMMODATION
Throughout our stay we plan to use a number of 3-star hotels which have comfortable rooms with private facilities.

MEALS
Meals will be planned around our daily activities and will not necessarily be at fixed times.  If our activities are in the vicinity of the hotel, we may return for breakfast after an early morning excursion but when travelling further afield, we may take food with us.

Lunches will either be taken at the hotels, at restaurants when travelling between locations, or on some days when we are out of the field all day, we will have packed lunches.

Evening meals will be taken at our hotel or a local restaurant.

For most of meals, the price includes a set menu (with options) but participants will have the option to pay locally for more expensive choices, eg top cuts of meat, lobster etc.

WALKING
Most walks will be of a moderate distance along roads and good tracks, however, there may be occasions when we have to go off the trails to look for some species.  You should expect to be walking (albeit slowly) for several hours at a time in hot and potentially humid conditions.

Although we will visit the mountain around Santa Teresa, the altitude will still not be significant with most of the tour in regions closer to sea level.

PHOTOGRAPHY
There should be some excellent photographic opportunities and we would expect to get close views of a number of species.