12 days/ 11 nights.

Amazing Birds and Fauna of Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Mesopotamian Grassland of Paraguay.

PBNPY3_12 days/ 11 nights

This 12-day tour covers the eastern region of Paraguay and focuses on the fantastic birds and wildlife of the Atlantic Forest of Alto Paraná, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, and to be more precise, the second in the world with one of the highest endemism rates. This ecosystem has more than 223 species of endemic birds, about 80 of them are in Paraguay (36%) and this tour takes you to try to know many of them in pristine and very well preserved nature reserves. On this tour, we will be including the main nature reserves that protect the Atlantic Forest, Cerrados and Mesopotamian grasslands, such as: 1- The Mbaracayu Reserve listed by WWF among the 100 sites on earth that are of highest conservation priority. The Mbaracayú Biosphere Reserve is one of Paraguay's most famous protected areas. As the second largest block of Atlantic Forest left in the country, it also counts on a large area of ​​threatened closed habitat. Over 410 bird species have been recorded at this globally-important reserve, among them almost all the Atlantic Forest endemic species found in Paraguay and a series of globally-threatened species that are difficult or impossible to see elsewhere. 2- San Rafael National Park is the largest remaining block of Atlantic Forest in Paraguay and counts on a large area of ​​Mesopotamian Flooded Grasslands. With some 412 species of birds recorded from the reserve, it is undoubtedly the most biodiverse hotspot in Paraguay. 3- Ybycui National Park, 4- Arroyos y Esteros, IBA site (Important Bird Area), 5- Limoy Reserve, 6-Yacyreta Reserve, 7- Monday Falls, 8- Rio Verde Reserve.

We will have the opportunity to search and put many specialties on our list like the White-winged Nightjar, of which only three spots are known in the world, two of them in Paraguay!; the Helmeted Woodpecker, Strange-tailed and Cock-tailed Tyrants, plus a number of interesting and rare doraditos and seedeaters, including the recently described new species, the Ibera Seedeater. This trip also offers the possibility of observing a large number of mammals of the neotropic, with the two spectacular species of anteaters (Giant and Tamandua), one of the three South American peccaries, the Lowland Tapir, the Maned Wolf and several species of deer, armadillos, monkeys and rodents.

Tour details

  • Length: 12 days
  • Species of birds on the trip: 550 Number of birds expected: 280 – 330
  • Tour Pace & Walking: Some long drives, mostly relaxed with some night drives and walks.
  • Focus: Bird and wildlife observation
  • Recommended season: From July to November*.
  • Suggested extensions: Depending on the number of additional days you have and the species of your interest, we suggest that you observe our list of Paraguayan and Regional Tours that are easy to connect.

Ecoregions visited in this tour

Go to our Photo Gallery
Scarlet-headed Blackbird and Yellow-rumped Marshbird_© Antotang
Scarlet-headed Blackbird and Yellow-rumped Marshbird_© Antotang
Yellow-fronted Woodpecker_© Antotang
Yellow-fronted Woodpecker_© Antotang
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia_© Antotang
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia_© Antotang
Fork-tailed Woodnymph_© Antotang
Fork-tailed Woodnymph_© Antotang
Saffron-cowled Blackbird_© John Sterling
Saffron-cowled Blackbird_© John Sterling
Rusty-breasted Nunlet_© John Sterling
Rusty-breasted Nunlet_© John Sterling

Top species of Birds

Black-fronted Piping Guan, Black-capped Screech-Owl, Spectacled, Black-capped, Mottled,Rusty-barred, Black-banded Owl, Little, White-winged, Scissor-tailed, Rufous & Silky-tailed Nightjar, Ocellated Poorwill, Great Dusky Swift,Buff-bellied Hermit, Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Saffron & Spot-billed Toucanet, Green-billed & Toco Toucan, White-fronted,Blond-crested, Helmeted, Robust, Yellow-fronted & Lineated Woodpecker,Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Pileated & Scaly-headed Parrot, Turquoise-fronted & Vinaceous-breasted Parrot, Spot-backed, Tufted, Large-tailed, Great & Rufous-winged Antshrike, Stripe-backed Antbird, Rusty-backed Antwren,White-shouldered Fire-eye, Short-tailed Antthrush, Collared Crescentchest,  Bearded Tachuri, Dinelli’s & Crested Doradito, Sharp-tailed Grass Tyrant, Russet-winged Spadebill, White-rumped Monjita, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Streamer-tailed, Long-tailed, Cock-tailed & Strange-tailed Tyrant, Sibilant Sirystes, Bare-throated Bellbird,Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, White-bearded, Swallow-tailed (Blue) and Band-tailed Manakin, Sharpbill, Curl-crested & Plush-crested Jay, Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher, Ochre-breasted Pipit, Violaceous and Chestnut-bellied Euphonia,Blue-naped Chlorophonia, White-rimmed Warbler, Red-rumped Cacique,Saffron-cowled Blackbird, Yellow-billed Cardinal, White-rumped, Black-goggled,White-lined, White-banded, Green-headed & Burnished-buff Tanager, Black-masked Finch, Red-crested Finch, Long-tailed Reed Finch, Wedge-tailed & Lesser Grass-Finch, Pampa Finch, Buffy-fronted, Temminck’s, Plumbeous, Rusty-collared,White-bellied, Copper, Tawny-bellied, Rufous-rumped, Dark-throated, Marsh,Chestnut and the recently discovered Ibera Seedeater (Some of the species of Seedeater are intertropical migrants and are present during their passage through Paraguay between September to March), Black-throated Saltator.

Top species of Mammals

Puma, Jaguar, Ocellot, Little Spotted Cat, Jaguarundi, Giant Anteater, Southern Tamandua, Crab-eating, Maned Wolf, Lowland Tapir, Grey Brocket,Brown Capuchin Monkey, Capybara,Azara’s Agouti, Nine and Six banded Armadillo.

Bird list of Top Hotspots

Tour Map

Program Summary

Day 1 – ASUNCION, ARROYOS Y ESTEROS BIRDING ON TO CERRADO OF RIO VERDE. Early in the morning, we will go birding in the Arroyos y Esteros area (IBA), hoping for many water birds but also some rare and unusual flycatchers. The target bird is the Strange-tailed Tyrant. We will continue to Reserva Natural Rio Verde after lunch, and we certainly will try for our first specialties such as: Cock-tailed Tyrant, White-rumped Tanager, White-banded Tanager, Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Giant Snipe and White-winged Nightjar among others. Overnight in Santa Rosa del Aguaray.

Day 2 – RESERVA NATURAL RIO VERDE, MBARACAYU RESERVE. We have other chances during this morning in this fantastic reserve. We will drive during the afternoon in order to maximize our time at the Mbaracayú Reserve. We will have lunch on the way to Mbaracayu Reserve. Overnight in Mbaracayu Reserve.

Day 3 – TO MBARA­CAYÚ RESERVE. Early in the morning, we will go to the center of the reserve. This place is known as Lagunita and then we will take the trail called Moroti stream. We will take a picnic lunch and then we will go to the Cerrado area called Aguara Ñu. We will be all afternoon and part of the night looking for the specialties of the place. This will be our second chance to look for the White-winged Nightjar. Overnight in Mbaracayu Reserve.

Day 4 –MBARACAYÚ RE­SERVE. Early in the morning, we will take the trails near the lodge which usually hold great surprises. Then we will go to the northeast of the reserve to the Carapa Falls. This is a spectacular falls in the jungle and you will never forget this magical place! Overnight in Mbaracayú Reserve.

Day 5 –MBARACAYÚ RE­SERVE, ITABO OR LIMOY RESERVE . After breakfast, we will head towards the Limoy Reserve where we hope to find the spectacular and endangered Vinaceous-breasted Parrot and other surprises that this reserve holds for us. Overnight in Ciudad del Este. (At this point of the trip you could take an extension to visit the Selva Misionera ecosystem, name with which it is known as the Atlantic Forest of Alto Parana in Argentina, and the Iguazu Falls on the Argentine side, please see details if it is of interest to our emails).

Day 6 – ITABO OR LIMOY RESERVE, SALTOS DEL MONDAY, ESTANCIA NUEVA GAMBACH, PARQUE NACIONAL SAN RAFAEL.  In the early morning, we will visit the spectacular waterfalls at Monday that can offer us very interesting species such as the Great Dusky Swift and the Collared Swift, among other interesting species. Then we will continue on our way to San Rafael and have lunch on the road. If at all possible, we will look for birds once we arrive in the afternoon. Overnight in San Rafael.

Day 7 –ESTANCIA NUEVA GAMBACH, PARQUE NACIONAL SAN RAFAEL. Birding in the forests and grasslands of San Rafael. Overnight in Estancia Nueva Gambach.

Day 8 –ESTANCIA NUEVA GAMBACH TO FULLDAY AT KANGUARY BIOLOGICAL STATION GRASSLANDS. We will concentrate on grassland birding today, hoping for Cook-tailed Tyrant and Saffron-cowled Blackbirds as well as after dark Giant Snipe and some very interesting Owls. Overnight in Estancia Nueva Gambach.

Day 9 –ESTANCIA NUEVA GAMBACH We will spend a day on other trails of the reserve. Overnight in Estancia Nueva Gambach.

Day 10 –ESTANCIA NUEVA GAMBACH TO YACYRETA ISLAND. After some morning birding, depending on what species we have yet to see, we will depart for Ayolas. Overnight in Ayolas.

Day 11 –YACYRETA ISLAND  TO YBYCUI NATIONAL PARK. Early in the morning, we will take the Aguti Trail on the island and then we will start to go to the Ybycui National Park. Overnight in Ybycui.

Day 12 –YBYCUI NATIONAL PARK TO ASUNCION. We will spend the morning in this very interesting National Park. Return to Asuncion and the end of this unforgettable Tour.

(Note: Please book flights to arrive in Asunción one day before the start of the tour).

More information of the tour, contact us!

If you are interested in the tour and want more details, write to our e-mail and we will gladly help you build your ideal tour. Do not forget that all our tours are ready to be adapted to your needs (Examples: more or less tour days, special species that you want to observe, emphasis on the group of animals or plants of your preference, add cultural and / or anthropological content, type of lodgings, level of meals, etc.).

Important Notes

This Tour includes*:

  • All meals from lunch on second day to breakfast on the penultimate day of the program (depending on the tour that you choose);
  • Bottled drinking water;
  • All lodgings, from the second night of second day  until the penultimate  night of the tour mentioned in the program;
  • Ground transportation;
  • Reserve entrance fees; and
  • All guiding services (not including tips for local guides and services).

The tour fee does not include:

  • Visa fees;
  • ANY flights (see above);
  • Passenger insurance (we recommend taking passenger insurance for trips to Paraguay and the region);
  • Any alcoholic drinks;
  • Special gratuities; and
  • Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature and other items not mentioned as expressly included.
*: Likewise all services included and not included will be clearly stipulated in our travel agreement according to the characteristics of the tour and your needs.

To see more details of terms and conditions of our tours click here.