4 days/ 3 nights.

Birds and Fauna of Mbaracayu Reserve, Atlantic Forest and Cerrado of Paraguay.

PBNPY6_4 days/ 3 nights.

This 4-day tour covers the east of the eastern region of Paraguay and focuses on the fantastic birds and wildlife of the Atlantic Forest of Alto Parana, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, to be more precise the second in the world, with one of the highest endemism rates. This ecosystem has globally 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 nature reserves and very well preserved. On this tour, we will be including the main nature reserves that protect the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, such as: 1- The Mbaracayu Reserve. listed by WWF among the 100 sites on earth that are of highest conservation priority. The second largest block of Atlantic Forest left in the country, it also counts on a large area of ​​threatened Cerrado 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- Arroyos y Esteros, IBA site (Important Bird Area). 3- Río Verde Private Reserve.

We will have the opportunity to search and put many specialties on our list, like the White-winged Nightjar, of which only 4 spots are known in the world, 2 of them in Paraguay!, the Helmeted Woodpecker, Strange-tailed and Cock-tailed Tyrant, plus a number of interesting and rare doraditos and seedeaters, including the recently described new species, the Ibera Seedeater (in summer time). This trip also offers the possibility of observing a large number of mammals of the neotropic, with the 2 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: 4 days
  • Species in the trip: 450 Number of bird species expected: 120 – 170
  • Tour Pace & Walking: Some long drives, mostly relaxed with some night drives and walks.
  • Focus: Bird and Wildlife observation
  • Recommended season: All year, but  July to November* are the best time.
  • 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 Paraguay and regionals tours that are easy to connect.

Ecoregions visited in this tour

Go to our Photo Gallery
Cock-tailed_Tyrant_© Oscar Rodriguez
Cock-tailed_Tyrant_© Oscar Rodriguez
Bare-throated Bellbird_© Oscar Rodriguez
Bare-throated Bellbird_© Oscar Rodriguez
White-winged Nightjar_© Oscar Rodriguez
White-winged Nightjar_© Oscar Rodriguez
Helmet Woodpecker_© Oscar Rodriguez
Helmet Woodpecker_© Oscar Rodriguez
Buff-bellied Puffbird_© John Sterling
Buff-bellied Puffbird_© John Sterling
Long-tailed Tyrant_© John Sterling
Long-tailed Tyrant_© John Sterling

Top species of Birds

Black-fronted Piping Guan, Black-capped and Tropical Screech-Owl, Spectacled, 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 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, 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, Ocelot, 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 – ASUNCIÓN, ARROYOS Y ESTEROS BIRDING. ON TO CERRADO OF RIO VERDE. Early in the morning, we will bird the Arroyos y Esteros area (IBA), hoping for many waterbirds 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 will certainly try for our first specialties such as: Cook-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 will have other chances during this morning in this fantastic reserve. We will drive during the afternoon in order to maximize our time at the Mbaracayu Reserve. We will have lunch on the way to Mbaracayu Reserve. Overnight in Mbaracayu Reserve.

Day 3 – TO MBARA­CAYU RESERVE. Early in the morning, we will go in the center of the reserve, this place is known as Lagunita, 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 this place. It will be our second chance to look for the White-winged Nightjar. Overnight in Mbaracayu Reserve.

Day 4 – MBARACAYU RE­SERVE, ASUNCIÓN. 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, the Carapa Falls is a spectacular falls in the jungle, you will never forget this magical place. 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.