Ecological reserve Cunhataí Porã

Only 4 hours drive away from Cuiabá, you will have the privilege of discovering the Amazonia fauna in a transition zone between the Brazilian savannah called "Cerrado" and the beginning of the Amazon forest.

The private nature reserve has 400 species of birds cataloged and five species of primates including the Mittermeier's Saki (Pithecia mittermeieri) and the Black-headed Spider Monkey (Ateles chamek). This place aims at photographers, ornithologists and families looking for peace and quiet in complete immersion in nature.

You can also do this trip as an extension to your visit of the Pantanal (the best place in the world to observe jaguars), with the advantage of avoiding an airplane transfer to discover the Amazonia fauna in another part of Brazil.

Day 1: Cuiabá – San José do Rio Claro

- Departure from your hotel in Cuiabá at 7:30 am (hotel not included);
- Expected arrival time in San José do Rio Claro for lunch around noon;
- After lunch you will have some time to rest and then we will go into the forest to try to observe the Gould's Toucanet (Selenidera gouldii), the Blue-cheeked Jacamar (Galbula cyanicolis), or even the strange Ornate Coracine (Cephalopterus ornatus) for birds. We will even have a good chance of coming across a band of Black-headed Spider Monkeys (Ateles chamek).

Day 2: San José do Rio Claro

- Early breakfast, then we'll take a boat ride on the Rio Claro River;
- On the river, we will probably have the chance to observe different species of Kingfishers, the Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi), the White-belted Swallows (Atticora fasciata) and even the rare and endemic to Brazil: Berlioz's Tanager (Conothraupis mesoleuca). It is also possible to meet a tapir (Tapirus terrestris) crossing the river or to meet a group of Spider Monkeys moving along the edge of the forest;
- Lunch break at the lodge;
- After lunch we will go hiking in another part of the forest. In this reserve there are 6 trails we can use to try to spot as many species as possible! This time we will go after the Mittermeier's Saki (Pithecia mittermeieri), a species of primate very rarely seen. It is a quite special monkey with its large furry head. This primate is endemic to Brazil and its presence in Mato Grosso was only discovered in 2015! In addition to the Saki, it will also be possible to observe species of woodpeckers and woodcreepers and have a new chance to observe the Gould's Toucanet (Selenidera gouldii).
- Dinner break
- A night outing to try to see some species of nocturnal raptors (owls and owls) such as the Huhul Owl (Strix huhula), the Barn Owl (Tyto furcata) or the Black-crested Screech-Owl (Megascops atricapilla).

Day 3: San José do Rio Claro

- Early breakfast;
- This time we will go to the edge of the forest because our main goal is to observe the superb Tanager (Tangara chilensis), and the magnificent Cotinga pompadour (Xipholena punicea) with its quickly identifiable plum color, the Cotinga of Cayenne (Cotinga cayana);
- We will then enter the forest again, on a new path, it will be possible to observe new species of birds but also have a new chance to see monkeys like the capuchins (Sapajus apella), or the marmosets (Mico melanurus);
- Return to the pousada for lunch;
- In the afternoon we will go on a boat at the Lake Itacaraí where we may have a chance to observe the giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), the tapirs that are used to coming to this lake in order to cool off at the end of the day. At first glance, the lake may not seem very appealing, but the extension of water is enormous and the landscape is truly captivating. Here we will have the opportunity to see new species of birds.
- Return to the pousada at the end of the afternoon for dinner.

Day 4: San José do Rio Claro

- Breakfast,
- We will head to the observation tower of 30 meters high. Very stable, made of galvanized steel, photographers can even take their tripods up there;
- From the heights of the tower you will be able to see the immensity of the reserve. It is also a good solution to observe birds that like to stay on top of the trees.
- Return to the pousada for lunch;
- After packing our bags, we will leave Cunhataí Porã to reach your hotel in Cuiabá (overnight is included)

Quick notes:

- We can add or reduce the number of days to stay in the reserve. The more time we spend on site, the more chances we have of spotting and photograph the species that most matters to us!
- This trip can be done as an extension to your Pantanal tour.