Great Chaco Cerrado and Pantanal Twelve-Day Birding Tour with Wildlife Paraguay

Twelve-day private birding and wildlife expedition through the Great Chaco, Cerrado and Pantanal regions of Paraguay.

  • Paraguay Show on map
  • 12 days
  • Group 1+ people
  • From: $2,500
  • Private tour
  • Pace: Private guided birding pace with early starts, slow field walks and route adjustments according to weather, water levels
  • Language: English
  • City: Asuncion
Tour image
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About this tour

This twelve-day route is Wildlife Paraguay’s broad Chaco, Cerrado and Pantanal expedition. Although it also has strong mammal and nature-photography value, the tour is built around birding and wildlife watching, with about 230 to 320 bird species possible and repeated birding days in key habitats.

The itinerary travels from the Humid Chaco through salty lagoons, Pantanal wetlands, Cerro Chovoreca, Defensores del Chaco, Teniente Enciso, Medanos del Chaco and Neuland reserves, targeting Chaco endemics, Pantanal birds, Cerrado birds, night birds and remote wilderness habitats.

Guides

Dr. Alberto Esquivel
Biologist, ornithologist and Wildlife Paraguay guide
English, Spanish
Itinerary
Day 1
Asuncion to Laguna Capitan via Humid Chaco
Laguna Capitan
Meals: L D

Bird the Humid Chaco near Benjamin Aceval for ibis, woodpeckers, seriema, woodcreepers and Strange-tailed Tyrant before continuing to Laguna Capitan.

Day 2
Dry Chaco salty lagoons
Laguna Capitan
Meals: B L

Search salty lagoons and dry forest for Chilean Flamingo, waders, ducks, egrets, Cream-backed Woodpecker, Quebracho Crested Tinamou, Chaco Earthcreeper and other Chaco targets.

Day 3
Toward the Pantanal
Tres Gigantes / Bahia Negra
Meals: B L

Cross flooded-road and wetland landscapes toward Bahia Negra and the Pantanal, birding en route where seasonal access allows.

Day 4
Tres Gigantes Pantanal birding
Tres Gigantes / Bahia Negra
Meals: B L

Walk trails and use boat access around Tres Gigantes for Mato Grosso Antbird, White-lored Spinetail, Buff-bellied Hermit, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, waterbirds and Pantanal wildlife.

Day 5
Bahia Negra to Cerro Chovoreca
Cerro Chovoreca
Meals: B L

Leave the Pantanal area for Cerro Chovoreca, birding remote transition habitats on the way.

Day 6
Cerrado birding at Cerro Chovoreca
Cerro Chovoreca
Meals: B L

Walk sub-humid Cerrado forest trails for Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Great Potoo, Amazonian Motmot, macaws, antbirds, spinetails and other Cerrado species.

Day 7
Cerro Chovoreca to Defensores del Chaco
Defensores del Chaco National Park
Meals: B L

Continue morning birding, then transfer to Defensores del Chaco National Park.

Day 8
Defensores del Chaco endemic birds
Defensores del Chaco National Park
Meals: B L

Bird Defensores del Chaco for Chaco endemics including crested-tinamous, Black-legged Seriema and Black-bodied Woodpecker, with night search for Chaco Owl.

Day 9
Teniente Enciso National Park
Teniente Enciso National Park
Meals: B L

Continue through the Dry Chaco around Teniente Enciso, using trails and roads according to conditions.

Day 10
Medanos del Chaco excursion
Teniente Enciso National Park
Meals: B L

Visit Medanos del Chaco National Park for Stripe-capped Sparrow and Spot-winged Falconet, then return to Teniente Enciso.

Day 11
Neuland reserve birding
Teniente Enciso National Park
Meals: B L

Bird Teniente Enciso and Neuland reserve trails for remaining Chaco targets.

Day 12
Return to Asuncion
Asuncion
Meals: B L

Return to Asuncion with birding stops as time and conditions allow.

Locations & map

  • Asuncion - Departure hub Paraguay (Hotel pickup and return point.)
  • Laguna Capitan - Dry Chaco Paraguay (Salty lagoons and Chaco birding.)
  • Tres Gigantes / Bahia Negra - Pantanal Paraguay (Pantanal birding and boat route area.)
  • Cerro Chovoreca - Cerrado Paraguay (Remote Cerrado birding area.)
  • Defensores del Chaco National Park - Chaco Paraguay (Large protected Chaco landscape with endemic birds.)
  • Teniente Enciso National Park - Chaco Paraguay (Dry Chaco birding and wildlife area.)

Availability & pricing

Availability: Available on request · Season: Paraguay birding is possible year-round; Wildlife Paraguay recommends May to October for Chaco/Pantanal routes, while so

Included

  • Professional birding guide - Guided by Wildlife Paraguay or arranged local guide.
  • Accommodation - Ground transportation, local guides, excursions and reserve or park entrance fees.
  • Meals and drinking water - Meals and accommodation as specified in the final itinerary; final meal plan confirmed after enquiry.
  • Local transport, excursions and site fees - Included where stated for the selected itinerary.

Not included

  • International airfare, airport taxes, visas and vaccinations - Not included.
  • Travel and medical insurance - Guests should arrange their own cover.
  • Optional excursions, personal expenses and gratuities - Not included unless confirmed in writing.

Transport & stays

  • 4WD and boat Long private route with 4WD transfers and selected boat travel; exact access and vehicle plan confirmed after enquiry. | Meet: Asuncion hotel or agreed starting point | Pickup: Confirm exact pickup after BirdWatch enquiry.

Policies & FAQ

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation terms are arranged with Wildlife Paraguay after enquiry.

Payment Terms

Current price, currency and payment terms are arranged after enquiry.

Insurance & Safety

Guests should arrange suitable travel, medical and outdoor activity insurance for Paraguay.
Routes may include heat, insects, unpaved roads, boat travel, remote reserves, night birding and seasonal wetland access. Wildlife Paraguay should confirm current access and safety conditions before booking.
Are prices and departures fixed?

Prices are based on Wildlife Paraguay’s published tour information reviewed for BirdWatch and must be reconfirmed by Wildlife Paraguay after enquiry.

Can routes be adjusted for target birds?

Yes. These are private guided birding routes and the final plan can be adjusted around season, access, target birds and group priorities.

Are the photos final?

The current pages use relevant public Wildlife Paraguay tour photographs. The partner can approve, reorder or replace images during review.

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