Richest biodiversity in Paraguay: San Rafael Short Tour

3 days

Duration

4WD

Vehicle

Wild

San Rafael National Park is undoubtedly the best birding spot of Paraguay, with more than 430 bird species already known in the Reserve

It is home for most of the Atlantic Forest endemics of Paraguay, and one of the largest numbers of endangered species in the country. San Rafael tour could also be combined with a cultural tour to the Jesuit Ruins and be part of a visit to the magnificent Iguazu Falls.

This trip gives you the opportunity to get to know Atlantic Forest endemics such as Saffron Toucanet, Southern Bristle-Tyrant and Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher, as well as many grassland species such as Sharp-tailed Tyrant, Cock-tailed Tyrant and Saffron-cowled Blackbird.

Richest biodiversity in Paraguay: San Rafael Short Tour – 3D/2N

Tour price per person:

From USD 780 (minimum four participants)

Less than 4 people, the price per person is:

	Euros	US$
1 person	1.510	1.700
2 people	850	950
3 people	750	850

TOUR DURATION

3 days/2 nights

NUMBER OF BIRD SPECIES

150 to 200 (best time of the year: September to November

ACCOMMODATION

we lodge at the very heart of San Rafael, Kanguery Reserve. Accommodation is rustic, with rooms with private bathrooms and bunk beds. There is no electricity power, but there is a solar panel and generator.

ECOSYSTEMS

Kanguery is right in the heart of San Rafael, where there is mix of pampas grasslands, and forest. This gives the chances to see many of the Atlantic Forest, but also different grasslands birds.

INCLUDED

all accommodations on a sharing basis at hotels, lodges or other establishments of a reasonable standard (or best available in the area);
all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from day 1 (only dinner) to 3 (breakfast and lunch)
drinking water and one soft drink/beer per meal;
all ground transportation from first day to final day of tour;
all costs of local guides;
all excursions and activities mentioned in the itinerary unless specifically stated as optional in which case they will be charged for at cost with prior consent from participants;
all entrance fees for reserves, parks, museums that are part of the itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED

International airfare and any airport taxes;

travel and medical insurance;

visa, passport and vaccination costs

beverages over those stated as included.

optional excursions as defined by the itinerary or excursions not included in the itinerary;

Telephone calls, laundry, and other items of a personal nature.

Gratuities to Tour leader and local guides

Gratuities for hotel/restaurant staff, porters, drivers.

Richest biodiversity in Paraguay: San Rafael Short Tour – 3D/2N

Day 1: Departure

leaving early from Asunción, we will visit a birding spot in the way to San Rafael, to starting our tour with some interesting birds. In the afternoon, we will reach San Rafael, and would have time to get some of our main target species.

Day 2

All morning birding at the forest of Kanguery. Some specialties and endemics of the Atlantic Forest that we most probably see during this morning are White-browed Warbler, Rufous Gnateater, Maroon-belied Parraket, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Spot-billed Toucanet, and also some of the endangered species, such Helmeted Woodpecker, Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher, Southern Bristle Tyrant and Russet-winged Spadebill. During the afternoon, we will do some grassland sightings, usually finding SedgeWren, Wedge-tailed and Lesser Grass-Finch, but also hightlights such as Saffron-cowled Blackbird, Cock-tailed and Sharp-tailed Tyrants. At night we would search for some of the enygmatic

Owls, such as Rusty-barred Owl, Black-banded Owl, and Mottled Owl, as well as other night birds, including Rufous Nightjar, Ocellated Porwill and Short-tailed Nighthawk.

Day 3

Another morning to enjoy birds of the forest of Kanguery. We will continue looking for other endemics of the Atlantic Forest. Spot-backed Antshrike, White-spotted and Robust Woodpeckers, Saffron Toucanet, and other colourful birds such as Swallow-tailed Manakin, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Green-headed Tanager may be added to the list.