Bird watching in the Amazon

"Venezuela"

Between the Orinoco River and the Amazon Basin, Venezuela's southernmost territory of Amazonas comprises one of the largest remaining expanses of lowland rainforest in the world. Junglaven Lodge lies in the middle of this green expanse. The Lodge provides eight comfortable cabins with private bath in the midst of a diversity of habitats. This is definitely a birder's paradise! The bird life at Junglaven is extremely diverse. Over 400 species have been recorded, including six jacamars, six toucans, 12 woodpeckers and 30 ant birds. Other species include Zigzag and Agami Herons, Harpy Eagle, Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo, Amazonian Umbrellabird, the almost legendary Tawny-tufted Toucanet, the elusive White-bellied Dacnis, curassows and trumpeters. This is also a great place to find magnificent mammals including giant river otters, fishing bat, pink river dolphin and the gorgeous brown-bearded saki monkey. Using Junglaven as a base, we have the opportunity to explore this rich diversity of life by means of miles of walking trails in the jungle and boat on the many lagoons, streams, and the Ventuari River, a major tributary of the Orinoco.

The Itinerary

Day 1:
From Puerto Ayacucho Airport a private flight bring you to a landing strip in the Jungle. Upon arrival our guide meets you and drives you to the Campamento Junglaven. After lunch, we start our first excursion of the area surrounding the Camp, which provides great birding possibilities. Overnight at Junglaven lodge.(L D)

Days 2-4:
Our birding excursions reflect the diversity of the region's habitats. During the mornings we watch the treetops at the forest's edge looking for frugivores such as Ivory-billed, Many-banded and Green Aracaris, White-browed Purpletuft, Spangled Cotinga and over 10 species of parrots, including Orange-cheeked, Black-headed, Red-and-green, Scarlet and Chestnut-fronted Macaws. As the day gets hotter we move on to the cooler forest interior, searching out mixed-species flocks in the canopy and the under-story. In the under-story, we witness the swiftness of antshrikes, antwrens, woodpeckers, woodcreepers, foliage-gleaners and flycatchers. Other species include Yellow-throated and Golden-collared Woodpeckers, Ruddy Spinetail, Cinereous, Amazonian and White-shouldered Antshrikes, Stipple-throated, White-flanked and Gray Antwrens, Dwarf Tyrant-Manakin, Painted Tody-Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Flatbill and White-crested Spadebill. A great opportunity is the presence of ant-swarms. A variety of bird species, such as White-plumed, Rufous-throated and Scale-backed woodcreepers and antbirds take advantage of the approaching hoard, which stirs up insects. This is an incredible phenomenon. Additionally, we embark on canoe excursions to explore the intricate waterways of the region. At the river's edges we may encounter Long-billed Woodcreeper, Silvered and Black-chinned Ant-birds, Streaked Ant-wren, Amazonian Black-Tyrant, different species of Kingfishers, Lesser Razor-billed Curassows, Sunbittern, Paradise Jacamar, Drab Water-Tyrant or Pied Lapwings. Flying over our heads we witness Large-billed and Yellow-billed Terns, White-banded and Black-collared Swallows. On another occasion, we visit the seasonally flood forest terrain and the Laguna de Galapagos. This habitat is distinct and we should have the opportunity to observe Yellow-crowned Manakin, Spotted Puffbird, Black-throated Ant-bird, and Cinnamon-rumped Foliage-gleaner. If time permits, we may visit the savanna surrounding the airstrip for some interesting bird watching to spot Black Caracara, Green-tailed Goldenthroat, Swallow-wing, Ringed Woodpecker, Rufous-crowned and Plain-crested Elaenias and Red-shouldered Tanager in the scrub and forest edge of this area. All nights are spent at Junglaven Lodge. (B L D).

Day 5:
We go for an early morning birding trip before flying to Puerto Ayacucho(B).

Other Itineraries

This is the perfect continuation of our Andes & Llanos birding journey.

Tour Tariff
	Per person
USD	$ 803
EUR	€ 666
GBP	£ 449

(*) Price last updated on 23 November 2003. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
(**) Minimum 2 participants.

Included: meals as specified, lodging at Junglaven Lodge, charter return flight Puerto Ayacucho/lodge, bilingual naturalist guide from day 2 to 5, tours and activities mentioned in the itinerary.

Not included: Meals not specified, drinks, tips

Venezuela Selections