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"In this area there are more than 620 species of birds (20% of the entire birds in South America, including 9 species of macaw, possibly the highest number of species in any one protected area). The most recent studies say that these numbers will increase once they count the passing birds."
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We are members of Asociación Armonia, partner of Birdlife International in Bolivia, a global association that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.
BIRDING TOUR - REFERENCE PROGRAM
FIVE DAYS BIRD-WATCHING PROGRAM
A short but intensive "birder's delight" tour that makes the most of the varied and incredibly species-rich forest and savannah areas round the park's five-star Flor de Oro lodge on the Itenez River.
DAY 1
Morning: Santa Cruz - Flor de Oro by airplane.
The flight will take up to 2 hours. Flor de Oro is located right on the banks of the Iténiz river in the extreme north-central section of the park. Therefore, en route to the park, you will fly over hundreds of kilometers of pristine rainforest, as well as the magnificent Caparú Plateau with its red cliffs and two very impressive waterfalls named Ahfeld and Arco Iris. When we arrive in Flor de Oro where we will meet with the staff and check into our rooms. Lunch in Flor de Oro
Afternoon: South trail (Cerrado & riverside forest to first bay)
The flight from Santa Cruz to Flor de Oro already gave a stunning introduction to the grandeur of Noel Kempff National Park as it took us over hundreds of kilometres of virgin forest. From the air we have already seen the great diversity of pristine habitats that makes the Park a world-class birding destination and be in high gear to get out into the field.
Even from the grounds of the lodge we may well spot Crested Caracara, Black Skimmer and White-banded Swallows as well as Large-billed and Yellow-billed Terns over the river. So, without further ado, we set off on the South Trail which takes us down the airstrip bordering parkland savannah to the edge of the first bay of the Itenez River. We can be sure of various parrot species here, which may well include Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, Orange-winged Parrot, the scarce Red-bellied Macaw and, if we're really lucky, a pair of majestic Scarlet Macaws overhead. These sightings interspersed with birds such as Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Red-necked Aracari and Black-fronted Nunbird in vegetation along the riverside. We will also get good first looks at Southern Screamer, Muscovy Duck and the evasive little Sungrebe, just some of the waterbirds typical of this Amazonian blackwater river.
DAY 2
Morning: (05.30 - 11.30) North Trail (High and flooded forest, Cerrado)
The first morning in good high forest is always a thrill and, as more than six hundred species have been recorded in Noel Kempff so far, the first-light birding on the Flor de Oro North Trail is bound to be memorable. As the mist swirls over the slow waters of the river we will hear Blue-throated Piping-Guans rattling their wings and groups of Black Howler Monkeys greeting the day. Inside the forest, Cinereous Tinamou, Elegant Woodcreeper and Amazonian Antshrike will make their presence known as we busy ourselves with mixed-species flocks of Flame-crested Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Plain-brown Woodcreeper.
Forest interior birds such as Violaceous Trogon, Thrush-like Manakin and Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet will add to our lists while always hoping for sightings of the many more unusual species to be found here, which include Ringed Woodpecker, Brown Jacamar, Silvered Antbird and Green-and-rufous Kingfisher.
Our round-trip route takes us back, past a large riverine lake, into grassland savannah where we will be hoping for open-country birds like Striped Cuckoo, Savannah Hawk and Aplomado Falcon, as well as seedeater flocks and the occasional overhead Picazuro Pigeon.
Lunch in Flor de Oro
Afternoon: (15.30 - 18.00) Woodland round Flor de Oro (Cerrado, parkland and palm savanna)
After lunch we take a breather from the dense luxuriance of tropical forest and stalk some of Flor de Oro's Cerrado specialities which may include White-naped Xenopsaris, Tawny-bellied Seedeater, Plain-breasted Ground Dove, Long-billed Starthroat and Ashy and Black-billed Cuckoos.
DAY 3
Morning: (05.30 - 11.30) River Trip Bajias (Várzea forest, aquatic, and river-edge vegetation)
This morning we get on the river good and early and work our way up to the first bay of the Itenez above the lodge. This stretch is great habitat for Giant River Otter and Pink River Dolphins and we should also see troupes of monkeys at fruiting trees as we ascend. We will be looking out for male Yellow-knobbed Curassow calling from overhanging branches while, over the water, White-winged Swallow and all five Amazonian species of kingfisher are good possibilities. Water birds, including Rufescent Tiger Heron, Capped Heron, American Wood Stork, Snowy Egret, Orinoco Goose and Anhinga, are common spots and we should have plenty of Hoatzin antics to watch as we keep an eye out for Bare-necked Fruitcrow, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Great Black Hawk and Black-collared Hawk. Haunting calls may lure us in to see the strange and beautiful Lyra, or Sunbittern, displaying its peacock-patterned wings for us on the river's edge.
Lunch in Flor de Oro
Afternoon: (15.30 - 18.00) Free time - visitor centre, N or S trail if requested.
With all the time we spend outside, we should not forget the facilities offered in Flor de Oro. We will make time to look round the Visitor Centre, which has displays on the history and geology of the area as well as outstanding photos of the area's flora and fauna. And we may well be tempted back towards the forest on the North trail if the weather clears up before dusk, giving us a great chance to see Scissor-tailed Nightjars over the river and hear the night's first Tawny-bellied Screech Owls calling from the trees.
DAY 4
Full day: (05.30 -13.00) Flor de Oro - Las Torres (Cerrado, Campo rupestre)
A full-day trip upriver to the guard camp of Las Torres gives us the chance to get into some unusual habitats of inundated Mauritiella savannah and Campo Rupestre, where our sightings could include White-eared Puffbird, Horned Sungem, Peach-fronted Parakeet, Swallow-tailed Hummingbird, Golden-collared Macaw and White Woodpecker among many others. Later, hardy group members can see who can make it to the top of the unique rock formation which gives the camp its name, while others content themselves with finding the many flowering orchids that grow in hidden crevices along the path. For the really keen-eyed, we hope the Common Potoo still has her nest nice and low down for photographers at the start of the path.
Packed lunch Las Torres
Afternoon: (- 18.00) Itenez River - Várzea forest - return to Flor de Oro
Várzea forest mixed flocks are very diverse and, if we are fortunate as we go back down the river, we will find Pygmy Antwren, Amazonian Streaked Antwren, White-winged Becard and Red-billed Scythebill in the mix, while overhead we may see Swallow-wing, King Vulture, Blue-and-yellow Macaw and Tawny-headed Swallow. One recent group breathlessly reported a disdainful Harpy Eagle on a dead branch that refused to move no matter how close the driver moved the launch, exhausting binocular arms and camera films alike and making for a unique experience, just one of the many offered by the abundant wildlife of the Park.
DAY 5
Morning: (05.30 - 11.30) Explore Cerrado round Flor de Oro to Isla de Las Orquídeas.
On our last morning we will do the round of the wooded patches in the termite savannah and Cerrado of Flor de Oro out to the so-called Island of Orchids. Along the way we will take in Toco Toucan, Narrow-billed and Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Rusty-backed Antwren, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch and, with luck, Collared Crescentchest and Lined Seedeater, before making our way back to camp for a last meal and the transfer back to Santa Cruz.
Lunch in Flor de Oro
Afternoon: Flor de Oro - Santa Cruz.
Tour includes:
- Transfer hotel – airport
- Flight in small private airplane to Flor de Oro
- Experienced local guide in Flor de Oro
- Excursions
- Transport in small motor boat in Flor de Oro
- Overnight stay in cabins
- Great meals
What we recommend to take with you:
- Backpack
- comfortable walking shoes
- Insect repellent
- Sun block
- Hat against the sun
- Binoculars
- Trousers and shirt with long sleeves
- Warm sweater
- Bathing clothes
Please take a look at the Noel Kempff packing list.
Back to general information on Noel Kempff Mercado National Park
Back to general information on Noel Kempff Mercado National Park - Flor de Oro
This tour can be done the whole year around.
Keep in mind that the program may change due to special circumstances like bad weather conditions.
Other excellent places for birdwatching are:
. Amboró National Park South side, Refugio Los Volcanes
. Selvablue Ecolodge
