Brazil: The Northeast - Bahia the Beautiful

with Indigo Macaw

Our birding trip to Bahia will take us to wonderful places and unique habitats...
Our birding trip to Bahia will take us to wonderful places and unique habitats...
...including the scenic tablelands and rock gardens of the Chapada Diamantina...
...including the scenic tablelands and rock gardens of the Chapada Diamantina...
...the shrubby and wooded savanna of the Cerrado...
...the shrubby and wooded savanna of the Cerrado...
...dry forests such as those near Boa Nova...
...dry forests such as those near Boa Nova...
...humid forest at Serra Bonita...
...humid forest at Serra Bonita...
...and even mangroves near Porto Seguro.
...and even mangroves near Porto Seguro.
We'll stay in picturesque villages (here Lençois)...
We'll stay in picturesque villages (here Lençois)...
...travel through colorful towns...
...travel through colorful towns...
...and meet friendly Brazilians.
...and meet friendly Brazilians.
We'll use simple but attractive accommodation, with great birding opportunities from the garden...
We'll use simple but attractive accommodation, with great birding opportunities from the garden...
...or from the swimming pool...
...or from the swimming pool...
...or even from our rooms as at Serra Bonita.
...or even from our rooms as at Serra Bonita.
Birding will be fantastic and we plan on finding plenty of Brazilian endemics like Slender Antbird...
Birding will be fantastic and we plan on finding plenty of Brazilian endemics like Slender Antbird...
...the unique Great Xenops...
...the unique Great Xenops...
...or the lovely Spotted Piculet.
...or the lovely Spotted Piculet.
There will be colorful birds like Green-headed Tanager...
There will be colorful birds like Green-headed Tanager...
...and Red-necked Tanager, both species coming to the feeders at Serra Bonita.
...and Red-necked Tanager, both species coming to the feeders at Serra Bonita.
We also have good chance of finding the soon-to-be-split Eastern Striped Manakin...
We also have good chance of finding the soon-to-be-split Eastern Striped Manakin...
...the recently described Sincora Antwren...
...the recently described Sincora Antwren...
...the extremely local Hooded Visorbearer...
...the extremely local Hooded Visorbearer...
...and the charismatic Spot-billed Toucanet.
...and the charismatic Spot-billed Toucanet.
We may be the only tour to look for the endangered and beautiful Indigo Macaw.
We may be the only tour to look for the endangered and beautiful Indigo Macaw.
The botany is absolutely amazing too...
The botany is absolutely amazing too...
...with stunning cacti...
...with stunning cacti...
...spectacular bromeliaceae...
...spectacular bromeliaceae...
...and elegant mimosa.
...and elegant mimosa.
We may also spot one of these weird Rock Cavy...
We may also spot one of these weird Rock Cavy...
...a group of the very local Wied's Black-tufted-ear Marmoset...
...a group of the very local Wied's Black-tufted-ear Marmoset...
and other marvelous creatures like the colorful crabs in the Porto Seguro's mangroves.
and other marvelous creatures like the colorful crabs in the Porto Seguro's mangroves.
Some might say that the fresh coconut milk alone warrants a trip to Bahia.
Some might say that the fresh coconut milk alone warrants a trip to Bahia.
Photo credit: Images: Fabrice Schmitt
2025 Tour Price
$7,790
2025
Single Room Supplement $350
Maximum group size eight with one leader.
Tour balances paid by check/bank transfer may carry a 4% discount

Bahia is known among Brazilians as a cultural hotspot celebrated for exotic food, mysterious religions, and energetic dance forms. But it’s also a natural history wonderland, encompassing nearly all that Brazil has to offer. From coastal white-sand woodland, to interior caatinga, to the moist mata atlântica of the hilly south, to the extremely localized viney mata de cipó, to the complex mix of habitats at Chapada Diamantina National Park, we’ll make a circuit through this largest of the northeastern states in search of its varied avifauna and local endemic species. During our short trip we’ll visit two major biomes, the cerrado and the Atlantic Rain Forest. The cerrado covers about one-quarter of Brazil’s territory and supports one of the planet’s biologically richest savannas. It’s typically an open to semi-open habitat, making birding quite easy, and includes a mix of grassland, wooded savanna, dry forest, and stone gardens. 

We will start our trip looking for the splendid and sadly endangered Indigo Macaw, whose world population is estimated at fewer than 1000 individuals. These birds live in a remarkable place where the amazing caatinga vegetation mixes with landscapes of red cliffs and giant cacti. We’ll make a donation to the NGO protecting land for the macaw (and plenty of other interesting species), so our visit will also contribute to the conservation of these fantastic birds. We recognize that the drives to and from the macaws are long, but these birds are magical as is the place. Following our exploration of the cerrado, we will visit one of Brazil’s most scenic places, the Chapada Diamantina, where several plateaus are surrounded by impressive cliffs. The area hosts a unique botany and a long list of endemic and specialized birds, including Hooded Visorbearer, Sincora and Caatinga Antwrens, Diamantina Tapaculo, São Francisco Sparrow, Pale-throated Pampa-Finch, Black-throated Saltator, and so many more. 

On the second part of our trip, we’ll prospect the northern part of the threatened Atlantic Forest, from sea level to 3000 feet. We’ll stay two full days at a wonderful lodge at Serra Bonita, and then explore the coastal area near Porto Seguro. We have a great chance of finding the “vulnerable” Pink-legged Graveteiro (discovered only 25 years ago), the endemic Bahia Tyrannulet, Bahia Antwren, and Bahia Spinetail, the minute Buff-throated Purpletuft, the stunning Banded and White-winged Cotingas, and a multitude of more widespread but still beautiful species, including Pin-tailed Manakin, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Spot-billed Toucanet, and plenty of colorful tanagers. 

Note: In 2025 it’s possible to do this tour back to back with Brazil: Minas Gerais.  

Tour Team
Itinerary (Click to see more)
Tour Information (Click to see more)
Bird Lists (Click to see more)
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Narrative (Click to see more)
Tour Notes

Note: In 2025 it’s possible to do this tour back to back with Brazil: Minas Gerais. There is a day between tours that isn't included in the tour price. The flight between tours is also not included in either tour price but will be booked by the WINGS office and included in your invoice. 

Maximum group size eight with one leader.

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