Photo by Sam Woods (Tropical Birding)


Photo by Andrew Proudfoot


Photo by Caterina Torroni


Photo by John Harris

Excursions

Guapi Assu Bird Lodge makes an excellent base from which to explore many other places of interest outside the reserve and excursions can easily be arranged through us during your stay. There are several excellent birding sites just a short drive away and REGUA is only two hours away from the Atlantic coast and one of the most beautiful cities in the world - Rio de Janeiro.

The cost to hire a driver and transportation for the day is US$80. Alternatively, some sites are accessible by local buses and we can advise on bus travel if this is your preferred option.

Macae de Cima An hour and a half drive away lies this amazing private forest reserve where you can experience amazing orchids and bromeliads as well as several high altitude bird species that can be difficult to see at REGUA. Yellow-browed Woodpecker, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Short-tailed Antthrush and White-rimmed Warbler are among the birds we have seen here and there are numerous hummingbird feeders that attract jewelled marvels such as Scale-throated Hermit, White-throated Hummingbird, Brazilian Ruby and even Plovercrest.

Departure from REGUA is usually around 5am to arrive early morning. We take a packed lunch and bird all day before heading to a café for a drink and a snack. We arrive back at the lodge in time for dinner (or alternatively we can visit an excellent Churrasceria instead).

Please bring binoculars, sturdy footwear, rain jacket, hat, suntan lotion, water and a camera (in winter a light fleece is also useful for the morning as it can be very cold early on).

Pico Caledonia Beyond the Olaria and Cìnego districts are the Caledonian Highlands. This area is the most reliable spot for the very rare and difficult Gray-winged Continga, which can be found on the higher reaches of the forest.

We depart at 6am and take a picnic lunch with us. We return to the lodge early evening for dinner.

You will need to bring binoculars, sturdy footwear, a rain jacket, hat, suntan lotion, water and a camera (in winter a light fleece is also useful for the morning).

Primatology Centre An hour drive away, the Primatology Centre is playing a vital role in bringing back rare species from the edge of extinction through captive breeding. REGUA has established close links with the centre and although it is not open to the public, visits can be arranged. As well as Golden Lion Tamarin, the centre has Woolly Spider Monkey (Brachyteles anacnoides), which REGUA is very privileged to have in its forest. This is the biggest primate in the Americas and is under serious threat. In the future, REGUA hopes to undertake some scientific research and monitoring of these rare primates. The grounds also offer excellent lowland forest birding so after spending the morning at the centre we can spend the afternoon birding.

Departure is around 8am and we can either return to the lodge for lunch or take a packed lunch if you want to bird in the afternoon.

Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro and its amazing setting of forested mountains, bare rock faces, huge bays and rocky islands will leave a lasting mark in your memory. One of the world´s most densely populated cities, Rio sprawls for 220km along the coast and has many superb tourist sights that include the world famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the statue of Christ at Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açúcar) - which both give incredible views across the city - and also numerous museums, galleries, colonial architecture and shops. The city is also home to some interesting wildlife. Seabirds such as Brown Boobies are common offshore and Magnificent Frigatebirds are a constant feature, soaring over the apartment blocks. The Botanic Gardens, in the heart of Rio are a marvellous botanical experience. Visited by Charles Darwin and home to the celebrated avenue of Royal Palms. The gardens are a photographers dream as wildlife here is easy to see and approachable. Tanager flocks abound and Rusty-margined Guans, Plumbeous Rails and Channel-billed Toucans are among the birds to be seen.

Day trips during the week depart early to avoid the heavy rush-hour traffic. Weekend trips can depart any time during the morning. We recommend eating lunch at one of Rio’s excellent restaurants. Arrival back at the lodge can be planned to meet your needs.

Rio is also easily reached by public transport, although it is best to allow two days minimum. Please ask for details (including recommendations on places to stay) and a bus timetable.

Serra das Orgãos National Park A highly recommended day out. This national park extends over almost 12,000 hectares of mountainous country. The park has an Atlantic pluvial tropical forest and some of the most spectacular scenery in all the Serra dos Orgãos mountain range. Located on the outskirts of Teresõpolis - a small city about an hour and a half drive from REGUA - the park is open to the public from Tuesday through to Sunday between 8am and 5pm and admittance is R$12 per person. There is a small visitor centre and a number of trails, ranging from the Primavera and Mozart Catão Trails which are easy routes that take less than an hour to complete, to the long distance Pedra do Sino Trail which crosses the mountains to Petropolis and reaches 2.263m above sea level.

On our day trip we usually bird the Pedro do Sino Trail up to 2000m or so above sea level which offers a very good chance to see high altitude birds such as Pallid Spinetail, Rufous-tailed Antbird, Black-and-gold Cotinga, Hooded Berryeater, Shear-tailed Gray Tyrant, Diademed Tanager and Bay-chested Warbling-Finch. Other birds that have encountered here include Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Rufous-backed Antvireo, Sharpbill, Swallow-tailed Cotinga and Green-winged Saltator. The endangered Vinaceous-breasted Parrot, Large-billed Seed-Finch and Black-fronted Piping-Guan are also present in the park.

Excursions usually depart at 6:30am to arrive at the park for opening. We take a packed lunch and spend the whole day birding. Afterwards we have the option of visiting a restaurant in Teresõpolis for dinner before returning to the lodge. The trail is easy to moderate and includes some steady climbs so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Weekends can be very busy so we recommend a weekday visit if possible.

In addition to binoculars, don’t forget to bring sturdy footwear, a rain jacket, hat, suntan lotion, water and a camera (in winter a light fleece is also useful for the morning).

Sumidouro This is one of the few remaining known sites to see the highly endangered Three-toed Jacamar. Situated in a little valley with some remnant but degraded dry forest, the Jacamars are viewed from the roadside at various points. Other birds that can be seen during the day include Red-legged Seriema, Blue-winged Macaw, White-eared Puffbird, Black-capped Donacobius, Curl-crested Jay, Gilt-edged and Orange-headed Tanagers and Uniform Finch.

We depart at 6am and head over the mountains into very open and dry terrain. Most of the forest here has been cleared and you will notice a stark contrast with REGUA. We take a picnic lunch with us and stop at various points along the route to search for birds. We return to the lodge early evening for a well-deserved dinner.

You will need to bring binoculars, sturdy footwear, a rain jacket, hat, suntan lotion, water and a camera (in winter a light fleece is also useful for the morning). A telescope is also very useful.