Amazon Birds Species List
A grand total of diverse species have been recorded in the South Amazon, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts. We feature some attractive species below, as well as offering the best chance at viewing species that are rarer, shyer, or simply harder to photograph well.
Exciting birds that birders want to photograph:
- Hoatzin
- Amazonian Umbrellabird
- Razor-billed Curassow
- Black-necked Red Cotinga
- Pompadour Cotinga
- Blue and Yellow Macaw
- Scarlet Macaw
- Red-and-Green Macaw
- Red-bellied Macaw
- Toucans, araçaris, and toucanets
- Red-necked Araçari
- White-throated Toucan
- Chestnut-eared Araçari
- Lettered Araçari
- Curl-crested Araçari
- Gould’s Toucanet
The SouthWild Amazon Lodge is the place where you’ll encounter more monkeys, including rare species, than any other site in the world. Featured mammals include the Gray Woolly Monkey, Tapir (GUARANTEED), and the White-nosed Bearded Saki.
A SPECIAL HOME TO HARPY EAGLES
During specific seasons, Harpy Eagles (nest, chick, and young) can be found near our lodge. Inquire in advance to check if your desired travel dates coincide with this occasion.
Why We Love It:
A year-round accessible oasis with effortless arrival from Alta Floresta Airport, making your journey stress-free at any time of the year.
Spectacular wildlife featured in award-winning programs.
Carbon-neutral lodging and certified sustainable by the French government conservation initiative.
The perfect immersion into a natural haven, this charming lodge sits beside the pristine Juruena River, surrounded by lush rainforest and vibrant wildlife. Enjoy seamless transfers from the airport to the lodge, ensuring your journey is smooth and fully immersive in the rainforest.
Included Amenities:
- 24-Hour Free Wifi
- Split A/C & Fan
- Filtered Water Refill Station
- Mosquito Nets
- American Outlets & Converters
- Daily River Safari
- Road Safari with Private Car
- Daily Housekeeping
Amazon Rooms
BEDS: 1 Queen or 2 Twins
OCCUPANCY: 2 adults, or 1 adult
SIZE: 32 sq. m.
VIEWS: Large windows with authentic wooden shutters, opening out to the lush Amazon rainforest. Let in the sounds of the jungle.
BATHROOM: Ensuite bathroom with hot shower, toilet, and sink.
UNIQUE FEATURES:
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Seven purpose-built guest rooms, each providing a haven of relaxation and repose in the heart of the rainforest.
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24-hour electricity and Split A/C ensure comfort amidst the Amazon’s untamed beauty.
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Free Wi-Fi available 24/7, a luxurious rarity in the Amazon.
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Wooden window shutters original to the lodge, providing full blackout for a restful sleep and thick insulation during cooler nights.
Amazon Adventure 2025 Investment
To obtain pricing information for the SouthWild Amazon Tour, please inquire directly with us by clicking below.
The cost may vary depending on your preferences and specific requirements, ensuring that your experience is tailored to meet your unique interests and needs. Our team is ready to provide detailed information and assist you in planning your perfect Amazon adventure.
Recommended Pairings for Amazon Adventure 2025
The Amazon Adventure is only 5 days of your vacation, so why not bookend it with more adventure? Take a morning flight from any major Brazilian airport and be on the road into the Amazon by the afternoon on day 1. On day 5, arrive back at that airport by midday to hop on an afternoon flight to another special experience in Brazil. Whatever you’re in the mood for next, we’ve got a trip for you.
SouthWild Iguassu Falls (Iguaçu,Iguazú)
Ideal for all groups and interest levels in nature, including families, birders, and fine diners. Highlights include witnessing the splendor of Iguassu Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Enjoy anything from adventurous to luxurious lodges, and let us guide you to secret spots in the lush Atlantic forests for close, amazing shots of hummingbirds, toucans, coatis, and more.
SouthWild Bonito
Ideal for families and groups seeking more intimate experiences with nature, as well as photographers of all levels. Highlights include seeing beautiful wildlife up close: photographing macaws at eye level or flying beneath you, approaching wild Giant Anteaters who are blissfully unaware of your presence, and snorkeling through a natural lazy river with crystal-clear waters filled with a glorious rainbow of tropical fish.
Recommended Pairings for Amazon Adventure 2025
SouthWild Jaguar Extreme
Ideal for serious photographers and wildlife enthusiasts who want to experience the thrill of spotting jaguars in their natural habitat. Highlights include one of SouthWild’s flagship tours, the Jaguar Extreme, which guarantees sightings of wild jaguars along the riverbanks. Our expert guides and specialized boats ensure you are in the best position to capture amazing photographs of these magnificent big cats.
SouthWild Birding in the Atlantic Forest
Ideal for birders and photographers. Highlights include a location just 2 hours from São Paulo airport, where you can immerse yourself in the lush Atlantic Forest, a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Spot and photograph rare species such as the Green-headed Tanager, Streamer-tailed Tyrant, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Blue Dacnis, and hundreds more. Not quite what you’re looking for? Let us help you craft a customized experience that meets your goals.
Our Commitment to Nature
The pace of conservation efforts is not keeping up with the rapid loss of biodiversity. To reverse this trend before it’s too late, we must transcend individual sector interests and unite toward a shared mission: saving our natural world now.
At SouthWild, we have been at the forefront of developing innovative strategies for impactful conservation. Leveraging our expertise in evolutionary biology and animal behavior, we have pioneered responsible, reliable, and effective wildlife experiences. By focusing on rare and charismatic umbrella species, we catalyze broader habitat conservation efforts.
Our specialty lies in providing comfortable access to unparalleled wildlife encounters. We ensure high-quality experiences with rare and remarkable species in their stunning natural habitats. Each year, we refine our offerings to remain the top choice for naturalist travelers, luxury safari operators, birders, photographers, and professional wildlife film producers, continually enhancing the transformative power of our wildlife adventures.
Our Origin Story
In 1977, a young biologist from Princeton was studying mixed-species bird flocks in the Peruvian Amazon inside the newly established Manu National Park. During his subsequent master’s degree research at Oxford, he learned of a devastating plan to kill all the animals in the 600,000-acre Manu Reserved Zone, adjacent to the park. The government’s official plan was to capture monkeys to sell to biomedical labs as test animals and to kill fish, caimans, and peccaries for their meat and skins.
A lifelong advocate for animals, he began petitioning the government to try non-consumptive use before implementing the slaughter. He had previously visited another Amazonian reserve that, despite its remote location and limited wildlife viewing, still attracted many tourists. He reasoned that if a lodge were built in the Manu Reserved Zone—which had far more wildlife—ecotourism could prevent the impending slaughter.
To prove his case, he surveyed every lake in the national park and the reserved zone, confirming that the reserved zone held greater potential for ecotourism than the more remote park. He repeatedly visited the national park service headquarters in Lima, presenting reports that highlighted the tourism potential. Eventually, the park service relented, accepted his proposal, and shelved the “kill and capture” plan in favor of giving tourism a chance.
Determined to ensure the experiment’s success, the biologist took a young hotelier from Cusco into the Reserved Zone, showing him the abundance of wildlife and suggesting potential lodge sites. The idea was simple: if you build it, they will come. He even lent the hotelier the funds to construct the first lodge. Though the jungle lodge lacked private bathrooms and was hours from civilization, it worked. Tourists came, the lodge thrived, and the hotelier repaid the loan in full.
As that first lodge gained a foothold, others followed. Tourism expanded, firmly taking over the territory, and the animal harvest plan disappeared permanently. By the 1990s, tourism had grown so significantly that the entire Manu Reserved Zone was incorporated into the park.
Despite the remoteness of Manu, tour operators managed to turn a profit because visitors encountered so much wildlife that the journey felt worthwhile. This 25-year-old biologist—through lake surveys, detailed species reports, and relentless lobbying—succeeded in stopping the plan to hunt and trap wildlife in 600,000 acres, while also helping expand the national park. The experience convinced him that saving wildlife from slaughter was achievable with solid data and persistence.
The Inspiring History of SouthWild Amazon
Nestled deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, the SouthWild Amazon Lodge stands as a beacon of hope for wildlife conservation and a testament to the power of international collaboration. Spanning 10,300 hectares with 12 kilometers of pristine riverfront, it is a living legacy of preservation.
The story of SouthWild Amazon began in 1998, when the French government recognized the urgent need to protect and restore the Amazon’s fragile ecosystems. They launched a groundbreaking reforestation project, which, over 25 years, has successfully planted 7 million trees. This monumental effort has transformed former cattle pastures into lush rainforest, creating thriving habitats for tapirs, toucans, monkeys, and countless other species.
Backed by the ONF (French National Forestry Office) and major contributions from Peugeot, this initiative is one of the most successful reforestation projects in Amazonian history. It has not only restored forests but also reduced carbon emissions—equivalent to removing 58,000 cars from the roads. For over two decades, a strict no-hunting policy has ensured that wildlife flourishes in safety.
At the heart of this regenerated paradise lies the SouthWild Amazon Lodge, offering unmatched access to the rainforest with 40 kilometers of private roads and exclusive canopy towers. Here, visitors can experience the majesty of the Juruena River, vibrant birdlife, and elusive mammals up close.
Chosen by the French government as their ecotourism partner, SouthWild has played a pivotal role in conservation. Under the leadership of Dr. Charles Munn, a renowned Amazon research biologist, SouthWild has pioneered responsible, reliable, and effective wildlife experiences. Their approach not only delivers unforgettable adventures but also supports local communities and ensures a sustainable future.
SouthWild Amazon Lodge is more than a travel destination—it is a living example of conservation in action. With modern amenities such as permanent electricity, air conditioning, WiFi, and spacious rooms, guests enjoy comfort while immersing themselves in the wonders of the rainforest.
As guardians of this extraordinary place, SouthWild continues to uphold the highest standards of wildlife preservation and sustainable tourism. A visit here is not only an adventure but also a contribution to the ongoing mission of protecting the Amazon for future generations.