Primates & Porcupines of Northeastern Brazil with Mammal Watching

DAY 1
ARRIVE / SALVADOR, BRAZIL
Arrive in Salvador and transfer to Praia do Forte, a stunning coastal area where patches of Atlantic Rainforest still thrive. Settle into Casa de Praia Pousada before heading out on an expert-led afternoon and evening walk through the Arua Forest. Keep your eyes peeled for rare mammals such as the Northern Maned Sloth, Bristle-spined Porcupine, and Bahian Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, along with Common Marmosets and White-eared Opossums.


DAY 2
ARUA FOREST WILDLIFE EXPLORATION
Spend the day immersed in the Arua Forest tracking elusive mammals and learning about the Conecta-Vidas project. Discover how safe wildlife corridors are being created to protect Brazil’s rarest species while monitoring animal movement and habitat restoration efforts.


DAY 3
SALVADOR / LENÇÓIS
Travel inland to Lençóis, a charming colonial town that serves as the gateway to Chapada Diamantina National Park. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy a relaxed evening wandering cobbled streets surrounded by waterfalls, caves, and rich cultural history.


DAY 4
CAATINGA WILDLIFE & ARMADILLO CONSERVATION
Explore the Caatinga biome in search of the critically endangered Caatinga (Blond) Titi Monkey, the only primate endemic to this dry forest region. In the afternoon, visit the Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo project to learn about this rare species’ unique defense strategy and conservation status.


DAY 5
LENÇÓIS / ARACAJU
Enjoy a final morning walk through the Caatinga habitat, then embark on a scenic overland transfer to Aracaju. Check in and rest for the next phase of your adventure.


DAY 6
SANTUARIO DA MATA EXPLORATION
Spend the day at Santuario da Mata, a private sanctuary dedicated to endangered primate conservation. Track species like Coimbra-Filho’s Titi Monkey and the Yellow-breasted Capuchin, while learning about efforts to preserve one of Sergipe’s last forest remnants.


DAY 7
ARACAJU / UNIÃO DOS PALMARES
Head northeast to Quilombo Park Hotel, ideally located for spotting the elusive Pernambuco Dwarf Porcupine. The surrounding forest offers rich nocturnal wildlife opportunities, including Lesser and Greater Sac-winged Bats, Northern Ghost Bats, and Velvety Free-tailed Bats.


DAY 8
UNIÃO DOS PALMARES / JOÃO PESSOA
Transfer to João Pessoa and explore the Engenho Gargaú Reserve, one of the last habitats of the endangered Blond Capuchin Monkey. Walk through fragmented forest corridors while learning about the species’ plight and ongoing conservation efforts.


DAY 9
RED-HANDED HOWLER & CAPUCHIN SPOTTING
Visit Fazenda Pacatuba to search for Red-handed Howler monkeys in the wild. Return to Gargaú Reserve in the afternoon for another chance to observe the elusive Blond Capuchin and deepen your understanding of its environment and protection needs.


DAY 10
JOÃO PESSOA / MOSSORÓ
Explore Parque Zoobotânico in the morning to spot species like Iack’s Agouti and Common Marmoset. Continue to Mossoró in the afternoon to prepare for the final leg of the journey.


DAY 11
MOSSORÓ / BATURITÉ
Travel to the Baturité Massif, a mountain region known for high biodiversity and unique habitats. Begin your exploration focused on locating the endemic and recently discovered Baturité Porcupine.


DAY 12
BATURITÉ
Enjoy a full day immersed in the tranquil forests of Baturité. Continue your search for rare mammals—including the elusive Baturité Porcupine—and enjoy scenic views and rich biodiversity.


DAY 13
BATURITÉ / FORTALEZA / DEPART
Transfer to Fortaleza Airport for your international departure, concluding a remarkable expedition through Brazil’s rare and endangered wildlife habitats.


POST-TRIP EXTENSION
THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON: FROM TAPAJÓS TO BELÉM


DAY 1
BATURITÉ / FORTALEZA
Transfer from Baturité to Fortaleza and check in to Hotel Praiano. Relax and recharge before your Amazon extension begins.


DAY 2
FORTALEZA / SANTARÉM / ALTER DO CHÃO
Fly to Santarém, followed by a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Alter do Chão, a riverside town rich in biodiversity. Look out for primates like the Silvery Marmoset, Spix’s Red-handed Howler, and Red-bellied Titi Monkey. Settle in at Vila Arumã Pousada or similar.


DAY 3
ALTER DO CHÃO
Spend the full day exploring the Tapajós forest region, tracking wildlife in their natural habitat and enjoying the lush Amazonian landscape.


DAY 4
ALTER DO CHÃO / SANTARÉM / BELÉM
Enjoy a relaxed morning before transferring to Santarém for your afternoon flight to Belém. Check in at Hotel Vila Rica and unwind.


DAY 5
SANTA BÁRBARA DO PARÁ EXPLORATION
Drive to Santa Bárbara do Pará in search of the Eastern Black-handed Tamarin. Spend the day observing this endemic and Vulnerable species in the wild before returning to Belém.



DAY 6
BELÉM / DEPART
Before your departure, visit the Bosque Rodrigues Alves and Botanical Garden of Amazonia, home to wildlife like the Brown-throated Three-fingered Sloth, Black-rumped Agouti, and Collin’s Squirrel Monkey. After one last wildlife encounter, transfer to the airport for your flight home.