Discover northern Argentina, visiting mighty Iguazu Falls, uncovering abundant birdlife deep in the heart of the Surucua Atlantic rainforest, and exploring the wildlife rich Ibera Wetlands.
Iguazú Falls, undoubtedly a natural wonder that has to be seen to be believed, has long been incorporated into Argentina wildlife holidays, but just a few hours away lie several little known wilderness areas, providing sanctuary to a vast array of flora and fauna. These hidden gems are just waiting to be discovered, so if you have an interest in remote, natural places, bursting with avifauna especially, this tailormade, and fully customisable holiday, might just have your name on it!
The journey begins in the bustling metropolis that is Buenos Aires. The 'Paris of the South' is renowned as a city of culture, with tango, steak, and wine on the cards, but dig beneath the surface and start as you mean to go on, with a visit to Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, a haven for nature adjacent to the banks of the Rio de la Plata.
Afterwards, fly to the wild north to Surucua Reserve, discover the secrets of pristine Atlantic rainforest on walks and bike rides in the company of magnificent manakins, chlorophonias, tucanets, tanagers, euphonias, trogons, and more. From the tranquil surrounds of your intimate, family-run accommodation, bird watch until you drop, and take to the Iguazú River by kayak to soak up the serenity to be found here.
Two full days exploring Iguazú Falls comes next. Marvel at the sheer scale and spectacle of the falls from both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides, as you watch great dusky swifts fly through torrents of water to reach the security of their nests beyond, far from the prying eyes of predatory raptors. A visit to the Hummingbird Garden, home to 17 species, should result in witnessing a number of these exquisite creatures at very close quarters.
Your final destination is the vast Iberá Wetlands, a huge freshwater system that's second only to Brazil's Pantanal. Crawling in caiman, other reptiles and capybara, it's a haven for birdlife, from sought after yellow cardinal, strange-tailed tyrant and jabiru stork to stunning scarlet-headed and saffron-cowled blackbirds. As you traverse boardwalks and take to the water on a mission to see first-hand some of the 350+ species that have been recorded to date, you may come across marsh deer, grey fox and black-and-gold howler monkeys. If, and only if, exceptionally blessed, maned wolf, jaguar, ocelot, giant anteater and tapir may make an appearance, all reintroduced through rewilding initiatives.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Start your tailormade holiday with an overnight flight to bustling Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city.
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Day 2:
Arrive Buenos Aires
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. Either relax after your journey or hit the ground running and set off to explore. Practice your Spanish, visit key sights, drink wine from Mendoza, and perhaps take in a tango show!
Accommodation: 474 Buenos Aires Hotel, 1-night
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Day 3:
Birdwatching at Costanera Sur Ecological Refuge, fly to Iguazu Falls & transfer to Surucua Reserve
An early start sees you discovering birds and wildlife amongst the fauna of Costanera Sur Ecological Refuge, a 350 hectare oasis on the banks of the Rio de la Plata. Avian enthusiasts in particular can relish the opportunity to observe a host of species more commonly associated with Brazil’s Pantanal in this Ramsar recognised site. Guira cuckoo, southern screamer, wattled jacana, coscoroba and black-necked swan, white-tufted grebe, rufous hornero, spectacled tyrant, chalk-browed mockingbird, rufescent tiger heron, and more, may be observed during your privately guided visit. Search carefully for reptilian species including Hilaire’s side-necked turtle and black and white tegu, plus mammals too, such as coypu and pampas cavy.
Later, transfer to the airport in time for your choice of one of the many direct flights available to Iguazu Falls. Keep your cameras handy as you fly north over this vast country, and once back on terra firma, meet your English and Spanish-speaking naturalist guide who accompanies you throughout your time up here.
Around two hours later, you can find yourself immersed in pristine Atlantic rainforest simply alive with the sound of birds. Check in to your delightful accommodation, the rustic and family-run Surucua Lodge, and unwind. You’re finally here. Let your wildlife holiday truly begin. Should you wish to embark on an introductory walk to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings, your guide is on hand, so why not?
Accommodation: Surucua Lodge, 2-nights
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Day 4:
Explore Surucua Reserve
Waking with the dawn chorus, you'll no doubt be champing at the bit to get exploring the reserve. Head out for a spot of early morning birding, scrutinising the canopy and surrounding sea of green for hints of colour provided by toucanets, manakins, chlorophonias, tanagers and the Surucua trogon. With over 250 species recorded here, including endemic species, enjoy the spectacle of dexterity in flight as you watch violet-capped woodnymph, glittering-bellied emerald and other hummingbirds in action, whilst the Mohican hairstyles of barred antshrike and helmeted woodpecker fly across your field of vision. If you're lucky, glimpse glorious chestnut-bellied euphonia, and if you're truly eagle-eyed, you may be rewarded with sightings of cryptic antbird, antpitta and antthrush.
During the day, take to the trails once more on foot or by bicycle, moving through rainforest, bamboo forest and the rich riparian environment, being introduced to, and seduced by, the weird and wonderful bewildering array of flora, bugs, butterflies and birds that call this haven home. Mammals are elusive here but try your luck with capuchin and howler monkeys as well as coati.
Be sure to take advantage of complimentary kayaks to hit the Iguazu River, perhaps as the sun begins its descent, its rays spectacularly reflected afore you. A perfect moment to sit quietly and reflect on the beauty of the north.
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Day 5:
Transfer to Iguazu Falls, visit The Hummingbird Garden
After a final morning activity, re-trace your steps back to Iguazu Falls, stopping for birds along the way. This afternoon, visit Puerto Iguazu's Hummingbird Garden which may not necessarily be what you would expect slap, bang, in the middle of an urban environment, but is a 'must do' during any stay here. Fruit feeders have attracted a whopping 17 recorded species, with perhaps seven or eight being seen on any one given day. Sit, observe and marvel as black-throated mango, black jacobin, versicoloured emerald, planalto hermit, purple-crowned plovercrest, swallow-tailed hummingbirds, and more, potentially dance in front of your eyes.
Accommodation: Selva de Laurel Lodge, 3-nights
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Days 6-7
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Explore Iguazu Falls, visiting both Argentina and Brazil
It's time to discover Iguazu Falls, surely one of South America’s, if not the world’s, most impressive natural wonders. National parks across both Argentina and Brazil protect this spectacle and no trip to the north would be complete without a visit taking in both sides. As you meander along trails and boardwalks taking in different viewpoints and listening to ever present bird song, eye-catching toco toucans, parrots, aracaris, jays and tanagers flit through the lush vegetation as guans shriek and common potoos employ their masterful camouflage. Merging into trees and branches, it's almost impossible to see where one starts and the other ends.
Red-and-green plus blue-and-yellow macaws are common and flocks of white-eyed parakeets may racketeer past. Behind the falls themselves, insectivorous great dusky swifts breed in colonies, flying like torpedos through the spray in their efforts to avoid the attention of lurking raptors. Mammals too may be seen here, from howler and capuchin monkey to South American coati and Azara's agouti. Armadillos plough through the undergrowth whilst shy red brocket deer tread gingerly in their footsteps, so keep your eyes and ears open for signs of wildlife at all times.
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Day 8:
Transfer to Ibera Wetlands
As the next part of your adventure awaits, enjoy a leisurely transfer incorporating numerous birding stops and a visit to the Jesuit Mission of San Ignacio Miní, en route to the Ibera Wetlands, home for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Estancia Ibera, 3-nights
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Days 9-10
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Explore the Ibera Wetlands on foot and by boat
Second only in size to the mighty Pantanal, the vast network of freshwater lakes, lagoons, marshes, swamps and floating islands that constitute the Iberá Wetlands, is relatively unknown. Tucked away in a remote corner of north-east Argentina, this extraordinary habitat provides refuge to all manner of species. The indigenous Guaraní people named this haven, 'bright water', and it can be enjoyed on foot, by boat, and if you wish, on horseback.
Quietly supporting an impossible number of caiman and capybara, other mammals realistically on the agenda include marsh deer, grey fox and black-and-gold howler monkey. If fortune prevails, maned wolf are elusive residents whilst giant ant-eater, giant river otter, tapir, jaguar and ocelot have all been reintroduced as part of rewilding initiatives. Sightings are rare, but you never know!
Herpetology enthusiasts will be in seventh heaven and the birdwatching is outstanding, with over 350 species recorded to date. Waterbirds are especially abundant so keep binoculars to hand and relish the sight of screamer, stork, egret, heron, ibis, rail, cardinal, kingfisher, tyrant, monjita, woodpecker, reedhaunter, a plethora of raptors, and more, as they take to the skies.
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Day 11:
Transfer to Posadas, fly to Buenos Aires for an overnight stay
As your time in northern Argentina draws to a close, leave the Ibera Wetlands behind you and transfer to Posadas in time for your flight to Buenos Aires. After a flying time of just one hour and 40 minutes, you’re whisked to your overnight accommodation and the evening is yours to do with as you wish.
Accommodation: 474 Buenos Aires Hotel, 1-night
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Day 12:
Depart Buenos Aires
With the conclusion of your Argentina wildlife holiday, transfer to the airport to commence your journey home.
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Day 13:
Arrive UK
Please note: The vast country of Argentina offers a plethora of wildlife experiences. Why not extend your stay and fly south to the diverse Patagonia region? Along the Atlantic coastline, the Peninsula Valdes offers Magellanic penguins, elephant seals, orcas, and seasonal Southern right whale watching between July to November, whilst inland, the mighty Andes form the border with Chile. With Andean condor soaring the skies above, there’s the scenic and magnificent Los Glaciares National Park, as well as easy access to Torres del Paine National Park for puma watching. Who doesn’t love a big cat?
Further south still, lies Tierra del Fuego, where beaches are littered with penguins and the bay of Ushuaia is frequented by whales. This is also the gateway to Antarctica, so for more penguins, whales, elephant seals and dolphin encounters in spectacular surrounds, why not add the icy realm that's the world’s seventh continent to your adventure? Contact us to discuss all the options.
