Atlantic Forest Primates Expedition

SMALL GROUPS OR PRIVATE TOURS | DATES:  AUGUST 16 to 27, 2026 | WHERE: STATE OF SÃO PAULO – BRAZIL | 14 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS

WHAT TO EXPECT?

Primate watching tour in the São Paulo Atlantic Forest lasting 12 days and 11 nights. The focus of the expedition is five species of endemic and endangered primates that occur in the Atlantic Forest of the state of São Paulo.

We will visit five sites with a specific objective in each location. We will start the trip in the municipality of Buri – SP where we will observe the Black-lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus), in the municipality of São Miguel Arcanjo – SP the Southern Muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) – the largest primate in the Americas, in Cananéia – SP the Black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara), in the municipality of Campos do Jordão – SP the Black-fronted titi monkey (Callicebus nigrifrons) and we’ll finish in the municipality of São Francisco Xavier where we’ll observe the Buffy-tufted marmoset (Callithrix aurita).

The best time to observe primates in the Atlantic Forest is during the dry season, between April and September. This is ideal because the trails are drier and the animals move less during this time of year. We are guaranteed to see and take good photos of three species: the Black-lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus), the Southern Muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) and the Black-fronted titi monkey (Callicebus nigrifrons). The Buffy-tufted marmoset (Callithrix aurita) responds well to playback, but we don’t always get good photos as they are very suspicious. The rarest species is the Black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara), so it’s best to spend at least three days looking for this species. This is the only species we can’t 100% guarantee we’ll find. I’ve been carrying out expeditions in the area for a long time and in recent times our nohall in relation to the animal has improved a lot, and in the last three expeditions we’ve been successful and found the species.

The focus of the expedition is primates, but we will see many other species during the tour, such as the Guyana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris), Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber), Red-tailed parrot (Amazona brasiliensis), Southern brown howler (Alouatta guariba clamitans), with a bit of luck the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and also many species of birds and hummingbirds.

The expedition is organized by photographer and wildlife filmmaker Rafael Guadeluppe, founder of the video production company Latin Wild Films and author of the documentary about the Atlantic Forest “The Pulse of the Atlantic Forest”.

First stop: Observation of the Black-lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus)

Observation of the Black-lion-tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus), in the city of Buri-SP.

The tour takes place on a private farm with total security and a specialized guide, who is also a biologist and researcher.

There are some flocks here that are accustomed to human presence, which allows for very close contact with the species, even witnessing their behavior in the wild. We guarantee that you will meet the animals on this stage of the expedition.

Lodging: Garibaldi Farm

Second Stop: Observation of the Southern Muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides)

Observation of the Southern Muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides), in the town of São Miguel Arcanjo – SP, in the Carlos Botelho State Park.

Our guides monitor the families of Muriquis days before our tour, which guarantees our encounter with the largest primates in the Americas. During the tour, we can watch the Muriquis families awaken in the forest and witness the behavior of these peaceful primates in the wild, which is undoubtedly a unique and exciting experience. We remain under observation for a maximum of 3 hours, taking care not to stress the animals, even though they are groups of Muriquis who are used to human presence. It is very common during the trip to come across other primates, such as the Howler monkey and the Capuchin monkey.

The expedition has other attractions besides Muriquis watching, such as Birdwatching with a specialized local guide and observation of nocturnal fauna, with the main focus on Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and Owls.

Lodging: Pousada e Vinícola BonJour

Third stop: Observation of the Black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara)

Superagui Island, located in the region known as Lagamar, is one of the wildest parts of the Brazilian coastline. The place is one of the largest fish breeding grounds in the South Atlantic. Our lodge gives access to several flat trails, visited by flocks of marmosets, the expedition’s target species.

The Caissara lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara) is one of the rarest and most endangered primates on the planet, with an estimated population of no more than 500 in the wild. We can’t 100% guarantee an encounter with the species, but the area near our lodge is home to a flock and our chances of meeting them are high. I’ve been carrying out expeditions in the area for a long time and in recent times, our approach to the animal has improved a lot, and on the last two expeditions we’ve been successful and found the species.

The expedition will have various attractions in addition to the search for the Mico, such as nocturnal observation of the Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris), observation of the Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) and the Guyana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), a visit to the roost of the Red-tailed parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) and lots of contact with the local culture, which is caiçara roots.

Lodging: Pousada do Márcio e Pousada Coqueiro

Black-fronted titi monkey (Callicebus nigrifrons) observation

In this stage we will travel to the highest city in Brazil, located at 1,628 m above sea level in the Serra da Mantiqueira, a world biodiversity hotspot, which due to the variations in altitude has many endemic species.

The main focus of this part of the expedition is the Black-fronted titi monkey (Callicebus nigrifrons). The place where we will observe the species is very special, as it is on a mountain and we can observe the species at eye level, which guarantees good photos.

The region’s mountainous terrain guarantees great photos of landscapes and also many endemic bird species. The local vegetation is made up of Altitude Cloud Forest and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, with a large presence of Araucarias (Araucaria angustifolia).

Lodging: Eco Parque Pesca na Montanha

Fifth stop: Observation of the Buffy-tufted marmoset (Callithrix aurita)

We ended the expedition with the  Buffy-tufted marmoset (Callithrix aurita), which is at high risk of extinction due to habitat loss and mainly due to the invasive species of White-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), which, due to their genetic proximity, mate with the Aurita flocks and produce hybrids that don’t reproduce.

At the site where we will be observing them, the invasive species have not yet arrived, so they are the original Callithrix aurita. The local vegetation is characterized by the presence of high-altitude marshes among dense Atlantic forest, a very special area with the presence of endemic species such as the São Paulo Antwren (Formicivora paludicola).

We’ll be staying at a place dedicated exclusively to birdwatching, Sítio Macuquinho, which has been working with bird feeders for many years. And at this time of year, which is the dry season, their feeders are visited by many species of birds and hummingbirds, due to the scarcity of food in the forest. The site is visited by several species of multicolored birds and more than a dozen species of hummingbirds, a real treat for the eyes.

Lodging: Sítio Macuquinho

ROUTE MAP