Private Tour
Discovering wildlife of the Chaco
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
The Great Chaco offers impressive wildlife, with good chance of seeing some of South America’s charismatic big mammals like jaguars, pumas and tapirs. It also hosts reptiles and birds in abundance, many of which are restricted to this ecoregion. You will enjoy a unique landscape with salt lakes that hold great concentrations of water birds and the dunes of Médanos del Chaco National Park (7 days tour) with its arid vegetation and the palm savannahs of the Humid Chaco.
This tour will give you a chance to see Chaco endemic birds like Quebracho Crested-Tinamou, Black-legged Seriema, and Black-bodied Woodpecker. Lowland Tapir, Puma, Giant Anteater and Chacoan Peccary are amongst the mammals we may encounter: the last of these was presumed extinct when it was described from fossils in 1930. It came as a surprise when it was rediscovered in 1972, to become the (then) third and largest peccary species known! Today, the Paraguayan Chaco holds the main population of this species.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meals: Please advise specific requirements
Walking: Moderate amount;
Weather: Subject to conditions
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Beverages with meals
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Bottled water
Alcoholic Beverages
Lunch
Snacks
2 nights accomodation
Dinner
Breakfast
Transport by private vehicle (4WD)
Driver/guide fees
travel and medical insurance;
visa, passport and vaccination costs;
beverages over those stated as included;
optional excursions as defined by the itinerary or excursions not included in the itinerary;
Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature;
Gratuities to Tour leader and local guides;
Gratuities for hotel/restaurant staff, porters, drivers.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Two nights and three days tours: • Day 1: We will leave very early (05:00 am) in direction to Laguna Capitán. Early birding at Benjamín Aceval, only 40 km of Asunción (1 hour approximately), where we will see many birds in ecosystems of Chaco Humid, including Plumbeous and Buff-necked Ibis, Black-collared Hawk, Golden-green and Pale-breasted Woodpeckers, Red-legged Seriema, Great-rufous Woodcreeper, Red-billed Scythebill, Purplish and Plush-crested Jays, Black-capped Donacobius, Scarlet-headed Blackbird and Crested Oropendola. Before midday we will continue our travel to Laguna Capitán, and in the afternoon watch birds and wildlife until nightfall. • Day 2:We will spend the morning birding and wildlife watching at the salt lakes, arriving at Campo María, where we will spend the rest of the day. We will see some of the Chaco endemics: Cream-backed Woodpecker, Crested Gallito, Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Chaco Earthcreeper, Cinereous Tyrant, Black-capped Warbling-Finch and Many-colored Chaco-Finch. Many waterbirds and shorebirds will definitively increase our list during this day, with great possibilities to see White-faced Whistling Duck, Coscoroba Swan, up to thousands of Chilean Flamingos, Ringed and Brazilian Teal, Collared Plover, Black-necked Stilt, Lesser Yellowlegs, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and many others. • Day 3:Morning birding at Chaco Lodge or Filadelfia Reserve (depending on bird activity of the last day, and climate conditions). Filadelfia Reserve will give us a chance to see some species: Greater Rhea, White-bellied Nothura, Golden-green Woodpecker, Black-legged Seriema, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Rufous-fronted and Little Thornbird, Greater-wagtail Tyrant, Masked Gnatcatcher, Blue-and-yellow Tanager, Golden-billed Saltator, Ultramarine Grosbeak, and others. After lunch, we return to Asunción. What is included in the tour fees? • all accommodations on a sharing basis at hotels, lodges or other establishments of a reasonable standard (or best available in the area); • all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from day 1 to 3 (breakfast and lunch) • drinking water and one soft drink/beer per meal; • all ground transportation from first day to final day of tour; • all costs of local guides; • all excursions and activities mentioned in the itinerary unless specifically stated as optional in which case they will be charged for at cost with prior consent from participants; • all entrance fees for reserves, parks, museums that are part of the itinerary;
Options
Humid and Dry Chaco Short Tour
A 2-nights and 3-days tour, where you will discover the amazing wildlife and ecosystems of the Humid and Dry Chaco. Salty lakes, thornby shrubes and palm savannahs will be the main scenaries.
Pickup included
4 nights - 5 days Chaco Tour
We will explore the main reserves of the Humid & Dry Chaco, where there is good chances to see big mammals such as the endangered Chacoan Peccary, Lowland Tapir, armadillos and Azara`s Night Monkey.
Pickup included
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wild life in the Chaco
N6031IVclarew,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We greatly enjoyed our Chaco tour with Luis and Esteban! Their knowledge of and enthusiasm for the birds and other wildlife of the area was fantastic. So many experiences were fitted in to our three very full days, and we saw and learned about many creatures and ecosystems previously unknown to us. We particularly enjoyed the night walk when we were able to see not only stars and fireflies, but many animals active mostly at night. Luis and Esteban looked after us very well, too, and described many aspects of the Chaco in addition to wild life.We thoroughly recommend this trip.
Best possible guide and experience
Jan H,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Alberto was the most knowledgeable and kind guide we've ever encountered. Not only would he know every bird we saw, he also knew where to find them and call them to us if they weren't immediately seen. We've never seen such a variety of species in one day, although we have traveled through many countries for wildlife, and I thank Alberto for that. We are quite old, but he made sure we were always comfortable. If we were younger, we'd be back in a heartbeat to experience more tours with him.
Amazing and Authentic Tour of Paraguayan Chaco: Birds, Critters, and More!
patrickpC6962JB,
Aug 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an incredible 3-day tour of the Paraguayan Chaco with guide Fernando Beconi. I decided to hire a guide last-min instead of DIY'ing my birding/adventuring in this region and could not be happier. Point-person Alberto adjusted my itinerary quickly and without hesitation, taking into account my target species and location requests. My guide Fernando was extremely personable, fun, accommodating, skilled, and authentic. He is a local Paraguayan who speaks English very well and it was fantastic to go birding with him while learning about his life, country, and its remarkable history and culture. It was spectacular to sip mate in the Chaco after a long morning of birding before heading over to the Mennonite grocery-restaurant for some fantastic local food. Over our 3-day tour, we saw 143 bird (92 lifers), 4 mammal, 1 caiman, and 1 tarantula species. Fernando made significant effort to successfully locate many of my biggest target birds, including Chilean Flamingo, Jabiru, Greater Rhea, Southern Screamer, as well as my most wanted specialties/endemics including Black-legged Seriema, Chaco Owl, and Quebracho Crested-Tinamou. While we were unsuccessful in finding tapir or anteater, a pair of night drives allowed for Azara's Night Monkey, Crab-eating Fox, and a Pampas Cat vs. Jaguarundi. One of our stops was Fortín Toledo/Boqueron, the site of a major Chaco War battle (birding amid the bunkers and destroyed tanks) and a peccary conservation reserve, where we were able to see the endemic and endangered Chaco Peccary. It was nice to get a complete experience of rural Paraguay; both in term of its unique nature as well as insight into its people's unique challenges and way of life. At the conclusion of our tour, we arrived late back in Asuncion. I had planned to take a red-eye bus to Iguazu which Fernando had helped me book; he subsequently offered to later pick me up from my hotel so I would not have to walk with my luggage to the bus station in the middle of the night. Afterwards, he successfully helped me find and board my (surprisingly comfortable) bus to Brazil. I made a great friend in Fernando and could not be more thankful for his guiding and hospitality. In summary, this tour is an amazing opportunity for anyone visiting Paraguay to explore the nature, people, and history of this under-visited region of the world.
Flexible and helpful service
MalTorero,
Nov 26, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had a tailored tour, so the details may not be relevant for others. What I will say is that Alberto is a very kind, helpful and knowledgeable person. He also suggested bringing his kids along (as we had two kids, so we agreed that this would be great). If you are taking kids I would recommend this, as his kids are just delightful.
A truly unique experience. Totally worth it!
J695VImatthiass,
Jul 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Overall it was an amazing experience! Alberto was the perfect guide to travel. From the get-go we were able to see all different kind of wildlife. Starting with birds we even were able to observe armadillos, tapirs, pekaris and incredible insects. With Alberto you will have a guide that is taking care of everything, so you can fully enjoy the experience and wildlife of Paraguay.
Adventure in Paraguay
randrmarsh,
May 18, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Paraguay is not for the faint hearted and certainly not for those who expect a pampered, luxurious experience, but I loved every minute of my 12 day tour, which included several national conservation parks within the Chaco, followed by 3 days in the Brazilian Pantanal. Sadly the weather gods were against us and it rained constantly for the first few days, thus many of the larger mammals we hoped to spot at regular water holes already had plenty to drink and stayed sensibly under cover in the inaccessible (very prickly) vegetation. A paradise for cacti enthusiasts! The bird life however was AMAZING and my guide Alberto was an expert at spotting and pointing out everything from the tiniest humming birds to the many large birds of prey. He was assiduous in looking after me (I took the tour alone and am not in the first flush of youth) he was also an expert at negotiating the extremely slippery, potholed and sometimes flooded dirt roads and very good company. The sun came out when we reached Brazil and our stay at Fazenda San Francisco provided a spectacular end to out trip with sightings of jaguar and ocelot and many other wonderful animals, butterflies and water plants. It was a real adventure and took me right back to my early days travelling in S America in the 70s. I would recommend Wildlife Paraguay to anyone wanting to experience nature in all its glories without too many tourist trappings.
An unforgettable journey
Clara A,
Mar 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent!!! 100/100 It was an amazing experience! With Alberto and with the warm company of Ale, we discover a stunning world of wild animals, new landscapes and cultural circuits. We were fascinated! We have come back wanting much more Paraguay! Alberto’s experience and scientific knowledge together with his human warmth and predisposition made this trip a spectacular tour of the fauna, flora and people of this unique place, the Chaco. For us, it was a novelty and we came back more than satisfied. Thanks, Alberto!!!
LUXURY Walk through the Chaco
NicoMico123443464580,
Feb 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alberto, the guide, is an expert on birds, it is his passion. Walking with him, one learns a lot about these animals, from their behavioral habits, to how to photograph them. Moreover, as a guide, Alberto is very dedicated, and strives to accommodate the tour to maximize what the client wanted. In my case, on the road I was interested in a historic place in the Chaco and he did his best to make me go see him. Likewise, your dedication to maximizing sightings is spectacular. Finally, it is very nice and good people, so much so that one does not feel like a tourist, but walking with a friend. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Enchanting Tour of Chaco
Surfacing1982,
Aug 27, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I went on a 3-day Humid and Dry Chaco Tour. Each morning our tour guide was right on time for birdwatching. We’re not experts, so we didn’t have a list of bird species that we needed to cross off from a list, but we are birdwatching enthusiasts, and we were very much enthused :-) The total number of pictures my husband got with his cameras came to about 800. I haven’t gone through them all yet, but we’re happy with the results. I’ll see if I can attach a few pictures along with this review. I enjoyed the time on the road as well. I was impressed by the change in landscape, and the birds we saw hanging out on fences and poles along roadsides and highways. Dr. Alberto was our guide for the duration of the trip. He readily answered questions I had by email (like what kind of a jacket to pack for that kind of a climate), as well as to all kinds of questions I had during the trip (about animal behavior, and the politics and history of Paraguay). If you’re planning on going to Paraguay you must see the Humid and Dry Chaco!
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Operated by Wildlife Paraguay