Scarlet Ibis and Snowy Egrets — Photo: Steve Hilty

Enjoy great biodiversity where many threatened bird species are easy to see due to decades of conservation efforts. Large tracts of tropical dry forest, grasslands, and amazing concentrations of waterbirds. Good chance for many Neotropical mammals.

VENT is proud to offer this short trip to Hato Piñero, a region that combines one of the best tropical dry forests of South America with the vast savannas and wetlands of the Llanos.

In Hato Piñero, you can expect a wealth of tropical birds and some of the easiest and most pleasant birding anywhere. During the tour, many participants really get to know the 200-plus species that include such spectacular birds as Yellow-knobbed Curassow, Sunbittern, Agami Heron, both Great and Common potoos, Scarlet Macaw, Jabiru, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, and many others. Evening spotlighting of mammals, night birds, reptiles, and amphibians from the custom-designed, observation truck is superb and often considered the highlight of our tour.

Venezuela is one of the most economically advanced countries in South America. It also has a very rich avifauna and many productive areas that are easily accessible, often from paved roads. All these treats and Steve Hilty's exceptional new field guide combine to assure a superb tour that affords a cross section of many diverse habitats in the upper Llanos and the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela.

For added diversity, we will also spend two days at Casa Maria, a beautiful facility offering a gentle and bird-filled introduction to Venezuela.

Good accommodations; all nights at two locations; morning, afternoon, and evening outings in safari trucks; easy non-strenuous terrain; midday breaks; warm climate.