Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?
The stunning Harpy Eagle.
Photo: Rafael Ferraz
What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?
Cristalino Lodge, and we have been operating since 1990.
Chestnut-eared Aracari (photo: Alex Da Riva)
How best to travel to your lodge?
We are located in the Southern Brazilian Amazon – the best way to get here is by traveling to Alta Floresta (AFL) Airport in the Mato Grosso state. Upon arrival at the airport, our team picks the guests up from the airport (transfer included) and embarks on a 1h road transfer + 30min panoramic, stunning boat ride to get amidst the 11,399 hectares of preserved Amazon Rainforest.
Black-tailed Trogon (photo: Jorge Lopes)
What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders?
Personalized guided tours, photography blinds (only during the dry season), two observation towers above the forest canopy, boat safaris (day and night), and trails in different forest types (also day and night).
Canopy Tower (photo: Andre Dib)
What makes your lodge special?
We are located in one of the largest private reserves in The Amazon, twice the size of Manhattan Island (NY), and offer the greatest variety of fauna and flora – we are in a transition between the neighboring biomes of Pantanal and Cerrado so that we can see species from not only those 2 biomes but also The Amazon as well. We have over 600 species of birds, about ? of the Brazilian Avifauna, making this a premium spot for birdwatching. It is considered the best place in the entire Amazon to observe the fauna.
Blue-and-gold Macaw (photo: Jorge Lopes)
What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?
- Brown-winged Trumpeter
- Sunbittern
- Agami Heron
- Capped Heron
- Harpy Eagle
- Ladder-tailed Nightjar
- White-bellied Parrot
- Red-fan Parrot
- Scarlet Macaw
- Curl-crested Aracari
- White-throated Toucan
- Pompadour Cotinga
- Spangled Cotinga
- Amazonian Umbrellabird
- Bare-eyed Antbird
- Black-spotted Bare-eye
- Bare-necked Fruitcrow
- Snow-capped Manakin
- Red-headed Manakin
- Paradise Tanager
Paradise Tanager (photo: Jorge Lopes)
What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?
The best time to see Harpy Eagles and Agami herons by the river and the elusive Antbirds and Manakins at the blinds is in the peak dry season (between July and September).
Agami Heron (photo: Jorge Lopes)
Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.
Our path began with an initiative to preserve the forest – our main aim is to promote conservation. By showing the wonders of The Amazon to every one of our guests, we demystify and promote conservation responsibility. We work closely with the Cristalino Ecological Foundation, which is responsible for promoting conservation, sustainability, and environmental education in local public schools, supports scientific research with universities worldwide, and assists with public policies concerning the conservation efforts in the Mato Grosso State as well.
Turquoise Tanager (photo: Alex Da Riva)
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?
Bring general trail equipment and clothes, like long pants, high socks, a hat, and sunscreen. Bringing a head torch and binoculars is always useful, although we do have them here. Our expert guide suggests learning how to use the camera in low light without the flash, as birds come next to the blind at the end of the afternoon.
Green Kingfisher (photo: Jorge Lopes)
Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.
We do offer a wide range of activities for non-birders as well. Although we started focusing on birdwatching, as a hotspot through the eyes of the renowned Ted Parker and Kevin Zimmer, we have been developing Cristalino to bring guests from all types, in order to invite guests into The Amazon in the most comfortable, educational ways. The activities for non-birders include trail walking (we have over 30km of trails, of various levels), visiting the observation towers (which, besides the incredible birds, offer stunning views from the sunrise and sunset as well), boat tours, fauna & flora observation and kayaking, all accompanied by our incredible guides.
Rufescent Tiger-Heron (photo: Jorge Lopes)
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?
The best way to contact us is through our Reservations Form and WhatsApp.
White-bellied Parrot (photo: Jose Lopes)
Note: Karol de Almeida, who answered our questions, appreciates the help of Bruno Möller, one of the bird guides at the lodge.
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