Guides / Spots for mammal watching in Minas Gerais
Hi there!
I’m travelling to Minas Gerais next week. Apart from some non-mammal watching obligations and traveling-with-children-related limitations in terms of distance to be covered in that vast state, we somehow narrowed the nature locations down to Santuário do Caraça South East of Belo Horizonte and the Serra da Canastra out west.
I was wondering for any tips for good spots and contacts to local guides in the two locations?
Targeted species are pretty much any of the iconic Cerrado ones – Maned Wolves, Giant Anteater and -Armadillo – plus any kind of monkeys, but any smaller rodents, Guinea pigs and squirrels make me happy too 🙂
I speak Portuguese and will rent a 4×4 in case that makes a difference for guides available and range of areas accessible.
Many Thanks!
Markus
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Markus Engelhart
Thank you Antoine, I will reach out to Edmar. Initially, I wanted to travel to Rio Doce and from there further east, as well as Preserve Muriqui (likely the same as Caratinga) or Serra do Brigadeiro as prime spots for Muriquis and beautiful forests, but travelling with two small children we deem Canastra and Caraça the better places to keep everyone happy. I hope to be able to come back some time soon though.
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Antoine Rabussier
Markus,
In Canastra, I can advise Edmar Simões (ticosrn on Instagram) who was good help and with whom we smelled maned wolf (the only mammal on my list of “smelled only” so far). We saw easily anteater and pampas deer plus plenty of nice birds if that is in your interest. Amaury Lima or Wellington Viana would be other ones. Taking a guide is essential as it grants you access earlier in the park which is invaluable especially during the weekends.
I do not know guides in Caraça bit not sure it is absolutely needed to enjoy the place. Food is incredible there, skip breakfast the day you check in! Titi can be encountered there but I di not had this chance personally. They are said to be more common around Tanque Grande.
Did you give any thought to Rio Doce NP (quite unexplored but hope to giant armadillo, tapir and jaguar amongst others) and Caratinga for muriquis and a long shot for Callithrix flaviceps?