We were at the Caiman Lodge and Projeto Arara Azul in July 2007, it was amazing to see these gorgeous birds in the wild.  Also a treat to see wild Nandays, Amazons and Quakers.  I have an article and photos on my website http://www.featheredandfree.com/Pantanal.php.  This lodge is beautiful and no parrot lover would be disappointed by going.

Hi

I quite agree with you Caiman Lodge is exceptional for lots of parrots. I have been 3 times now 2000, 2006 and 2008 and will be going back again this year, October. It will be followed by a short trip to see the Green Winged Macaws of Buraco das Araras and then onto Cristalino Jungle Lodge in the Amazon to see lots more parrots.

We will be going around with the Hyacinth Macaw Project team (something I never tire of, I have gone around with them checking on the chicks every trip I have made here) and the Blue Fronted Amazon Team.

Please see Rosemary Low’s trip report and my photos from 2008 at http://www.wildparrotsupclose.co.uk/trip_reports_51.html

Rosemary Low is joining me again for this trip (she liked Caiman Lodge so much last year, her first trip there) and I have a few places left for any parrot and especially Hyacinth lovers on this Exclusive Parrot Trip.

Lots of time to photo, video and enjoy the Parrots on the whole trip.

Full itinerary http://www.wildparrotsupclose.co.uk/brazil_2009_50.html

Steve Brookes
Wild Parrots Up Close

I wish I could go back, I will some day.  I also met Monalyssa, she sure can get up those trees!  And Cezar was the main guide in June 2007, not sure if he is still there.  I didn’t get to meet Neiva, she was in town the same time we were at the lodge.  The highlight was going around with the Projeto Arara Azul people without the tourists around.  The next time, I would just skip the touristy things like the horse ride and spend all my time with the researchers.  We also got to see baby Hy chicks, it was awesome!  We did the bike ride, no sooner were we out the gate when we saw a flock of Hys and a huge fig tree near the old airport with lots of quakers, nandays, Maxi pis and amazons!  I just told the others to go on ahead and leave me alone with the birds, I was in heaven!

I have only met Neiva once in Caiman as well as a couple of times at Tenerife. She always seems to be very busy.
When I organise my trips we usually have the whole of Baiazinha lodge to ourselves with a Caimaner guide (local English speaking guide with lots of local knowledge) and he sleeps in our lodge as well as accompanies us every day we are there including going around with the Hyacinth project. This means we can ask him to take us where ever we want and we usually just look out for parrots including the Blue Fronted Amazon roost site where there are about 1300 Amazons.
Of course you cannot help but see all the other wildlife around.