What's Sauadaua?

Sauadaua is a private property with an approx. area of 2000ha or 20.000 square meters of Gadelha family. This area is composed by one main narrow river with approx. length of 37km (straight line), six (6) tributaries of main narrow river with approx. length of  6 to 15 km(straight line) and others with shorter length. All surrounded of native forest, flooded forest, fields and firm land forest containing over a thousand (1000) trees of native Brazilian chestnut.

Sauadaua name’s originated of a local indian dialect and means “place of the good” and also refers to the name of the main narrow river that crosses all the property. Its clear and crystalline waters vary the color of a light green for a dark and mysterious green in accordance with the quantity of water poured for its tributaries.

Sauadaua is located the northeast of the Amazon Estate, more specifically in the Aracá river (85km from the  urban area of the Barcelos City – in straight line). Aracá river is a very popular tourist destination very known by sportive fishermen from Brazil and the world.

Sattelite picture showing our property in the Aracá river with its loopy

The preservation of a so large area is not easy task. Almost  seven years ago we hired a very special friend who helps us to preserve the area, preventing biopirates, woodcutters, illegal hunters and others non authorized persons can invade the place.

Mr. Paul or “little Paul” for closest. Our warrior in the preservation of the area.

Activities List developed in Sauadaua Property

1. Wild Camping: Camps are mounted in strategic places within the property. You can use to sleep your individual tents or collective tents made for our native guides. Those do not like sleeping in the middle forest; we have a rustic wooden house in the beginning of the property. We suggest you bring your own hammocks, sleeping bags and net against insects.

2. Trekking: walking long distances in trails inside the forest with duration more than 24hr. It’s necessary to carry camp materials. During the activity, we will regulars stops to search and watching of the birds, wild life, plants, trees, to take a pictures, make a films, snack, lunch, to drink water, etc.

3. Hiking: walking short distances in trails inside the forest with duration lesser than 24hr. It’s not necessary to carry camp materials. During the activity, we will regulars stops to search and watching of the birds, wild life, plants, trees, to take a pictures, make a films, snack, lunch, to drink water, etc. Late afternoon we come back to the main camp.

 4. Fishing: You will learn how to fish your own lunch using native techniques. In our property you can to fish piranha, peacock bass, spotted fish, pacús, matrinxãs, etc.

5. Birds, plants, trees and wild life watching: During the trekking or hiking in the trails our guides to do strategic stops to you watching birds [parrots, blue-and-yellow macaws, red-and-green macaws, gray-winged trumpeters, toucans, woodpeckers, etc]; mammals [otters, red howler monkey, squirrel monkey, capybara, brown capuchin monkey, brown agouti and with luck jaguars, tapirs, wild pigs, tayras, etc]; reptiles and amphibians [poison snakes, caimans, lizards, anacondas, rainforest frogs etc]; insects [butterflies, rainforest spiders, scorpions, etc], exotic plants, medicinal plants and giant trees as native Brazilian chestnut.

6. Visit and exploration of the lost narrow rivers: During one complete day we will visit at least four (4) lost narrow rivers and will explore one of them. But if level of the narrow river will be very low, we left the small boat in the margin and we initiate exploration following water’s course. We also will do diving activities using mask and snorkel in crystalline and transparent waters. A true spectacle of tones and colors crossing the forest.

7. Nocturnal focalization of Brazilian alligators: During the night, we do focalization of Brazilian alligators and others animals with nocturnal habits using regional canoes and flashlights.

8. Nocturnal Fishing: For those tougher, we also night fishing of some species of fish.

9. Survival Techniques: During the trekking or hiking, our natives guides will teach you some survival techniques in rainforest [how to search and find water and food, how to make a fire and traps, how to mount a wild camp, etc]

Other activities

Eldorado Waterfall

In Jauari river a tributary of the Aracá river, far away approx.215km [straight line] of the urban area of the Barcelos City [or approx.350km by river], is located the highest Brazil’s waterfall, the untouchable “Jauari Waterfall”  with a height of almost 360 meters. Also known as Eldorado Waterfall or Aracá Waterfall. Due to distance, fuel expenses are quite substantial being more economical to make an expedition because the costs will be prorated. The trip will be made on a regional boat until navigable area of the Aracá river. Then be used small boats powered by outboard motors inside Jauari river. The best time of year to visit the waterfall is between April and September when the rivers and narrow rivers are full (high water). If you prefer we do the trip in small boats powered outboard motors. If you are interested in knowing Eldorado waterfalls, please send us an email informing the people number and boat type you want to use. Soon we’ll send you a budget and our planning trip.

Aracá mountain and Eldorado waterfall 

In rivers and lakes near of the Barcelos city: 

Sport fishing of the peacock bass and other fish: Unlike traditional hotel boats, every day we left Barcelos city at about 6:00 am and come back late afternoon at about 17:00 pm. We use small boats powered outboards of 15 and 30hp. The advantage of this fishing type is the tourist doesn’t feel “plastered” in the hotel boats besides it’s possible to fish in rivers with low water level (high dry up). We work with experienced guides and have the main fishing areas mapped in the satellite images and in the gps navigator.

Eric's wife and our friend Geraldo with their specimen of 22 and 24lb

Sport fishing with night camp: In the end of the day, our fishing guide began the mounting of the camp in one of the beautiful beaches or islands in the Negro river. We suggest you bring your own hammocks, sleeping bags and net against insects. The best time of year to fish in the Negro river is between October and March when the rivers are low water level (best time to fish the biggest peacock bass)

 night camp

Accomodations in Barcelos City:

In Barcelos City we have a house on the riverbank where we accommodate our guest for a very interesting price. There are three bedrooms, one with suite. All bedrooms with air conditioning, television, internet and breakfast. If you'll prefer give good tips on hotels and inn in the city.

our accomodation

If you got interested in some activity send us an email and inform us the activity name, people number and suggested date. Soon we'll reply your message ans send you a budget within your reach.

Lost narrow rivers

All narrow rivers shown bellow they’re on the inside of our property and mostly remain totally unexplored until its fountainhead. Crystalline and transparent waters are an invite to unforgettable diving. A true spectacle of tones and colors bringing life and beauty the forest.

Name: "good water"...mysterious blue

Name: "maloca"

Name: "parrot"...shining green

Name: "rocinha"...recent discovery

Name: "crystal"...my last discovery

Exploration

Strategical stop

Main narrow river in drought

Sauadaua

Exotic Plants, Giant trees and Local fruit

Exotic plant species found at the floor of some narrow rivers. It’s about a species probably not cataloged by science. Once you remove one piece (sliver), it regenerates in about 20 minutes. It’s widely used by forest men`s who use their internal juice for rapid healing of open wound (sore, lesion).

 piaçava palm - used to make brooms

Cat's claw - anti-inflammatory properties

Bacuri is Amazon rainforest fruit that has a special taste sour and sweet. It is rich in phosphourus, iron and vitamin C. The pulp can be eaten raw or used to make candy, juice, liqueur and ice cream. A delight. 

Water’s bush rope. Used to quench one’s thirst in the forest.

Native Brazilian Chestnut tree. Trees over 35 meters tall (114,8 ft)

Chestnut tree fruits

Açai palm - separating the grains

Angelim - Tree  of 40 meters tall (131,2 ft) felled by storm

Trekking in the Sauadaua's heart

 

Our property has many trails in the forest’s heart. Some native trails lead to closed lakes or lost narrow rivers in the woods.  Other trails lead to a set of chestnut tree, meadows, flooded fields, etc. During the trekking or hiking you can watch wildlife as birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, insects, exotic plants, medicinal plants and giant trees. But don’t forget to bring your camera and record unforgettable moments.

Our friend Timothy and one of our native guides

Macaws [red-and-blue and blue-and-yellow]

 Parakeets (small parrots)

Anaconda

Oters

Red footed tortoise

Brazilian Tapir

Wild cat

Borugo rodent

Monter Rivers and Other Smaller

In Barcelos City you Will have the opportunity to fish the larger specimens of peacock bass and other species as catfish, piranhas, etc.  We work with experienced guides who know the region deeply. We mapped the main fishing spots using satellite images and gps equipment. Below we show pictures of friends who have had the privilege of fishing with us.

Eric's wife and her peacock bass of 22 lb 

 Our friend Geraldo and his peacock bass of 24 lb

Eric and our friend Dadá with their peacock bass of 12 lb

Here I'm with a beautiful specie of 16 lb

 

Our friend Fabio with his peacock of 15 lb

Our friend Rose and your catfish specie of 18 lb

Here I'm with a catfish specie "pirarara" of 80 lb

Species of Ornamental Fish

Flat fish - dangerous

Beautiful Fisherwoman and her peacock bass of 16 lb

Night Fishing

Our friend Daniel and her peacock of 26 lb - monster