Exploring the World's Largest Wetland
Brazil: Jaguars and Wildlife of the Pantanal
Overview
The Pantanal of Brazil, the world’s largest tropical wetland, is a vast waterworld of flooded grasslands, tropical savannas, and gallery forests that shelter phenomenal wildlife. Hundreds of rare and wildly colorful avian species nest in the Pantanal, caiman and capybara roam the meandering river banks, and the top predator in this hotspot of biodiversity is the majestic jaguar, the largest native cat in the New World. On this safari-style adventure, we take river outings along the Cuiabá River in the Porto Jofre area, where jaguar sightings are well known, then move to a remote ecolodge in the Pantanal for explorations by 4WD vehicle and canoe. We combine our wildlife safari with hiking in the stunning “cerrado” ecosystem of Chapada Dos Guimarães National Park, a land of tropical savanna, sandstone cliffs, red-rock formations, and towering waterfalls.
Arrive: Cuiabá, Brazil
Depart: Cuiabá, Brazil
Highlights
- Search for the elusive jaguar along the Pantanal's rivers, including the Porto Jofre area
- Witness spectacular birdlife, from hyacinth macaws to roseate spoonbills
- Meet with a researcher from the Jaguar Identification Project
- Look for giant anteater, capybara, caiman, and giant river otter
- Hike in the stunning landscape of Chapada dos Guimarães National Park
- Enjoy overnights in ideally-situated wildlife lodges
Itinerary
We meet in Cuiabá and head to our comfortable ecolodge right on the Cuiabá River near Porto Jofre, the best spot in the Pantanal to see jaguars. The big cats are drawn here during the dry season to drink, swim, and hunt for their favorite prey, the capybara, as well as caiman. We’ll also meet with a researcher from the Jaguar Identification Project to learn about recent conservation efforts.
We drive the remote Transpantaneira Highway through the Pantanal, looking for wildlife on our way to Aymara Lodge, set in an area renowned among wildlife photographers and birders. From this welcoming lodge, we explore on foot or by canoe, keeping an eye out for wildly colorful native avians as well as caiman and giant otters. The wide-open habitat of the Pantanal makes for easier viewing and photography than in the Amazon.
Red-rock formations, tabletop mountains, crystalline rivers, and tumbling waterfalls are protected on the wild plateau of Chapada dos Guimarães National Park. We’ll explore the tablelands and tropical savanna and look for birds, including channel-billed toucan and blue-winged and red-and-green macaw. Our ecolodge is set on 1,200 acres of private land. Depart on Day 10 via Cuiabá.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 2+, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Our explorations are timed with wildlife activity, so dawn, dusk, and nighttime excursions are a highlight of the trip, but you will need to be prepared for long days. It will likely be hot during the day (high 80s°F, sometimes higher), but nights and dawn are usually cooler (60s°F), with mist or fog often coming in. Travel in Brazil is always an adventure; expect the unexpected! Schedules can change and our logistics are well-planned but subject to local conditions. Our team will do all they can to be sure that the trip runs as smoothly as possible, but this is Brazil, not Switzerland. A spirit of adventure and flexibility will help you get the most out of the trip.
For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. This is an active expedition, with nature walks and light hikes, covering a variety of terrain.
Our trip is timed for the “dry season” (June to September), although afternoon showers can occur year-round. Because there is less rainfall during this time, animals tend to cluster around the smaller stretches of water, leading to greater opportunities for jaguar sightings. Temperatures in the dry season range from the low 60s to the mid-80s. Layers are advisable for cooler evenings. Some rainfall is still likely in the dry season, so be prepared for sunshine as well as moisture.
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Book your trip today
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.