Exploring the World's Largest Wetland
Brazil: Jaguars and Wildlife of the Pantanal
Overview
In the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, wildly colorful avian species nest, caiman and capybara roam the river banks, and the top predator is the majestic jaguar, the largest native cat in the New World. With luck, we may also see giant anteater and giant otter here. On this safari-style adventure, we explore by boat, with a day trip to the Porto Jofre area, where jaguar sightings are well known, and safari by 4WD vehicle and canoe in a riverine forest where birdlife includes macaws and huge jabiru storks. We finish with hikes in the stunning ecosystem of Chapada Dos Guimarães National Park. Join us for a phenomenal wildlife adventure!
Arrive: Cuiabá, Brazil
Depart: Cuiabá, Brazil
Highlights
- Search for the elusive jaguar along the Pantanal's rivers
- 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 cozy wildlife lodges
Itinerary
We meet in Cuiabá and drive to the remote Aymara Lodge, set in an area renowned among wildlife photographers and birders. We’ll explore on foot or by canoe, keeping an eye out for native avians including cocoi, striated, and agami heron and all five species of South American kingfisher. We'll also take a day trip to the Porto Jofre area, where jaguar frequent the Cuiabá River, and meet with a researcher from the Jaguar Identification Project.
Just getting to the Hotel Baiazinha is a kind of “safari” as we look for an array of spectacular birds along the way, possibly including jabiru stork and roseate spoonbill. We’ll have two full days along the Paraguay River. Jaguar are drawn here during the dry season to drink, swim, and hunt for their favorite prey, the capybara, as well as caiman. Unlike the Amazon, the Pantanal has a wide-open habitat, which makes for easier viewing and photography.
Red-rock formations and tumbling waterfalls are protected in wild Chapada dos Guimarães National Park. On daily hikes, we 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. 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 in a hot and humid climate, covering a variety of terrain including forest trails.
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
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
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—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.