The Pantanal
Why You Should Visit The Pantanal?
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The Pantanal is quite simply the best place in the Americas to spot wildlife
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An incredible destination for birders with well over 600 species of bird on display
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The combination of two or more lodges makes for a fantastic experience of the varied habitats and its diverse wildlife
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Home to endangered animals such as the jaguar, ocelot, Giant Anteater, Giant Otter and the tapir - all unique to Latin America
Our Specialists 'Must Do'
Take boat trips from Porto Joffre, along the Cuiaba River and its tributaries during the dry season to spot the ever elusive jaguar, the best place to see them. Oliver, our Brazil specialist, was incredibly lucky to spot a huge, powerful male resting on a shaded river bank of the Piquiri River on a recent trip to the Pantanal.
A little more about The Pantanal
The Pantanal is one of nature's last frontiers and the largest freshwater wetland area in the world. Set along the far western tip of Brazil towards the Bolivian border, the Pantanal is an enormous region, encompassing an array of ecosystems including swamp, savannah grassland (cerrado) and forest. The wildlife on offer is incredible, with hundreds of bird species such as the purple/blue Hyacinth Macaw, the lanky Jabiru Stork and the rare Pygmy Kingfisher. Not forgetting the mammals and reptiles that include herds of the guinea pig-like capybara, Giant Otter, monkeys, ocelot, jaguar, the maned wolf and millions of caiman.
The Pantanal is roughly split into north and south, with Cuiaba and Campo Grande as the respective gateways to each area. Trips to the north are usually based along the Transpantaneira Highway, a dirt road which dissects the region from Poconé to Porto Joffre on the banks of the Cuiaba River. Stay at simple yet comfortable lodges, time permitting we suggest stays at two or more lodges to experience the differing landscapes and habitats as some are based on the rivers whilst others offer lakes, forest and savannah and hopefully different species too. Visits to the southern Pantanal are usually based at one of the small, excellently run lodges reached by car, 4x4 or small plane. We feel that these lodges offer a more safari-like experience to those in the north.
Activities in the Pantanal include horse riding, 4x4 safaris, boat trips, photography safaris and night tours, all led by our expert naturalist guides.
Combine the Three Ecosystems of Mato Grosso, the Pantanal, the southern Amazon (Cristalino Lodge) and the Chapada dos Guimaraes tablelands for an interesting and varied wildlife holiday. Our Brazil specialist Oliver Lever has recently visited all three areas as part of a fantastic itinerary - his jaguar sighting was the undoubted highlight!!
When to go
The Pantanal is technically a year round destination, however there are two distinct seasons, dry and wet. During the wet season (November-April) visitors will find the region in bloom, with lush vegetation and flowers, however the rains can make some areas tricky to reach and some lodges do close at this time. The dry season (May - October) is the peak season for viewing wildlife, when rare species of birds and other animals seek shelter along the riverbanks and cluster around the diminishing pools as the dry season progresses. The jaguar mating season is also during the dry season when they tend to be seen out in the open.
For further information about The Pantanal, and how to incorporate it into your holiday to Brazil, please contact Oliver on 01285 885 333.
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