- Duration 10 days
- Difficulty 2/5
- Group Size 12
Pantanal
10-19 September, 2018
Join us in South America’s greatest wildlife spectacle, Brazil’s tropical wetland region the Pantanal. Escape the urban life and enter the home of one of the continent’s most elusive predators: the mighty jaguar. In a region that boasts perhaps the world’s highest density of jaguars we offer you the opportunity to look into the eyes of this majestic cat. When not in pursuit of jaguars you may find yourself in the company of endangered giant river otters and tapirs, the once-endangered hyacinth macaw, or a plethora of capybara, spectacled caiman and birds of all descriptions.
A maximum of 12 participants will be housed in riverboats and land accommodations. Travelers will spend upwards of 3 hours, both mornings and afternoons in a speedboat, the best way to spot jaguars. Finding and photographing wildlife take extended time and dedication, but can be astoundingly rewarding. You will be situated in the best locations for seeing the region’s birds, mammals, reptiles and of course jaguars. Your leaders were among the first people to photograph wild jaguars in the region (the photos adorned National Geographic, including the cover). Though jaguars are the expedition’ focus, the region also boasts some 350 species of birds plus much more to appease your naturalist and photographic desires. We will also enjoy seeing a host of other animals – some of them endangered, like the giant river otter. If you desperately long to see rare elusive animals and observe unique behaviors this expedition is perfect for you! A visit to one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls – Iguaçu Falls is also available upon request.
The map is a visual representation of the locations included in this trip. Click over the image to zoom into the map. For more information, please refer to the itinerary for this expedition.
Trip Details
General Information
Price Not Published
This is a private trip. If you would like to visit the Pantanal please contact us for future trips.
Arrival: Cuiaba Airport, Brazil
Departure: Cuiaba Airport, Brazil
Arrival Time: Afternoon of 10th September
INCLUDED
- Two Expedition trip leaders.
- Lodging at all hotels during the expedition.
- All ground transportation.
- Meals and bottled water.
- Local guide services in English.
- Tips to guides and drivers.
NOT INCLUDED
- Round trip International airfare to Cuiaba.
- Entry visa for Brazil.
- Compulsory yellow fever inoculation.
- Early or late check-in at Cuiaba hotel.
- Personal expenses.
VIEW ITINERARY
A Day 1, September 10th: Arrive to Cuiabá
The expedition begins at the gateway to Brazil’s Pantanal: the city of Cuiabá. After arrival we will transfer to the Slaviero Varzea Grande Hotel. Dinner will be in a local restaurant followed by a briefing about the trip.
B Day 2, September 11th: SouthWild Pantanal Lodge
Today begins with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards we will commence our journey into the Pantanal on the Transpantaneira road, enjoying the benefits of the raised earthen road to view many native Pantanal animals. We will arrive at this birders’ paradise in time for lunch followed by a relaxed boat ride on the river for the afternoon activity. In the evening we will look for another elusive cat, the ocelot.
C Day 3, September 12th: Pantanal Jaguar Expedition
After breakfast at SouthWild Pantanal Lodge we will continue to Porto Joffre where speedboats will be waiting to transport us to SouthWild Jaguar Flotel & Suites: our live-aboard river hotel that will serve as our ‘home base’ for the next days while we search the rivers for jaguars. This afternoon we have our first river excursion in search of jaguars.
D Day 4-8, September 13th – 17th: Pantanal Jaguar Expedition
For the next five days we will invest our time heavily in pursuit of Panthera onca the jaguar. Expect to find this elusive feline patrolling the banks of the many rivers and to be able to photograph it from our private speedboats. The days will be filled with the exciting expectation of seeing jaguars, followed by the adrenaline of coming face to face with one. Between jaguar sightings you will be able to enjoy watching or photographing many animals which live in or around the river. These could include giant river otters, tapirs, toco toucans, caiman, capybara, monkeys a plethora of birds and many more species.
E Day 9, September 18th: Fazenda Pouse Alegre
Today we retrace our steps part way back up the Transpantaneira for an overnight stay at a naturalist’s paradise Fazenda Pouso Alegre. Apart from a wealth of birds including hyacinth macaws and many other tropical species that we will see during our explorations, on foot this will also be our best chance for giant anteaters. Jacaré caiman and capybaras will also be present around the lodge.
A Day 10, September 19th: Return to Cuiabá
After our final breakfast together we will say our goodbyes and head for the Cuiabá airport for flights back home. However, the expedition does not need to end here – there is an optional extension to Iguaçu Falls for those that are interested (minimum of 4 required).
E EXTENSION TO IGUAÇU FALLS 18-21 SEPTEMBER, 2018
Iguaçu means “big water” in the Guarani Indian language, which is a fitting description for this magnificent landscape. Iguaçu is simply spectacular! The falls range from 60-80 meters (200-269 feet) in height and stretch for 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles), making them twice as wide as Niagara Falls. They are located within two UNESCO World Heritage sites, which means the lush microclimate created by the large clouds of spray and the falls themselves are protected. A visit here will undoubtedly leave you in awe.
The fauna around the Iguaçu Falls is extremely rich with over 60 species of mammals, 422 birds, over 40 reptiles, 18 amphibians, and 250 butterfly species. This area tends to be our best chance of seeing large numbers of toco toucans, the most spectacular of all toucans.
Day 11, September 19th: Fly to Iguaçu Falls
For those who choose to indulge in this spectacular waterfall experience we will head from Cuiabá to Foz do Iguaçu where we will stay the night at the only hotel within the park borders the famous and luxurious Das Cataratas Hotel. We will use the afternoon to have a first peek at our surroundings. With continuous access to the falls from our hotel we will be free to come and go as we please. Not only is Iguaçu Falls on our doorstep, so is the exciting wildlife of the region including coatis, jays and toucans.
Day 12-13, September 20 -21st: Iguaçu Falls
The following two days are made up of difficult decisions! You can either spend the time in personal exploration of the region or partake of one of the many optional extras, including the opportunity to explore the power of the falls from a large, fast inflatable boat at water level or to visit the neighboring bird park which hosts many exotic captive bird species in large walk-through natural settings. Overnight at Das Cataratas Hotel.
Day 14, September 22nd: Depart Iguaçu Falls
Today is our final chance to explore the region before our transfer takes us back to Foz do Iguaçu airport for our return flights home. It is the last chance to get that photo you have been itching to take and a final look at the spectacular falls we will have seen.
