Join Wildlife Worldwide team member and wildlife photographer Ben Sutcliffe in the North Pantanal to capture images of wonderful wildlife ranging from hyacinth macaw and ocelot to jaguar.
This itinerary will provide countless opportunities to photograph some of the Pantanal’s finest wildlife and practice your photography skills.
We go in search of five of Brazil’s most sought-after species, seeking to observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, and with luck, capturing a stunning range of images for each. Brazil's big five include arguably the Pantanal’s most famous resident, the jaguar, the ever so charismatic and entertaining giant river otter, the Brazilian tapir - the largest terrestrial mammal in South America, the bizarre looking giant anteater and the iconic hyacinth macaw.
We spend time at a remote lodge on the banks of the Cuiaba River, heading out by boat with the aim of photographing jaguar, giant river otter, capybara and much more. We then head to the grasslands outside Bonito, a favourite haunt for a number of giant anteaters, before finishing the trip at Buraco das Araras to photograph the red-and-green macaws.
In our quest for Brazil’s Big 5 we can expect to encounter a wealth of other mammals, birds and reptiles, from ocelot and howler monkeys to jabiru storks and toco toucans, every day will present an extraordinary range of subjects and with our exclusive vehicle and boat, we will endeavour to maximise the photographic opportunities at every turn.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
We depart the UK on overnight international flights to São Paulo.
Day2: Fly to Cuiaba & photography on the Transpantaneira
From São Paulo, we fly to Cuiaba where we have lunch on arrival. Afterwards we travel southwest on asphalt roads to the small town of Poconé. A short distance from Poconé is the start of the infamous Transpantaneira, a raised-dirt and gravel road that extends south for approximately 150 kilometres through the North Pantanal, crossing no fewer than 120 wooden bridges en route.
The Transpantaneira is excellent for wildlife-watching and photographic opportunities. On reaching its start, we transfer from an air-conditioned minibus to an open-sided safari truck. Although exposed to the elements, it provides fantastic photo possibilities and as we drive slowly south we begin encountering some of the region’s famed wildlife inhabitants, including capybara and yacare caiman. Egrets, ibises and storks wade through the shallow pools, while kingfishers (ringed, Amazon and green) perch on nearby branches.
On arrival at the lodge in late afternoon, we have the opportunity to freshen up, before reconvening to visit the ocelot photo hide and enjoying a relaxing dinner.
Accommodation: SouthWild Pantanal Lodge, 2-nights
Day3: Explore South Wild Pantanal
A striking toco toucan may well be the first creature to greet you this morning as you make your way to breakfast, with the species a frequent visitor to the lodge feeders. Depending on the latest sightings and the water level in the river, we will either explore on foot or by boat, gradually familiarising ourselves with our new surrounds and with luck, capturing a variety of images of the wildlife. Whilst some sightings may be somewhat fleeting, a flash of colour as a rufous-tailed jacamar takes flight or the crashing of leaves overhead as a troop of howlers move off, there are plenty of more sedentary subjects to keep us entertained. Small herds of capybara can often be found grazing on the lawn, whilst yacare caiman, frozen in time, lie motionless along the river banks, all under the watchful unmoving eye of a great potoo.
Day4: Transfer to Port of the Capybara Lodge
This morning we continue our journey south to Porto Jofre which is located at the end of the Transpantaneira. Travelling in our open-sided safari vehicle, we could encounter a wealth of wildlife which will hopefully offer several rewarding photographic possibilities. Roadside hawks, savannah hawks, black-collared hawks and snail kites are a common sight and there is always the possibility of a chance encounter with a variety of mammals.
Arriving in Porto Jofre, we enjoy a quick lunch and take the opportunity to photograph caracara and hyacinth macaws if they are in the vicinity, before taking to the water and continuing around 45 kilometres up the Cuiabá River to our remote accommodation for a four-night stay. On arrival at our remote lodge, we are shown to our rooms and have an opportunity to freshen up before dinner.
Days5-7: Morning & afternoon boat safaris for wildlife photography
Over the next three days we follow a programme of morning and afternoon boat safaris, typically spending around eight hours on the river each day and returning to the lodge in the middle of the day for lunch and some downtime. As we cruise slowly along the river we scan the sandy banks and dense riparian forest in search of the Pantanal’s top predator and the chance of some wonderful photographic possibilities. Drawn by the high density of caiman and capybara in the area, jaguars are frequently seen stalking the rivers in search of prey, or resting in the shade of an overhanging tree.
While exploring the vast network of rivers and channels, we will doubtlessly meet and capture images of a varied selection of mammals and birds. Giant river otter are another wonderful subject, but we may also have the opportunity to photograph capybara, caiman, ocelot, Brazilian tapir and even tayra patrolling the riverbanks. Birds are likely to include black skimmers, jabiru stork, coci heron, both large-billed and yellow-billed terns, maguari stork, blue-crowned parakeet and a host of different raptors and passerines.
During our stay we have the opportunity to undertake some photography in the lodge grounds and along the 2 kilometre bird trail, where it is possible to photograph a variety of species that may include blue-crowned trogon, yellow-billed cardinal and the diminutive rufous-tailed jacamar.
During the evenings there will also be opportunities for macro photography in close vicinity to our lodge.
Day8: Morning boat safari & transfer to heart of the Pantanal
This morning we set out on our final wildlife watching boat tour from Port of the Capybara Lodge. We continue to search the jaguar and giant otter rich tributaries and channels on our way, where we will hopefully have a final encounter with these charismatic mammals. We then continue our journey up the Transpantaneira to SouthWild Pantanal Lodge, stopping for any wildlife opportunities along the way, which will likely include many roadside birds of prey.
Arriving at the lodge in the afternoon, we have some time to rest and relax, and enjoy photographing the prolific birdlife and possibly the crab-eating foxes that often spend time here. We may then have the opportunity to visit the ocelot hide again to hopefully enjoy a further sighting of this beautiful cat. After dinner, we set off to drive back to Cuiaba Airport to take our late evening flight to Campo Grande. On arrival in Campo Grande, we transfer the short distance to our hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Deville Prime, 1-night
Day9: Transfer to Bonito
Today we can enjoy a lie in and a leisurely start after our late flight. After a later breakfast, we set off for our drive of approximately four hours to our Bonito. We break the journey up with a lunch stop at a restaurant along the way. We hope to arrive in Bonito in the afternoon with time to check in at our lodge before setting off for our first excursion in search of the incredible giant anteater.
Accommodation: Pousada Olho D'Agua, 3-nights
Days10-11: Giant anteater photography
During our time in Bonito, we focus our photography on giant anteaters. Also known as the ant bear, the giant anteater is one of four living species of anteaters. This species is mostly terrestrial, in contrast to other living anteaters and sloths, which are arboreal or semiarboreal. Their elongated snout, bushy tail, long fore claws, and distinctively coloured pelage makes them a unique subject to photograph.
Heading out in the late afternoon when the anteaters are most active, we drive for approximately 30 minutes just outside Bonito, which is home to a number of giant anteaters. Found foraging in a wide variety of habitats but particularly fond of open grasslands with high concentrations of termite mounds, giant anteaters feed almost exclusively on ants and termites, using the powerful fore claws to tear open the mounds and then mop up their prey with an enormous 40 centimetre long sticky tongue! It's a fascinating spectacle to observe and providing we're able to demonstrate a little guile in the field and remain downwind we should be able to remain undetected and capture some fabulous images.
We also take time in the early mornings to photograph the extraordinary birdlife including toco toucans, red-legged seriemas, burrowing owls and a range of other wildlife. Capuchin monkeys, agoutis, large black-and-white tegu lizards and a huge range of insects can also be found in the local area. During the middle of the day, we have time to relax by the pool or rest in your room. However, you may wish to spend time photographing the bird life in the lodge grounds during this time off.
Day12: Transfer to Buraco das Araras & red-and-green macaw photography
This morning, we transfer by road from Bonito to Buraco das Araras to photograph the red-and-green macaws. Having developed techniques for photographing birds in flight during our trip, we will be able to put our skills to good practice with these exquisite birds as our subject. Often the macaws are perched in branches very close to the platforms and frequently fly below or at eye-level, providing particularly memorable sightings of these striking birds.
On completion of our time in the field, we travel to our hotel in Campo Grande, where we spend the final night of the group tour. Depending on our timings and local conditions, we will hopefully also make a couple of stops in Campo Grande to photograph blue-and-yellow and red-bellied macaws and possibly also coatis.
Accommodation: Deville Prime, 1-night
Day13: Transfer to airport
This morning, we transfer early with a packed breakfast to Campo Grande Airport for our flight to São Paulo. We then connect with our onward flight back to the UK
Day14: Arrive UK
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 14 daysfrom £10,995 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 12 daysfrom £10,295 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Ben is a published wildlife photographer with over 10 years experience, specialising in British mammals and birds.
Ben has been shortlisted in many high end competitions such as the British Wildlife Photography Awards and looks to further improve on this in the near future.
Ben has travelled to many countries from a young age including North and Central America, as well more widely in Europe. Ben's fascination for travelling helped fuel his passion for wildlife photography and couple with his infectious enthusiasm, he is an excellent young leader.
Accessed via the town of Cuiaba, the northern Pantanal is home to some of Brazil’s rarest wildlife, such as jaguar and giant river otter. Many of the lodges here are still functioning cattle ranches, offering day and night trips by boat, vehicle, on foot and on horseback, accompanied by local naturalist guides.
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Where: Mato Grosso
Ideal for viewing: capybara, giant anteater, giant river otter, jaguar, yacare caiman
Excellent for: Wildlife cruises, Wildlife photography, River safaris, Jaguar watching
Buraco das Araras is a spectacular sinkhole some 500 metres in diameter, named after the abundance of red-and-green macaws which nest and roost on the cliffs. Two viewing platforms overlook the emerald green lagoon providing remarkable sightings and excellent photographic opportunities.
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Conservation projects in the southern Pantanal focus on jaguar and the hyacinth macaw. From a comfortable lodge you can see wildlife by boat, vehicle and on foot. Bonito, on the southern fringe, is a mecca for ecotourism, where you will find grottos with blue lakes and walking trails surrounded by monkeys.
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This ecological paradise is the world’s largest wetland, with 124 mammals (including the world’s largest jaguars), 177 reptiles, 1,100 species of butterfly, and a myriad of birds, brightly coloured flowers, and shoals of fish. There are significant differences between the north and south; we recommend visiting both.
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Where: Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul states
Ideal for viewing: capybara, giant anteater, giant river otter, jaguar, yacare caiman
Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Self-drive, River safaris, Jaguar watching, Birdwatching
Perched on the edge of the São Lourenço River, 45 kilometres upriver from Porto Jofre is the tranquil Port of the Capybara Lodge. With just seven en suite rooms, all with air-conditioning, it offers a comfortable base from which to explore the tributaries for jaguars, giant otters and much more away from Porto Jofre.
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