Combining the extensive network of waterways in the northern Pantanal with the drier grasslands found in the south, we visit prime wildlife sites in search of the world’s finest birdwatching, and enjoy a superb array of mammals, from giant otters to jaguars.
The Pantanal is the South American continent’s greatest wildlife destination. On this comprehensive wildlife packed tour, we visit several regions that offer contrasting habitats and a fantastic variety of wildlife, large and small.
We explore each of the Pantanal’s wildlife-rich habitats by early-morning and afternoon drives in open safari vehicles, on foot and in riverboats (no fewer than four boat trips) – the latter to maximise our chances of seeing jaguars.
Previous tours to the Pantanal have been highly successful, having wonderful views of jaguar, ocelot, Brazilian tapir, playful families of giant otters, green iguanas, plentiful yacare caimans and an astonishing variety of exotic birds.
We begin in the drier grasslands that dominate parts of the Southern Pantanal, here on termite-studded savannahs we hope to encounter several curious giant anteaters and their smaller cousins, the southern tamandua. There are also many open country birds such as red-legged serirema, greater rhea, whistling heron, golden-collared macaws and mammals such as yellow armadillo and pampas deer.
Moving to the North Pantanal we explore the gallery forests and small lakes, streams and marshes found near the Transpantaneira. Here, wetland birdlife abounds and there are hundreds of herons, egrets, ibis, roseate spoonbills and kingfishers all feasting on the abundant life around the waterways. The forests are home to black-and-gold howler and tufted capuchin monkeys and beautiful birds such as black-tailed trogon, toco toucan and the iconic hyacinth macaw. Our final habitat is the network of rivers and small channels found near to Porto Jofre, where South America’s biggest cat, the jaguar, is our primary target. With the addition of families of giant otter, hundreds of caiman and capybara, numerous birds of prey and the occasional tapir, it will be a superb finale.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
Day2: Arrive São Paulo; fly to Campo Grande
We reach São Paulo International Airport in the early morning and take a connecting flight to Campo Grande in the southern Pantanal. From here we drive 190 kilometres east on a paved road to our lodge, Pousada Aguape, which sits among biodiverse wetlands, grassland and gallery forest.
Over 300 bird species have been recorded here including roseate spoonbill, crimson-crested woodpecker, toco toucan, yellow-chevroned parakeet and the dazzling hyacinth macaw. Mammals we hope to encounter include giant anteater, yellow armadillo, crab-eating fox, and herds of portly capybaras.
Accommodation: Pousada Aguape, 3-nights
Days3-4: Birding & wildlife watching around Pousada Aguape
We spend two full days exploring the savannah, wetland and woodland of Pousada Aguape. Birding will keep us busy at all times, whether we are watching tiny gilded sapphire hummingbirds or majestic jabirus and greater rheas.
Around wetlands there should be abundant capybaras and yacare caiman. With them, we are likely to see snowy and great egrets, plumbeous, buff-necked and bare-faced ibises, and plenty of noisy limpkins. Southern crested caracaras, savannah hawks, roadside hawks and black-collared hawks are all common. Some of the colourful forest species include golden-collared macaw, band-tailed manakin, rufous-tailed jacamar, Amazonian motmot and the stunning, blue-crowned trogon.
Mammals are another highlight and some that could be seen by day or night, include grey brocket and pampas deer, South American coati, crab-eating fox, crab-eating racoon, ocelot, southern tamandua and the magnificent giant anteater, which occur in good numbers here.
There should be plenty of photographic opportunities. In addition to the abundance of bird, reptile and mammal life, ipê trees may be laden with pink or yellow blooms at this time of year.
Day5: Transfer to Cuiabá
After our last morning of birdwatching and wildlife viewing at the lodge, we leave the pousada and drive back to Campo Grande airport, where we catch our domestic flight to Cuiabá. On arrival in Cuiabá, we transfer to our hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Tania, 1 night
Day6: Transfer to Aymara Lodge
Today we depart the city of Cuiabá and begin our drive along the Transpantaneira to Aymara Lodge. Passing first through cerrado vegetation and gallery forest, and then the wetlands of the Pantanal. The road offers some of South America’s most spectacular wildlife watching.
In open grassland and around wetlands greater rheas are common, accompanied by a wealth of waterbirds including southern screamers, wattled jacanas, rufescent tiger herons and wild muscovy ducks. On every telegraph pole there seems to be a rufous hornero nest, while the trees are heavy with the giant colonial nests of monk parakeets and the pendulous nests of yellow-rumped caciques.
Among the many mammals possible here are silvery marmoset, black-and-gold howler monkey, tufted capuchin, Azara’s agouti, marsh deer, crab-eating racoon and South American coati.
Accommodation: Aymara Lodge, 3-nights
Days7-8: Exploring the wildlife of the northern Pantanal
We spend two days exploring this northernmost section of the Pantanal. As it represents a transition from the dry cerrado, but also offers plenty of gallery forest, Aymara supports plenty of wildlife not commonly seen in the south. Among the many special birds, we hope to see here are sunbittern, king vulture, yellow-billed cardinal, chestnut-eared aracari, long-tailed ground-dove, red-winged tinamou and five species of kingfisher.
This is also a good area for mammals, with grey brocket deer, South American tapir and collared peccary all possible.
Day9: Early morning birding; drive to Porto Jofre
After an early bird walk and breakfast we continue the marvellous drive south along the Transpantaneira to Porto Jofre. We make plenty of birding and photographic stops as we travel one of South America’s finest roads for birds and mammals.
Chaco chachalacas, smooth-billed anis, guira cuckoos, yellow-billed cardinals, yellow-chevronned parakeets, grey-necked wood-rails and turquoise-fronted parrots are among the common birds here. We may also see the stunning scarlet-headed blackbird and lovely white-headed marsh-tyrant in permanent wetlands. In the same habitat elegant marsh deer may be seen.
Herds of capybaras are a common sight, while yacare caiman haunt every roadside pool. We may even encounter an enormous yellow anaconda or a yellow-footed tortoise.
We expect to reach our lodge after dark, spotlighting as we go in the hope of seeing owls, nightjars, ocelot and a number of other nocturnal mammals.
Days10-11: Boat trips on Cuiabá River in search of jaguar
We spend two full days exploring the rivers and gallery forest around Porto Jofre in search of mammals and birds, with our main goal being the magnificent jaguar. Thanks to local interest and now legal protection, the jaguars here are increasingly comfortable being watched. Sightings are often superb, giving fine opportunities for photography.
From our comfortable lodge in Porto Jofre we will make four half-day boat trips on the Cuiabá and surrounding rivers, exploring areas where jaguars are regularly seen.
Birds commonly seen from the boats here include white-eyed parakeet, golden-collared macaw, nesting large-billed terns and black skimmers, and handsome bare-faced curassows. We also have good chances of watching noisy families of giant otters, the region’s other top predators.
Other mammals which can be seen here include brown capuchin, Brazilian tapir, ocelot, black howler monkey and Neotropical river otter.
Day12: Transfer to Cuiabá
Leaving Porto Jofre after breakfast, we drive all the way back along the Transpantaneira towards Cuiabá. Along the way we can make stops for any of the region’s sensational wildlife we have not seen previously or to take yet more photographs of this wonderful wetland.
Accommodation: Hotel Tania, 1-night
Day13: Depart Cuiabá for the UK
We leave our hotel after breakfast and drive to Cuiabá International Airport to check in for a flight to São Paulo, where we connect with a flight back to London.
Day14: Arrive UK
Please note: We also offer an extension to Iguaza Falls which is available on request. Please contact the team for more information
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 14 daysfrom £6,195 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 12 daysfrom £5,395 pp
Miguel has studied the flora and fauna of the subtropical rainforest for over 20 years. His focus includes birdsong identification in northern Argentina and southern Brazil.
A chief naturalist in Iguazú for six years, Miguel is the co-author of the inventory to the Birds of Iguazú National Park. His great field expertise in the Pantanal led to important discoveries such as the location of secret nests of the elusive harpy eagle in southern Brazil. What he enjoys the most is sharing his knowledge and showing unique bird and wildlife species to other people.
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.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
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.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
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
This magnificent array of 275 separate waterfalls stretches for over three kilometres along the border with neighbouring Brazil. The abundant flora and fauna of the surrounding tropical forest includes 400 bird species, 500 butterflies and 2,000 plants. A network of paths and walkways affords fine views.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: Misiones Province
Ideal for viewing: black-capped capuchin, coati, harpy eagle, ocelot, agouti
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.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
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
With direct access to the Cuiaba River, Hotel Pantanal Norte is one of the best places in Brazil to see the elusive jaguar, as you journey down quiet creeks and tributaries. In between excursions, the hotel has a swimming pool and lots of outside space in which to relax and observe birds or wildlife.
Find Out More about Hotel Pantanal Norte
Pousada Aguape offers comfortable, homely accommodation on a typical Pantanal farm. Surrounded by rich wetland vegetation, open pastures and gallery forest, the lodge offers guests the opportunity to experience first hand the exuberant nature of the region, home to a diverse range of wildlife.
Find Out More about Pousada Aguape
