The vast seasonal flooded plains of the Northern Pantanal offer some of the finest wildlife viewing in South America, including the elusive jaguar and giant river otter, along with spectacular birdlife.
From Cuiabà, the capital of Mato Grosso state, a tarmac road leads 100 kilometres south to the town of Poconé where the Transpantaneira highway begins. A wildlife experience in itself, this road passes through rich flooded plains and gallery forests teeming with life, particularly capybara, yacare caiman and boundless aquatic birds. The unasphalted Transpantaneira extends south for a further 145 kilometres, crossing over 120 bridges until it meets the Cuiabà River at a settlement known as Porto Jofre.
On either side of the Transpantaneira, accommodation is provided by a number of lodges or pousadas, many of which are still functioning cattle ranches with private land, such as Pousada Araras Eco Lodge and Pousada Rio Claro. These properties offer a variety of wildlife excursions and jaguar safari tours. Many of the lodges feature a swimming pool, and we also offer more intimate lodges such as Baiazinha Lodge.
Northern Pantanal is home to many mammals including giant anteater, southern tamandua, crab-eating fox, South American coati, capuchin, black howler monkey, Brazilian tapir, giant river otter, reptiles such as the yellow anaconda and green iguana and many bird species. The most reliable sightings of jaguar and giant river otter occur during boat trips on the Cuiabá River and its tributaries around Porto Jofre, where these typically difficult to find species are seen on a regular basis.
Our Wildlife of the Pantanal trip travels to the northern Pantanal and offers exceptional opportunities to view jaguars and other wildlife in their national habitat. Alternatively, we have a variety of other fantastic wildlife trips in the Northern Pantanal to choose from, or we can tailor-make an itinerary to suit your requirements - contact us to start planning.
Explore the maze of channels in Taiama Reserve, part of Brazil’s famed Pantanal wetland, to seek out jaguars. After two nights in an ecolodge in the north, your base for the next few days is the Taiama River, where you will head out each day by boat to search for jaguar. Find out more about Just Jaguars
This 12-day small group trip focuses on the abundant wildlife of Brazil’s North Pantanal, combining three well established wildlife lodges with an exciting new lodge in a remote area, offering excellent chances of encountering jaguars, giant rivers otters and a wealth of other mammals and birds. Find out more about Wildlife of the Pantanal
The Pantanal is one of the greatest wildlife watching destinations in the world. It is also perfect for wildlife photography and this itinerary has been carefully designed to focus all of our time on photographing the wide range of wildlife that lives in this captivating area of Brazil. Find out more about Brazil’s Big Five Photo Safari (Was North Pantanal Photo Safari)
Enjoy a complete Brazilian wildlife experience, visiting three contrasting ecosystems. This trip offers an affordable option to explore the diverse Amazon rainforest, the rarely visited savannah of Chapada dos Guimarães, and the Pantanal wetland, home to some of Brazil’s rarest wildlife, such as jaguar and giant otter. Find out more about Brazil’s Natural Highlights
Staying in comfortable lodges, this trip offers some of the finest opportunities to see rare wildlife in the Pantanal. In the company of skilled naturalist guides, search for the elusive jaguar on the Cuiabà River, before continuing to Cristalino Private Reserve, which possesses a high number of species and endemics. Find out more about Pantanal & Amazon Wildlife Extravaganza
Join acclaimed award-winning photographer Nick Garbutt, to watch and photograph wildlife in the Pantanal. This immense landlocked delta in the heart of South America offers some tremendous habitats and the finest opportunity to see the elusive jaguar, as well as other iconic and rare animals, often up close. Find out more about The Pantanal: Brazil’s Wetland Wonder
The Pantanal, a seasonally flooded grassland dotted with cerrado woodland, is home to a vast array of birds, including jabiru stork and hyacinth macaw, and mammals, such as giant otter and jaguar. We search this naturalists’ paradise for its wildlife, often at close quarters, by vehicle and boat. Find out more about Wildlife of the North & South Pantanal
Join award-winning photographer Nick Garbutt on the ultimate Pantanal wildlife photo safari. This extensive itinerary provides no end of intriguing and rewarding photographic opportunities for the region’s iconic species as well as the chance to explore both the north and south of this exceptional wetland. Find out more about Z) Pantanal Wildlife Photo Safari: Jaguar Special (Was North & South)
The ultimate tour for big cat fans, this exhilarating two-centre group tour focuses on photographing puma and jaguar. We spend time on the edge of Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park, on a private ranch with outstanding puma photography opportunities, before moving to the jaguars of the Pantanal. Find out more about Z) South America’s Big Cats Photography Tour
Situated on the Paraguay River near the Taiama Ecological Reserve, the Hotel Baiazinha provides a comfortable base from which to explore the Northern Pantanal and discover its wildlife. With just six en suite rooms, it has an intimate atmosphere to accompany its scenic situation. Find Out More about Hotel Baiazinha
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
The Jaguar Retreat occupies an enviable position on the banks of Three Brothers River in an area famed for private jaguar views. With just nine rooms, facilities include en-suite, air-conditioning, internet and two restaurants. This intimate lodge provides an ideal opportunity to get away from the crowds. Find Out More about Jaguar Retreat
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. Find Out More about Port of the Capybara Lodge
Pousada Araras Eco Lodge is a rustic yet sophisticated lodge, surrounded by more than 3,000 hectares of private land. You can see various birds, including the highly attractive, endangered hyacinth macaw, from the lodge’s forest boardwalk, and tapir, marmoset and howler monkey are seen regularly in the area. Find Out More about Pousada Araras Eco Lodge
The Pousada Rio Claro offers en suite rooms that are clean, comfortable and air-conditioned. Other facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant and free internet access. The Pousada is situated 3 kilometres from the Transpantaneira and on the edge of the north Pantanal. Find Out More about Pousada Rio Claro
