The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland, and is one of our Earth’s great natural wonders. It's an immense landlocked river delta in the heart of South America, encompassing vast areas of Brazil, eastern Bolivia and Paraguay.
The Brazilian Pantanal is an area brimming with life, and the floodplains create a unique ecosystem which annually plays host to an extraordinary concentration of flora and fauna. As a destination, the Pantanal's wildlife is simply spectacular, comparable with the dense animal populations of Africa and home to nearly 500 species of birds, including the region’s iconic hyacinth macaw and jabiru stork. Some of the continent’s rarest animals are regularly observed here, such as the jaguar, giant anteater and the endangered giant river otter, making this location a paradise for naturalists, photographers and eco-tourists.
Brazil's Pantanal expands across the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sol, dividing the area into the Northern Pantanal and the Southern Pantanal. Whilst these areas are both part of the larger ecosystem, they each offer a unique experience with certain species viewed more regularly in either one or the other, such as jaguars in the gallery forests and waterways of the north and giant anteaters in the termite studded grasslands of the south. Our Wildlife of the North & South Pantanal itinerary provides an excellent balance between these two destinations with unrivalled opportunity to see all of the Pantanal’s most iconic residents.
A wildlife holiday in The Pantanal is a truly unforgettable experience, with such abundant biodiversity in this area there is always something to observe, even when relaxing on the veranda of your lodge. Activities in this region take place in many different forms depending on the property, including walking and vehicle safaris during both the day and night and additional daytime excursions on horseback, motorboat and canoe, each providing a unique perspective.
The wildlife of Pantanal is considered to be the best in South America and you will often encounter species such as capybara - the world's largest rodent -, Brazilian tapir, southern tamandua, crab-eating fox, South American coati, capuchins, black howler monkeys, toco toucans and reptiles such as the yellow anaconda, green iguanas and plentiful volumes of yacare caiman.
Due to the abundant prey species, the jaguars of the Pantanal are the biggest in the Americas and exhibit unique behaviours, recent studies have observed these normally solitary predators occasionally forming small coalitions. On occasion, ocelot and even maned wolf can be seen here, however the latter is more typical of the Cerrado region of Brazil. Our Best of Brazil group trip is a biodiversity bonanza, exploring both of these ecosystems and including a stay in the Cristalino Private Reserve within the Amazon Rainforest.
The region is an important stopover point for migratory birds and wintering grounds used by species from three major migratory flyways. These bring ospreys from Arctic latitudes far to the north, wood storks from the pampas to the south and flycatchers from the Andes to the west, resulting in one of the planet's most diverse avian communities. Some of the more spectacular birds you might see during your stay include: agami heron, orange-backed troupial, horned screamer, chestnut eared aracari and hyacinth macaws among many other birds.
The best time to visit the Pantanal is the dry season, from May to October. During this time of year the stunning Tabebuia trees blossom adding vibrant colours to the landscape and concentrations of wildlife congregate along rivers, pools and oxbow lakes, these aquatic havens are bursting with egrets, herons, storks, kingfishers and rosette spoonbills. Temperatures in October are particularly high and wildlife gathers even tighter around the remaining water sources prior to the rains arriving as November approaches.
We have a number of Pantanal wildlife trips including tailor-made trip ideas which are fully customisable such as our Pantanal & Amazon Wildlife Extravaganza and Just Jaguars along with many popular group trips. For more information about this wetland paradise and the trips we can offer, please contact our wildlife specialists.
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
Visit Brazil's contrasting habitats as we explore its tropical savannahs and woodlands, the Amazon rainforest and the Southern Pantanal. We go in search of the iconic wildlife of Brazil including maned wolf, jaguar, giant river otter, giant anteater and giant armadillo, plus a variety of birds, amphibians and reptiles. Find out more about Best of Brazil
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
Set on a 53,000 hectare ranch in the Southern Pantanal wetland, Caiman Lodge is one of three operations of Caiman – the other two being an important nature conservation programme and Caiman Ranch. Caiman Lodge comprises two independent lodges situated 22 kilometres from each other. Find Out More about Caiman Lodge
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 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
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
Just metres from the Abobral River, Pousada Xaraes is a comfortable lodge on a commercial cattle ranch, with traditional rustic décor throughout. The verandah is a perfect place to relax in a hammock and listen to the morning birdsong, mixed with the roar of howler monkeys in the trees along the riverbank. Find Out More about Pousada Xaraes
