The massive wild and watery world of the Pantanal, the largest wetlands in the world, is often upstaged by its more glamorous north country cousin, the Amazon. The southern end of this magnificent water world lies mainly in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, with some parts spilling into neighboring Bolivia and Paraguay. This biodiverse region is teeming with birds and wildlife, and houses the Parque Nacional do Pantanal Matogrossense as well as three other smaller nature reserves. The National Park and the reserves are together designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Expect to encounter a seasonally ebbing and flowing landscape that remains flooded for the most part of the year. The region’s rich reserves of freshwater fish forms the lifeline of much of the bird, animal and human population that lives off this land. Dotted with giant lily pads, beneath which lurk ancient caimans and green anacondas, the landscape is a paradise for water birds like the iconic Jabiru, spoonbills, herons and cormorants. Look out for capybaras and jaguars that live along the water’s edge, along with flocks of cobalt blue Hyacinth macaws. Since ground transport is near impossible, local ranchers and travelers usually get around on horses, small airplanes and motorboats.
Places: Rio de Janeiro (3 days) → Foz do Iguacu (2) → Sao Paulo (2) → Pantanal North (3) → Manaus (1) → Amazonas Cruise (3) → Manaus (1)
Tour Highlights: Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado National Park, Christ The Redeemer, Iguazu Waterfalls in Brazil, UNESCO World Heritage...
Ideal For: Nature & Landscapes Wildlife & Safaris
Places: Manaus (1 day) → Amazonas Cruise (4) → Manaus (1) → Salvador da Bahia (1) → Praia do Forte (4) → Rio de Janeiro (3)
Tour Highlights: Opera House, Ecotourism, Meeting of the Waters, Amazon Rainforest, Wildlife, Immense Biodiversity, Cruises, Opera House...
Places: Sao Paulo (2 days) → Foz do Iguacu (3) → Rio de Janeiro (5) → Buzios (3) → Rio de Janeiro (1)
Tour Highlights: Parque Do Ibirapuera, Museum of the Portuguese Language, Mercado Municipal Market, Iguazu Waterfalls in Brazil...
Ideal For: Beaches Heritage & Culture Nature & Landscapes
Places: Sao Paulo (1 day) → Pantanal North (3) → Foz do Iguacu (2) → Rio de Janeiro (3) → Porto do Galinhas (4) → Sao Paulo (1)
Tour Highlights: Parque Do Ibirapuera, Museum of the Portuguese Language, Mercado Municipal Market, Wetlands, Wildlife, Birdwatching, Photography...
Ideal For: Beaches Nature & Landscapes Wildlife & Safaris
Style: Lodge
Caiman Ecological Refuge Baiazinha Lodge offers you a comfortable and pleasant stay in South Pantanal. Situated on one of the many freshwater lakes dotting the region, the lodge resembles a giant bird with interiors styled like a traditional Brazilian ranch.
Style: Lodge
Caiman Ecological Refuge Cordilheira Lodge offers you a comfortable and pleasant stay in southern Pantanal. Stay in stylish suites with separate bedrooms and living areas.
Discover the rich biodiversity of the Pantanal with numerous outdoor activities arranged by your lodge. Go on nature and wildlife photography safaris, walking tours, canoe tours, caiman tours, exciting night safaris, as well as jeep safaris through the gorgeous water world of the Pantanal. Spot exotic birds, including waders and water birds, plants like the region’s giant lilies, and multiple animals endemic to the vast and watery Pantanals. Accompanied by local guides, or Pantaneiros, experience your rich natural environment through bird songs, primate calls, animal dropping, pugmarks, and much more. Your expert Pantaneiros are natural science graduates who also double up as Portuguese and English translators. (3N/2D or 4N/3D; Days of Week: Thu–Sun or Sun–Thu; Please bring waterproof footwear, light clothes, waterproof covers for all batteries and electronics, and don’t forget your camera or binoculars).
Follow the trail of the elusive jaguar on this exciting trip with the Jaguar Habituation Team from your hotel. Set out at first light with the team as they go tracking the Pantanal’s gorgeous jaguars, the most fierce among all Big Cats around the world! Learn age-old game tracking techniques of following pugmarks, locating kills, and understanding warning animal calls. In addition, find out how new technology is used by conservationists, such as checking for images on camera traps and radio tracking previously collared jaguars. Spend time with the tracking team as they zero in on the jaguar’s approximate location among the flooded landscape. Return to camp after a long day well spent and refresh yourself with cool beverages. Depending upon the jaguar’s location during the day, set out with the team to spot the big cat at sundown or right after a delicious dinner. As jaguars are nocturnal animals, chances are that you’ll sight it near the tracked location. Back at the jungle camp, you may like to follow the Jaguar Habituation Team’s efforts, as they share details of their wildlife project with guests. (Private Activity & Transfer; Please bring sturdy waterproof footwear, light clothes, waterproof covers for all batteries and electronics, and don’t forget your camera or binoculars).
Follow the trail of the elusive jaguar on this exciting trip with the Jaguar Habituation Team from your hotel. Set out at first light with the team as they go tracking the Pantanal’s gorgeous jaguars, the most fierce among all Big Cats around the world! Learn age-old game tracking techniques of following pugmarks, locating kills, and understanding warning animal calls. In addition, find out how new technology is used by conservationists, such as checking for images on camera traps and radio tracking previously collared jaguars. Spend time with the tracking team as they zero in on the jaguar’s approximate location among the flooded landscape. Return to camp after a long day well spent and refresh yourself with cool beverages. Depending upon the jaguar’s location during the day, set out with the team to spot the big cat at sundown or right after a delicious dinner. As jaguars are nocturnal animals, chances are that you’ll sight it near the tracked location. Back at the jungle camp, you may like to follow the Jaguar Habituation Team’s efforts, as they share details of their wildlife project with guests. (Shared Activity & Transfer; Please bring sturdy waterproof footwear, light clothes, waterproof covers for all batteries and electronics, and don’t forget your camera or binoculars).
Immerse yourself in the exhilarating experience of tracking the elusive jaguar in the world’s largest wetlands. Arranged by your hotel, enjoy this intensive trip in the company of the camp’s Jaguar Habituation Team. Set out at first light each day with the team as they go tracking the Pantanal’s gorgeous jaguars, the fiercest among all Big Cat species around the globe. Learn age-old game tracking techniques of following pugmarks, locating kills and understanding warning animal calls. Discover how the Jaguar Team uses new technology as well, such as checking for images on camera traps and radio tracking previously collared jaguars. Become a part of the tracking team as it painstakingly identifies the jaguar’s approximate location among the flooded landscape during the day. Return to camp after a long day well spent and relax with refreshments. Depending upon the jaguar’s location during the day, set out with the team to spot the big cat at sundown or right after a delicious dinner. Be prepared to be woken up in the middle of the night, in case the big cat has been sighted by the team. Back at the jungle camp, you may like to follow the Jaguar Habituation Team’s efforts, as they share details of their wildlife project with guests. (Private Activity; Please bring sturdy waterproof footwear, light clothes, waterproof covers for all batteries and electronics, and don’t forget your camera or binoculars).
