The Best of Pantanal

An all-inclusive expedition for birders and photographers who want to immerse themselves in the Pantanal and Brazilian savannah. This journey combines Jaguar tracking, birding, snorkeling, and wildlife photography, with expert local guides in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

Tour Highlights

• The chance to see the Jaguar, the largest cat in the Americas.
• Over 350 bird species including Hyacinth Macaw, Jabiru Stork, Agami Heron, Blue Finch, Blaze-winged Parakeet.
• More than 30 mammal species, from Giant Otters to Tapirs and Capybaras.
• Boat trips, walking safaris, and night drives in the Pantanal.
• Snorkeling in crystal-clear rivers full of tropical fish.
• Landscapes ranging from the Cerrado savannah to the Pantanal wetlands.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 : CAMPO GRANDE – SOUTHERN PANTANAL

Arrival in the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Campo Grande. The three-hour drive will take you to a traditional ranch where our first ecolodge is located. Along the road you’ll want to keep an eye out for Greater Rheas, Red-legged Seriemas, Southern Caracaras, Guira Cuckoos, and Yellow-headed Vultures. After crossing the Maracaju mountain range we will enter the Pantanal itself, where the pavement ends leaving us on a dirt road for the last hour of our journey. This road is a great place to spot some amazing wildlife, including the Hyacinth Macaw, the largest macaw in the world, and the Giant Anteater, which is one of the most endangered animals in the Cerrado (Brazilian savannah).

After checking in at the Lodge, you’ll have a chance to explore, as the lodge is surrounded by wildlife.

Day 2 : SOUTHERN PANTANAL

We begin with an early-morning walk along the open areas and gallery forest near the Aquidauana River, where we expect to see Hyacinth and Blue-and-yellow Macaws, Buff-necked Ibis, Black-hooded Parakeets, Blue-fronted Parrots, and many other species. Mammals such as yellow armadillo, brocket deer, giant anteater, and brown capuchin monkey are also possible.

In the afternoon we set off on our first driving safari, covering more ground in search of wildlife like pampas deer, peccaries, crab-eating fox, coatis, Jabiru Storks, herons, ducks, caimans and much more.

After dinner we enjoy a night safari, with excellent chances of encountering owls, nightjars, ocelots, tapirs, and both lesser and giant anteaters.

Day 3 : Southern Pantanal – Bonito

This morning we take our first boat ride along the Aquidauana River, a hotspot for wildlife such as giant otters, black-and-gold howler monkeys, Toco Toucans, Striated Herons, Band-tailed Manakins, and many others. The region also harbors the world’s largest population of Hyacinth Macaws, a true highlight of the Pantanal.

After lunch we travel across the Bodoquena mountain range toward Bonito, on the edge of the Bodoquena National Park, an area of pristine wilderness. Our lodge, set in gallery forest beside the Formoso River, offers an excellent base to explore and unwind before dinner.

Day 4 : Bonito

Today we visit Buraco das Araras (Sinkhole of the Macaws), one of the largest dolinas in the world and home to over 40 pairs of Red-and-green Macaws that nest on the sandstone cliffs. Two observation platforms allow spectacular views of the macaws flying below, along with other species such as Peach-fronted Parakeets, Toco Toucans, Rufous Horneros, Yellow-faced Parrots, and several hummingbirds.

After lunch at Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata, we’ll enjoy an unforgettable snorkeling experience in crystal-clear rivers, floating among colorful fish and aquatic plants in a natural underwater aquarium.

We return to our lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 : BONITO, CAMPO GRANDE, NORTHERN PANTANAL

After breakfast we’ll head back to Campo Grande, where we’ll take a one-hour flight to the Northern Pantanal in Mato Grosso. Our journey will include a stretch of the Transpantaneira Highway, the most famous road in the Pantanal. It depends the time you visit the Transpantaneira road you can see this spectacle.

Day 6 : NORTHERN PANTANAL

We begin with a pre-breakfast walk through the island’s forests and fields, an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife. Returning to the lodge for breakfast, we’ll continue birding the area in search of Greater Rheas, Hyacinth Macaws, and Chestnut-bellied Guans among many other species.

In the afternoon we visit the “magic pond”, a small lagoon set against a beautiful Cerrado forest. Here we’ll quietly wait for wildlife to emerge at dusk, with good chances to see the Lowland Tapir, the largest mammal in South America.

After dinner, a night drive offers more encounters with nocturnal wildlife before we return to the lodge.

Day 7 : TRANSPANTANEIRA ROAD, THE JAGUAR KINGDOM

We will do another early morning and enjoy the wildlife around visiting the Caiman´s bridge and other areas. After lunch we must be packed once we have a long journey to cover the entire Transpantaneira Highway, traversing all 150km of the most famous road in the Pantanal to see the unique characteristics of the Northern Pantanal. We may do some stops at Campo Jofre, a beautiful watery open area which attracts many types of wildlife.

Day 8 : THE JAGUAR KINGDOM

After an early breakfast we will board a boat on the Cuiabá River. Like the other 120 rivers in the Pantanal, the Cuiabá River feeds into the Paraguay River, which is is the most important river in the largest wetland in the world. We will visit the jaguars’ favorite spots during the best time of the year for jaguar sightings. From the moment you step on the boat, you’ll have a chance of glimpsing the most elusive cat in Americas!!

After lunch and a break at the hotel we’ll continue to look for jaguars by boat while keeping an eye out for other frequently-spotted animals such as Giant Otters, Tapirs, Black Skimmers and many other water birds.

Day 9 : THE JAGUAR KINGDOM

This is our last full day to look for jaguars along the Cuiabá River, all the while enjoying the wildlife of this special part of the northern Pantanal. Keep your eyes open as every day brings surprises in this amazing wetland.

Day 10 : THE JAGUAR KINGDOM TO NORTHERN PANTANAL

We start the day with a sunrise visit to a lagoon filled with Giant Water Lilies, an unforgettable sight from the boardwalk. After breakfast, we travel about 100 km along the Transpantaneira Highway, arriving at a special ecolodge in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a boat tour on a small river, a rich habitat for wildlife. Highlights include the striking Agami Heron, as well as Black-collared Hawks, Amazon Kingfishers, Cocoi Herons, and many other aquatic species. This is also one of the best places to encounter Giant Otters and Tapirs.

Dinner and overnight stay at the ecolodge.

Day 11 : NORTHERN PANTANAL

We still have time to enjoy one more sunrise at Pantanal befor breakfast. After it we will do check out and return to Cuiabá International Airport .

What’s Included / Not Included​

Included:

• 10 nights in double rooms at 6 different lodges
• 1 days accompanied by a bilingual (English/Portuguese)
• All park entrance fees
• Private transportation to and from Campo Grande and Cuiaba International Airport and between the lodges.
• All meals

Not Included:

• International airfares
• Domestic airfares
• Laundry, internet access, beverages including alcohol are not included.
• Tourist visas
• Travel insurance

Tour Calendar

Tour Guides: José Antonio Padilla Reyes

Dates:

• From March 10 to March 19

• From June 5 to June 14

• From September 12 to September 21

• From November 3 to November 12

Notes: Each tour operates with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 participants.

Notes:

• Spaces Available

• Few Spaces Left

• Fully Booked

Inquire about this tour