The Pantanal is the largest freshwater wetland on Earth, spanning an area of about 40 million acres (160000 km²). It has been recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. In Brazil, the Pantanal sprawls across the Mato Grosso State and the Mato Grosso do Sul State.
The Pantanal transforms into a huge floodplain during the rainy season, which lasts over 5 months. Heavy rains cause streams and rivers to overflow throughout November, December, and January, swelling the Pantanal with water, and draining large quantities of microorganisms into the Pantanal. The Pantanal becomes soon completely flooded and, as a result, animals congregate on higher, non-flooded terrain (capões and cordilheiras). This gigantic floodplain features ponds, lakes, aquatic vegetation, swampy forests, grasslands, savannas, as well as gallery forests and riparian forests.
Starting in May, the water’s gradual retreat sets the stage for quite a feast. The abundance of fish and crustaceans in the water helps by feeding numerous bird species that migrate to nest and reproduce. The dryer it gets, the more the water level goes down, leaving behind tons of fish that are at the mercy of hungry predators. This attracts a wealth of waders and birds of prey to ponds and mudholes where fish remain trapped after the water has receded.
The Pantanal harbors an exceptional concentration of wild animals. Besides, it offers an environment where wildlife is much easier to spot compared to the Amazon Rainforest, where the vegetation is very dense. With its extraordinary biodiversity, the Pantanal has the power to surprise naturalists and wildlife photographers.
There are two gateways to the Pantanal: Cuiabá in the Mato Grosso State (Northern Pantanal) and Campo Grande in the Mato Grosso do Sul State (Southern Pantanal).
The Northern Pantanal is home to the best destination in the world for Jaguar watching. In addition, it has a slightly higher terrain, where you can see lots of species, including along the Transpantaneira Park Road, an extensive dirt road that boasts with wildlife.
The Southern Pantanal features a more flooded environment, which translates into fantastic landscape photography opportunities. The Southern Pantanal is renowned for its large population of Giant Anteater and its unique avifauna. This destination has a colorful show in store for you!
This exclusive wildlife tour will engage you in the jaguar experience of a lifetime. You will explore Porto Jofre, a remote fishing village located at the southern end of the Transpantaneira Park Road. The area offers real chances of photographing wild Jaguars.
A wealth of birds, mammals and reptiles will welcome you on this exciting tour! You will leave wanting to come back for more! You will explore some of the finest wildlife sites in the Pantanal, including a privately owned reserve located off the Transpantaneira Partk Road, and a fishing village where Jaguar sightings are almost guaranteed!
This tour to the Pantanal takes you to the province of Cáceres, where you will explore the Paraguay River to seek jaguars out. The route also includes the Taiamã Reserve, a 27,000 acre wilderness area where jaguar sightings frequently occur. The Taiamã Reserve has been recognized Ecological Reserve by the Chico Mendes Institute in 1981.
By this tour of just 4 days you can explore the Pantanal and photograph its exuberant wildlife, but also take amazing pictures at Macaw's Sinkhole and, if you like the underwater world, the Rio da Prata will provide you an incredible experience and great pictures!
Experience this unique and exclusive river cruise through the Pantanal wetlands.
We'll cruise the Cuiabá River and the Paraguay River, exploring the most remote places of the northern Pantanal: the Serra do Amolar Hills, the Taiamã Ecological Reserve, the Meeting-of-the-Waters State Park, the region of the lakes bording Bolivia and the Transpantaneira Park Road.
Wildlife experience will be unforgettable, by our speedboats we'll search for the best widlife photographies, including wild jaguars!
This exclusive photo expedition will engage you in the birding, mammals and jaguar experience of a lifetime. While many tours focus on jaguar watching only, this tour has been crafted to accommodate the interests of customers wanting to enjoy traditional game drives, nature walks and world-class jaguar safaris.
This fantastic tour will take you to the most remote places of the northern and southern Pantanal! You will enjoy extraordinary landscapes and meet a lot of wildlife exploring little known and remote destinations like the Serra do Amolar, the region of Nhecolandia, the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park and also the Encontro das Aguas State Park. An unforgettable experience!
This tour will take you to discover the mammals of the Pantanal, you will have the chance to see lowland tapir, giant anteater and southern tamandua, jaguar, ocelot, capybara, giant otter, giant armadillo, marsh deer and many others.