Description
Pantanal, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site since 2001, is the biggest freshwater wetland in the world. 80% of Pantanal is situated in the west part of Brazil and the rest is divided between Bolivia and Paraguay. On this tour you will be able to experience the best of South American wildlife including great opportunities to see and photograph the magnificent Jaguar! There are many other animals such as Giant Otter, Tapir, Caiman, Ocelot, monkeys, hundreds of beautiful birds including Hyacinth Macaw, and beautiful landscapes.
Pantanal is home to more than 600 species of birds, 102 species of mammals, 264 species of fish, 177 species of reptiles and more than 3,500 species of plants. It is perhaps the best area in South America to see their largest cat - the enigmatic Jaguar - and the itinerary has been carefully planned to maximise our opportunities of seeing this beautiful feline. Although the Jaguar may be viewed as one of the highlights of the tour, there are many other exciting mammals which we expect to see including Brazilian Tapir, Capybara, Marsh Deer, the fantastic Giant Anteater, Black-howler Monkey, Pantanal Marmoset, South American Coati, Crab-eating Fox and the wonderful Giant River Otter.
Amongst the huge variety of bird species that we hope to see and photograph will be the beautiful and rare Hyacinth Macaw, Toco Toucan, Greater Rhea, Black Skimmer, many raptors including Black-collared Hawk, Snail Kite, Laughing Falcon, Great Black Hawk, and several different species of kingfishers, herons, storks and hummingbirds. The number of birds is astounding and it is not unusual to be under flocks of thousands of birds such as parrots, storks and many other species.
We fly to São Paulo in Brazil and then transfer to Cuiabá. Our adventure begins as soon as we leave the airport and join the Transpantaneira Road that stretches for 150km and which will lead us on our exploration of the northern Pantanal for the next ten days. During our drive to our first hotel near the Pixaim River we will stop frequently to familiarise ourselves with the local flora and fauna. The following day we fully explore this area by boat and by foot with the Giant River Otter being the highlight for many. We will also expect to see Caiman, monkeys and many different species of birds including kingfishers.
We move on to Porto Jofre for the next three nights which will provide our best opportunities for seeing and photographing Jaguars and other mammals including the Brazilian Tapir. We will spend much of the time exploring the waterways by boat and, after dinner each evening, there will be the opportunity for a night drive in search of nocturnal species. We then transfer to the Jaguar Ecological Reserve, a charming family-run lodge surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife which supports a community-based ecotourism project. The area provides further opportunities for seeing Jaguars as well as some dramatic birds such as the endangered Hyacinth Macaw.
Finally we move on to Araras Eco Lodge which provides an excellent opportunity, using walkways and towers, to photograph forest species of birds and primates. This area is also very good for seeing Giant Anteaters, Brazilian Tapir and Ocelot.
Peter Smart from Wild Arena and a specialised local naturalist will accompany you throughout the tour. Peter is a professional wildlife photographer, escorting wildlife tours to a variety of countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, India, Spitsbergen, Borneo, Sri Lanka and the Galapagos Islands. Peter treats it as a genuine privilege to introduce people to the wildlife, landscapes and people of the countries he visits and his knowledge, organisational skills and sense of fun ensures that not only will you have excellent photographic and game-viewing opportunities but also a highly enjoyable holiday!
The northern Pantanal is a unique, huge and largely unexplored wetland with a huge variety of wildlife to see and photograph including Giant River Otter, Hyacinth Macaw and, of course, the enigmatic Jaguar. View our exciting itinerary and reports from past tours. Please contact us regarding any questions you may still have and to discuss possible wildlife, scenic or cultural extensions to this tour.
You are advised to make your reservation immediately once you have decided to join us, as places are strictly limited on this unique tour to Brazil: Land of the Jaguar.
Flights:
Price given is without international flights. Estimated cost of international flights and taxes of £1000 gives an estimated total price of £4985 at prevailing exchange rates at the time of preparing this tour information.
download Brazil: Land of the Jaguar 2012Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London on overnight flight to São Paulo, Brazil.
Day 2
São Paulo - Cuiabá - Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel (Pixaim River)
We arrive in Sao Paolo, Brazil and transfer to our onward domestic flight to Cuiabá. We begin our journey on the Transpantaneira Road by open truck to the Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel. On the way to the hotel there will be lots of opportunities to photograph the local fauna and flora. Overnight Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel (D)
Day 3
Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel (Pixaim River)
After an early breakfast we will enjoy a journey by boat on the Pixaim River. We will be primarily looking for Giant Otters but we will also have chances to see a great deal of other wildlife including Caimans, primates and an enormous variety of birds. After lunch at the hotel we continue exploring the Pixaim area which will include a walk through a gallery forest which offers great opportunities to photograph Capuchin Monkeys and also some large and colourful bird species such as the beautiful Blue-crowned Trogon. After dinner we go on a night drive looking for mammals and nocturnal birds. Overnight Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel (BLD)
Day 4
Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel - Porto Jofre
After breakfast we will continue to explore the Pixaim area either by boat or by foot depending on what was seen on the previous day. After lunch at the hotel we drive south to the end of Transpantaneira Road to an area known as Porto Jofre. We will spend the next three nights in a hotel by the beautiful Cuiabá River - by far the best place to search for Jaguars in this area - and exploring the River and its tributaries. Overnight Porto Jofre Hotel (BLD)
Days 5 & 6
Porto Jofre
We now focus on Jaguars for two days! After an early breakfast, we will explore the beautiful waterways by boat. We use motorised boats which help us to cover as much area as possible in order to increase our chances of seeing and photographing America’s biggest cat, the Jaguar. The scenery is fantastic and provides great photo opportunities. Besides the Jaguar we have chances to photograph other wildlife such as Brazilian Tapir, Capuchin and Howler Monkeys, and several species of birds. Late in the morning we move back to our hotel for lunch and to rest a while before the afternoon excursion to the river. At the end of the afternoon we might see large flocks of birds flying back to their roosting area and enjoy a dramatic sunset over the Cuiabá River providing further opportunities for photography. Overnight Porto Jofre Hotel (BLD)
Day 7
Porto Jofre - Jaguar Ecological Reserve
After breakfast we drive north on Transpantaneira Road to the Jaguar Ecological Reserve where we will spend the next two nights staying at a comfortable family-owned lodge with the feel of a real Pantanal farmhouse. The magnificent Hyacinth Macaws with other species of parrot and parakeets are easily seen around the lodge and throughout the area. This is another good area for seeing cats - particularly Jaguars - while Ocelot and Puma are also possible. After lunch we will explore the area in our open truck when we will have plenty of time to stop and photograph the local fauna. After dinner at the lodge we will have the opportunity for a night drive when we might see owls and the unique Potoo. Overnight Jaguar Ecological Reserve Lodge (BLD)
Day 8
Jaguar Ecological Reserve
We will have a full day to explore the Jaguar Ecological Reserve by foot or by open truck. This a very diverse area comprising forests as well as open and flooded areas that produce a diverse fauna and flora. A specialist guide from the hotel will help us to find the best of the local wildlife. In the afternoon we leave the lodge for the afternoon excursion and after dinner we enjoy another night drive. Overnight Jaguar Ecological Reserve Lodge (BLD)
Day 9
Jaguar Ecological Reserve - Araras Eco Lodge
After breakfast, we head north for Araras Eco Lodge. The lodge is located at the beginning of Transpantaneira Road and forests and savannah surround it. There are boardwalks crossing some of the forests with a high observation tower in the trees from which we may photograph many bird species and it is especially good for photographing the Black-and-Gold Howler Monkeys. After lunch at the lodge we will have some time to relax before our afternoon walk in the forest. After dinner in the lodge we will go for a night drive. This area is very good to find Ocelots, Giant Anteaters, Brazilian Tapir and. Overnight Araras Eco Lodge (BLD)
Days 10 & 11
Araras Eco Lodge
We will have two full days to explore the area by foot, by open truck and, for those that are interested, by horse as well. There are bird feeders at the lodge that provide great opportunities for bird photography. After dinner at the lodge we enjoy a night drive looking for mammals and nocturnal birds. Overnight at Araras Lodge (BLD)
Day 12
Araras – Cuiabá - São Paulo
After breakfast we drive back to Cuiabá for our flight to Sao Paolo and then onward to London (B)
Day 13
Arrive London.
Please note:
- The itinerary is provisional and subject to change depending on local conditions
- Not all wildlife mentioned can be seen well at all times of the year & some activities mentioned may not always be available
- Meals included are as shown - B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Venue
Brazil
We will be visiting the Pantanal, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site since 2001, which is the biggest freshwater wetland in the world. 80% of Pantanal is situated in the west part of Brazil and the rest is divided between Bolivia and Paraguay.
Summary
Single supplement
Subject to availability. If you are a single person booking this holiday you do not have to pay single supplements, if you are happy to share. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired with another single client of the same gender. However your booking is accepted only on the understanding that if no roommate is available then you accept a single supplement will be levied. Single supplements are payable if you specifically request to have a room to yourself. If you have requested single accommodation we will do our best to secure this although this may not always be possible
Deposit
£600 required to confirm booking
Travel insurance
You must be covered by insurance, which must include adequate cover for baggage, medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become too ill to continue, including air ambulance.
Fitness Level:
Easy wildlife touring. This tour is suitable for guests of most levels of fitness. The majority of wildlife viewing is from vehicles or small boats. On some occasions there may be moderate walking on uneven ground.
Photography Level:
This tour is suitable for all levels of photographic experience. The Wild Arena guide will be available throughout the tour to support and advise clients.
Group Size:
6 to 10 plus Wild Arena guide and local naturalist
Cost includes
Hotel/Lodge/Cabin accommodation on a twin share basis (unless single has been requested) for the nights listed in the itinerary, All meals in hotels and lodges, Transfers for group departures using our chosen airline, All internal transport as per the itinerary, Sightseeing tours where specified, All wildlife activities escorted by local naturalist guides, Services of Wild Arena photographic guide throughout tour
Cost excludes
International flight from the UK, Airport taxes, Transfers for Land Only packages and group tours when choosing your own flight arrangements, Visa fees, Departure tax (currently US$36 - payable locally and subject to change at short notice), Medical examination (if required) & vaccination costs, Personal expenditure, bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, etc, Porters, guides & other tips, Meals not specified & mineral water, Personal clothing & equipment, Travel insurance, Optional trips, Increases in park fees and taxes levied by the Government on the tourism sector, Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond Classic Journeys control, Anything not specified in the Cost Includes
Wild Arena South American photographic tours are organised through Classic Journeys, a fully bonded UK tour operator holding ATOL licence 3022. Your financial protection when travelling with us.
All clients will be required to complete a Classic Journeys Booking Form and booking will be subject to acceptance of the Classic Journeys Booking Conditions which will be provided, and supersedes any information presented on Wild Arena’s web site or other Wild Arena promotional literature. In addition, in the unlikely event that Peter Smart is unable to escort the tour, Classic Journeys reserve the right to send a suitable replacement if available. In such circumstances, the tour will not be cancelled and no compensation will be paid.
