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The PantanalDeriving its name from the Portuguese for swamp, the immense 230,000 square kilometre Pantanal is subject to seasonal flooding on a grand scale. The rains, which fall from December to March, transform the dry, dusty savannah into a vast lake, dotted with wooded “islands”, which slowly drains into the wide Rio Paraguay via its many tributaries. Providing South America’s best wildlife viewing by far, the Pantanal is a must for all natural history enthusiasts who wish to understand why the continent is such a special destination. Species regularly seen include capybara, giant anaconda, crab-eating fox, burrowing owl, giant otter, southern screamer, marsh deer, jabiru stork, giant anteater, black and gold howler monkey, tapir, armadillo, caiman, hyacinth macaw, toco toucan, and ocelot: it is also the best location in South America to view the elusive jaguar, third largest of the world’s cats. The cattle ranchers of the interior co-exist happily with the wildlife and guard their lands’ integrity jealously: a rare and heartening example of man’s beneficial influence on the planet’s fauna and flora. NORTHERN PANTANALFrom Cuiaba, the Trans-Pantaneira highway penetrates the top third of the Pantanal down to the river border with Mato Grosso do Sul. Apart from containing all the species for which the wetlands are famed, this is the area with the highest chance of seeing jaguar in the whole of South America. It also contains the only official nature reserve in the region, the Mato Grosso Pantanal National Park, accessed from the Rio Paraguay and requiring special permission to visit.
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Experience the world’s most impressive waterfalls, the iconic city of Rio, the Bahia coast and the vast Pantanal wetlands. Find out more... This private jaguar tour affords the best chance in all South America of spotting the elusive, powerful and majestic jaguar. Find out more... This extra-special programme includes a unique floating lodge where the endemic scarlet-faced white uakari monkey is found, a monastery with its maned wolves, then a biological station with South America’s largest primate, the muriqui. Find out more... This itinerary combines Chapada dos Guimaraes, the Amazon, Pantanal and whale-watching to produce a first class foray into all that is best in Brazil’s natural history. Find out more... For serious naturalists who desire a profound Pantanal experience stay at two small, remote ranches then explore the underwater world of the Sucuri and Prata rivers. Find out more... For those wishing to spend lots of time by the sea, experience wild coasts and visit Brazil’s most famous city and best colonial site, this itinerary will suit wonderfully. Find out more... Reef and Rainforest have designed the following new private tour of the Pantanal to encounter the jaguar, and at an affordable price. This exciting new jaguar-watching tour visits a remote part of the Paraguay River in the northern Pantanal which is little visited by international visitors. Find out more... Experience the vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture of Salvador, the world's most impressive waterfalls, the vast Pantanal wetlands, and iconic Rio de Janeiro. Find out more... Explore the wildlife highlights of Brazil including the jaguars of the Pantanal, and the marine wildlife of the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina. Find out more... Enjoy many of the highlights of Brazil in this fast-paced, multi-location itinerary combining colonial heritage, amazing waterfalls, vibrant culture, stunning fauna and beautiful beaches. Experience the rich Afro-Brazilian culture of Salvador da Bahia, marvel at magnificent Iguacu Falls, explore the wildlife-rich Pantanal and enjoy four nights in vibrant Rio de Janeiro. |
Two jaguar sightings were the highlight, we also saw very entertaining giant otters, an amazing variety of birdlife, plus caiman, capybara, … and anaconda. Mr & Mrs A W, Cork.
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