2025 is sold out - 2026 dates and pricing TBD - this trip sells fast so please email me to be put on the waiting list or cancellation list.
The numbers are impressive: 93 reptile species, 122 mammal species, around 300 species of fish, over 600 bird and 1032 butterfly species have been registered in the Pantanal so far, according to the WWF. In the heart of South America, the largest tropical wetland on Earth may not be as famous as the neighboring ecosystem to the north, the Amazon, but the absence of hills and big trees allows for the spotting of many more animal species throughout its 96,525 square miles area.
In the northern portion of this fascinating biome, we take wildlife photographers and admirers close to the main draws to the region. The caimans here measure as long as 8 feet, the anacondas are over 15 feet in extension and the jaguars, “el tigre de las Americas,” are known to weigh over 330 pounds. And there are plenty of giant otters, capybaras, tapirs and birds.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in the northern or southern section of this landscape: there will be birds everywhere. Heading south, the expedition leaves the flooding area on a drive to Bonito. This small town was christened after the crystalline waters of its rivers and waterfalls. But there is an even greater attraction for wildlife admirers: the Macaw Sinkhole (Buraco das Araras), an astonishing natural observatory where you can photograph red-and-green macaws from above while they take flight.
This is only possible because the macaws use the sandstone walls for roosting and nesting. And our observation point is located at the top of one side of this huge hole in the ground. There’s probably no other place in the world where a photographer can capture such beautiful red macaws in action and with those photogenic brown walls in the background. It’s simply amazing – and the best way to wrap up an immersive experience in this veritable Garden of Eden for wildlife lovers.
Meals: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
DAY BY DAY
DAY 1 | CAMPO GRANDE ( -, -, -)
Arrival at Campo Grande airport (CGR) and transfer to the hotel. Campo Grande is the capital of the Mato Grosso do Sul state, and is served by daily flights from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Cuiabá (Northern Pantanal), and other Brazilian hubs.
DAY 2 | CAMPO GRANDE - AQUIDAUANA (-,-,D)
After breakfast transfer to Aguapé lodge. We will drive approximately 3:30h (around 190km) until our next base Pousada Aguapé. Close to the lodge there are great chances to photograph the most iconic animal of this region and our main target there, the Giant Anteater. Dinner is served at the lodge.
DAY 3 | AQUIDAUANA (B,L,D)
A day dedicated to exploring the lodge’s area in a private vehicle, a local guide and a SouthQuest Safaris naturalist guide.
Early breakfast: Enjoy the toco toucans on the feeder, plus red-crested cardinals, plush crested jays, nanday parakeets, and more! After breakfast we will explore the lodge area on an open safari vehicle in search of the most iconic mammal of the Southern Pantanal, the Giant anteater! During our outings there will be opportunities for southern tamandua, pampas deer, nine-banded and yellow armadillo as well, plus all the bird life of the area.
DAY 4 | AQUIDAUANA - BONITO (B,L,D)
In the morning, we will drive to the Bonito region for around 3 hours (around 250km), arriving first at Rio da Prata, where we will have lunch. Later, from here, we will drive around 20 minutes (20km) and visit the famous Buraco das Araras, a sandstone sinkhole where the Red-and-Green Macaws stay all day long, flying around and inside, providing great photographic opportunities! Key species of the day: Red-and-Green Macaw, Lineated Woodpecker, Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Amazonian Motmot, Peach-Fronted Parakeet. After that, we drive 50 minutes (60km) until our lodge in Bonito and check in at the hotel for overnight. Dinner will be served in the town of Bonito.
DAY 5 | BONITO - PORTO JOFRE (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will visit the Buraco das Araras again, looking for new photo opportunities of the macaws, before departing on a charter flight to Porto Jofre, our base for the following days. Porto Jofre is the end of the Transpantaneira park road and the edge of the Cuiabá river. This is the home of the giant cat in the Americas, the mighty Jaguar, and this afternoon, we will join our first boat safari in search of the cats and the riverine fauna.
DAYS 6,7,8, 9 AND 10 | PORTO JOFRE (B, L, D)
Full days dedicated to navigating the Cuiabá river and its tributaries in search of the Jaguars and the riverine fauna. Here you will spend some time on a skiff with an experienced local naturalist, who will wind you through a maze of waterways, deep into jaguar territory for very dependable sightings, positioning the boat for the best angle to afford you fantastic viewing and photo opportunities. Although this tour focuses on Jaguars, you will also see and be able to photograph some rare and iconic species, such as Giant River Otter, Neotropical Otter, Tapir, Yellow-Billed Tern, Black Skimmer, Herons, Anaconda, and much more!
DAY 11 | PORTO JOFRE - CUIABÁ (B, -, -)
This morning, we will enjoy our last boat safari. After lunch, check out and drive back to Cuiabá (5 hours) to Cuiabá.
DAY 12 | CUIABÁ (B,-,-)
After breakfast, check out and departure
ACCOMMODATION
Bonito: Pousada Olho D’água
Campo Grande: Deville Hotel
Porto Jofre: Hotel Pantanal Norte
Aquidauana: Pousada Aguapé or Pequi
Cuiabá: Amazon Airport
TRIP PRICING
Price per person in a single room: USD $12,500
PAYMENT POLICY
$3750 deposit by check - if paying by CC then a 3% fee will be added
Balance due 60 days prior arrival - Non fundable unless we are able to backfill the spot
Please email me with any questions you may have or if you are interested in putting down a deposit at harrycollinsphotography@gmail.com
INCLUDED
Accommodation with breakfast
Lunch and dinner where mentioned in the itinerary
All taxes and permits
Private charter flight (Aquidauana - Porto Jofre)
Tour Leader (free of cost) in a single room
South Quest Safaris specialist as your guide during the whole trip
12-seater boat for activities in Porto Jofre
Private transportation in A/C vehicles during the whole program
All entrance fees and taxes
NOT INCLUDED
Brazilian visa (if necessary)
Early check-in and late check-out at the hotels
International & internal flights
Other food and beverage in addition to the listed
Travel insurance
Expenditure of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, tipping etc.
MORE INFORMATION
The description of the itinerary is an idea of the activities we will seek to do during the expedition, which can be changed according to weather conditions, recommendations from the responsible photographer or local guide, or for reasons of force majeure.
Please email me with any questions you may have or if you are interested in putting down a deposit at harrycollinsphotography@gmail.com
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