Jaguars of the Pantanal - August - South Quest Safaris

A well-kept secret of wildlife lovers and nature photographers around the world, the Pantanal shines as Brazil’s best region for animal watching. The world’s largest floodplain has an incredible quantity of birds, reptiles and big mammals because of its rich geography. It’s a seasonal wetland that spends part of the year underwater and all its natural species are adapted to this reality. For photographers and those looking to get really close to animals that exist only in one of the last large untouched natural reserves on Earth, the dry season is paradise.

From May to October, immense flocks of birds come in search for fish, as some 200 species reside in the temporary lagoons and oxbow lakes. These birds include roseate spoonbills, wood storks and jabirus. Caimans and capybaras in turn are drawn to the water by the birds. And at the top of this food chain is the much sought-after jaguar.

This abundance of food and diversity is particularly evident in the Northern Pantanal, homeland of the jaguar – known here as the onça-pintada – the largest and most elusive feline in the Americas. Also, the giant otters, neotropical otters, greater rhea and other species aren’t scared off by human presence. Also, the fact that there are no hills in these open plains make the scenery even better for spotting wildlife. During the dry season, there is the added bonus of the colorful ipê trees in bloom. Those interested in cultural differences get to observe the daily lives of the “pantaneiros”, local cowboys who engage in a seasonal work-life herding cattle in the wetlands.

Tour Highlights

Intensive viewing and photography – Up Close And Personal – Jaguars, Giant Otters, Caiman, Macaws, Tapirs, Storks, and a wide variety of birds and other wildlife;
Early morning and late afternoon photo shoots to take advantage of the best light, watching and waiting for wildlife in just the right setting;
Custom designed itinerary;
Comfortable safari accommodation, most locations equipped with wifi;
2 to 14-seater boat available for the Jaguar-searching portion of our Pantanal Safari;
Count on assistance from SouthQuest’s naturalist guides who have vast experience with the local wildlife and photography expeditions;
Optional hands-on photography assistance by Brazilian NatGeo photographers.

Suggested itinerary

DAY 1 | CUIABÁ (-, -, -)

Arrival at Cuiabá airport (CGB). Transfer to the hotel, check-in and overnight. Cuiabá is the state capital of Mato Grosso and is served by daily flights from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Campo Grande (Southern Pantanal) and other Brazilian hubs.

DAY 2 | CUIABÁ - TRANSPANTANEIRA PARK ROAD (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we’ll drive through the Transpantaneira Park Road to Aymara Lodge. A place that transmits calm and tranquility, bringing rest to the body and mind and providing the guest with a complete connection with nature. Here, monkeys, coatis, agoutis, curassows, parrots, hyacinth macaws, and other species are often seen walking between the apartments, so it is recommended to take some time to rest in the hammock on your balcony enjoying a bit of the Pantanal’s biodiversity. Overnight at Aymara Lodge.

DAY 3 | TRANSPANTANEIRA PARK ROAD (B, L, D)

Full day dedicated to exploring the beauties of the mythical Transpantaneira and its surroundings. This park road was built from a landfill above maximum flood height, is only 145 kilometers (90 miles) long, and has over 120 bridges! In sections where land was removed for landfill, a series of lakes were created – attracting a wide range of waterfowl and other iconic animals. Overnight at Aymara Lodge.

DAY 4 | TRANSPANTANEIRA PARK ROAD – PORTO JOFRE (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we’ll depart to Porto Jofre region, our base for the following days. We can make a few stops along the way to photograph the variety of wildlife. Porto Jofre is the end of the Transpantaneira Park Road and the edge of the Cuiabá River. This region is the home of the largest cat in the Americas, the mighty Jaguar. After check-in and lunch, we will start the activities with a half-day boat safari, looking for the local wildlife.

DAYS 5 AND 6 | PORTO JOFRE (B, L, D)

Full days dedicated to navigate through the Cuiabá River and its tributaries in search of the Jaguars and the riverine fauna. Here, you will spend some time on a boat with an experienced local naturalist, who will wind you through a maze of waterways, deep into jaguar territory for dependable sightings, positioning the boat for the best angle to afford you fantastic viewing and photo opportunities. Although the focus of this tour is on Jaguars, you will also see and 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 7 | PORTO JOFRE – TRANSPANTANEIRA PARK ROAD – CUIABÁ (B, L, -)

Enjoy a last boat safari in the morning. After lunch, check-out and drive back to Cuiabá (5 hours) for overnight.

DAY 8 | CUIABÁ – DEPARTURE (B, -, -)

Breakfast and check-out. Transfer to the airport in Cuiabá, then departure to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro and connections.

Tour Price

Per person in sharing basis: USD 5,990 | Single supplement: USD 900

PAYMENT POLICY

30% deposit (wire transfer)
Balance due 60 days prior arrival

Accommodation

Cuiabá: Gran Odara or similar

Transpantaneira: Aymara Lodge

Porto Jofre: Hotel Pantanal Norte

Services

INCLUDED

Accommodation
Airport transfers on the dates of our itinerary
Full board, except in Cuiabá
All entrance fees and permits
A/C vehicle transportation for the whole program
All tours according to the itinerary, including total of 6 boat safaris in Porto Jofre
South Quest Safaris specialist as your guide during the whole trip

NOT INCLUDED

Any flights
Brazilian visa, if necessary
Early check-in and late check-out at the hotels
Expenditure of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, tipping etc.
Personal insurance (compulsory)
Single room supplement

Gallery

More Information

The deposit of 30% will be requested to guarantee your spot in the group. It’s a guarantee of reservation and is not refunded in case of cancellation from your part for any reason. The deposit will only be refunded if we do not reach the minimum number of 4 participants to confirm the group.

The deadline to confirm the group is 60 days before the starting date but we always work to confirm it in advance.

The deposit amount will be deducted from the remainder of the payment.

This tour requires a minimum of 4 guests to be confirmed and can have up to a maximum of 6 guests.

Bookings on a shared basis will depend on another guest of the same gender registered in the same way. If the registrations are closed without another guest sharing the rooms, the single supplement will be charged and added to the travel balance.

The description of the itinerary is an idea of the activities that we will seek to do during the expedition and that can be changed according to weather conditions, recommendations from the naturalist guide or reasons of force majeure.

Trip Cancellation & Refund Policies

All cancellations requested up to 61 calendar days prior to departure have non-refundable security deposits unless SouthQuest is able to renegotiate the terms with the service providers. That is why it is important that cancellations are announced as early as possible.

Cancellations made with 60 calendar days or less prior to group starts are assessed a cancellation fee of 100% of the trip price, including domestic flights, extensions, and extra services such as hotel nights

All cancellations and trip change requests must be made in writing by mail or by email and received, and acknowledged by SouthQuest.

Jaguars of the Pantanal – August