7 Days / 6 Nights
We can also customise this trip based on your exact dates, requirements and budget.
There are few places on Earth where wildlife encounters rival those of the Pantanal.
There are few places on Earth where wildlife encounters rival those of the Pantanal. Covering an immense expanse of tropical wetlands in western Brazil, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is widely regarded as the finest destination in the world to observe wild Jaguars. Unlike dense rainforests where big cats remain elusive, the rivers and open marshes of the Pantanal provide extraordinary opportunities to watch these magnificent predators hunting, swimming, resting and interacting in broad daylight.
Our carefully designed expedition combines three exceptional wildlife lodges with dedicated boat safaris, guided nature walks and game drives, allowing you to experience the incredible diversity of this remarkable ecosystem. While Jaguars are undoubtedly the stars of the show, the Pantanal offers so much more. Giant River Otters patrol the waterways, families of Capybara graze along the riverbanks, Yacare Caimans bask in astonishing numbers and Giant Anteaters, Tapirs and Marsh Deer are frequently encountered.
For bird enthusiasts, the Pantanal is equally spectacular. Brilliant Hyacinth Macaws, Jabiru Storks, Toucans, Kingfishers, Herons and hundreds of other species make this one of South America's premier birdwatching destinations.
Travelling with Beyond Wild means far more than simply ticking a destination off your list. Our expeditions are carefully paced, led by experienced wildlife experts and designed for photographers, naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts who wish to maximise both sightings and time in the field. Whether you are chasing your first Jaguar sighting or returning to photograph one of the world's greatest predators, this promises to be an unforgettable wildlife adventure.
This is a fixed-date group departure: the dates, your lodge, two safaris a day and your instructor are all set — ideal for solo travellers and small groups who want a great trip without the planning. Between drives there's time to rest, review photos, and swap notes over chai with your naturalist.
Leave Cuiabá at around 7 am and head down the Transpantaneira road, where the wildlife spotting begins almost at once. You reach your first lodge, Pouso Alegre, in time to settle in and head out on an afternoon safari. We recommend arriving in Cuiabá a day early so that we can leave at first light.
A full day of wildlife activities around the lodge: a dawn safari, an 8 am safari, an afternoon safari and a night safari. The target species are the giant anteater and the tapir, along with many of the Pantanal’s birds, including toucans and hyacinth macaws.
After breakfast, move to your next lodge at Porto Jofre. After lunch, set out on your first boat safari in search of jaguars.
The alarm goes early, and breakfast is at 5:30 am. Then you step aboard a small-engine safari boat built for wildlife photography and head out onto the Cuiabá River. Today is about settling into the pace of life on the water, as kingfishers and herons line the banks and capybaras graze at the water’s edge. Lunch is served on board, so there is no need to leave the river. The boat brings you back to the lodge at around 6 pm.
After another 5:30 am breakfast, the boat turns into the narrow creeks that branch off the main river. These quieter channels are where you can look for giant otters, caimans and anacondas. Pantanal deer, anteaters and tapirs may appear along the banks. With lunch on board, you can stay out through the middle of the day, when the river is at its calmest. You return to the lodge at around 6 pm.
Breakfast is at 5:30 am once more, and this is your final full day on the water. By now you know the river and its moods, so you can use that knowledge to search again for the jaguar, the animal you came for. Lunch is on the boat as before, leaving you free to follow any promising lead for as long as the light allows. You are back at the lodge at around 6 pm, ready for a last evening together.
Enjoy a last jaguar boat safari until midday, then return to Cuiabá airport or to the hotel of your choice. If you plan to book a late-evening or onward flight, or an overnight stay in Cuiabá, please confirm the transfer schedule with us first.
Other dates for this trip
Everything's set: the dates, your lodge, two safaris a day and your instructor. Per-person pricing is above — tell us you're interested and we'll take it from there.
Originally from Italy, Camilla followed her heart to India, where her fascination with tigers became a lifelong calling. Today, she spends much of the year leading and supporting wildlife journeys across India and Africa, mentoring in hundreds of safaris annually. Her extraordinary work ethic, extensive field experience, and boundless enthusiasm are matched by a warm, approachable personality that makes every guest feel welcome and inspired. Camilla also handles Beyond Wild Italy and France with equal grace and authority.
View full profile →Fixed dates, fixed price, expert-led. Tell us you are interested and we will take it from there.
| Cancelled this far ahead | You get back |
|---|---|
| 180 days or more | 95% refund |
| 120 to 179 days | 75% refund |
| 90 to 119 days | 50% refund |
| 60 to 89 days | 30% refund |
| Less than 60 days or No Show | No refund |
Safari permits are issued per guest and cannot be transferred once confirmed, so this differs from a conventional holiday package.
These terms apply to this trip.
Tell us who is travelling and when — we will come back to you within a day.
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