Brazil - The Best of the Southern Pantanal

Summary

The legendary Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, spans an incredible 42 million acres (larger than England) and is home to a breathtaking array of special species. Jaguars, Giant Anteaters, Giant River Otters, armadillos, Hyacinth Macaws and much more await us here. We have long accessed the Pantanal from the north, but this exciting new holiday will explore these varied, wildlife-rich habitats from the south.

We begin our time in Brazil with a flight to São Paulo and then on to Campo Grande, from where we will drive to the town of Aquidauana, the gateway to the southern Pantanal. We will first stay for three nights at Pousada Aguapé, a comfortable lodge surrounded by a wonderful variety of habitats. The bizarre and much sought-after Giant Anteater will be our focus here as we explore the region by safari vehicle, boat and on foot. As we search, we may also find Southern Tamandua, Pampas Deer, Nine-banded and Yellow Armadillos along with an abundance of birds including Toco Toucans, Red-crested Cardinals and Plush-crested Jays. Moving on, we will then travel to the excellent Pousada Boyrá for two nights, situated on the outskirts of Bonito and on the banks of the Cristalino River. Buraco das Araras, a giant sinkhole, is home to dozens of Red-and-green Macaws and offers exciting photo opportunities. A gentle snorkel down the famous gin-clear Rio da Prata also awaits, which teems with fish. We will also visit the Gruta do Lago Azul, or ‘Blue Lake Cave’, one of the most magical and iconic experiences of the area. This special holiday then culminates with a 3-night stay at the wonderful Refúgio Ecológico Caiman, surely the most special place to stay in all of the southern Pantanal. As we explore this 53,000-hectare reserve we will hope to encounter Jaguar, Tapir, Giant Anteater, Southern Tamandua and much more. The Jaguars here are being carefully monitored and studied, and sightings of this magnificent cat are not uncommon. With such a range of habitats on offer, the abundance of wildlife is second to none and special birds include Hyacinth Macaw, Blue-fronted Parrot, Blue-crowned Trogon and much more.