Our tour starts from Cuiaba, Mato Grosso. The best way to travel to Cuiaba is either via Sao Paulo, Brasilia or Rio De Janeiro.
Day 1: Transfer to Hotel Mato Grosso and wildlife viewing
We will pick you up from the Airport/Hotel at Cuiaba and drive for approx. 1.5 hours to arrive at Pocone. From Pocone we will abandon the paved roads unto the Transpantaneira road. For approx. 70km we drive on the dirt road and on our way, we will spot and have the opportunity to stop and photograph the wildlife near the road. We arrive at Mato Grosso hotel at lunch time.
After lunch we will go for a boat ride on the Pixiam river to look for wildlife such as capibara, tapir, caiman, jaguar and have opportunities to photograph birds in flight. Birds like kingfishers and black collared hawk are accustomed to fishermen boats as they throw parts of fish from the boat into the river. After diner we can go by car to look for nocturnal species and wildlife.
Day 2: Hotel Mato Grosso wildlife viewing
Early morning walk for birds and wildlife viewing. Return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast we explore wildlife by boat. Here we have options to do Piranha fishing, see caimans and look and photograph birds in flight (kingfishers, black collared hawks). We might even encounter jaguars as well.
Return to lodge for lunch. After lunch there is time to relax at the pool, walk around the property yourself. In the afternoon we go on a game drive to look for wildlife and nocturnal species. We also have the option to explore by boat. We will return for diner. After diner we look for nocturnal species by foot or car.
Day 3: Mato Grosso to Porto Jofre
Early morning walk for bird and wildlife viewing or we can explore by boat for wildlife. After Lunch, we’ll board on our open car and drive south towards the end of the Pantanal Highway. We’ll be making stops along the route any time and every time we fell there are birds to be watched.
This activity will allow us to explore different types of habitats at the Pantanal such as Marshes, Savannas and Forests. So, the chances of seeing many kinds of birds will be very good such as Rufous-tailed Jacamar, White-lored and Cinereous[1]breasted Spinetail, Red-billed Scythebill, Flavescent Warbler, Purplish Jay, Orange-backed Oriole (Troupial), Crested Oropendola, Solitary Black-Cacique, Blue[1]crowned Trogon, Black-fronted Nunbird, Silver-beaked Tanager, Rusty-collared and White-bellied Seedeaters, Lesser/Chestnut-bellied Seed-Finch and Hyacinth Macaws.
We’ll reach our very comfortable accommodation at the very end of the road. Get in time for dinner.
Day 4: Full day boat ride searching for Jaguars
Jaguar is the main target here, and we’ll spend the day cruising various rivers in a motorboat looking for this magnificent animal. We will have a Radio contact, so if there is a news of jaguar sighting anywhere else, we can head for the location.
Jaguars here are not very shy and will often stay in view for extended periods of time. We will not ignore other birds and wildlife during our search, but Jaguar does take priority. Some birds we may see from the boat include Sungrebe, Pied Lapwing, Yellow-billed and Large-billed Terns, Black Skimmer, Greater Ani, Anhinga, Great Black Hawk, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, and more. Families of Giant Otters are fairly common, and it is not too unusual to see a Tapir.
Day 5-6: Full day boat ride searching for Jaguars
After an early breakfast, get in our motorboats to explore the Meeting-Of-Waters State Park, the best area to view Jaguars in the entire Brazilian Pantanal. The rivers include the Three Brothers, Cuiabá, and Piquirí. Outings take place between 6 am and 6 pm, and are timed to allow photography during the first and last hour of light. We have great chances to see Jaguars, quite often jaguars can be seen on the river banks, many of them at very close range for extended periods, specially from July to November.
We will also encounter other interesting wildlife, including giant river otters, caimans, tapirs, anacondas, howler monkeys, capybaras, and many bird species. The animals here are accustomed to humans so boats can often approach to within four or five meters. Boats are equipped with a short-wave Radio and special shade. Enjoy a picnic-style lunch while anchored along the river with plenty of opportunities to take a safe bathroom break on the beaches as necessary (Or if you prefer, we can return to Porto Jofre accommodation for lunch and rest, and start again in the afternoon). Return to Porto Jofre at the end of the safari in time for dinner.
Day 7: Porto Jofre to Pousada Piuval
Early Breakfast. Check out. This morning we will drive to Pousada Piuval, get at Pousada Piuval in Time for Lunch. In the afternoon we go on a game drive on the private property in search for wildlife such as Giant anteater, tapir, jaguars, caiman and a variety of bird species.
We return to the lodge for dinner. After dinner we can have a nocturnal game drive with even a chance of spotting ocelot, jaguar and puma.
Day 8: Depart to Cuiabá/MT
Early morning game drive to spot for wildlife then return to lodge for breakfast. After breakfast drive back to Cuiaba Airport to catch your return flight.
Please note: Please book your flights keeping in mind the trip start time on Day 1 and end time on Day 8. In case you have to stay an extra day at Cuiabá before or after the trip, the hotel booking has to be made by you.
Recommended airlines for your domestic flight
We recommend you to travel with Azul, GOL or Avianca airlines when travelling within Brazil. GOL airlines have a mileage program that is connected to several European (KLM, Air-France) and American (Delta) mileage programs as well.
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