brazil pantanal

The Pantanal is one of the most spectacular places in the world to view wildlife. Often referred to as the world's largest freshwater wetland, the area contains richly biodiverse ecosystems that play host to a wide variety of animals and birds.

The seasonal flooding of the wetlands leaves shallow lakes upon the plain, where anacondas wind round the stems of the giant lilies resting upon the water. The lowland plain is overgrown with lush vegetation, dotted with thousands of rainbow coloured flowers which bloom during the rainy season (December to March). The vast open spaces make it easy to spot creatures that normally hide from sight in the dense jungle regions of Brazil, so a safari in the Pantanal will provide countless opportunities to see a diverse range of animals, such as capybaras, giant otters, macaws, ocelots and even the jaguar.

If your particular interest is wildlife, then make your journey during the drier season between April and October when water levels reduce and the animals converge around the lakes.

The lodges that we use offer three, four or five night itineraries. The Caiman Ecological Refuge is accessible from Campo Grande, whilst the Pousada Rio Mutum is nearer to Cuiaba.