PANTANAL WETLANDS
2028 - OPEN
Northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso – BRAZIL
The Pantanal is the largest wetland in the world and home to the highest density of jaguars found anywhere. This makes the Pantanal the best place to photograph these amazing big cats.
Travel with professional wildlife photographer Roy Toft as he leads an adventurous "Jaguars of the Pantanal" photo tour in the Pantanal wetlands. Observe and photograph the third largest big cat in the world.
Join our small group wildlife photography tour as we seek opportunities to photograph wild jaguars, birds, and other animals native to the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands.
July 19–28, 2028. Spend a 10-day, 9-night photo adventure in the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil
Custom designed itinerary
10 participants max
Visit three destinations — photograph jaguars, birds, and other animals, including the endangered giant river otter
Accommodations include both land and river-based "flotel" wildlife lodges
Travel the waterways on motorboats with trusted local guides
Our main focus is photographing jaguars, but there is other amazing wildlife around these rivers, such as:
Yacare Caiman
Hyacinth Macaws
Giant River Otter
Toco Toucans
Black-collared Hawks
This 10-day, 9-night adventure takes us to three incredible corners of Brazil's Pantanal. After an overnight stay in Cuiabá upon arrival, we begin with a day and night at Southwild Pantanal Lodge, continue with five nights aboard Naturezas' floating "flotel," Jaguarland, and finish with two nights at the Pousada Piuval ranch.
Much of our time will be spent navigating river systems by motorboat, an ideal vantage point for our cameras. Kingfishers, herons, egrets, and storks are common along these waterways, while mammal sightings often include brown capuchin monkeys, crab-eating foxes, and capybaras. With a bit of luck, we might also encounter tapirs, marmosets, red brocket deer, and ocelots. A specialized night blind gives us the chance to capture some of these species after dark.
One endangered species we're especially eager to find is the giant river otter. These six-foot-long "wolves of the river" fish and play near our lodge, offering plenty of chances to watch them up close.
From Southwild, we'll move to the floating Naturezas lodge for five nights and six days centered on one of the New World's most iconic predators: the jaguar. By this point in the trip, having already come away with striking shots of birds, monkeys, capybaras, and more, our focus shifts almost entirely to tracking down this magnificent cat.
Researchers based at the lodge have identified more than 50 individual jaguars roaming the maze of rivers surrounding it. Combined with our boat operators' expertise, this makes for an unmatched opportunity to find and photograph them. Sightings have climbed steadily since our first trip in 2009, with recent groups averaging 10–15 encounters! This is a track record that keeps me excited to lead this journey year after year.
Naturezas “flotel” - 85’ long, 7 cabin ship in Jaguarland.
Leaving Naturezas, we head to Pousada Piuval, a 7,000-hectare ranch alive with native species, such as jabiru storks (tuiuiús), monkeys, caimans, capybaras, and striking hyacinth macaws.
2028 ITINERARY
1 night in Cuiabá
1 night at SouthWild Pantanal Lodge
5 nights aboard Naturezas
2 nights at Pousada Piuval
Arrive in Cuiabá
19 JULY (DAY 1)
We arrive in Cuiabá, the capital city of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Norte, then transfer to our Amazon Aeroporto Hotel. Group dinner.
Overnight: Amazon Aeroporto Hotel (B,D)
Cuiabá to SouthWild Pantanal Lodge (1 night)
20 JULY (DAY 2)
Breakfast at Amazon Aeroporto Hotel. Depart at 8AM from Cuiabá to SouthWild Pantanal (3 hour drive). Arrive for lunch. PM Ocelot hide activities. Dinner at SouthWild Pantanal Lodge.
Overnight: SouthWild Pantanal Lodge (B,L,D)
SouthWild Pantanal Lodge to Jaguarland
21 JULY (DAY 3)
Early departure from SWP for a 4-hour drive in closed vehicle to the end of the Trans-Pantanal Hwy in Porto Jofre. Transfer to Jaguarland (by boat). After lunch, our first safari on the water looking for Jaguar. Dinner on Naturezas.
Overnight: Naturezas
Jaguarland (5 nights)
21-25 JULY (DAYS 3-7)
Each day we leave at dawn after breakfast to spend 4-5 hrs on the river searching for Jaguars and other wildlife. We return to our lodge everyday around 11AM for lunch and a siesta (rest period). At 3-4PM we are back on the river photographing until sunset.
Spend 4.5 Days and 5 Nights at Jaguarland on Naturezas (B,L,D)
Jaguarland to Pousada Piuval
26 JULY (DAY 8)
Breakfast. Transfer from Jaguarland to Porto Jofre (by boat). Transfer from Porto Jofre via closed vehicle to Pousada Piuval Lodge. Lunch. PM Activities. Dinner at Pousada Piuval.
Overnight: Pousada Piuval (B,L,D)
Pousada Piuval (2 nights)
26-27 JULY (DAYS 8-9)
Breakfast, followed by morning activities. After lunch, afternoon activities at the ranch. Dinner at Pousada Piuval.
Overnight: Pousada Piuval (B,L,D)
Pousada Piuval to Cuiabá
28 JULY (DAY 10)
After breakfast, transfer from Pousada Piuval back to Cuiabá airport, arriving in early afternoon. Main tour concludes. Fly home or stay overnight and depart next day (hotel accommodations in Cuiabá are not included).
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR EXPECTATIONS
Our goal is to provide a successful nature experience with wonderful photographic opportunities of the extraordinary wildlife found in the Pantanal. Photographing wild Jaguars during that portion of the tour will be our highest priority.
To meet these goals please consider the following:
Photographing wild animals involves dedication and patience
Expect to spend considerable time in a skiff (passenger boat) or on land, in shade or sun, searching and waiting for our subjects
Extended periods of time may be required in order to capture amazing imagery of wildlife in action — could be many hours
In order to achieve the highest degree of success, we have chosen the best lodge, boat drivers and guides. However, in addition to photographing many other species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, consider a jaguar sighting above and beyond all other expectations
ABOUT THE PANTANAL
The Pantanal of South America is the world’s largest freshwater wetland system that lies mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, but also extends into portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. With an estimated size between 140,000 to 195,000 kilometers, roughly 80% of the Pantanal’s huge lowland floodplains are submerged during the wet season (October to March). With various sub-regional ecosystems, this biologically diverse area has unparalleled beauty with an ecological paradise for many different collections of plants and animals. In 2000, the Pantanal Conservation Area was classified as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
LODGING
The SouthWild Pantanal Lodge (SWP) is located 2.5 km off the Transpantaneira Road, on the forested banks of the wildlife-rich Pixaim River. SWP offers the Pantanal’s best value for serious birders, naturalists, and photographers.
Lodge Accommodations: 12 Screened guest rooms with queen bed (or two twin beds), private bath, hot shower, air-conditioning, overhead fans and in-room electrical outlets for charging devices. Each room has an outside area with seating and a hammock.
Highlights Include
12 meter tall observation tower at level to a Jabiru Stork nest
Large screened dining room and lounge are with full bar
Swimming pool
Free Wifi internet
Accessible riverine forest
Naturezas
Around Brazil’s Cuiabá River, the Naturezas is a luxurious floating hotel perfect for viewing the jaguar in their natural habitat. In addition to wild jaguars, the jungle surrounding the Cuiabá river is bursting with wildlife from caiman and capybara to monkeys and birds. The boat has been specifically designed for the best sightings of wildlife with no canopies to obstruct viewings
Naturezas Accommodations: 5 standard rooms and 2 economy rooms with private bathroom, silent air conditioning, hot showers and 24 hour electricity. Each suite also feature natural flow-through screened windows at opposite ends of each room (the key to natural night cooling).
Highlights Include
Air conditioned dining/lounge lecture room with panoramic views
Accessible riverine forest
Room with flow-through screened windows
Best location for Jaguar and other wildlife observation
Pousada Piuval
Set at the start of the Transpantaneira Highway near Poconé, Pousada Piuval is a converted cattle ranch turned eco-lodge spanning thousands of hectares of pasture, wetland, and forest. Truely one of the Pantanal's most beautiful landscapes.
Pousada Piuval Accommodations: Standard rooms with private bathroom, split air conditioning, hot showers, 24 hour electricity, and free WiFi.
Highlights Include
Split air-conditioned rooms
Room with flow-through screened windows
Diverse terrain, incredible gardens
Fantastic location for Giant Anteaters, Hyacinth Macaws, Pumas, Ocelots, and hundreds of other species and other wildlife observation
PACKING LIST FOR BRAZIL EXPEDITIONS
CLOTHING
2-3 pairs of light colored field pants (think REI, Columbia, Patagonia or like).
2-3 long sleeve field shirts as sun protection during daytime and as mosquito protection in early morning, late afternoon and after dark (like brands above).
1-2 cotton t-shirts or polo shirts per day
2 pairs of white cotton socks tall enough to tuck pants into (most useful during forest walks)
1 pair of sneaker/walking shoes (lightweight and dry fast)
1 pair waterproof sandals, flip-flops or Crocs (to take on boat rides if it rains)
Windbreaker for cutting the cool wind during early morning and evening boat rides
Rain poncho/loose-fitting rain suit, as serious rain occurs in any month
Underwear and PJs
Bring med down coat, mittens, winter hat for rare cold fronts
Bathing suit and sun shirt for swimming in pools and rivers
Sunscreen, sunglasses and sun hat with stiff front brim (hat must not fly off in the wind)
MISC
Water bottle to refill (Nalgene or metal)
Day pack/small backpack to hold cameras water bottle, etc.
Insect repellent containing DEET
Personal toiletries and medications
Small flashlight
3 Large plastic bags (folded in day pack) for bagging shoes & cameras if it rains on boat trip
$100-$500 U.S. per person to pay bar bills etc.
Valid Passport
CAMERA GEAR
2 DSLR bodies (that you know well and work)
Telephoto 400-600mm lens
Zoom in the 100-400mm range
16-35mm wide angle lens
Tripod for long lens (500-600mm)
Monopods are also very handy for support on and off the boat
Polarizer filter(s)
Batteries and charger, memory cards, USB drive/stick to transfer image to free up memory cards.
Flash (optional)
Binoculars
Waterproof bag to cover camera & bodies when it rains
“Pee Bottle” Nalgen with wide mouth. Very handy to relieve one’s self while in the boat (sorry ladies!) We will make arrangements to find a bush for people needing to use the bathroom.
2028 Tour (OPEN)
JULY 19-28, 2028
Per Person: $10,900 USD (Sharing, plus Shared Row in Jaguar Boat of 2 Seats)
Single-Supplement: $1,500 USD (smaller room)
Tour Includes:
Accommodation based on double-occupancy in mentioned lodges, in standard rooms
Meals & excursions, as mentioned
Private transportation
Two guests per row for Jaguar search boat
Private English-speaking local naturalist guide
Tour Excludes:
Round Trip air transportation to and from your destination to Cuiabá, Brazil
Meals, or other services not mentioned
Personal or extra expenses
Soft drinks, small bottles water, beer, wine, mixed drinks.
All tips (lodges, boat drivers, and guides)
Early check-in or late check-out charges
Laundry services
Insurance
