- 14 boat trips to maximise chances of Jaguar sightings
- Lead by Photographer Paul Goldstein
- Exploration of one of the world's great wildlife regions
- Fantastic wetland bird-watching
- Good chances of seeing capybaras, Giant anteaters, Jabiru storks and other wildlife

Land of the Jaguar Photographic Safari
- Home
- South America
- Brazil
- Wildlife Holidays
- Land of the Jaguar Photographic Safari
Search for the largest and most elusive predator in the Americas
The Pantanal straddles the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia and is the world's largest wetland region. Its plains and low forests are home to over 700 species of bird and 300 different mammals, including tapirs, anteaters, Jabiru storks and the striking Hyacinth macaw. Concentrating on the incredibly rich northern Pantanal in the southwest of Brazil, the time is divided between two lodges, and we journey deep into the Pantanal in search of the jaguar, the largest and most elusive feline in the Americas. These solitary predators, as well as being formidable opponents on land, are strong swimmers and are known to frequent the waterways near Porto Jofre, and this safari will spend a full seven days in boats hoping for a rare glimpse of this most beautiful of New World hunters.
Highlights
Key Information
- 2 nights Araras Eco Lodge, 7 nights Hotel Porto Jofre, all en suite
- 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners included
- Travel by minibus, 4WD safari vehicle and motorised canoe
- Countries visited: Brazil
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners
- All accommodation (see below)
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
Itinerary
The trip starts in Cuiabá today as we transfer to Araras Lodge. Surrounded by pristine forest, the lodge offers a range of activities designed to showcase the flora and fauna of the Pantanal, including jeep safaris, trail walks, nocturnal safaris, canoeing and horse riding. The lodge's expert bilingual naturalist guides accompany us on our excursions to truly enhance our wildlife viewing.
Accommodation: Araras Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Today we drive further along the Transpantanera road to Porto Jofre, with a very early start, situated deep in the heart of the Pantanal along the Cuiabá River. Along the way, we cross numerous watercourses and it can be quite bumpy. Common sightings include caiman, capybara, deer, rheas and a huge variety of birds including the huge Jabiru stork, macaws, egrets and spoonbills. After a very early breakfast we will get straight out onto the river having packed some extra snacks from the buffet as there is no knowing when we will come back. Sightings of these magnificent cats are relatively common in this area (a high percentage of visitors staying longer than three days see at least one during their stay), but there are no guarantees when it comes to wildlife, and even if we don't spot them we will encounter a huge array of animals and birds.
Accommodation: Porto Jofre Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The next six days are spent in boats looking for jaguar and learning more about the delicate ecosystem of the Pantanal. The vessels' seating plan means that no‐one will experience the problem of being stuck in a middle seat when out on the river, so expect uninterrupted views and the best possibilities for wildlife observation and photography! Although we will have a boat safari each morning and afternoon, the exact length of each boat trip will be determined by the animals seen, and if jaguar are spotted our timetable may well go out of the window as we track them and observe their behaviour, so be prepared to be flexible and to spend longer than planned on the water. October is thankfully not as busy as the previous two months on the water.
Accommodation: Porto Jofre Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we have a boat safari before returning for lunch and to pack then return along the Transpantaneira to the Araras Eco Lodge.
Accommodation: Araras Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early morning wildlife spotting activity and breakfast, we return to Cuiabá airport. Those on the group flight travel home to London today. Land only clients are free to make their own arrangements from Cuiabá airport this afternoon.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After an early morning wildlife spotting activity and breakfast, we return to Cuiabá airport. Those on the group flight travel home to London today. Land only clients are free to make their own arrangements from Cuiabá airport this afternoon.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Visa
Brazil
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Brazil. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/brazil
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/brazil
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/brazil/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html
Vaccination
Brazil
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, rabies, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic about the need for antimalarials.
Additionally, zika and dengue fevers, which are both spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available; therefore, we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Eating and Drinking
All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners
Meals in the Pantanal are buffet‐style and plentiful, with a focus on local specialities. Breakfast usually consists of a variety of cold meats, hot dishes, bread and fruits, while for the other meals there will be a wide range of hot and cold dishes, soups and fruit.
Meat is a staple part of the Brazilian diet, but vegetarians can be catered for throughout the trip. Please advise us at the time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements, especially since the remote nature of the lodges means that special supplies can be difficult to obtain without prior arrangement.
Weather
The Pantanal has two clearly defined seasons. The dry season lasts from May to October, and the region experiences little rainfall at this time of year. This is generally considered to be the best time for viewing animals and birds. The wet season runs from November to May, and much of the annual rainfall occurs during these months. Temperatures are generally around 25ºC, but there can be large seasonal variations and temperatures can easily reach the high 30s in the dry season.
Weather Charts
Cuiaba

Is this trip for you?
This trip as an activity level grade of 1 and a safari rating of 5.
Although the accommodation used on this trip is of a good standard, you should note that we are in a remote area with limited access to luxuries. The trip involves several long drives on dirt roads - these roads are generally in good condition (although sometimes bumpy) during the dry season when this trip operates, but in heavy rain journeys may be significantly delayed.
We spend much of the trip in boats, and those with seasickness should be aware that these small vessels have a relatively shallow draft which means any movement would be more noticeable than in larger vessels, though the likelihood of feeling nausea is much lower on rivers than open water. The area’s rich wildlife also includes lots of insects such as mosquitoes so good repellent is a must. When on excursions there are specific spots where we will be able get off the boats but only accompanied by the guides. Mosquitoes are always plentiful in the Pantanal so you should come prepared with long sleeves and adequate repellent.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Lodges & Hotels
On this trip we spend 7 nights at Hotel Porto Jofre, a comfortable lodge on the banks of the Cuiabá River. The lodge has 28 air‐conditioned apartments with en suite bathrooms, each with a porch and hammock for relaxation. The lodge’s swimming pool is perfect for cooling down after a hot day on the river, and the restaurant serves up a great array of regional cuisine.
We also spend two nights at Araras Eco Lodge, which is designed in a rustic regional style and has 19 comfortable rooms, all with air conditioning, ceiling fans and private bathrooms. The lodge has a bar, swimming pool and gift shop, as well as a spacious restaurant whose excellent dishes feature lots of local fruits, vegetables, meat and fish.
Covid-19 refund commitment
You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.
Start
Finish
Availability
Adult Price From
Optional Single Supplement
Tuesday Monday
19 Sep 2023 18 Sep 2023
Thursday Friday
28 Sep 2023 29 Sep 2023
Availability Available
Adult Price From CAD 14,075
Optional Single Supplement +CAD 2,565
Available upon Request
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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Would you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
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