Things To Do in Pantanal

Here is a list of activities we offer for you to enjoy in the Pantanal. Pick the best ones of each tour to customize your adventure.

Land Safari

This is the most complete tour because it allows you to really experience the magnitude of the Pantanal and its wildlife. It is here that you can have a high probability of being a few meters away from animals that you have probably never seen before.  

You can do this exploration, either on horseback, by car or walking to the different areas.

Birdwatching

From May to November, the Pa Tuiuiu. Chapada dos Guimaraes is a perfect place to experience the gatherings of hundreds and hundreds of birds fishing and singing unique songs that will stay in your memories forever.

Best place for Birdwatching at the Pantanal:  Posada Piuval in Pocone

Jaguar Tracking Tour

The Jaguar is the king of the Pantanal. Although it is an animal in danger of extinction, there is a high probability that you will get to see one if you go to northern Pantanal.

There are a number of conservation projects like Projeto Onçafari working in the region, fighting for the preservation of the Onça Pintada’s habitat. It is important for us to support this type of projects.

Best place for Jaguar Tracking Tour:  Porto Jofre and Rio Tres Hermanos

Family Tours

The Pantanal is a place that your family will never forget. Some of the many benefits that your closest beings will get to experience are: adventure, immersive learning about preservation, observation, and coexistence with nature.

It is important to highlight that there are a number of resources and accommodations – such as Pousadas – that offer all the comfort that you may need in order to have a pleasant and memorable stay.

Best place for family tours at the Pantanal: Transpantaneira

Hiking

Walking, completely submerged in wildlife is not an everyday possibility. The privilege of breathing pure air while walking the Transpantaneira on foot is a lifetime opportunity.

Entering one of the most biodiverse areas in the world is a lifetime experience that you have to try.

Best place for hiking at the Pantanal: Serrania de Amolar and Chapada Do Guimarao

Horseback riding

In this tour you will have the opportunity of experiencing the Pantaneiro daily life jobs, exploring the savannas, the plains, and the occasionally flooded areas.

We can follow the routes of the local cowboys and join them as they herd cattle from one location to another in one of the wildest areas on the planet. This is an experience like no other.

Best place for horseback riding at the Pantanal: Aquidauana

Boat tour

On this fun tour, we will visit the most untravelled areas of the Pantanal in search of aquatic species such as the famous piranhas and caimans of Pantanal, as well as other types of freshwater fish that can oly be found in this region.

In addition, we can explore places that are impossible to access to without a proper boat and in which there is an exceptional variety of fauna and flora.

Night Safari

Certain types of monkeys, nocturnal birds and anteaters can only be seen at night. The nocturnal safari through the Pantanal is far beyond any other tours out there.

The species that can be observed are mostly solitary and it is a privilege to be able to see them in their wild habitat. Oh, and if you see some bright cat eyes it might be an Onça Pintada. 

Best place for night safari at the Panatanal: Pousada Mutum

To have a memorable and safe time, we recommend booking your trip with expert guides. We’ve created a list of steps for you to follow in order to plan your adventure: Prepare your trip to the Pantanal.

Places to visit In Pantanal

If you want to be surrounded by wildlife, adventure and unforgettable moments, the Pantanal is the place to go. The total area is almost 75.000 square miles, as big as many states or even as some small sized countries.

There are many fun options to experience and stunning places to visit in the Pantanal, so this is the guide to the best vacation spots according to your specific interests.

Mato Grosso

Transpantaneira in Porto Jofre

The Transpantaneira is a rustic road built in the 70’s in order to safely and quickly move the cattle of the region. This route is 145 kilometers long, it begins in Poconé and ends in Porto Jofre, in the state of Mato Grosso in the northern Pantanal region.

This is a must-explore road for the visitors of the Pantanal, its length makes it possible to see an important variety of animal species and representative plants across the path

Pousada Piuval

This hotel in Poconé offers unique comfort. It is located near the city but atb the same time deep enough into the Pantanal. Accomodation, food and facilities are perfect to enjoy a proper rest after a long day of trekking and adventures out in the fields. Here you won’t leave the wild environment that Transpantaneira has to offer.

Barco Hotel Jaguar do Pantanal

This experience on a boat allows an extensive tour through different rivers that are part of the Pantanal. It is important to emphasize the comfort of the facilities on board. There is always friendly staff willing to solve any requirement or concerns you might have, as well as fun activities as fishing or seeing the wildlife and beautiful landscapes from the comfort of your cabin.

Pousada Recanto do jaguar

This Hotel located in Mato Grosso is ideal for fishing and hiking. The “Pousada” is located near Barão do Melgaço and Rio Piquiri, two perfect locations to climb into a boat and spend hours observing the wildlife while you wait for the perfect fish.

The most important places to visit by boat are:

Chapada do Guimarães
Caceres – Rio Paraguay
Bahiazinha

Mato Grosso do Sul

Nhecolândia – Rio Negro (Aerosafari)

This is the most flooded region in the Pantanal. Accessing this area is harder than visiting other northern zones. To get there is mainly done by boat or small plane and you can visit fazendas or big farms where you can meet the panthanes, farmers and cowboys who spend months into the wild. 

It is a recommended place if you want to see even more exotic wildlife, since it is an isolated place, as the Río Negro is constantly flooded.

Corumba – Serra do Amolar

It’s the only mountainous place at the Pantanal and also the most flooded region throughout the year, that makes it an special place to see flora and fauna and to reach unexplored getaways by boat.
Each of these spots has its own magic and special activities to offer. Do not hesitate on asking whatever you want to know!
All of our suggestions are focused on ecotourism with the premise of creating a positive impact in the communities and promoting conservation projects in the area. Check our
Conservation Projects !

Rio Miranda – Aquidauana

This is where the Pantanal conservation projects begun. Here, you will find the real Pantaneiros and their ranches where you can interact with exotic fish and experience herding the cattle. Don’t forget this is the point where the Aerosafaris start.

Wildlife in Pantanal

The pantanal is one of the best places in the world to discover wildlife. All of our tours are focused on the sight and tracking of animals. We also offer a comprehensive Conservation Projects Tour focused on the protection of endangered animals within the Pantanal. 

The Jaguar or Onça Pintada

• Is the largest feline in the New World, reaching 6.5 feet height and up to 286 lbs weight.
• Eats deer, peccaries, capybaras, alligators, birds, fish and more.
• it is an animal coveted by hunters and sadly, it is considered to be in danger of extinction
• Also known as Yaguareté.

The Giant Anteater or Tamanduá-Bandeira

• Doesn’t have teeth and is a nocturnal walker.
• Inhabits the drained plains where there are nests of ants and termites.
• Can measure up to 3.2 feet and its tail reaches 2.9 feet.
• With its snout sucks its favorite insects which stick to its long and sticky tongue.

The Giant Otter or Lontra Gigante

• This freshwater otter was an inhabitant of most of the South American territory.
• Has precious fur, making it a prime hunting target and leading it to be exterminated in most of its native territory.
• Feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, fish, babillas and snakes.
• Has a great maternal instinct and defends its offspring in herds.

The Yellow Anaconda or Caninana

• Is typical of the center of South America.
• Can reach up to 13 feet in length and its weight can reach 88 lbs.
• Lives mainly in water and its diet include deer, rodents, birds, reptiles and fish.
• Is known in indigenous languages as Kuriyu.

The Brazilian Tapir or Danta

• This terrestrial mammal is the largest on the American tropics.
• His main distinction from other Tapirs is his muscular crest.
• Is a lonely nightwalker and emits sounds and whistles when is feeling endangered.
• Is almost extinct.

Pampas Deer

They live in small groups of 2 to 6 individuals but they can also be seen in groups of more than 50 when the magnitude of the terrain and the amount of food are both sufficient

It can be observed all around the Pantanal even though it is considered a vulnerable species thanks to indiscriminate hunting all over South America. 

Most of them live at the Pantanal, more than 80.000 veado -campeiros are protected by different pantanal conservation projects.

Ocelot

He is a shrewd hunter who climbs trees to get his food but also feeds on small rodents and other mammals. 

The ocelot is a solitary animal and is also known as the dwarf leopard. It was in danger of extinction but the efforts for its preservation have made it today an stable species in the Americas.

Giant Armadillo

These animals are excavators and are they are easy to recognize for their size and height. Their carapace and their long nails help them to build their burrows and to find their food: ants and all kind of subterranean insects.

His sight is very limited but his sense of smell is his great ally when finding food and detecting danger. When in captivity it can weigh up to 176 lbs.

Yellow banded Armadillo

It is a both a diurnal and nocturnal animal and an insect hunter. It can easily be recognized for its yellow shell. When he feels threatened he zigzags and hides inside his cylindrical shaped carapace.

Black Yacaré

Also known as Caiman. There is a big chance of seeing Yacares as more than 10 million live around the Pantanal. They move around riverbanks and they are not aggressive towards humans or other bigger animals.

It mainly feeds on fish that it catches leaving its mouth open as a trap and then closing it when animals stand on it. It also eats some small mammals that do not require much energy at the time of hunting and digesting.

Capybara

It is the biggest rodent in the world. He is both aquatic and terrestrial. His size is about 47 inches, He is an expert detecting everything that happens around him thanks to his physiognomy. 

They are diurnal animals that mainly feed on aquatic plants. They have membranes on their legs that allow them to swim easily. They can also submerge and last 10 minutes underwater. 

BARE-FACED CURRASSOW

This bird measures between 32 and 36 inches. The difference between male and female is remarkable. Males have a yellow base beak and a black crest, while females have completely black beaks and white crest.

They feed mainly on fruits, seeds and small invertebrates. This species is in a “vulnerable” status because its population is rapidly decreasing due to indiscriminate hunting.

ROSEATE SPOONBILL

It is a beautiful bird, relative of herons. It has a flattened beak, in the shape of a spoon, that moves from one side to the other to filter its food from the mud found on the banks of the rivers and lakes. 

It can measure 64 inches and lives in plains, mangrove forests, swamp forests and in marshes and wetlands in the savannas. Lives alone or in small groups, sometimes accompanied by corocoras, herons and egrets.

JABIRU

It is an unmistakable bird, with a very large beak and a red neck. Jabiru derives from the Tupi Guarani language and means- very large. The Jabiru feeds mainly on eels and fish. 

It is a monogamous bird that reproduces with the same couple throughout its life. During courtship the male takes a branch with its beak and dances with opened wings while moving the head up and down. Then, if there is reciprocity, the female performs the same dance.

GREAT POTOO

Also known as Urutau Grande its length is 18 to 23 inches. The colors of its feathers are brown, gray and white. 

Their main difference with owls is their tail and long wings. They are nocturnal birds that live alone and feed on insects and small bats.

BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW (ARARA)

Threatened with extinction, the hyacinth macaw outstands because of its colorful beauty and because it is the largest macaw in the world, it measures approximately 1m. 

It is predominantly blue, which contrasts with the yellow of its cheeks and eyes, it is also known by its Indian name “Araraúna”.

TOCO TOUCAN

It is easy to recognize it by its large yellow beak with a black patch. Its length is approximately 24.8 inches of which the beak occupies almost 8 inches. 

It prefers to move around clear areas where there are not many trees so it’s able to fly without interruption. Males and females do not have major physical differences

Conservation Projects in Pantanal

Being declared by the UNESCO as mega-diverse ecosystem. The Pantanal offers important projects for the preservation and research of flora and fauna. 

This is a selection of sites of interest for the development of these projects. If you are willing to support these conservation projects feel free to visit their websites!

Baia das Pedras

Baia Das Pedras is located in the heart of Pantanal and their work is based on research projects and conservation of endangered species. They collaborate with NGO’s, universities and zoos all over the world.

Learn more : Baia das Pedras Project >

Projeto Tamandúa

This research and conservation project is responsible for the protection of 19 species among them variations of tamanduas, preguiças and tatus. All of these are endangered mainly due to the growth in cattle farming and agriculture in certain Pantanal regions.

Learn more : Projeto Tamandua >

Caiman Ecological Refuge

This project aims to preserve more than 5,600 hectares with all their fauna and flora. A great variety of species inhabit this area and the project is supervised by investigators from the Univesity of Sao Paulo.

Learn more : Caiman Ecological Refuge >

Onçafari

This organization promotes the environmental conservation and socioeconomic development of some sectors of the Pantanal by means of ecotourism and scientific research. It is present in the region of Pantanal Sul Mato Grossense mainly protecting Onça-Pintada.

learn more : Onça Safari Project >

Practical information to visit Pantanal

Pantanal is a place full of wonders and incredible adventures. You will experience a vast and exuberant nature,  that’s why you should know all you need to have a memorable trip. Here is a list of suggestions to be well prepared and get the most out of your exploration. Do not hesitate to contact us for any questions you may have, we will be glad to help you.

Interesting facts about the Pantanal

Pantanal is the most intriguing wetland in the world. This immense Brazilian region is underwater several months of the year. But when the dry season comes, it reveals an outstanding bioversity, Pantanal is full of life!

Geography

As a Green jewel, Pantanal is an outstanding area.
Swinging between rainy and dry season, this unique geography is home to a magnificent ecosystem.

Pantanal stands out among the most tremendous, immaculate and naturally rich regions on the planet. Frequently pointed out as one of the largest wetland in the world, it out passes the  Nile or the Nigerian Delta with more than 170,000 km2.

The alluvial plain is situated in South America, in the Brazilian region of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.

It also extends to eastern Bolivia and eastern Paraguay.

The Pantanal offers a myriad of diverse geography : surrounded by mountain ridge, the area abounds with rivers, forests, humid zones, lakes, sandy beaches and high grasses. All of them natural beauties for the delight of our eyes.

During the rainy season 70 to 80 percent of the land is flooded and all the wildlife and human activities depend on the rhythm of the floods.

The main fluvial sources come from the Paraguay and Caceres Rivers, which supply the characteristic sloped basin of Pantanal.

History of Pantanal

Pantanal, with its floods and wild geography, was home to the first tribes living on the region of Corumbá and Pocon. 
The first traces of human settlements date of 8000 years ago.  

Pantanal resulted into a “melting pot” of indigenous tribes. 
From the South American Apache (the Guaicurú) to the Canoe Indians (the Paiaguá), many ethnic groups perfectly adapted to this particular land.

Around 1720 the peaceful existence of the tribes was disrupted by the arrival of the Portuguese colonists.

After a gold quest that didn´t last long, colonists decided to settle down in the Pantanal. They dedicated to raise livestock. 
Today, farmers suffer from cattle’s price fluctuation and focus on developing ecotourism as an alternative revenue.

Pantanal has always stayed as a remote area and hasn’t developed as fast as the rest of Brazil.

Culture

Pantanal’s culture can be well described as a farmer lifestyle. Ranch, rodeo and lassos: all the elements of the Far West.

The Pantaneiros (local inhabitants of Pantanal), isolated from Brazil’s fast expansion, had to rely on themselves to grow. That’s why they have developed an strong sense of resilience and an impressive adaptation to the rhythm of the season.

Their tenacious culture is characterized by the Cowboy activities: cattle raising, fishing, soybean farming and eco-tourism in “Fazendas”, large extensions of private land.

Some of the most representative traditional dishes of Pantanal’s gastronomy are Sopa de piranha, Cowboy Rice and BBQ.

The most appreciated musical style is the Sertanejo a Brazilian style country music. Sergio Reis is one of the famous Sertanejo singers in Brazil. Among others, you might have heard about the internationally known Michel Teló who hit the top charts in 2011.

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