Pantanal Photo Tour
This Pantanal Photo Tour is set in Western Brazil where lies “The Pantanal”. The Pantanal is to the Americas what the Okavango is to Africa. It is the world’s largest wetland; a mosaic of seasonally-flooded forests and savannahs covering 200,000 square kilometres, ten times the size of South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Of the 400 species of birds, 82 weigh more than 500 grams; the world’s longest list of large birds. The bird sightings are truly superb, but it is the abundance of Jaguars and Giant Otters that capture the imagination of most visitors.
After arrival at Campo Grande, your tour kicks off with a journey to the Southern Pantanal (Bonito & Aguapé) Our main focus in this area is photographing the Red-and-Green Macaws at the Giant sinkhole, the Macaw sinkhole is truly an amazing place where hundreds of wild macaws nest on the vertical sides of the giant sinkhole. We also work the surrounding areas for Giant Ant Eaters during the afternoon and will be able to follow and photograph these amazing animals up close and personal on foot. On one of the days we will also go to the silver river locally known as the Rio da Prata where we will snorkel and drift down this pristine crystal clear river that is packed with huge schools of colourful fish in all shapes and sizes. We will also visit a local river where we can photograph jumping piraputanga fish, we are proud to be the first to offer this type of photography in the Pantanal, you are sure to be in awe of the results.
The area is also teaming with amazing bird life and we will certainly see several sought after species of Parrots, Parakeets, Hyacinth Macaws, Toucans, Mot Mots, Seriemas, Humming birds and much more. Mammals we are likely to photograph are Tamandua, giant anteaters, armadillos and even the illusive Ocelot.
You then continue your journey into the Northern Pantanal and onto our houseboat (flotel) on the mighty Cuiabá River. Here you will spend your days on a skiff with an experienced local naturalist, who will wind you through a maze of waterways, deep into jaguar territory for very dependable sightings, positioning the boat for the best angle to afford you fantastic photo opportunities. Although the focus of this tour is on Jaguars, you will also see and photograph some rare and iconic species, such as Giant River Otters, Giant Anteaters, Capybaras, endangered Hyacinth Macaws, Jabiru Storks, South American Tapirs, Howler Monkeys and hundreds of Jacaré Caimans.
You will end your tour with a night along the Transpanteneira ‘Highway’ at Mato Grosso Hotel. Here we will be able to do a river cruise along the Pixiam river in the afternoon and expect to see hundreds of Cayman, Herons, Jaberu, Kingfishers, hawks and much more.
The Pantanal is to the Americas what the Okavango is to Africa. It is the world’s largest wetland; a mosaic of seasonally-flooded forests and savannahs covering 200,000 square kilometres, ten times the size of South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Of the 400 species of birds, 82 weigh more than 500 grams; the world’s longest list of large birds. The bird sightings are truly superb, but it is the abundance of Jaguars and Giant Otters that capture the imagination of most visitors.
Our Tusk Photo Pantanal Photo tour to Brazil is certainly one of our most sought after tours we have on offer. This tour takes you to a number of different places and the experiences at each of these destinations are like none you’ve ever experienced before.
We start the tour off in the Southern part of the Pantanal close to a town called Bonito where we stay at our Pousada (Lodge) for 2 nights. From our Pousada we do trips in and around the area focusing on several species of birds and mammals. Our main focus in this area is photographing the Red-and-Green Macaws at the Giant sinkhole (100m deep) called Burraco das Arras (Sinkhole of the Macaws). The Macaw sinkhole is truly an amazing place where hundreds of wild macaws nest on the vertical sides of the giant sinkhole. From our viewing platform we will be able to photograph these macaws as they fly past our viewing point on the rim of the sinkhole. We also work the surrounding areas for Giant Ant Eaters during the afternoon and will be able to follow and photograph these amazing animals up close and personal on foot. On one of the days we will also go to the silver river locally known as the Rio da Prata where we will snorkel and drift down this pristine crystal clear river that is packed with huge schools of colourful fish in all shapes and sizes. We will provide wet-suits and be able to drift down this magical stream viewing one of the most spectacular underwater worlds on this planet. We will also visit a local river where we can photograph jumping piraputanga fish, we are proud to be the first to offer this type of photography in the Pantanal, you are sure to be in awe of the results.
The area is also teaming with amazing bird life and we will certainly see several sought after species of Parrots, Parakeets, Toucans, Mot Mots, Seriemas, Humming birds and much more. From Bonito we head to Aguapé for 2 nights, here our focus will be Hyacinth Macaws, Toucans, Tamandua, more giant anteaters and even the illusive Ocelot, as well as many other bird and mammal species that inhabit the area.
From Aguapé we will take a short road transfer to Aquidauana where we will catch our charter flight directly to Porto Jofre. Here we board our private motor boat and transfer to our Houseboat (The Millenium) deep inside Jaguar country.
We stay on our houseboat for the next 7 nights exploring the multitude of rivers and waterways in the area. Our main focus while working this area is chasing the incredible opportunities to capture the high density of Jaguars the area is famed for.
In addition to Jaguars we will also be looking for Giant River Otters, Capybara, Cayman, Tapier, Fishing Bats and the amazing diversity of birdlife the surrounding jungle supports.
Once we finish our stay on the houseboat we head up the Transpanteneira ‘Highway’. This dirt road is well known for its numerous wooden bridges that link the dry land from the marsh surrounding areas. The road isn’t long but does take some time to drive hence the reason we stay one night along the way at Mato Grosso Hotel. Here we will be able to do a river cruise the afternoon and expect to see hundreds of Cayman, Herons, Jaberu, Kingfishers, hawks and much more.
From Mato Grosso we head down the remainder of the Transpanteneira and onto Cuiaba International Airport and the end of our Pantanal Photo Tour.
Pantanal Photo Tour Highlights
- 14 Days tour
- An amazing 8 Days spent chasing Jaguars alone..!
- 4 Days for Macaws, Giant Anteaters, Toucans, Jumping fish, Ocelots and Silver River activities
- Top accommodation
- Private boat in Jaguar land.
- Small private group of only 7 guests on the tour
- Use of local guide to facilitate language barriers etc.
The Tour Includes
- 13 nights accommodation
- All activities
- All meals
- Private boat with only our Tusk Photo guests
- Services of a Tusk Photo pro photographer
The Tour Excludes
- Flights to Brazil and back
- Visa costs
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Drinks
- Laundry
- Gratuities
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7 - 12
Day 13
Day 14
Dates & Prices
| Departure Date | Return Date | Tour Cost | SADC Rate | Availability | Location | |
| 1 August 2024 | 14 August 2024 | USD 10990 | N/A | 6 | Book | |
| 15 August 2024 | 28 August 2024 | USD 10990 | N/A | 5 | Book |
