SOUTHERN BRAZIL
THE PANTANAL & THE CERRADO
Wisps of dawn mist hang over the water as we glide across the mirror calm waters of the world's largest freshwater wetland in search of one of the world's most beautiful mammals - the iconic Jaguar.
The Pantanal covers an area of over 95,000 square miles, over half of which is in Brazil, the rest in neighbouring Bolivia and Paraguay. It is now the dry season and wildlife is concentrated in the remaining marshes with thousands of waterbirds, Capybaras and Caimans all crowded together. Along deep-pooled rivers are playful and noisy Giant Otters. Greater Rheas stalk grasslands where we have an excellent chance of seeing the handsome Giant Anteater. Waves of sound rise to a crescendo as the Black-and-gold Howler's morning chorus reaches its climax, while the little Bare-ear Marmoset is quiet and shy by comparison. Brown Capuchins feed with colourful Tanagers and Toco Toucans in Cecropia Trees around our lodge and the magnificent and endangered Hyacinth Macaw nests there. Hummingbirds include the gorgeous Black-throated Mango and Brazilian Ruby.
A spectacular landscape of sandstone tablelands and gorges forms the Chapada do Guimaires National Park where Red-and-green Macaws swoop in to roost as the sun sets on dry cerrado grasslands populated by Burrowing Owls and handsome Curl-crested Jays. It seems incredible that from here a short plane ride can take us to the dense southern Amazonian rainforests of Cristalino with towering Brazilnut trees and an equally towering observation platform deep in the forest where we can watch Scarlet Macaws, Channel-billed Toucans, Long-tailed Tyrants and diverse mixed bird flocks. Morphos are common along with an array of superb butterflies and bizarre helicopter damselflies. Gentle boat rides will enable us to see Brazilian Tapir, Neotropical Otters and impressive Razor-billed Curassows. Red-breasted Toucanets, Blue Manakins and abundant colourful butterflies inhabit the bio-diverse Mata Atlantica forest that wrap the peerless Iguacu Falls in a wonderful verdant shroud. A superb blend of colour, vibrance and style that you would naturally expect from Brazil. And a very good chance of seeing a Jaguar!
INFORMATION
Focus
Mammals and Birds. Also Butterflies, Reptiles, Amphibians and Flowers.
Leaders
Walking
No more than four or five miles in a day, usually less. Always at a slow pace, well suited to photographers. There will be several boat trips during this tour. Trails can be muddy at times.
Included in the Price
All flights. All transport, accommodation and meals in Brazil & Argentina. Services of your leaders and local guides. Please note: drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature such as travel insurance, are not included.
Group Size
The minimum is 5 and the maximum is 15.
Accommodation
Our time in the Pantanal will be split between two Pousadas and the excellent Jaguar Eco Lodge, the latter located deep in the Jaguar Ecological Reserve, a key place for seeing Jaguars as well as the smaller cats. The Fazenda Santa Tereza and the Pousada Alegre both have comfortable plainly-furnished bungalow style rooms set in spacious grounds, the former with a swimming pool. We'll have two nights in Chapada dos Guimares at the welcoming national park eco-lodge. Our visit to the Southern Amazon takes us to the pleasantly low-key Jungle Lodge at Cristalino which lies within its own pristine and extensive forest reserve accessed only by boat. Here the chalet-style rooms are simple but comfortable. The extension to Iguacu Falls features the Hotel Orquideas in Argentina. All rooms on this tour have en suite facilities and either A/C or ceiling fans.
Climate
Warm to hot and usually sunny. Temperatures are pleasantly warm at night but reach 34°C in the daytime, though cooler weather sometimes descends from the Andes. Occasional rain, especially in the forested areas, though this is the dry season.
How To Book
You will receive confirmation of your place and then a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. This will also contain up-to-date health news. Trip reports and bird and mammal checklists are available.
