Jaguar Jamboree
Eight nights in the world's largest tropical wetland, four of them full days on the river where the jaguars hunt. Eight guests and Lala.
At a glance
The shape of it
- Price
- USD 5,800 per person, on double occupancy
- Group size
- 8 guests, plus Lala
- Length
- 8 nights
- Where
- Northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil
- Lodges
- Aymara Lodge on the Transpantaneira, then Hotel Pantanal Norte
- On the water
- 4 full days on the Pantanal river system
- Starts and ends
- Cuiabá
- Dates
- A July window; dates confirmed on enquiry
Why the Pantanal
The one place jaguars are reliably visible
The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland and the world's largest flooded grassland, spread mostly across the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso with edges in Bolivia and Paraguay. In the dry season the water concentrates and so does everything that drinks from it.
That is why it is the destination for photographing wild jaguars — not because they are tame, but because the riverbanks are where they hunt and a boat can sit quietly on a river in a way a vehicle cannot sit in a forest. Giant river otters, tapir and some of the densest birdlife in South America come with the territory.
Day by day
The itinerary
Arrive Cuiabá
Hotel Deville Prime, or an equivalent. The rest of the day is yours to recover from the flights.
Down the Transpantaneira to Aymara Lodge
Two hours by road on the famous raised track across the wetland — the drive itself is a game drive. Two nights.
Aymara Lodge — birding, hides and jeep safaris
Early canoe or safari at 5:30, birding through the late morning, a forest hide in the afternoon and a jeep safari before dinner.
North to Hotel Pantanal Norte
The base for the river days, deeper into the wetland.
Four full days on the river
Boat-based, all day, working the banks and the tributaries where jaguars come down to hunt. This is what the trip is for.
Back to Cuiabá
Drive back and fly home.
What is and is not included
Inclusions
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| 8 nights and all meals at Aymara and Pantanal Norte | International and domestic flights |
| All safaris at both lodges | Visa fees, and the visa to Brazil |
| Ground transfers from Cuiabá and back | Travel insurance |
| Filtered water | Meals at the Cuiabá hotel |
| Tips to lodge, safari and transfer staff | |
| Bar purchases, including bottled mineral water |
USD 5,800 per person on double occupancy. Single occupancy is charged differently — ask. Quoted from the trip's own itinerary document.
Questions
About this trip
How likely am I to see a jaguar?
The northern Pantanal in the dry season is the most reliable place in the world to photograph wild jaguars, and four full days on the river is a serious amount of time on the water. That is as far as anyone honest will go — no sighting is promised here or anywhere else on this site.
Is the photography from a boat?
The four main days are, yes. The Aymara Lodge days add jeep safaris, walking trails, canoes and a forest hide, so the trip is not one technique repeated for a week.
What is not in the price?
Flights of any kind, the Brazilian visa, insurance, tips, bar purchases and meals at the Cuiabá hotel. Everything from arrival at the lodges onwards is covered, meals included.
Eight seats, and Lala
Small enough that everyone gets the angle. Ask which dates are open.