Brazil’s Pantanal Jaguar Safari Expedition

Depart towards the town of Caceres for  approximately 205 km on the paved BR 364 federal highway. Lunch enroute. Before reaching Caceres, we access an unpaved road and drive for approximately 75 km trough a beautiful valley, formed at the same period as the Andean elevation occurred, some 400 million years ago. We’ll board MINAS motor vessel by the end of the day, for dinner and rest. (LD)

During the cruise there will be several outings or river safaris, done in a very comfortable and safe speed boat, exploring side lakes, river channels and lagoons searching for jaguars and other wildlife roaming along the river banks and sand dunes. After an early breakfast, board your river safari boat to explore this region.

Return on board for lunch, while the Motor Vessel start its cruise forward downriver to the Taiaman Ecological Reserve. Board the speed boat and explore its waterways and flooded grass land. Dinner and overnight. (BLD)

Taiaman Ecological Reserve is a 70km long island, in speed boat we will explore the right side known as ’Braçinho’ while the motor vessel cruise on the Paraguay river channel, meeting the group for lunch around the ’Formoso’ Bay. Afternoon further river safari, while the vessel keeps cruising down river up to a region known as Concepcion Port. (Up to the 70’s the cattle, bred on the fields between Pocone and the Paraguay river, used to be embarked in this Port and taken downriver up to Corumba in order to be transported by train to Sao Paulo city). (BLD)

Morning river safari in the surrounding bay and river channels in search of jaguars and other wildlife. Back to the Motor Vessel we will cross two of the largest bays on the Paraguay River, the ’Uberaba’ and ’Gaiva’, each more than 30 km wide, almost like crossing a sea. We will keep cruising up to the ’Amolar’ mountain chain, an exceptionally beautiful landscape. Here the giant Victoria Regia water lilies are only one of the marvelous gifts of nature to be observed. (BLD)

Early morning the Vessel will keep cruising up to the ’Gaiva’ Hill, where the group will visit an archeological site, then further explore the ’Acorizal’ Bay, following our river safari up to the ’Caracara’ land mark. Lunch on board, while cruising towards the Pantanal National Park. In our safari boat explore the ’Burro’ Bay, the park’s main bay, while the Vessel already begins to cruise up the Cuiaba River. Overnight in the proximity of the ’Negrao’ River. (BLD)

Morning river safari exploring the ’Negrao’ and ’Negrinho’ Rivers, while the Vessel keeps cruising up river towards the ’Jofre’ Port. Lunch on board. Further river safari exploring the ’Meeting of Waters’ State Park and its labyrinth formed by the waters of the Piquiri, Three Brothers and Cuiaba Rivers. Meet the Vessel for dinner and rest. (BLD)

After early breakfast, disembark for our last safari, this time back to air-conditioned vehicles along the 147 km unpaved Transpantaneira Park Road up to the gold mine town of Pocone, then further for 111 km on the paved state road towards Cuiaba airport. Lunch enroute. Check in for your late afternoon flight, for your next destination. (BL)

This 8-day/7-night program, including arrival hotel night in Cuiaba and airport transfers, may be booked alone, or combined with one of two Amazon programs out of Manaus aboard the M/Y Tucano (4 night or 6-night cruise), including requisite air, hotel and transfers.