Lodges and expeditions
The Pantanal wetlands cover a large sedimentary basin half the size of France. This basin is seasonally flooded and is drained by the Paraguay River, which flows into the south Atlantic via the River Plate Estuary.
The result is a paradise for nature lovers, especially for wildlife observation. Unlike the areas of high jungle, the Pantanal is an open area of swampy grasslands, leaving some of the highest concentration of fauna in the continent exposed to view.
The wildlife co-exists harmoniously with the cattle that breed on the ranches in the area. According to season, you might observe flocks of thousands of parakeets, rosy spoonbills, ibis, macaws and giant storks..
In the dry season, scores of caiman laze on the river beaches, capybara (a type of giant guinea pig) stroll across the roads, and you may come across armadillos, anteaters and howler monkeys. .
Rainy season is December to April - roads are muddy and even impassable, excursions may be by boat: but the reflection of the tangerine sunsets on the flooded plains creates a rich and sumptuous tableau.
Most visitors prefer to travel in the dry season when they will spot more fauna, although it can be cold at night in June when animals tend to hide away.
Refugio ecologico Caiman - Southern Pantanal. Excursion leaves daily from Campo grande
Fazenda Rio Negro - Southern Pantanal. Excursion leaves daily from Campo Grande
Pousada do Rio Mutum - Northern Pantanal. Excursion leaves daily from Cuiaba
Pousada Araras - Excursion leaves daily from Cuiaba
Pousada Passargada - Excursion leaves daily from Cuiaba |