August 13 – Arrival in São Paulo
Arrive in São Paulo at any time. Overnight at the Hotel Pullman, conveniently located near São Paulo International Airport, for your domestic flight the following morning. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your guide and fellow travelers.
[Included: Dinner]
August 14 – São Paulo to Southern Pantanal
After breakfast, take the hotel shuttle service to the airport for a morning flight to Campo Grande. Upon arrival, continue by spacious van (approx. 3,5 hours) to Pousada Aguapé, arriving before lunch. This renowned property offers outstanding photographic opportunities, including excellent bird feeders and some of the best chances in Brazil to see both Giant Anteaters and Southern Tamanduas.
The feeders attract a wide variety of species, especially in the mornings, when it’s possible to capture close-up shots of Toco Toucans, Black-hooded Parakeets, Hyacinth Macaws, Blue-and-yellow Macaws, and others.
[Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
August 15 – Exploring the Southern Pantanal
Enjoy a full day of photography around Pousada Aguapé. With a private local guide and dedicated safari vehicle, we’ll explore the surrounding habitats in search of wildlife and great photographic opportunities.
[Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
August 16 – Southern Pantanal to Bonito
After breakfast and some early-morning photography around the lodge, drive about 3 hours to Hotel Cabanas, located in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by forest and clear-water rivers. Spend the afternoon exploring the hotel’s trails and green areas, photographing birds, monkeys, and other wildlife. It’s even possible to do some snorkeling here, if you like. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
[Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
August 17 – Macaws at the sinkhole
Spend the entire day photographing Red-and-green Macaws at a spectacular natural sinkhole where dozens of pairs nest and roost, along with a few Blue-and-yellow Macaws. This private reserve features two wooden terraces positioned at the edge of the sinkhole—ideal spots for capturing macaws in flight, often below or at eye level. The surrounding habitat also hosts species such as Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and Plush-crested Jay.
We’ll have lunch at Fazenda Rio da Prata, a nearby property known for its beautiful scenery and excellent cuisine. After a short rest, we return to the sinkhole for another session with the macaws in the soft afternoon light. Return to the lodge in the early evening for dinner and overnight.
[Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
August 18 – To the Northern Pantanal / Porto Jofre
After breakfast, take a chartered flight on a Cessna Caravan (approx. 1:30 hour) to Porto Jofre, crossing the Pantanal from south to north. We’ll land directly on the airstrip of Porto Jofre Hotel, our base for the next stage of the trip.
The boats used for our river excursions are stable, spacious, and comfortable, equipped with modern four-stroke engines and radio communication. This is the best place in the world to photograph Jaguars, and our time here will be dedicated to finding and photographing them. Spend the first afternoon navigating the maze of rivers and channels in search of Jaguars and other wildlife.
[Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
August 19 to 22 – Jaguars of the Northern Pantanal
Spend four full days exploring the rivers and channels around Porto Jofre by boat, focusing on photographing Jaguars and the region’s rich wildlife. This area offers the best Jaguar viewing in the world, with multiple sightings daily—often three or more.
Other species frequently encountered include Giant Otters, Capybaras, Tapirs, and a great variety of birdlife. We return to the hotel for lunch each day before heading out again in the afternoon. This is the main section of the tour, with ample time allocated to maximize our chances of witnessing and photographing remarkable Jaguar behavior and interactions.
That very afternoon, we’ll head out on our first boat excursion, exploring the maze of rivers and channels in search of jaguars and other wildlife such as giant otters, capybaras, caimans, and numerous bird species—a thrilling introduction to the northern Pantanal. [Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
August 23 – Return to São Paulo
After breakfast, take a private charter flight on a Cessna Caravan back to Cuiabá, arriving in time for a midday commercial flight to São Paulo. Arrival is scheduled for mid-afternoon. Please note that we do not recommend booking international flights on the same day, as unforeseen delays could make the connection risky. If you do fly on the same day, we recommend choosing a flight that departs late at night, to allow a safe time margin in case of delays.
For those wishing to extend their adventure, consider our optional Atlantic Rainforest pre-tour, offering exceptional bird photography in a completely different environment.
[Included: Breakfast]
