The Pantanal holidays

When it comes to wildlife, the Pantanal is the most abundant destination in Brazil. Safari by 4x4, on foot, or by floating through the water to find colourful birds, mischievous mammals, predator reptiles, and, above all, jaguars. Grab binoculars and go bird spotting for toucans, parrots, and hummingbirds in the day, or owls, potoos, and nightjars at night. Float along the Cuiabá River to see alligators, caimans, and giant otters.

Wade through deep marshes on a wetland horse as it walks shoulder-deep in water. Hike trails through woods and savannahs to see monkeys and marmosets among waterfalls and caves. Stay on a traditional ranch, in a wildlife safari lodge, or among the museums and restaurants of cities such as Cuiabá, Corumba, and Campo Grande. Join a piranha fishing trip, take a photography tour, or drive the scenic roads of Estrada Parque in the south and the Transpantaneira in the north.

The best place to see one of the most elusive big cats in the world, the jaguar, is the northern state of Brazil’s Pantanal, Mato Grosso. From the major city of Cuiabá, or along the Transpantaneira between Poconé and Porto Jofre, jaguar-tracking safaris and wildlife river cruises offer glimpses of these magnificent cats in their natural habitat.

As you search, spot capybaras, tapirs, river otters, water birds, alligators, and more indigenous animals from Brazil’s most abundant wildlife region. Between safaris, enjoy a fishing tour, taste local delicacies at your lodge or in the city, and spend time among the museums and colonial buildings of Cuiabá. Sports fan? Time your visit for a football game at the FIFA World Cup stadium, Arena Pantanal.

If the northern Pantanal is the land of jaguars, the south is cowboy territory. From Corumbá on the Bolivian border to the state capital of Campo Grande, local peãos can be seen driving cattle on horseback with straw hats to protect them from the sun. Uncover the region’s indigenous past in the Museu das Culturas Dom Bosco at Campo Grande, or walk through 8,000 years of human history at the Museu de Historia do Pantanal in Corumba.

Stay at a working Fazenda and immerse yourself in traditional life including wetland horse riding right through the marshes. Drive the Estrada Parque in the back of an open truck for incredible views and perhaps even a sighting of jabiru storks or toco toucans. Visit Bonito in the south to snorkel in the clear waters of Rio da Prata as capuchin monkeys yell from the trees above.

Distinct dry and wet seasons offer two very different Pantanal experiences. If wildlife spotting is your reason for visiting, the dry months from July to September offer the best viewing as animals come out into the open to find water and huge numbers of migratory birds arrive. Most regions can also be reached by road or horseback during this time.

Rainfall increases from October and reaches its peak between January and March, flooding means many areas are only accessible by boat and safaris are more difficult during this part of the year but it does offer an amazing opportunity to see the Pantanal in its full wetland glory, especially if you’re planning a scenic flight over the marshes. Temperatures and humidity are high all year with daytime averages ranging from 30°C in the winter to 35°C at the height of summer.