Pantanal Jaguar Safaris Brazil 6 days

Tour Departure Time:
The adventure begins at 8:00 a.m. if you’re already in the city of Cuiabá. If you arrive that same day at the Cuiabá airport, departure will be adjusted to no later than 10:30 a.m. to ensure a timely start to the journey.

Journey to the Pantanal: From Cuiabá to Porto Jofre
Our trip begins heading toward Poconé, a small town located about 100 kilometers south of Cuiabá. This first leg of the drive takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, gradually transitioning from the urban landscape into the natural surroundings of the Pantanal.

From Poconé, one of the most exciting parts of the route begins: we will travel along the famous Transpantaneira road, a unique dirt road. With more than 120 wooden bridges and unpaved sections, it cuts through the wetlands of the Pantanal, offering spectacular landscapes and constant opportunities for wildlife sightings.

Along the Transpantaneira, it’s common to spot colorful birds, capybaras, caimans, deer, monkeys, and with some luck, even a jaguar. Each stop along the way is an opportunity to observe the area’s biodiversity up close and capture memorable photographs.

After a day of wildlife observation and shifting landscapes, we’ll arrive at our destination: Porto Jofre, a key location in the heart of the Pantanal for jaguar watching. Here, we’ll stay at a comfortable lodge surrounded by nature, where you can rest and prepare for the days of exploration ahead.

At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a homemade dinner with local ingredients, served in a peaceful setting, accompanied by the sounds of the jungle and beneath a starry sky. It’s the perfect beginning to a full immersion in the Pantanal’s wildlife.

Wildlife You May Spot in Porto Jofre

Mammals:

• Capybaras
• Giant anteaters
• Deer
• Maned wolves
• Pampas cats
• Peccaries
• Monkeys
• Armadillos
• Coatis
• Tapirs

Reptiles:

• Caimans
• Anacondas
• Lizards
• Turtles

Birds:

• Savanna hawks
• Jabiru storks
• Rheas
• Macaws
• Parrots
• Toucans
• Eagles
• Many other species of tropical birds

Exploring the Encontro das Águas Reserve: the realm of the jaguar

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at our lodge in Porto Jofre, we’ll get ready for one of the most anticipated moments of the trip: visiting the Encontro das Águas Ecological Reserve, a protected area known for having the highest concentration of wild jaguars in the world.

To explore this natural sanctuary, we’ll board specially equipped boats for wildlife observation. We’ll navigate the Cuiabá, Três Irmãos, and Piquiri rivers, which flow through the heart of the Brazilian Pantanal and are considered among the best places on Earth to spot jaguars in their natural habitat.

During the river safaris, our guides —with extensive wildlife tracking experience— will help us identify signs and tracks of jaguars, increasing our chances of seeing them up close. With some luck, we might witness unforgettable scenes such as:

• Jaguars stalking or hunting caimans and capybaras, showcasing their strength and precision.
• Jaguar pairs during mating season, marking territory or interacting with each other.
• Mothers with cubs, teaching them to hunt or playing along the riverbanks.

Each day in the Pantanal is unique. That’s why these two days of river exploration will give us multiple chances to connect with wildlife in one of the most vibrant ecosystems on the planet.

Wildlife you may spot during the safaris

In addition to the jaguar, it’s common to encounter many other impressive species during these Pantanal excursions:

• Jaguar: The largest feline in the Americas; an agile hunter of caimans and capybaras.
• Giant otter: Can reach up to 1.8 meters; lives in groups and primarily feeds on fish.
• Yacaré caiman: An iconic Pantanal reptile; can grow up to 3 meters and is occasional prey for jaguars.
• Capybara: The world’s largest rodent; an excellent swimmer and a key part of the ecosystem.
• Water birds: Herons, jabirus, and roseate spoonbills abound in these wetlands.
• Other birds: Such as toucans, macaws, hawks, and many more — part of the over 600 bird species recorded in the region.

After enjoying a nutritious breakfast at the lodge, we’ll get ready to make the most of our final morning of navigation along the rivers of the Pantanal. Once again, we’ll head to the Cuiabá River and its tributaries in search of new encounters with jaguars and other fascinating species that inhabit this rich region.

As in previous days, we’ll be accompanied by our expert guides, who will help us identify tracks, signs, and jaguar behaviors, maximizing our chances of witnessing a final sighting of these majestic felines. It will be one last chance to take unique photographs and enjoy our final moments in Jaguarland, the area with the highest density of wild jaguars on the planet.

At midday, we’ll return to Dona Onça Lodge for a comforting lunch, the perfect moment to relax and share the most exciting experiences of these safari days as a group.

In the afternoon, we’ll leave Porto Jofre and begin a new stretch along the iconic Transpantaneira Road. Along the way, we’ll keep an eye on the landscape, as the wildlife of the Pantanal never fails to surprise us.

By the end of the day, we’ll arrive at our next destination: Pousada Pouso Alegre Lodge, a cozy, rustic lodge in harmony with its natural surroundings. There, a homemade dinner made with local ingredients will be waiting for us — perfect for ending the day with a moment of peace and connection with nature.

Comforts of Pousada Pouso Alegre Lodge

The lodge offers an authentic and comfortable atmosphere, ideal for relaxing after a day of exploration. It features:

• 24 spacious rooms
• Air conditioning and ceiling fans for a pleasant temperature
• Private bathrooms with showers for a comfortable and relaxing experience

After dinner, we’ll be able to enjoy the starry sky of the Pantanal and the nighttime sounds of the surroundings, ending the day in serenity as we prepare for the experiences still to come.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we’ll begin a day full of adventure and deep connection with nature. We’ll head to Pousada Pouso Alegre Lodge, a vast natural sanctuary of over 8,000 hectares, perfect for exploring the unmatched biodiversity of the Pantanal.

Throughout the day, we’ll take part in guided ecological walks along trails surrounded by native vegetation. As we move forward, we’ll learn to identify tracks, sounds, and wildlife behavior, discovering the fascinating balance that sustains this unique ecosystem. There will be many chances to observe animals in their natural habitat and to appreciate the botanical richness around us.

We’ll also join photo safaris aboard specialized vehicles adapted for wildlife observation. We’ll explore different areas of the Pantanal in search of iconic species such as the impressive jabiru stork, the giant anteater, and the stunning hyacinth macaw, among many other animals that make this region a true natural paradise.

This day will offer an immersive and unforgettable experience, where the sounds, colors, and movements of the Pantanal will completely surround us. At the end of the afternoon, we’ll return to the lodge to rest, share our experiences, and get ready to enjoy a comforting dinner amidst the peace of the surroundings.

Wildlife we may encounter in this area
During our exploration of Pouso Alegre Lodge, we may be lucky enough to spot:

• Tapirs
• Deer
• Hyacinth macaws
• Eagles
• Anteaters

After our final breakfast in the Pantanal, we’ll begin our journey back to the city of Cuiabá. Along the Transpantaneira highway, we’ll make a few stops to observe wildlife one last time and capture the final photos of the trip. It will be a great opportunity to peacefully wrap up this experience, enjoying whatever the road still has to offer.