PANTANAL
WILDLIFE
SAFARI!
September 17 - 25, 2025
Spectacular birds & mammals
in one of the world’s greatest wetlands,
the Pantanal,
in the heart of Brazil!
Plus:
Jardim da Amazônia
extension
September 13 - 17, 2025
Contact [email protected] to
reserve
your
space!
Trip
Cost> Registration
Form(pdf)> Tour
Registration,
Terms,
Cancellation
Policies>
The
vast Brazilian Pantanal
is one of the greatest
wetlands anywhere on
earth, where the incredible
number of water birds
has to be seen to be
believed. Reminiscent
of an African safari
but in South America,
the Pantanal has been
one of our most popular
tours, and rightly so.
This is an easy and
relaxed tour with excellent
opportunities to see
the wealth of wildlife
on offer at fairly close
range. Situated close
to the border with Bolivia,
the Pantanal astounds
everyone who visits
by its sheer size (around
55,000 square miles!)
and openness.
From
the Transpantaneira
highway, you can watch
huge Jabiru wading
in the shallow marshes,
families of Southern
Screamers, Sunbitterns
and more storks, herons,
ibis and water birds
than it is possible
to count. Parrots
and macaws brighten
the tree tops, while
the truly spectacular Hyacinth
Macaw,
the largest parrot
in the world is
simply
stunning and very
easy to get close
to allowing excellent
photographic
possibilities.
One
of the many highlights
of this tour will be
our search for the magnificent
Jaguar. One of our three
special boat trips will
go in search of this
elusive species and
lets hope we continue
our run of luck seeing
this huge predator.
We also have chances
to see Giant Anteater,
Capybara, Brazilian
Tapir, Giant River Otter
and with luck an Anaconda
or the rare Maned Wolf.
To
complement the sprawling
landscape of the Pantanal
we will spend some of
our time in Chapada
dos Guimaraes National
Park taking in its dry
scrub, huge waterfalls,
cerrado, and riverine
forest, and its own
selection of very special
birds including hummingbirds,
manakins, antbirds,
motmots, tinamous and
tanagers.
In
addition, we are offering
a very special extension
to the fabulous
Jardim da Amazônia
a tropical lodge that
supports a whole range
of species not possible
on our main tour and
this is also the only
place in the world
to see the newly discovered
Cone-billed Tanager.
Here are just a few of the fabulous possibilities on this tour:
- MAIN TOUR:
* Hyacinth Macaw
* Red-legged Seriema
* Southern Screamer
* Jaguar
* Horned Sungem
* Helmeted Manakin
* Sunbittern
* Sungrebe
* Greater Rhea
* Giant River Otter
* Curl-crested Jay
* Giant Anteater
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- JARDIM da AMAZONIA
* Cone-billed Tanager
* Razor-billed Currasow
* Flame-crested Manakin
* Blue-and-yellow Macaw
* Glossy Antshrike
* Snow-capped Manakin
* Spotted Antbird
* Blackish Nightjar
* Rose-breasted Chat
* Red-necked Aracari
* Amazonian Umbrellabird
* Black-bellied Thorntail
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Trip
Cost> Registration
Form> Go here for past trip reports>
PANTANAL - MAIN TOUR ITINERARY, September 17 - 25, 2025:
Day
1: Arrive Cuiabá.
Plan
on arriving today at Marechal
Rondon International Airport
in Cuiabá, Brazil (Airport
code: CGB) where the group will meet for our first dinner. Night Cuiabá. (D)
Days 2 & 3 : Chapada dos Guimaraes
Today we head to the dry Chapada dos Guimaraes where the high plains of central Brazil abruptly come to an end, with the habitat changing to reveal red rocky outcrops, canyons, riverine and cerrado forest with ferns, orchids and bromeliads. This stunning area offers excellent birding amidst spectacular scenery in the dry Chapada habitat. Red-winged Tinamou, Channel-billed Toucan, King Vulture, American Swallow-tailed Kite, Crested Black-Tyrant, Peach-fronted and White-eyed Parakeets, Curl-crested Jay, Red-and-Green Macaw, Blue-headed Parrot, Biscutate and Greater Dusky Swifts, Horned Sungem (Photo: Diego Calderon), Dot-eared Coquette, Cinnamon-throated Hermit, Fork-tailed Woodnymph, Blue-crowned Motmot, the endemic Rufous-winged Antshrike, Chapadas Flycatcher, Plain-crested Elaenia, Southern Scrub Flycatcher, White-eared and Spot-backed Puffbird, Large-billed Antwren, Planalto Slaty Antshrike, Masked Tityra, Band-tailed and Helmeted Manakins, White-bellied Warbler, Campo Flicker, Thick-billed Euphonia, Guira, Black-faced, Grey-headed, White-banded, Cinnamon, White-rumped and Swallow Tanagers, Stripe-tailed Yellow Finch, Coal-crested Finches, Collared Crescentchest and possibly the mighty Crowned Eagle are among the a host of species available. We have even been lucky enough to see the elegant and rare Maned Wolf here!
We will spend our time exploring this fabulous area and look for such species as Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Laughing Falcon, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Green-barred Woodpecker, Masked Tityra, Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch, Rusty-backed Spinetail, White-backed Fire-Eye and the fantastic Horned Sungem. Pheasant Cuckoos are also in the area but are incredibly difficult to see so we would need luck on our side to actually see one. Beside a wonderful waterfall we can see Biscutate and Great Sooty Swifts as well as White-eared Puffbird, Blue-shouldered Macaw and with luck the elusive Blue Finch. Another great area holds the rare Yellow-faced Parrot, plus Chapada Flycatcher, Swallow-wing and both Least Nighthawk and Little Nightjar towards dusk. This is also a super place to see Red-legged Seriema. A patch of woodland offers us the chance to see Band-tailed and Fiery-capped Manakins as well as White-backed Fire-eye, Channel-billed Toucan and Amazonian Motmot. (B,L,D)
Days 4 & 5: Chapada dos Guimaraes to Rio Claro
This morning after breakfast we will pack up and head into the Pantanal! We make our way south toward the city of Pocone and the start of the Transpantaneira Highway which traverses the northern Pantanal. Even before we reach the entrance gate to the Pantanal, we will likely see Greater Rheas in the open fields. As we travel the first part of the 120 km long Transpantaneira, we should get our first taste of this truly magical area passing patches of natural forest surrounded by dry floodplain and savannas.
In a few hours, we will arrive at our first Pantanal lodge, Rio Claro. On the way in, we'll stop along the entrance road to look for Collared Aracaris, Whistling Heron, Sunbittern and Red-billed Scythebill. When we reach the lodge, the bird feeders around our rooms may have Nanday and Blue-crowned Parakeets. The small ponds and wet areas are a great place to see the wonderful Sunbittern and this evening we have an opportunity to do an evening boat trip along the Rio Claro River which can offer such delights at Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher and if we are lucky, Zigzag Heron.
During our time here, we will look for our first Bare-faced Ibis, Greater Thornbird, Amazonian Motmot, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Striped Cuckoo, Lesser Seed-Finch, White-tailed Goldenthroat, Crested Oropendola, Black-collared Hawk, Green-barred Woodpecker, Band-tailed Antbird, Little Woodpecker, Rusty-collared Seedeater, Masked Gnatcatcher, Large Elaenia, Wattled Jacana, Maguari Stork, Capped Heron, White-wedged Piculet, Yellow-billed Cardinal, and Red-pileated Finches. We'll be vigiliant checking the feeders for Chestnut-bellied Guan (endemic) and other beauties. (B,L,D)
Days 6 & 7 : Hotel Pantanal Norte, Porto Jofre
This morning we bird around the lodge and then
continue our journey along the Transpantaneira through the heart of the Pantanal, with plenty of opportunities to appreciate and enjoy one of the greatest avian spectacles anywhere in the world, as an amazing abundance of water birds, including a wide variety of ibis, storks, herons and egrets compete for our attention.
We will bird areas of the highest bird diversity in the region. Birds are literally everywhere, and by covering various forest types and swamps we may find Greater Rhea, Toco Toucan, Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Aplomado and Bat Falcons, Pearl and Snail Kites, Crane and Black-collared Hawks, Sungrebe, Buff-necked and Green Ibises, Undulated Tinamou, Brazilian Teal, Capped and Cocoi Herons, Sunbittern, the endemic Chestnut-bellied Guan, Blue-throated Piping Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Red-and-Green Macaw, Peach-fronted, Yellow-chevroned and Monk Parakeets, Turquoise-fronted Amazon, Chestnut-eared Aracari, Pale-crested Woodpecker, Red-billed Scythebill, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, White Monjita, Gilded Hummingbird, Buff-bellied Hermit, Glittering-throated Emerald, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Pale-legged Hornero, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Black-capped Donacobius, Yellowish Pipit, Flavescent Warbler, Silver-beaked Tanager, Blue-crowned Trogon, Solitary Black Cacique, Thrush-like Wren, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant, Purplish Jay, Yellow-billed Cardinal, Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher, Unicolored and Scarlet-headed Blackbirds among the many, many other possibilities.
We can expect extremely close views as many species feeding next to the road, allowing superb photographic opportunities. Eventually we will arrive at the end of this road and our lodge where we spend the next 2 nights. Hopefully, we will have enough daylight to look around the grounds of this lovely lodge situated on the shores of the Cuiabá River and see the Toco Toucans that make the lodge grounds their home.
Our well positioned base allows us ample opportunities to find some of the areas best birds, including the world’s largest parrot, the fantastic and noisy Hyacinth Macaw which is often in the palm trees just outside our rooms. This is sure to be a memorable experience and one of the major highlights of the tour, as we watch these spectacular birds feeding and flying to and from their roosting trees.
The main focus of today will be to embark on a boat trip onto the Cuiabá River where our primary target species is the magnificent Jaguar, and absolutely awesome predator that is on many enthusiasts most wanted list. In the heat of the day these animals come down to the river banks to rest in the cool breeze that comes off the water’s surface. Other times of day, we may see Jaguars swimming in the river, hunting Caiman along the shore or walking the sand bars of the river.
The success rate of seeing Jaguars here has improved enormously over the last few years as the locals guides knowledge on how to find them has also improved. We stand a very good chance of seeing this big cat, but no guarantees as it is nature and not a zoo! There will be plenty of avian distractions as we search for Jaguars and we can expect species such as Large-billed and Yellow-billed Terns, Black Skimmer, Rufescent Tiger-Heron and Wattled Jacana. We could also come across Giant River Otters. In the evening we may make use of spotlights to search for a variety of nocturnal wildlife. With luck we could find Tapir, Giant Anteater, Crab-eating Racoon, Margay or Ocelot, as well as both Nacunda and Band-tailed Nighthawks. Night Porte Jofre. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Pousa Alegre to Piuval Lodge
This morning after breakfast we begin our birding to Piuval Lodge. Along the way, we will keep a look out for Red-legged Seriema plus Buff-necked Ibis, Plumbeous Ibis, the huge Jabiru, Golden-collared Macaws, Long-tailed Ground-Dove and Guira Cuckoos. As we progress further through the Pantanal, patches of scrubby forest and surrounding area should offer Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Rufous Cachalote, Chaco Chachalaca, Chestnut-eared Aracaris, White Woodpecker, Masked Gnatcatcher, Black-fronted Nunbird, Planalto and Mato Grosso Antshrikes, Yellow-billed and Red-crested Cardinals plus a host of other species. The many roadside ponds hold numerous Yacare Caiman and we can search for smart looking Capped and Whistling Herons and possibly our first Southern Screamers.
As the day cools, we'll search some of the nearby forests and open wetland habitat for a multitude of species such as Whistling Heron, Plumbeous Ibis, Long-tailed Ground-Dove, Campo Oriole, Greater Thornbird, Rufous Cacholote, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Mato Grosso Antbird, Ashy-headed Greenlet, Dull-capped Attila, Forest Elaenia, Pale-crested and Golden-green Woodpeckers, Campo Flicker, Rusty-backed Spinetail and the gorgeous Helmeted Manakin. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Piuval Lodge
This morning, we will take a fabulous early morning boat ride onto the quiet waters of the Pixiam River. Here, along weedy river edges and floating vegetation, we can hope to get close and personal with many wonderful species. Sunbitterns are often absurdly approachable, Agami Herons incredibly shy and the Sungrebe is always a challenge to spot. Our tranquil time spent on the river should produce other excellent species such as Blue-throated Piping Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Chestnut-bellied Guan, Boat-billed Heron, Pale-legged Hornero, huge Jabiru, Grey-cowled Wood-Rail, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Green Ibis, Black-collared Hawk, Blue-crowned Trogon, Cocoi Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Capped Heron, and a few other creatures such as Caiman, Capybara, Black-and-gold Howler Monkeys and if were lucky the superb Giant River Otter.
We may spend time catching up with any species in the area that we may have missed. We hope to once again find that photo opportunities abound and we could add species such as Pied Lapwing, Azure Gallinule, Collared Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper and more.
Day
10: Cuiabá,
end of tour
After
breakfast we will leave the
chapada and
drive back toward Cuiabá in
time
to get to Cuiabá Airport
for your international departures.
We would advise that we should
get to the airport between
noon and 1 PM so please do
not arrange
any international flights
to leave Cuiabá before
the
earliest 3:30 PM. (B)
PRE-TOUR EXTENSION
to Jardim da Amazônia
September 13: Arrival Cuiabá
Plan to arrive in Cuiabá today. You will be transferred to a nearby hotel and meet the group for dinner. No activities are planned for today as it is an arrival day.
September 14: Cuiabá – Jardim da Amazônia
Breakfast the then travel to the tropical lodge
of Jardim da Amazônia. Check-in is 3 PM so we hope to have some time explore the surroundings of our base before settling into our rooms for the next 3 nights. (D)
September 15 & 16: Jardim
da Amazônia
We
have two full days to
explore this wonderful
area where many species
not available on the
regular Pantanal trip
can be seen. This superb
jungle lodge is the
only place in the world
you can see the critically
endangered Cone-billed Tanager (Photo: Eduardo Patrial) a species only rediscovered in 2003 after being lost for 100 years, and we will be making a special effort to try and find this rarely seen species. Today we will bird the area. We'll likely see the
common Brown
Jacamar (Photo:
Gina Nichol), our first Kingfishers
and perhaps a troupe of Gray's
Monk Saki Monkeys as well as
the local Capybaras on the lodge
grounds. At
sunset, we'll go out to the
entrance road of the lodge and
watch the Blue-and-yellow Macaws
come in to their palm tree roosts
for the night.
There
are plenty of other superb
birds in this area and we
have lots of time to search
a variety of habitats in
search of a good variety.
Among the Mauritia palms
that abound around the lodge
we will look for specialties
like Point-tailed Palmcreeper
and Sulphury Flycatcher,
while Bare-necked Fruitcrows
and a host of tanagers and
flycatcher should entertain
us. Nearby trails and a
boat trip will have us searching
for such avian delights
as Razor-billed Currasow,
Natterer’s
Slaty Antshrike, Helmeted
Pygmy-Tyrant, Amazonian
Umbrellabird, Red-necked
Aracari, Gould’s
Toucanet, Rose-breasted
Chat, Pink-throated Becard
and a host of parrot species
including the spectacular
Blue-and-yellow Macaw, plus
Red-bellied, Blue-winged
and Red-shouldered Macaws.
There are many superb smaller
birds to look for including
Tooth-billed Wren, Glossy
Antshrike, Black-girdled
Barbet, Spotted Puffbird,
Flame-crested, Fiery-capped,
Red-headed and Snow-capped
Manakins, and many more
species. With pools and
a clear river nearby, if
it gets too hot there will
be a chance to relax midday.
Nights Jardim de Amazônia
(B,L,D)
September 17 : Jardim de Amazônia – Cuiabá
Today, after some morning birding, we will make our way back toward Cuiabá for the main Pantanal tour.
(B,L,D)
LEADER: Eduardo Patrial and a Sunrise Birding leader with 8+ pax.
Contact [email protected] to
reserve your space!
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