Photo by: Cathy & Gordon Illg
Location: Pantanal

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PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Pantanal Brazil Expedition

• Intensive viewing and photography – Up Close And Personal – Jaguars, Giant Otters, Caiman, Macaws, Tapirs, Storks, and a wide variety of exotic birds and other wildlife.
• Maximum 15 participants, ensuring the optimum photographic experience.
• Time to absorb and photograph the wonder of it all. Early morning and late afternoon photo shoots to take advantage of the best light, watching and waiting for wildlife in just the right setting.
• Comfortable en-suite accommodations with air-conditioned cabins, close to the wildlife.
• Expertise of photographic tour leaders Tom & Cree Bol, and local cultural wildlife guides.

Region

Latin America and Caribbean

Destination

Pantanal Brazil

Dates

July 10-20, 2024

Duration

10 days

$8295

per person, double occupancy*

All spots are currently taken for this tour.

*U.S. dollars based upon minimum of 9 participants. There is a small group surcharge of $400 if 6-8 participants. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested (subject to availability), or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, there is a single room surcharge of $1745 or 745 for portion of tour.

Tour Overview

This expedition gives you an in-depth view of the natural history and wildlife of the Pantanal, with a special emphasis on wildlife and birdlife photography. To make the best of photography along the Three Brothers River, this itinerary takes advantage of a lovely lodge retreat along the river. The wildlife is spectacular and will have easier access to photograph. Jaguar Retreat offers private viewing of riverbank Jaguars due to its great distance from the many lodges closer to Porto Jofre.

South...

This expedition gives you an in-depth view of the natural history and wildlife of the Pantanal, with a special emphasis on wildlife and birdlife photography. To make the best of photography along the Three Brothers River, this itinerary takes advantage of a lovely lodge retreat along the river. The wildlife is spectacular and will have easier access to photograph. Jaguar Retreat offers private viewing of riverbank Jaguars due to its great distance from the many lodges closer to Porto Jofre.

South America is “the Bird Continent”, with much higher avian diversity than any other parts of the world. It also contains much more tropical rainforest than other regions. The UK-sized Pantanal is a seasonally flooded mosaic of tropical savannas and forests in the upper part of the Paraguay River watershed. The largest freshwater wetland in the world, the Pantanal offers the finest wildlife viewing in the Americas, with more mammals, large reptiles, and large birds than any other wild land. The lodges represent the best locations in all the Pantanal to see the two top predators of the Pantanal–the Jaguar and the Giant Otter.

Jaguars in the Pantanal weigh up to 350 pounds, while the same species in the Amazon or Central America reaches only 160 pounds. Normally almost impossible to see in Belize or Amazon, in north-central Pantanal, a “Jaguar Miracle” has occurred. Since 2000, strict protection from hunting and abundant caimans, and Capybaras on the riverbanks have made Jaguars uniquely easy to see on 95% of the days, often for hours per day.

Photo Leader

Tom & Cree Bol

Tour Itinerary

July 10: USA - Cuiaba, Brazil

Board your flight to Cuiaba, Brazil (CGB airport code). Majority of flights from the U.S. are overnight flights, and you can land at anytime to CGB, July 11.

July 11: Cuiaba, Brazil

You can arrive at any time today and overnight at the airport hotel (check in time 3PM or after) to rest and relax prior to departure tomorrow morning. Overnight SLAVIERO SLIM HOTEL.

July 12-13: Cuiaba - Pixaim River

The tour will begin this morning from hotel lobby (time will be announced). Proceed to your Pantanal lodge, with impromptu photographic stops along the way. The lodge offers an array of nature trails and wildlife viewing from tall platforms.

The air-conditioned lodge is on the banks of the wildlife-rich Pixaim River. Unique wildlife observation towers include one located near an active nest of habituated Jabiru Storks and a second one in a forest along the banks of the river. Tapirs may be seen during certain months. Capuchins and attractive hawks are completely habituated here. The world’s tamest wild family of Giant Otters is often seen on the river. Small powered boats are also available for photography on the river. PANTANAL LODGE (B, L, D both days)

July 14-17: Pantanal

Depart after breakfast for Porto Jofre, where you will travel the last 25 miles by boat to your accommodations with photography along the way. The next four evenings will be at a land-based retreat, spending your days in specially outfitted boats, photographing the river wildlife. All rooms are air-conditioned with private baths. The retreat places you further north along the river, away from the Flotel’s and the ever increasing congested boat traffic. It is located at the Northern border of the 270,000 acre Jaguar rich land and river. There is also a 1.5 mile trail to stretch your legs in between boat trips, offering additional bird photography.

You will rise early each morning for a boat excursion, seeking Jaguars, Tapirs, Giant Otters, Caiman, Macaws, and various other wildlife and birdlife. Return to the retreat for a break in the heat of the day to enjoy lunch, rest, relax or perhaps a lecture. Each afternoon you will be back on the water for afternoon light. Overnight JAGUAR RETREAT (B, L, D each day).

July 18: Pantanal - Pixaim River

Your last morning on the river, as you make your way back to Porto Jofre. Your vehicle will meet you and return you to the lodge. With another evening to enjoy the trails and platforms of your beautiful surroundings. PANTANAL LODGE. (B, L, D)

July 19: Cuiaba

You’ll have another morning on the river today, with additional photography on the grounds through lunch. You will be returned to the hotel near the airport for your overnight stay. SLAVIERO SLIM. (B, L)

July 20: Home

After breakfast you will return to Cuiaba for flights home. The hotel provides an airport just verify your time with the front desk. Flights are likely to land in the U.S. or Canada the next day.