Holbrook Explorers | Wildlife of Brazil`s Pantanal

Arrive into Cuiabá, known as the gateway to the Northern Pantanal, where you will be met and taken to the hotel. As today is a travel day, meals are not included. Check-in starts at 2 pm.

After breakfast and a program orientation at the hotel, we begin the journey to SouthWild Pantanal Lodge at the Fazenda Santa Tereza. A portion of the trip is along the Transpantaneira, with stops planned for wildlife photography. This highway, mostly dirt and gravel with more than 120 wooden bridges, is one of the only access roads into the Pantanal's interior. It passes through many habitats and is often described as the best road in the world to spot and photograph wildlife. Animals regularly seen include giant anteaters, armadillos, caimans, marsh deer, silvery marmosets, black howler monkeys, and many species of water birds. We'll arrive at the lodge in time for lunch, and then take part in one of the lodge's wildlife-viewing activities, which might include a low-speed boat outing on the Pixaim River, famous for its abundance of birds, caimans, capybaras, giant otters, and jaguars; hiking on the 2.5-mile network of scientific trails, which offer full access to the gallery forest; or ascending two easy walk-up towers, one near the Jabiru nest and the other in the gallery forest on the riverbank, for birding from a spectacular vantage point. This evening, visit the lodge's ocelot blind for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to observe these wild cats at close range. *Please note: Due to unpredictable natural changes in low water levels during this season, boat rides on the Pixiam River may involve a walk to board the boat. If water levels are too low, boat outings may have to be cancelled.

Enjoy a full day exploring the area and seeking out wildlife by boat and on hikes.

After breakfast, we depart from Porto Jofre for the Jaguar Flotel. Stops are planned along the way for wildlife-viewing and photography, and a boxed lunch will be provided. In the afternoon, reach the 820-foot-wide Cuiabá River, which forms the border between the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, to complete the journey by boating an hour and a half upstream to Three Brothers River. The 270,000-acre Meeting of the Waters State Park begins about a third of the way up the river to the flotel, which is located in the very heart of this remote, wild park. Depending on arrival time, we may be able to take our first boat safari to search for jaguars and other animals.

After an early breakfast, leave the camp for a full-day boat trip to continue exploring the Meeting of the Waters State Park. Using small motor boats, we'll navigate the narrow and wild rivers in the core of this huge park. Recent guests have seen several jaguars during the day, many of them at very close range for extended periods. In addition to jaguars, there are two groups of giant otters at Jaguar Flotel. One group is near the mouth of the Piquiri River and the other resides near the 330-acre island that lies seven minutes by boat upstream on the Three Brothers River. Also watch for tapirs, anteaters, giant otters, birds, and other wildlife during our outing today. Return to the center at the end of the afternoon in time for dinner.

Continue with morning and afternoon boat outings to search for jaguars and other animals.

Continue with morning and afternoon boat outings to search for jaguars and other animals.

Enjoy a final boat safari this morning. After an early lunch back at Jaguar Suites, transfer to Cuiaba.

Depart for Cuiabá Airport for return flights today. Welcome home! Check out is 12 pm.