The best chance to see Jaguars

Q. What time of year is best to travel to the Pantanal?

The Pantanal can be visited year-round, but I’d personally avoid December, January, and February. The best time to visit really depends on the experience you are hoping for. The region has two distinct seasons:

Wet Season: December- March: Rivers overflow and flood the plains, mammal sightings become rarer as they migrate to higher areas. The landscape is lush and beautiful, making landscape photography particularly impressive. Some activities are limited at this time due to flooding.

Dry Season:  May to October: As water levels recede, wildlife becomes more concentrated. April offers the most amazing starry night skies, but July to October is undoubtedly the best time to visit, especially for wildlife opportunities and wildlife photography. Birds are showing off their feathers and singing, anteaters and coatis, capybaras and caiman are a common presence, and jaguars are enjoying the weather and dry landscape.

Contact Sinead about booking a lodge in the Pantanal, Brazil.

Q. What do you do when you’re in the Pantanal?

How you spend time in the Pantanal depends on where you stay, as well as the lodge you choose. In the north, all tours are conducted by boat, departing at sunrise or late afternoon. In the south, you can choose from a wide range of nature- based experiences including guided game drives, night drives, walking safaris, horseback riding, observation towers, canoeing when the water levels are high enough and so on.

Speak to Sinead to find out what activities you can include in your tailor-made Jaguar spotting trip.

Q. Should I stay in the north or south of the Pantanal?

Both areas of the Pantanal offer amazing wildlife opportunities but suit different travel styles.

The North Pantanal is typically better if jaguars are your top priority. Here, you can visit Porto Jofre and take boat excursions along the Cuiaba River, where wildlife sightings are phenomenal, with a 90–99% chance of spotting jaguars from mid-June to November.  

Reaching Porto Jofre is part of the adventure. The journey involves a six-hour road made up of paved and unpaved roads. The infrastructure is very limited here and there are fewer accommodation options to choose from and so it definitely offers a wilder and more remote experience.

The Southern Pantanal is easier to access and offers greater landscape diversity with wetlands, forests, savannah, rivers and working ranches.  Most of the lodges here are former cattle farms and offer more comfort in comparison to the north, as well as the opportunity to experience local life on a typical Pantanal farm. Jaguar spotting is possible here and becoming more frequent, especially when booking a Jaguar focussed experience but the chances are lower in comparative to the north.

Combining both areas of the Pantanal gives you the most complete understanding of the region. It’s important to note that there are no roads that directly connect Northern Pantanal to the Southern Pantanal. Travel is usually via an in-direct flight from Cuiaba to Campo Grande via Brasilia.

Various parts of the Pantanal have different concentrations of wildlife:

• Araras Pantanal Eco-Lodge is a personal favourite in the north, offering amazing birding, canoeing and photo safaris. Being on a private reserve it is easy to get away from any crowds.

• Aymara Lodge in the north is excellent for bird watching.

• Aguape Lodge in the south is excellent for spotting giant anteaters.

• Caiman Lodge in the south, is one of the most premier lodges on a huge private reserve and offers amazing jaguar sightings.

• Fazenda Bias das Pedras in the south is great for spotting armadillos.

Q. Is the Pantanal expensive to visit?

It’s important to note that all lodges in the Pantanal are simple and rustic. The focus is on the incredible wildlife, not luxury. Most stays are at all-inclusive lodges covering accommodation, meals, quality guiding, and activities. Costs will vary depending on the lodge you choose when you travel and how long for.

I’d say compared to many global safari destinations, a stay in the Pantanal is amazing value when you consider the quality and frequency of wildlife encounters.

Q. What are your top Pantanal Travel Tips

• Mornings and nights can be cold and the days are hot and so you will want to bring layers, especially for early morning boat rides.

• Midday temperatures exceed 30°C and the sun is strong, so make sure to pack sunscreen and a hat.

• Mosquitos are fierce at sunrise and sunset so use spray and wear long sleeves/trousers.

• Book it and visit the Pantanal, it is honestly one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences possible.