An In-Depth Expedition into the Rich Biodiversity of South America’s Grandest Wildlife Realm
National Geographic called Brazil’s Pantanal the “Wild Wet,” an apt moniker for the world’s largest seasonal floodplain that sprawls more than 75,000 square miles in the heart of South America. Though the Amazon is better known, this vast mosaic of marsh and islands comprises the continent’s primary wildlife sanctuary, home to 1,000 avian species including the hyacinth macaw. The Pantanal's freshwater wetlands support a profusion of aquatic fauna that 
Trip Highlights
- World's Best Jaguar SightingsAlongside expert naturalist guides, discover South America’s largest wildlife sanctuary in depth, where opportunities to view jaguars are the best on the planet
- See More of the PantanalExplore by boat in the northern Pantanal, then 4x4 game drives and short walks in the south—no itinerary matches ours for such variation in setting, perspective and number of species on view
- A Remote Private EcolodgeTravel to less-visited parts of the Pantanal and enjoy private lodging at the renowned Caiman Ecological Refuge, a secluded base to seek out giant anteater, tapir, ocelot and hyacinth macaw
No One Shows You the Pantanal in Such Depth!
Brazil is one of the planet’s most stupendous nature destinations. Encompassing vast rain forests, wild ocean coast and the world’s largest wetlands, the Pantanal is a must for nature lovers. We offer a carefully planned itinerary that immerses you in the wildlife mecca of the Pantanal in greater depth than any other opportunity we're aware of. Take a look at what makes our approach so distinctive:
- Explore the Pantanal from the Very Best Locations for Wildlife Viewing
In the sprawling Pantanal, the world’s largest marsh, wildlife is even more abundant than in the Amazon. We may see Brazilian tapir, capybara, giant armadillo, giant river otter, maned wolf, caiman and the top prize for most wildlife watchers, the elusive jaguar. But not every lodge is situated to take full advantage of proximity to the greatest wildlife concentrations, especially jaguars. We have deliberately selected our bases in the Pantanal for their superlative locations, where wildlife viewing is far better than anywhere else. - More Time in the Pantanal from Multiple Perspectives
We spend seven full days at three different locations in both the north and south Pantanal to fully immerse you in this UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. We explore this vast mosaic of flooded marshlands, dry islandsand savanna via multiple means, from nature walks and wildlife drives to boat rides and canoe safaris—each mode revealing a new vantage point on the varied landscapes and their wild inhabitants. - Private Chartered Flight from North to South—a Nat Hab Exclusive!
Getting from the northern part of the Pantanal to the south can be a challenge. But rather than subject you to a 10-hour drive over rough, remote roads, plus two short commercial flights in between, which most travelers must endure, we charter four-passenger planes that fly us directly to Caiman Ecological Refuge. It's not only a far more comfortable and efficient option, but it offers a 360-degree aerial view that reveals the vastness of the Pantanal—a perspective few visitors get to see. - Accommodations in Unparalleled Nature, Including a Private Lodge at Caiman Ecological Refuge
We choose our accommodations for comfort, but especially for their superb locations, where wildlife viewing is best. We spend three nights in the remote Porto Jofre region, where more jaguars are seen than anywhere else. Another highlight is Caiman Ecological Refuge, part of an acclaimed private research, conservation and ecotourism initiative. Unlike more-touristed Pantanal accommodations, we enjoy the exclusive seclusion of this remote, privateecolodge with our own chef and pool...as well as a chance to occasionally see jaguars. - A Very Small Group (10-11 Travelers Max) Ensures Authentic Wildlife Encounters
To foster the most intimate nature encounters, we limit our group to no more than 10 or 11 travelers. Our small group size also ensures that your needs and expectations are attentively met, and you have plenty of individual attention from our Expedition Leader. - Your Expedition Leader is a Top Professional Naturalist
Nat Hab has a well-deserved international reputation for the highest-quality Expedition Leaders in the industry. Our Brazil guides average 10 years of experience, with additional training and resources from WWF scientists, so your trip is sure to be a learning adventure. In the Pantanal, we are also joined by local guides from each lodge who are resident experts in the region's flora and fauna. See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders. - Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Exceptional Brazil Adventure
With Natural Habitat Adventures, you receive our exclusive guarantee that clearly states that we will meet the high expectations we set forth in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise. - Feel Good About the Way You Travel
We all care about the planet, and you can travel with us knowing that the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset. Natural Habitat Adventures is the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company, a feature that is especially critical when considering that wildlife and habitats are under substantial threat from our planet’s warming temperatures. And we continue to set standards in eco-conscious travel worldwide. - Natural Habitat Adventures Is World Wildlife Fund’s Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our small-group nature adventures, World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat its worldwide travel partner – a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
