Jaguars of Brazil s Pantanal · Pantanal, as well as egret, heron, the increasingly endangered hyacinth macaw, alongside capybaras -the world’s largest rodent, caiman, giant otters,

Backcountry Journeys – Jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal 1

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,

There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:

I love not Man the less, but Nature more." —Lord Byron

Pricing, Dates & Booking

For current pricing, trip dates

& online reservations please

see our website.

Trip Packets

Our PDF Trip Packets are being

updated all the time. Ensure you

have the most recent version by

clicking here.

Last Published: April 9, 2020

mailto:[email protected]

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Trip Overview

National Geographic calls it Brazil’s best kept secret.

Covering over 70,000 square miles, the Pantanal is the world’s largest

tropical wetland. It sits in the center of South America, and is 10 times

the size of Florida’s Everglades.Often overshadowed by the nearby

Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal actually boasts a higher concentration

of fauna, comparable to the densest animal populations in Africa.Some

of the Pantanal’s critters include giant anteaters, piranha, howler and

capuchin monkeys, green anacondas—the world’s largest snake, and

the star of our proverbial show, jaguars!

Brazil’s best kept secret indeed.

Each year rains that fall during the rainy season fill the Pantanal’s

giant basin, which creates a vast flooded landscape. Here, unlike the

thick jungles of the Amazon, wide-open space extend views for miles

and miles. The flooded landscape nurtures a biologically diverse





collection of aquatic plants and helps to support a dense array of animal

species. When the rains end, water drains into the Paraguay River,

leaving behind a rich environment that attracts enormous flocks of

spoonbill, egret, and stork. There are few humans here, making birds

the primary occupants.

The Pantanal is home to roughly 1,000 bird species, 400 fish species,

300 mammalian species and 480 reptile species.As you can determine,

there is a LOT going on here.On our photographic tour of the Pantanal

we’ll set out from the Brazilian city of Cuiabá on a safari-like journey

south on the dusty Transpantaneira Highway, in search of wildlife

encounters.

Porto Jofre, our southerly destination where we’ll spend several days,

will bring us to our primary focus – jaguars!

We’ll spend a few days while on the highway photographing whatever

we might find, be it marsh deer, coatimundi, giant anteaters, tapirs and

giant river otters as we make our way to the settlement of Porto Jofre.

It is in Porto Jofre where we’ll spend multiple days in search of the

jaguar by boat. The jaguars are often found resting and hunting on the

banks of several Pantanal rivers, sometimes even doing a little

swimming! Vantage points are best achieved from the river, via boat, so

that is what we’ll plan to do! Jaguars are the third largest “big cat” on

earth, and the Pantanal jaguar is the world’s largest jaguar subspecies

with some males weighing in at over 300 lbs!

While jaguars are ultimately the primary draw on this fantastic South

American expedition, birders and other wildlife enthusiasts will be

pleased as the bird photography, in particular, is simply astounding

here. You’ll certainly want to bring “the big glass” for this tour as we’ll

look to photograph jabiru – the world’s largest stork and symbol of the

Pantanal, as well as egret, heron, the increasingly endangered hyacinth

macaw, alongside capybaras -the world’s largest rodent, caiman, giant

otters, and capuchin monkeys.

It’s a mouthful, isn’t it? The list of wildlife that we’ll see could go on and

on. Travel with Backcountry Journeys as we venture to South America,





and to one of the world’s truly great natural wonders. The Pantanal is

still a relatively unknown gem and provides the wildlife photographer

with a plethora of unique opportunities to come away with experiences

and images that won’t soon be forgotten.

Highlights

• Absolute best location for Jaguar Photography in the world

• Visit during the Pantanal’s dry season

• Incredible variety of wildlife & over 1000 species of birds

• Small groups

• Travel with a professional photographer & local guides that have

been exploring the region for years





Noteworthy Travel Logistics • This trip begins & ends in Cuiaba, Brazil.

• You can arrive at any time on Day Two of the tour as long as you

arrive in time for the orientation meeting that evening.

• Day Twelve (the final day of the tour) you can arrange a flight

home in the afternoon

Specific Travel Logistics for Brazil • Cell Phones:

Brazil has pretty good cell coverage and there are several carriers.

You can purchase a pre-paid SIM card at the airport or any

convenience store.

• Money:

The currency is the Brazilian Real. Credit cards may charge an

exchange fee if used

• Passport:

You must have a current passport to enter the country.

Immigration may deny entry if your passport is damaged. Visitors

are required to carry appropriate documentation at all times.

Tourists should carry their passports when taking domestic air

flights, driving, planning to use a credit card, traveling overnight

or a considerable distance from their hotel. You must have at least

one blank passport page when arriving in Brazil.

• Tourist Visa:

Not required for US/Canadian citizens for stays less than 90 days,

but return ticket required

• Exit Tax:

Depending on the airline, a departure tax of $36 USD may be

levied on departure. For more information, visit the Brazilian

Immigration Agency website.





U.S. Embassy Brasilia

SES - Av. das Nações, Quadra 801, Lote 03

70403-900 - Brasília, DF

Phone: (55-61) 3312-7000

Fax: (55-61) 3225-9136

For more information on international travel to Brazil refer to the

following link to the US Department of state site:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-

travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html



https://br.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/brasilia/

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Brazil.html



Itinerary Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day One (Travel Day)

Depart from home and travel to Brazil.

Day Two (D)

Arrive in Cuiabá, Brazil. Tonight, we’ll meet at our hotel at 5pm for a

pre-trip orientation meeting and welcome dinner.

Day Three (B,L,D)

This morning we’ll head out down the long and windy

Transpantaneira Highway in search of the local wildlife, where we’ll

be sure to encounter some of the estimated 1,000 species of birds. This

region is absolutely loaded with wildlife.

Day Four (B,L,D)

We will set out to explore the birds of the area, like the roosting

nocturnal Great Potoos, parakeets, Kingfishers and other birds of

prey. It won’t be all birds, though, as we’ll also look for capuchin

monkeys, marsh deer, tapir, as well as the elusive anteater – and of

course Jaguars!

This day will be all wildlife, all the time!

Day Five (B,L,D)

We’ll hit the road again today, heading south and further into the

tropical wetlands of the Pantanal, towards the settlement of Porto

Jofre.





Upon arriving in Porto Jofre, we’ll spend the afternoon photographing

the beautiful and increasingly endangered hyacinth macaw and the

wattled jacanas as the latter forages across the top of the large

circular leaves of the victoria amazonica water lilies. This is the heart

of Jaguar country.

Days Six-Ten (B,L,D)

Each morning we’ll travel by speedboat on the Rio Cuiabá and its

tributaries in search of the star of our show – jaguar! Our hotel will

have us strategically located to provide us the best chances of

finding and photographing the world’s third largest “big cat.”

We’ll spend a good part of these days on boats which allows us to

cruise the river in search of the best photo opportunities for cats,

which, believe it or not, is along the banks of the river. Jaguars will

be the focus of our adventures while in Porto Jofre, but we’ll be able

to find other wildlife, like the endangered giant otter, too.

Day Eleven (B,L,D)

Our tenth day begins our return north, again traveling along the

Transpantaneira Highway. In classic “safari” style, we’ll make sure

to stop whenever good photographic opportunities present

themselves. Yacare caiman are plentiful here, as are an assortment

of other critters like nacunda nighthawk, caracara, and the

capybaras -which is the world’s largest rodent. This is a perfect

habitat for the hyacinth macaw, toucans and parrots. Birders,

especially, will enjoy this day out on the Transpantaneira.

Day Twelve (B)

Our final morning together will see us return to Cuiabá in time to

catch your afternoon flights.





We’ll leave this once-in-a-lifetime adventure with unforgettable

memories, new friends, enhanced wildlife photography skills, and

digital cards full of stunning images!

Day Thirteen (Travel Day)

Arrive home after an excellent trip – being pouring over your new

collection of images!

Please Note: Weather delays are possible, and we highly recommend travel insurance. Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and nature photography we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions regarding wildlife or natural phenomena.





Trip Details

Physical Requirements

All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability

to carry camera equipment and essential gear. For example, tripod,

camera, lense(s), sunscreen, water (up to 2 liters person) and snacks..

Typically backpacks weigh between 15 and 20 lbs - the choice is yours.

Group Size

This trip is limited to 8 participants.

Accommodation

We will be staying at several comfortable lodges within the Pantanal

Trip length

13 days





Fitness level:

All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability

to hike with a day-pack and ride in small boats.

Meeting Time and Place

We will have an orientation / dinner in Cuiaba on Day Two at 5pm.

Please make sure to send your flight information to

[email protected]

Trip Conclusion

Cuiaba, Brazil

Price/Start Dates

Please see the Jaguars of Brazils Pantanal trip page on our website for

the most current dates and pricing.

Meals

Most meals are included during the trip dates.

Weather

Hot & Humid! Remember some of the best photographs are made

before, during and immediately after a storm cycle. There is no such

thing as bad weather just poor layering and gear choices – please plan

accordingly! For more info on what to bring please email or call us.

Here is a link to the local weather at our eco-lodge Weather forecast

Porto Jofre, Brazil

Be sure to check this weather link for current weather conditions before

you go!

Price Includes

Most meals, ground transportation, transportation within Brazil during

trip dates, accommodation during the trip dates: from the evening of

Day Two through the morning of Day Thirteen, professional

photography instruction, medically certified wilderness guide, &

gratuities for service personnel such as drivers, pilots, captains as well

as hotel & restaurant staff.




http://backcountryjourneys.com/photography-tours-workshops/jaguars-pantanal/

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/Porto+Jofre+Brazil+BRMT0530:1:BR

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/Porto+Jofre+Brazil+BRMT0530:1:BR



Price Does Not Include

Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip

dates, souvenirs,& trip leader gratuities (industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience)

Lodging & Meals

This trip includes most meals, lodging from Day Two through the

morning of the last day of the tour, ground transportation while on the

tour, National Park entrance fees, guide fees and other items essential

to a successful trip – meaning that once your there all you will have to

focus on is your photography. We can accommodate most special diets

so please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.





Gear List

This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read

through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call.

Photo & Field Gear

Required Camera Gear:

• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.) • Telephoto Lenses (ranging from 100-600mm approximately)

• Normal Lenses (ranging from approximately 35mm to 100mm)

• Memory Cards

• Batteries & Chargers

• Lens cleaning pen & cloth (a MUST for photography by boat!)

• Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera

& hiking gear and have a rain cover)

• Camera Rain Sleeve

Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear:

• Back-Up Camera Body

• Sturdy but lightweight Tripod

• Wide-angle lens (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom) • Polarizing Filter

• 1.4x tele converter

• Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed (for

personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour)

• External Hard Drives

• Remote Shutter Trigger

• Camera’s Instruction Manual





Suggested Field Gear & Clothing:

• Personal Field Clothing

• Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket for the

evenings

• Convertible hiking pants, or lightweight trousers to block sun, and

protect from insects

• Shorts & T-Shirts for on the trail

• Hiking Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.)

• Brimmed Sun Hat

• Sunglasses

• Sturdy Hiking Boots

• Casual wear, for your evenings off the trail

• Sport sandals for the beach, and potential river crossings (if there

has been a lot of rain lately), sport sandals must have a heel strap,

flip flops will not be appropriate.

• Water Bottle or Hydration System (2 liters)

• Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket

• Rain pants (check the weather first!)

• Bathing Suit

• Headlamp (optional) • Binoculars (optional) • Hydrocortisone ointment or cream, and/or afterbite

• Sunscreen

• Bug-spray

• Personal toiletries & medications

• Money, for tipping staff & guides (industry standard is generally 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience), and for any

personal expenses not included in the tour package such as alcoholic

beverages, souvenirs, etc.

This is a general list. Call with any questions!



Documents

Jaguars of Brazil s Pantanal · Pantanal, as well as egret, heron, the increasingly endangered hyacinth macaw, alongside capybaras -the world’s largest rodent, caiman, giant otters,