BRAZIL - THE AMAZING PANTANAL

The vast Brazilian Pantanal is one of the greatest wetlands anywhere on earth, where incredible number of water birds have to be seen to be believed. Situated close to the border with Bolivia, it astounds everyone who visits by its sheer size (around 55,000 square miles!). From huge Jabiru wading in the shallow marshes, to the truly spectacular Hyacinth Macaw, this region exceeds all the superlatives. The sheer number of birds has to be seen to be believed and many of these offer close views which makes for great photography. It is also considered one of the best places in South America to see a wide variety of tropical animals including the much sought after Jaguar, and one of our three special boat trips will go in search of this elusive species. The Chapada dos Guimaraes will provide a complete contrast, with huge waterfalls, cerrado, and riverine forest, which are home to some of Brazil’s special birds, and a cross-selection of neotropic families including tinamous, macaws, hummingbirds, manakins, antbirds, motmots and tanagers.

We begin the tour at Jardim de Amazonia, a tropical jungle lodge that is the only place to see the newly discovered Cone-billed Tanager. Then we head along the 120km Transpantaniera into the heart of the Pantanal where we look for Greater Rhea, Golden-collared Macaw, Red-legged Seriema, Helmeted Manakin and more. There will be boat trips, feeding stations packed with birds and pools thronging with waterbirds. From our excellently located lodge at Porto Jofre we will see the exquisite Hyacinth Macaw and our boat journey along the Cuiaba River gives us an excellent opportunity to find that most enigmatic of large cats - Jaguar. Other wildlife that makes this region so famous includes Brazilian Tapir, Giant River Otter, Ocelot and plenty of other great animals. Our Pantanal tour offers a superb opportunity to get excellent views of a wide variety of birds and other wildlife in one of the natural world's most amazing settings and will provide many unforgettable memories of a holiday of a lifetime.