Wetlands and Savanna

Wetlands and Savannah

Your journey through Mato Grosso, Brazil, will take you through two of the country’s most ecologically significant regions: the Pantanal Wetlands and the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park. These areas offer an extraordinary contrast in landscapes, biodiversity, and bird species, creating a rich and varied wildlife and birding experience.

The trip begins at Cuiabá Airport (CGB), the gateway to both the Northern Pantanal and Chapada dos Guimarães. Cuiabá is the capital of Mato Grosso, a vast state in west-central Brazil known for its incredible biodiversity. From the airport, clients will drive south toward the Pantanal, one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands. The first leg of the journey will take you approximately 130 kilometers (about 3 hours) along the Transpantaneira Highway, a famous unpaved road that cuts through the Pantanal, offering spectacular wildlife sightings. Your first stop will be Pouso Alegre Lodge, a prime location for birdwatching and spotting iconic Pantanal wildlife. From here, you will continue further south to Hotel Pantanal Norte in Porto Jofre, a journey of approximately 145 kilometers (4 hours). Porto Jofre is renowned as one of the best places in the world to see wild jaguars and the surrounding wetlands are teeming with birds. After exploring this area, you will make your way back north to Piuval Lodge, a drive of roughly 100 kilometers (2.5 hours). Piuval Lodge offers a slightly different ecosystem, with more forested areas and excellent opportunities for birdwatching and mammal sightings.

After your time in the Pantanal, the journey shifts dramatically as you head toward the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, a stark contrast to the wetlands. This transition requires a 180-kilometer drive (approximately 4 hours), during which the scenery gradually changes from flooded plains to rolling grasslands and towering sandstone cliffs. Located in the heart of Mato Grosso, Chapada dos Guimarães is part of the Cerrado biome, a unique savanna-like ecosystem known for its rugged landscapes, waterfalls, and striking rock formations. Clients will stay at Pousada Cantos da Mata, a secluded lodge nestled within this breathtaking environment.

Birdwatching in the Pantanal
The Pantanal is one of the world’s top birdwatching destinations, thanks to its open landscapes and rich waterways that support an incredible diversity of bird species. With seasonal flooding creating an abundance of fish and other aquatic life, the region attracts a vast number of waterbirds, raptors, and large waders. Some of the most notable species found in the Pantanal include:

Jabiru Stork (Jabiru mycteria) – The tallest flying bird in South America and an emblem of the Pantanal, often seen wading in shallow waters.
Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) – The world’s largest flying parrot, easily recognizable by its vivid blue feathers and yellow facial markings.
Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) – An iconic species with its oversized orange beak, often found in treetops near the water.
Black-collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis) – A striking raptor that specializes in catching fish from Pantanal rivers and lakes.
Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) – A large, flightless bird resembling an ostrich, often seen roaming the grasslands.
Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) – A ground-dwelling bird with spectacular wing markings, frequently found near rivers.
Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata) – A turkey-sized bird that prefers the edges of forested areas and wetlands.
Capped Heron (Pilherodius pileatus) – An elegant and rare heron with a golden body and a blue face.
American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea) – A tiny but brilliantly colored kingfisher that thrives along the waterways.
Blue-throated Piping Guan (Pipile cumanensis) – A large arboreal bird, often seen foraging in the canopy.
Many of these species are best spotted during the early morning or late afternoon when the Pantanal is most active with bird calls and movement. The wetland environment provides unparalleled opportunities to see birds up close, often in large numbers.

Birdwatching in Chapada dos Guimarães
As the journey transitions into the Cerrado biome of Chapada dos Guimarães, the bird diversity shifts dramatically. Unlike the Pantanal, which is dominated by wetlands, this region is characterized by dry forests, rocky cliffs, and open savanna, which support a very different set of bird species. Some of the highlights include:

King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) – A striking scavenger with a colorful, wrinkled head, often seen soaring above the cliffs.
Red-and-Green Macaw (Ara chloropterus) – One of the most spectacular birds in the region, frequently seen nesting in the sandstone cliffs.
Yellow-faced Parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops) – A highly localized species, typically found in small flocks within the Cerrado.
Curl-crested Jay (Cyanocorax cristatellus) – A highly intelligent bird with a distinctive crest and bold black-and-blue markings.
Collared Crescentchest (Melanopareia torquata) – A beautifully marked bird found in scrubby areas of the Cerrado.
Planalto Hermit (Phaethornis pretrei) – A hummingbird that specializes in feeding on long, tubular flowers.
Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin (Neopelma pallescens) – A small but fascinating species often spotted in dry forests.
Blue Finch (Rhopospina caerulescens) – A rare and striking bird that is highly sought after by birdwatchers.
Helmeted Manakin (Antilophia galeata) – A small but colorful species with a bright red crest, often found in the understory.
White-eared Puffbird (Nystalus chacuru) – A large-headed, stocky bird that perches motionless while hunting insects.
The Chapada dos Guimarães offers a completely different birding experience from the Pantanal. Here, species are often more elusive, requiring patience and a keen eye to spot. The best birdwatching locations are near rocky outcrops, dry forests, and waterfall areas, where birds like macaws, puffbirds, and jays are most active.

Day 1.
Cuiabá to Pouso Alegre Lodge, traditional Pantanal ranch.

Arrive at Cuiabá airport in the morning, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Pantanal. After driving for about one and a half hours you will arrive in Poconé. From here our wildlife adventure starts as we hit the Transpantaneira road, a dirt road that transects the Northern Pantanal. We arrive at our lodge just before lunchtime. After our midday break, it’s time for a forest walk in search of dry land mammals and birds. This evening, if you feel up to it, a night safari searching for night animals like Ocelots, Puma, Giant Anteaters, Tamandua, Crab-eating Raccoon, Pottoos, and Owls. Dinner and Overnight. (L, D)

Day 2.
Pouso Alegre Lodge.

We have a full morning to explore the many photo opportunities surrounding us. This ranch stands as the best spot to find Giant Anteaters in the Northern Pantanal and often offers close encounters with other species such as Red-brocket and Marsh Deer, Coati, Tayra, and Brazilian Tapir. Our activities are a combination of overland safaris & forest walks. After dinner, another night safari in search of mammals and other nocturnal wildlife which may yield good views of the Great Horned Owl, Nightjar, Pottoo, and more possibilities. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D).

Day 3.
Pouso Alegre Lodge to Porto Jofre.

Early breakfast and checkout. This morning you will drive further into the Pantanal. There is plenty of wildlife along the road, as you cover the entire Transpantaneira to reach Porto Jofre and check in. Our lodge is situated on the riverbank of the mighty Cuiabá River. Lunch and break. In the afternoon your first boat safari in search of Jaguars and other Wildlife concentrated along the riverbanks. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Days 4 & 5.
In search of Jaguars and other wildlife in the Meeting of the Waters State Park.

You will have two full days devoted to the boat safari on Cuiabá River and its tributaries, to maximize our chances of watching and photographing Jaguars, Giant River Otters, and other wildlife in the Meeting of the Waters State Park. Our outings will always be during the day, from sunrise to lunchtime, and after our midday break, go out again until sunset. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 6.
Porto Jofre and back north to the Piuval Lodge, Pantanal ranch.

Breakfast and off you go for an overland safari to the Piuval Lodge. There is usually plenty of wildlife on our way to the Piuval Lodge. We will arrive there at lunchtime. After our midday break, our forest walk awaits in the monkey forest and climb up the 20m canopy tower. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 7.
Piuval Lodge, Pantanal ranch.

We have a full day to explore the many wildlife opportunities on this 10,000-hectare ranch. Our activities are a combination of overland safaris, night safaris, and walking safaris. A blank canvas with which to paint our experiences! (B, L, D)

Day 8.
Piuval Lodge and drive up to the northern tablelands of Chapada dos Guimarães.

Early breakfast and check-out. This morning you will drive for about 3 hours on a good road to the cosy town of Chapada dos Guimarães. After lunch, you will go for a forest walk in the Jamacá valley in search of forest bird species, highlights such as Blue-Crowned Motmot, Red-necked Woodpecker, Channel-Billed Toucan, Band-tailed Manakin, and many more. Afterward, visit the Geodesic lookout point. This place offers great scenery and great chances to watch and photograph the elusive Maned Wolf, Red-and-green Macaws, and King Vulture among others. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 9.
Chapada dos Guimarães National Park.

Early morning birding before breakfast. After breakfast, into the National Park and visit the Bride’s Veil where we might be able to find and photograph Red-and-Green Macaws. These giant birds nest on the rock faces along the canyons. You will have lunch in Chapada town and after lunch, you will head to Cidade de Pedra, the Stone City. Besides the great scenery, we might have the opportunity to watch and photograph Red-and-green Macaws, King Vultures, and many more. (B, L, D)

Day 10.
Chapada dos Guimarães and Nobres.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Bom Jardim, district of Nobres. You will arrive there around lunchtime. After lunch, go snorkeling downstream of the Salobra River. Snorkel with hundreds of freshwater fish and stingrays, in crystalline waters. In the early evening, drive to the Macaw’s lake to watch and photograph the Blue-and-yellow Macaws, Red-bellied Macaws, and many other birds that come together for the night. (B, L, D)

Day 11.
Transfer back to Cuiabá.

After breakfast, check-out and transfer back to Cuiabá airport.

Cost:
My estimate ranges from 5800 to 6200 per person. This is the usual per-adult sharing rate and given the complexity of the group we would need to arrange special triple or quad rooms. I imagine children sharing in a double with no parent will still be charged adult rates.

Included:

Accommodation as stated in the itinerary as well as meals.
Private guide and Vehicle for the duration of the itinerary.
Boat safaris for Jaguars in Porto Jofre.

Not included:

Extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary, such as fishing outings or fishing equipment, and extra boat tours at some of the lodges.
International and Domestic flights.
Both fishing and Fly fishing activities which may need permits.

Drinks and personal extras such as curio shop purchases etc.

Anything not mentioned in the included section.

Lodges:

Pouso Alegre Lodge

Traditional Pantanal ranch in an 8.000ha farm presenting many vegetation sets of Pantanal biome.

Good chances to see wildlife such as Tapir, Anteater, Coati, Toucan, Hyacinth Macaw, and more.