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The Pantanal

The Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland and is home to some of the most spectacular and dramatic gatherings of mammals, birds and reptiles in South America. Although it straddles three countries, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil, over 80% lies in the latter.

It is an area of seasonal extremes. During the wet season water pours into this giant depression from the surrounding highlands causing rivers to burst their banks and create a huge inland sea, but by the end of the dry season, the water’s have receded from all but the deepest pools and permanent rivers, concentrating wildlife in their vicinity.

This is without doubt the best place to try and track down South America’s consummate carnivore, the Jaguar. Normally secretive and extremely elusive, there are occasions in the Pantanal when the shroud of secrecy is lifted and spectacular sightings are possible. On this recent trip, I was extremely fortunate to see at least 9, and possibly as many as 12 different cats during 8 days of searching prime areas. Sightings were varied and included jaguars resting on riverbanks, swimming across open water, stalking prey and even catching a Capybara (see pages 3 & 4 in the gallery).

But there is so much more besides to enjoy; other spectacular mammals like Giant Otters, Giant Anteaters and Tapirs, colourful birds like toucans, aracaris and tanagers and simply stupefying numbers of caiman resting besides lakes and pools.If you think a trip to this amazing place is something you'd like to experience too, keep an eye on my tours pages as I'm currently planning a return trip in August 2012.

  • Agami Chestnut-bellied Heron Agamia agami stalking Pixiam River Pantanal Brazil
    Agami or Chestnut-bellied Heron (Agamia agami) stalking the margins of the Pixiam River, northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Agami Chestnut-bellied Heron Agamia agami stalking Pixiam River Pantanal Brazil
    Agami or Chestnut-bellied Heron (Agamia agami) stalking the margins of the Pixiam River, northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Black Vulture Coragyps atratus dead Yacare Caiman Cuiaba River Pantanal Brazil
    Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) standing on a dead bloated Yacare Caiman {Caiman yacare} floating down the Cuiaba River, Northern Pantanal, Matto Grosso State, Brazil.
  • Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis Cuiaba River Pantanal Brazil
    Black-collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis) perched on the banks of the Cuiaba River. Northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Black-striped Tufted Capuchin Cebus libidinosus Pixiam River Pantanal Brazil
    Black-striped Tufted Capuchin (Cebus libidinosus) in deciduous forest along the banks of the Pixiam River, Northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Capybara Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris Piquiri River Pantanal Brazil
    Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) along the Piquiri River (a tributary of Cuiaba River). Northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis Piquiri River Pantanal Brazil
    Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). Piquiri River, northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis Piquiri River Pantanal Brazil
    Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). Piquiri River, northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Giant Otters Pteronura brasiliensis Piquiri River Pantanal Brazil
    Giant Otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) play-fighting Piquiri River, northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Giant Water Lilies Victoria amazonica Lake Cuiaba River Pantanal Brazil
    Giant Water Lilies (Victoria amazonica). Lake near Cuiaba River, Northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Great Egret Ardea alba flying Pixiam River Pantanal Brazil
    Great Egret (Ardea alba) flying over the Pixiam River, northern Pantanal, Brazil.
  • Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis camouflaged forests Pixiam River Pantanal Brazil
    Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis) roosting camouflaged during the day on a tree branch in forests adjacent to the Pixiam River. Northern Pantanal, Brazil.