Pantanal & Bonito

From Campo Grande to Campo Grande

Brazil
Wildlife and Nature

Tour Description

Experience the beauty of Brazil on our handcrafted Pantanal & Bonito tour.

The Pantanal is the greatest tropical wetland region on earth, and the world's largest flooded grasslands. Although frequently overshadowed by the Amazon Rainforest, the Pantanal is rich in flora and fauna, having the largest concentration of crocodiles in the world, with approximately 10 million caimans. And as jaguars hunt caiman, the Pantanal has one of the highest density of jaguars anywhere the world. The Pantanal is also home to the biggest parrot on the planet, the hyacinth macaw!

Explore these amazing wetlands while staying at Pousada Aguape farm, in an area that has belonged to the same family for over 150 years. While they still produce cattle they have expanded their efforts to support some regional environmental projects and promote ecological tourism. Enjoy horse riding, piranha fishing, night safaris to spot animals such as anteaters, foxes, capybaras and caimans, walks, 4WD safaris and boat safaris.

After spending three nights visiting the Pantanal, travel to Bonito where you will have the opportunity to snorkel in crystal clear waters at Sucuri River and Rio de Prata on the Olho D’agua River. Explore one of the biggest sinkholes in the world, Buraco das Aras (Macaw Pit), which is now the home of tens of thousands of birds, including macaws and over 150 other species.

We offer a superior option at the Caiman Eco Lodge if you want to upgrade in the Pantanal!

Viva's Best Bits...

Experience the Pantanal, the largest wetlands in the world, on the lookout for the elusive jaguar. The best time for this is the dry season, July to October, when the animals cluster around the shrinking oxbow lakes and rivers.

Fish for piranha, horse ride, snorkel, go on boat and 4WD safaris always on the look out for wildlife including capybaras, caimans, and anteaters. At the Buraco das Aras (Macaw Pit) spot the stunning hyacinth macaw.

Snorkel in some of the world's purest waterways in Bonito, relax floating down the Sucuri river and Rio da Prata looking out for over 50 species of tropical fish, including giant dourados and large schools of pacus.

Expand all Itinerary steps Collapse all Itinerary steps

Day 1

Campo Grande Pantanal

From Campo Grande airport you will be transferred to Pousada Aguape, a rural ecolodge located on a cattle farm south of the Pantanal. Situated on the Aquidauana River, this family farm has been operating for 150 years and will be your base for exploration for the coming days. Settle into your surroundings after your arrival by taking an optional piranha fishing excursion or relaxing by the pool.

Day 2

Pantanal

Choose from a broad range of daily activities available at the farm and to the nearby Pantanal. On the farm you can choose to accompany the cowboys with their routine work or go horse riding to the Pantanal’s open fields and marshes. Alternatively you can take a more relaxed horse and carriage ride. If time didn’t permit on your arrival day, why not try some piranha fishing in the Aquidauana River? Fishing for piranha can be quite tricky thanks to their teeth but your guides will teach you how they are caught and used to prepare piranha soup.

You will experience two daily activities during your stay, the first commencing in the morning before the warmer mid part of the day, after breakfast and the second after lunch in the afternoon or early evening. Daily activities are scheduled based on group interests, seasonality, and current weather conditions.

Day 3

Pantanal

Take the opportunity to explore more of the Pantanal with more activities available from Pousada Aguape. Today, cover more ground by taking a 4WD Jeep safari into the different landscapes of the Pantanal. Have your camera prepared for plenty of wildlife including the capybara. In the evening, why not try to spot more of the Pantanal’s great wildlife on a nocturnal spotlight tour? From capybara to caimans and foxes to frogs you will see so much more at night on this one hour visit into the Pantanal wilderness.

Day 4

Pantanal Bonito

Departing Pousada Aguape you will be transferred to Bonito, stopping enroute for a half day snorkelling the Sucuri River. Your snorkelling tour begins with a walk through the Riparian Forest of the Sucuri River where you can spot and observe animals such as the capybara in their native habitat. You will then enter the river to float downstream with snorkelling gear, observing a diverse array of fish and underwater plant life in the clear waters. The ecotourism hub of Bonito will be your base for the following days activities.

Day 5

Rio Da Prata Snorkelling & Buraco das Araras

This morning you will be given another opportunity to hike the Riparian Forest and snorkel, this time at Rio de Prata on the Olho D’agua River. You will again be amazed as you gaze at dozens of fish and aquatic plants as you snorkel the clear waters. In the afternoon you will take a tour to Buraco das Aras (Macaw Pit). This massive sink hole provides a habitat to 157 bird species and you can visit two of the main viewpoints to observe the birds within the sandstone crater.

Day 6

Depart Bonito Campo Grande

Today you will be collected from your hotel in Bonito and transferred to Campo Grande Airport for your departure flight.

Accommodation

Standard accommodation
Upgrade to a superior lodge

Food

Breakfast daily, and other meals as outlined in the included sightseeing tours

Fees & Services

Airport transfers
Sightseeing with local English-speaking guide
Flights, Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable), tips, travel insurance

Snorkel the Sucuri & Olho D’agua Rivers, spotting a diverse array of fish and underwater life
Visit Buraco das Aras sink hole for a diverse array of birdlife including macaws and toucans
Experience the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland area
Hike through the unique ecosystem of the pantanal
Try piranha fishing, take a night safari, and a boat safari

View Similar Tours

Click here for dates & prices

Duration

6 days

Price from

$2,529 USD

Per person, sharing

Daily departures

9 days

Wildlife and Nature: Our wildlife and nature holidays will take you to some of the most remote and unspoilt regions. From encountering rich exotic wildlife in Latin America and Africa to the magnificent marine life in Antarctica and spotting spectacular birds in New Zealand.
Signature Tours: Refined, Simplified, Perfected

Premium itineraries carefully crafted by destination experts. Take in the very best of South America and Central America, with highly-rated hotels and exclusive authentic experiences.

Signature Rio to Buenos Aires

Tour vibrant Rio de Janeiro, visit Iguazu Falls, the most impressive falls in the world and discover the wonderful culture of Buenos Aires

6 days

Small Ship Cruising: Small ship expedition cruises are a wonderful way to explore. Choose from Antarctica cruises & Sub-Antarctic Island cruises, Arctic cruises or sail the Patagonian Fiords, Galapagos Islands Cruising or New Zealand’s wonderful Fiordland.
Wildlife and Nature: Our wildlife and nature holidays will take you to some of the most remote and unspoilt regions. From encountering rich exotic wildlife in Latin America and Africa to the magnificent marine life in Antarctica and spotting spectacular birds in New Zealand.