Estrada Parque Pantanal

The Pantanal is a well-known region of Brazil where it is possible to see a variety of wildlife, including its most famous inhabitant, the jaguar. This vast region, whose biome is characterized by flooded grasslands and savannahs, extends largely across the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso in Brazil, with a smaller part in Bolivia and Paraguay.

The Pantanal is accessible by vehicle from the south, from the city of Corumbá, or from the north, from the city of Cuiabá and the village of Porto Jofre. I tried to take a river pontoon to get from Corumbá to Porto Jofre, but unfortunately, it didn't work out because the boat had mechanical problems and I would have had to wait nearly three weeks. So I travelled through the southern region and then made the long journey of over 1,000 km to get to Porto Jofre in the northern region.

In the southern part of the Pantanal, I didn't go on a boat trip to try to see jaguars. I saved that outing for the area around Porto Jofre (in the north), because that's where you're most likely to see this magnificent creature.

There are very few roads in the heart of the Pantanal, but in the southern region, it is possible to travel along the Estrada Parque Pantanal (Pantanal Park Road). According to locals, there has been a chronic lack of rain for at least five years, so the presence of animals and birds is not what it used to be. Nevertheless, I saw some beautiful animals and birds there. Note that the Pantanal is largely privately owned and there are many farms and a few villages. Wildlife and people coexist there.

Rio Miranda

A small village has sprung up around the bridge spanning the Rio Miranda. There are numerous lodges and agencies offering excursions to see the animals along the river. I visited during the low season, but it seems to me that there are a huge number of boats for tourism.

Rio Miranda.

In the village, these people were busy removing the animal's hair before skinning it. They used boiling water and blades to do this.

At an inn along the Rio Miranda

Camping night at the São João posada

This inn offers rooms and camping facilities to visitors. It was on this vast farm that I saw more parrots and toucans up close.

These cowboys are leading a large herd of cows along the road.

The caimans were basking in this muddy pool.

Waiting for the barge to cross the Rio Paraguay

The transport barge.