Imagine waking to the song of hundreds of tropical birds, stepping out onto the veranda and watching the sun rise over a green plain that stretches as far as the eye can see, while jabiru storks (tuiuiús) perch calmly at the top of the trees. The Pantanal is one of the rare places in the world where wildlife still asserts itself in full, in perfect harmony between water, land and sky.
Covering more than two hundred thousand square kilometres across Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, the Pantanal is the largest continental wetland on the planet and has been recognised by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. On Guatambu Travel expeditions, we take you to the heart of this ecological paradise with comfort, safety and care.
What makes the Pantanal unique in the world?
Unlike dense, closed forests, where animals stay camouflaged in the treetops, the Pantanal is an open plain. This geography favours the observation of wildlife as nowhere else in the Americas:
- A paradise for birds: More than 650 bird species live in the biome. It is common to see flocks of hyacinth macaws flying over the palm trees, jabiru storks building their huge nests of sticks, white egrets dotting the lagoons and kingfishers diving swiftly into the water.
- Mammals and reptiles in freedom: Entire families of capybaras rest peacefully on the riverbanks, playful giant otters swim in groups making curious calls, giant anteaters cross the fields and hundreds of caimans bask on the sandy beaches.
- The pulse of the seasons: The transition between flood and dry season shapes completely different landscapes throughout the year, renewing the lagoons, nourishing the soil and ensuring that each trip is a unique and unrepeatable experience.
Chalana safaris and life in the Pantanal
Our itineraries in the southern Pantanal prioritise boat trips on a chalana (a flat-bottomed river boat) along the Miranda and Aquidauana rivers. The boats are stable, covered and comfortable, allowing all travellers to watch the animals from a safe distance, calmly and in silence.
Accompanied by local nature guides (guias mateiros) who know every bend of the river and the sound of every animal, our travellers learn about the habits of the forest, the culture of the Pantanal cowhands (peões pantaneiros) and the importance of protecting the springs.
Exploring the Pantanal with Guatambu, with peace of mind
Travelling through the Pantanal on your own can be challenging: dirt roads with wooden bridges, long distances between lodges (pousadas) and no mobile signal call for careful planning.
At Guatambu Travel, everything is prepared in advance for your comfort: private air-conditioned transport, welcoming Pantanal pousadas with delicious home-cooked meals, guided boat trips and full support from our team from start to finish. It is the ideal trip for those who want to experience nature without giving up a good night's rest.
Ready to make your dream of visiting the Pantanal come true? See our complete Pantanal, Bonito and Foz itinerary and the upcoming dates in our expeditions, or chat with our team on WhatsApp to ask questions and plan your trip.
Sources and references
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Heritage declaration for the Pantanal Conservation Area.
- Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), data on conservation units and Pantanal biodiversity.
- Fundação de Turismo do Mato Grosso do Sul (Fundtur-MS).
- Guatambu Travel's operational travel diaries and photographic records in the Pantanal.
