Stretching across hundreds of thousands of miles between Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay exists a mosaic of flooded grasslands, savanna, and tropical forest, known as the Pantanal. It is the world’s largest wetland area and seasonal floodplain – and as such boasts extraordinary biodiversity, being home to a wide variety of rare and important plants and wildlife.

Each year, tropical rains submerge almost 80% of the Pantanal basin creating a vast landscape for aquatic life. During the dry season, the water drains into the Paraguay River, leaving a myriad of sea creatures that attract a great influx of migratory birds comprising kingfishers, egrets, jabiru storks, herons, macaws and more.

But the Pantanal is much more than a bird paradise. The region is home to 3500 plant species, hundreds of different mammals and reptiles, and more than 9,000 subspecies of invertebrates.

The Pantanal is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most biologically rich environments on earth with over 4,700 plant and animal species.

Some of South America’s most rare and endangered wildlife species, including the hyacinth macaw, giant otter, marsh deer, margay and the maned wolf, can also be found there.

The Pantanal contains South America’s highest concentration of wildlife species.

It is also home to the highest population of jaguars, thanks to an abundance of life and prey that call this unique ecosystem home.

Jaguars can be seen throughout the year in the Pantanal. However, during the dryer months from May to October, less precipitation means that the jaguars regularly are seen at the river to drink, hunt, mate and rest.

Amongst the elusive Jaguar, we will have the chance to see many other mammals, reptiles & birds. Other common wildlife in the region includes the Giant Otter, Tapir, giant ant-eater, Macaws, Toucans and Anacondas.

The region located near the Encontro das Águas State Park is known for having one of the largest populations of jaguars in the world.

Not at all! In fact, most of the people that join me just simply love nature and want to get a glimpse of a jaguar! As long as you enjoy being immersed in nature and surrounded by good people, this tour is for you!

If you don’t have photography equipment and would like to rent I have a SONY A7R3 combined with a SONY 70-200mm f2.8. This is a versatile setup and what I used for a 6-week expedition.

This is a US$5,600 setup and the image quality is to a professional standard which will give you the opportunity to print out epic photos that you have taken. You can rent it out for US$120/day.

-Accommodation (6 nights at Berco Pantaneiro)

-Transport

-All Activities (Boat Safari for 5 days)

-All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) (Lunch excluded Day 1 and Day 7)

-All water

-Professional Driver

-Professional Guide

-Flights

-Travel Insurance

-Alcohol

-Tips for hotel staff, drivers and guides

-Lunch on Day 1 & Day 7 on the Transpantaneira

-Light clothing (long sleeve shirt)

-Light breathable pants

-Hat (wide brim is best)

-Something to cover you neck as it will be vulnerable in the sun

-Insect Repellant

-Sunscreen

-A day pack for the boat

-Any snacks you may want like protein bars

-Camera

-Lenses (something with reach. Anything between 200-600 is versatile)

-Spare batteries (Long days on the river and we won’t be able to recharge our batteries till when we get home at night)

-Monopod can be useful. Tripod in my experience just takes up space without providing any value as we are on a boat and there is always a little bit of movement. For this reason, as hard as it is I always shoot free hand)

Yes! It is full of locals and tourists. There are no safety issues.

Although there are mosquitos, there is no dengue or malaria.

You will fly into Cuiabá International Airport - Marechal Rondon in the state of Matto Grosso in west-central Brasil.

From there, a member of our team will meet you. It is a 200km drive to the Porto Jofre region where we will stay on the river in search of jaguars and other wildlife. On the way, there will be many opportunities to photograph and see all the wildlife on the scenic Transpantaneira Highway.

For many countries no. But it’s best to check. Here is a list of exempt countries, which cover most, so no stress! You will get 90 days stamp on your passport.

*Please note: Most airlines will ask you for proof of onward travel.

*Some countries may require a yellow fever vaccination upon returning from Brazil.

Yes. If you cancel 30 days before the date of the tour we will refund you 50% of your deposit.

*50% deposit required to reserve your spot and the other 50% upon arrival in Cuiabá.

1. Booking your Holiday

a) Your contract in respect of your journey is made with Journey With Jaguars LLC, registered in New Mexico (USA) and all bookings are subject to these terms and conditions.

b) At the time of booking the Company booking form must be completed and submitted together with a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the booking. This way we can reserve your rooms with the hotel.

c) Receipt of the deposit and booking form by the Company does neither guarantee nor imply confirmation of the booking. No booking shall be confirmed until Journey With Jaguars LLC issues a written notice. Journey With Jaguars LLC reserves the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason and shall in that event return any deposit received.

d) Your journey must be paid in full at least 10 days before the departure date. If payment is not received by the due date, Journey With Jaguars LLC reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain the deposit. The person who signs the booking form guarantees payment of the total amount shown on the booking form in accordance with these conditions. It is the responsibility of the signatory to ensure the Company receives payment in full by the due date. No reminders will be sent.

e) If you book within 10 days of your departure date payment must be made in full at the time of booking.

f) All special requests, such as dietary requirements, should be written to Journey With Jaguars LLC.

g) Journey With Jaguars LLC will provide the service as set out and confirmed in writing.

2. Price Policy

a) Journey With Jaguars LLC is under no obligation to furnish a breakdown of the costs involved in a holiday.

b) Journey With Jaguars LLC reserves the right to notify you of any increase in price before accepting your booking.

c) After a Confirmation Invoice has been issued, unless you choose to pay for your journey in full at the time of booking, the price of your journey is subject to the possibility of surcharges in certain limited circumstances. However, a surcharge will only be levied to allow for variations in transportation cost, including the cost of fuel, the exchange rate applied to the particular package or if the government or regulatory body introduce an increase in taxes.

d) If a surcharge would increase the total journey price shown on your original Confirmation Invoice by 10% or more, you may cancel your booking within 14 days of the date of issue of the revised Invoice and obtain a full refund of all payments made to Journey With Jaguars LLC.

3. Cancellation and Changes by the Company

a) Occasionally it may be deemed necessary to make changes to your journey and the Journey With Jaguars LLC reserves the right to do so at any time, and you will be notified of any changes at the earliest possible opportunity. If a major change to your tour is necessary, providing it does not arise from circumstances beyond Journey With Jaguars LLC's control, you may choose (i) to accept the change of arrangements (ii) to purchase another tour from us or (iii) to cancel your tour. Compensation may be payable in cases of major change as detailed below.

b) No compensation will be payable for minor changes. Minor changes include minimal changes to departure and arrival times.

c) Major changes include cancellation, changes to your Brazil airports, delays in departure or return by more than 12 hours and accommodation changes to an inferior standard of accommodation.

d) Compensation will not be paid for changes or cancellations caused by Acts of God, war, the threat of war, riot, civil strike, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or man-made disaster, fire, technical problems to transport, closure or congestion of airports, strikes or other industrial action, adverse weather conditions or any other event beyond Journey With Jaguars LLC control. It is essential that you take out adequate travel insurance.

e) Journey With Jaguars LLC reserve the right to cancel your tour at any time before the date of departure, even after a confirmation notice has been sent. If your tour is cancelled Journey With Jaguars LLC will refund in full the money you have already paid. No compensation will be payable.

f) If you fail to pay the balance of the holiday price at least 5 days before departure, Journey With Jaguars LLC will treat the booking as cancelled and levy the cancellation charges set out below

g) Journey With Jaguars LLC also has the right to refuse any person as a member of the tour if in their opinion that person could endanger the health, safety and enjoyment of others on the tour. In any of the events mentioned above, the company’s sole liability and the client’s sole remedy will be limited to a refund of any monies paid, less the amount for services already utilised plus administrative fees.

4. Cancellation and Changes by You

a) You may cancel your holiday at any time providing you notify the Company in writing. Here are the amounts that we can reimburse and the time period

-Within 45 days of the tour: 75% of the deposit

-Within 30 days of the tour: 50% of the deposit

-Within 20 days of the tour: 25% of the deposit

5. Our Responsibilities

a) Journey With Jaguars LLC does not own or manage the accommodation, restaurants and other facilities used in conjunction with the tours arranged. While Journey With Jaguars LLC has exercised care in selecting providers of travel, accommodation, restaurants and other facilities, Journey With Jaguars LLC has not had the opportunity to inspect and does not represent such accommodation, restaurants, and other facilities and services.

b) Journey With Jaguars LLC is not responsible if you or any member of your party suffer death, illness or injury as a result of any failure to perform or improper performance of any part of our contract with you where such failure is attributable to (i) the acts and/or omissions of any member of the party, or (ii) those of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday, or (iii) an event which neither Journey With Jaguars LLC or the service provider could have foreseen or prevented even with due care.

c) Should any member of your party suffer an illness, injury or death through misadventure arising out of an activity, Journey With Jaguars LLC cannot accept liability. Journey With Jaguars LLC will offer general assistance where appropriate.

6. Your Responsibilities

a) You are responsible for arranging your own travel insurance. Please ensure that your insurance cover applies to the specific activities you are booking and which are confirmed on the Confirmation Invoice.

b) Each member of the party must have a valid passport, visas and all necessary documentation for the countries they are touring. Journey With Jaguars LLC accept no responsibility for any delay or expense should your documents not be in order.

c) You are responsible for checking in for flights at the correct time and for presenting yourself to take up all pre-booked components of your tour. Journey With Jaguars LLC cannot accept responsibility for clients missing flights as a result of late check-ins and no credit or refunds will be given if you fail to take up any component of your tour. No credit or refunds will be given for lost, mislaid or destroyed travel documents.

d) By booking a tour with Journey With Jaguars LLC you undertake to behave in an orderly manner and not disrupt the enjoyment of others on tour with you nor do anything to bring the reputation of Journey With Jaguars LLC into disrepute. If you breach this clause your tour will be terminated with immediate effect and Journey With Jaguars LLC will have no further contractual obligation to you. Journey With Jaguars LLC will be entitled to recover from the offending party and/or the person who signed the booking form compensation for any damage caused.

e) It is the responsibility of the person who signs the Booking Form to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions that members of their party may have.

f) All equipment and personal effects shall be at all times and in all circumstances at the owner’s risk. Journey With Jaguars LLC cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage or delay to your luggage or effects unless directly caused by the negligence of one of our representatives. This includes electronics, cameras and lenses.

7. Smoking

The Company forbids smoking in any vehicle operated by Journey With Jaguars LLC. You may smoke at the hotel outside designated areas.

8. Waiver

Journey With Jaguars LLC will undertake to ensure the safety of the client/s throughout the tour, however, aspects of each particular tour may not be without an element of danger.

9. Complaints

a) If you have a problem during your tour, please inform the hotel, and local agents of other suppliers immediately so that they can endeavour to put things right. If you cannot resolve the problems, you must contact Journey With Jaguars LLC office so that they are given an opportunity to help. Journey With Jaguars LLC will not hold themselves responsible for the non-performance of an itinerary through causes beyond their control or when they are not notified of a problem at the point where remedial action can be taken.

b) All information given by Journey With Jaguars LLC whether in writing or orally is to the best of Journey With Jaguars LLC's knowledge and believed correct at the time given and is given in good faith. The booking conditions shall take precedence over any other warranty or condition that may have been given.

10. Data Protection Act

It may be necessary for Journey With Jaguars LLC to ask you for certain personal information. Examples of this would be dietary requirements, disability/medical information etc. This information will be kept confidential. It will be passed to the suppliers if it is necessary for them to know this information in order to fulfil Journey With Jaguars LLCs contract with you.