The Pantanal is the Worlds largest wetland that simply teems with wildlife! Flocks of huge Jabiru Storks jostle over fish stranded as roadside pools dry out, stepping around Caiman and competing with other Herons, Ibis and Egrets. A loud series of harsh calls over head finds a pair of huge Hyacinth Macaws fly past bringing gasps of joy from the group as their vibrant colours radiate in the evening light. The Pantanal is often compared to an African safari trip due to great numbers of big easy-to-see birds, mammals and reptiles. Daily bird lists often soar above 150 species seen!

Scanning the wide-open areas of grassland scattered with magnificent pink and yellow flowering Tabiboia (Ype) trees, we watch for Greater Rea, Giant Anteater and Marsh Deer. Kingfishers greet us at every bridge (all 5 species occur), a Rufescent Tiger Heron tries to hide in the reeds as a perched Snail Kite expertly works on its snail. Sunbitterns are common here adding flashes of colour as they flush, even the usually timid Gray-necked Wood Rail strut around like chickens! Along the roadside we observe a majestic pair of Bare-faced Curassow foraging, further ahead a glistening line across the road turns out to be the large very beautifully marked (and harmless) Yellow Anaconda. On a relaxing late afternoon boat trip, we drift quietly down a river observing a family group of Giant River Otters at play, while a spectacular Agami Heron feeds in the shallows below a hidden roosting Boat-billed Heron. Here night excursions allow the Milky Way to be seen at its best and good chances to see big cats like the Jaguar, Ocelot, Tapir or Crab-eating Raccoon as well as Potoo's, Nightjars and Owls.

The sight of towering red sandstone formations dissected by magnificent waterfalls cascading into lush Gallery forest bellow confirm our arrival in the Chapada Dos Guimaraes National Park. From a vantage point we observe swirling flocks of White-eyed Parakeets and Biscuitate Swifts announcing the evening roost movement. A pair of magnificent Blue-winged Macaws swoop into the sandstone cliffs nearby showing off their magnificent colours glowing in the evening sun. The dominant vegetation of this region is Cerrado, characterized by short twisted trees and shrubs with glossy thick leaves and fire-resistant bark amongst grassland with Gallery forest hugging the watercourses. Here we search for such specialties as the striking Blue Finch, White-rumped and White-banded Tanager, Chapada Flycatcher (newly described) Helmeted Manakin, Coal-crested Finch, Pheasent Cuckoo, Dot-eared Coquette, Band-tailed Manakin, Red-winged Tinamou and Red-legged Seriema and many more.

The Pantanal and Chapada can be combined with an unforgettable Amazonian rainforest experience in Mato Grosso at the famous Rio Cristalino camp and reserve at Alta Floresta. Daily flights from Cuiaba are available to Alta Floresta. (see description on our page about the Amazon rainforest).

Let Birding Brazil Tours help you plan your vacation of a lifetime to the Pantanal. Please Click here to contact us for more information.