In the heart of southwest Brésil, the Pantanal is, with its rivers, lagoons, savanna plains and countless birds, a playground recommended for nature enthusiasts. We tell you everything in this practical guide.

A green escape to the Pantanal, a lost eden at the borders of Brésil and Bolivia

If you believe that wildlife safaris are the sole domain of Africa, you are mistaken. In the heart of South America, straddling the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, the Pantanal combines its wetlands with a festival of biodiversity bursting with color. The Rough Guide ranks it among "the most fascinating corners of Latin America" and Lonely Planet magazine presents it as "the largest terrestrial wetland on the planet".

It is less well-known than the Amazon jungle. A space empty of humans but populated with animals. A region devoid of infrastructure. The distances are so impressive that you need to reserve a plane or motorboat to explore its points of interest. Are you a nature enthusiast at heart? You won't regret stopping in this lost eden, where nature reigns supreme and appeals to mass tourism to be indulgent. Share magical moments with jaguars, blue and red macaws, caimans and thousands of bird species. Perhaps biodiversity is not your main interest. Even so, an ecotourism circuit in the Pantanal is not to be refused to spice up your custom-made trip to southwest Brésil.

Geographic description

The wild paradise of the Pantanal stretches over more than 210,000 km2, an area slightly larger than half of France. Most of the Pantanal lies within Brazilian territory, between Paraguay and Bolivia. It's surprising how the Pantanal changes its face from one season to the next. In the dry season, the Pantanal is nothing but a string of lagoons, wetlands and peat bogs. Different forms of aquatic life proliferate there. With the return of rains, grass grows back and foliage explodes. The savanna gives way to marshes, and marshes to freshwater lakes.

Fauna and flora of the Pantanal

The Pantanal is home to exceptional biological diversity. It could be described as a veritable living aquarium, given the abundance of its aquatic plants breaks all records. It surpasses the Amazon and any protected area on the planet in terms of concentration of wild animals.

The inventory records 650 bird species, 400 fish species, 80 mammal species and 40 reptile species. Enthusiasts will be delighted to see the legendary animals of South America in their natural environment. Unfortunately, wildfires, deforestation, overfishing, illegal hunting and mining pose a heavy threat to biodiversity.

Activities to do on site

The safari circuit in pursuit of wild animals is nothing new. What is new, however, is the gathering of incredible species in one place that is difficult to find elsewhere. Little known, relatively isolated and poorly equipped, the Pantanal region is still not heavily visited by tourists. But it is undoubtedly the best observation post to get acquainted with the stars of Brazilian wildlife.

The safari can be discovered in a variety of forms: walking tours, horseback riding, vehicle or helicopter tours or pleasure cruises among the lagoons. The duration of the circuit varies from a few hours to several days. A joyful mix of sounds, colors, beats of wings, hunting scenes, courtship and birth will surprise the visitor.

To give you a taste, here are the most popular activities:

• Observation of South American jaguars near Porto Jofre. The jaguar is the main star of the Pantanal;

• Observation of hyacinth macaws, the largest living parrot. It is easily recognized by its indigo blue plumage and the bright yellow ring around its eyes;

• Sport fishing, particularly piranha fishing;

• Boat excursion in search of rare game such as the giant otter or the marsh deer;

• Visit to caimans basking on the riverbanks;

• Safari by car on the Trans-Pantaneira road. This crosses the center of the Pantanal. You watch herds of capybaras, keep your eyes on tapirs, catch a glimpse of a jaguar family, listen to the plaintive cry of herons;

• Stay in a historic hacienda approved by the national tourism office.

Practical information

Airplane is the most practical, convenient and fastest way to reach the Pantanal. Ecotourism operators organize all-inclusive flights from Campo Grande airport. By opting for land transport, you can access the Pantanal from Corumbá, Poconé or Campo Grande.

When to visit?

The Pantanal geographic region experiences a tropical climate. Traveling outside the summer season would help you avoid floods and extreme heat. April and May are the best months to plan a tourist visit to the Pantanal.

Where to stay and sleep?

Visitors will easily find budget lodges on site. Many ecotourism accommodations line the Trans-Pantaneira road.