The Adventure of Jaguar Safari in The Pantanal

 The Jaguar safari is a relatively new concept, primarily because of the elusive nature of these incredible animals. Cats are an intriguing species, and from the domestic pet to the notorious King of the Jungle, they exude a sense of mystery and attract a deep admiration.

Jaguars, in particular, remain shy and secretive which makes them difficult to spot in the wild, but in the Pantanal region of Brazil the numbers are higher than anywhere else in the world making encounters increasingly likely.

Pantanal

A Jaguar Safari in The Pantanal

The Pantanal region is made up of a complex and intricately linked ecosystem that changes seasonally and adapts to extreme conditions. Consequently, during the dry season when water is scarce and animals are forced to congregate around the diminishing watering holes, the chances of sightings are drastically increased. Not only do the big cats need to be close to water but they will also get the best access to potential prey, which is also drawn to the watering holes by the instinct to survive.

Jaguar safari trips are often taken by boat, allowing you to get into the real heart of the forest and increase the chances of sightings. Just imagine sitting quietly on a boat, deep in the rainforests of Brazil, watching a Jaguar lazing on the side of the river bank, perhaps raising its head to keep one eye on passing prey or swishing its tail to keep the flies at bay. It is an encounter both exhilarating and humbling at the same time.

This wonderful part of Brazil is not only home to the magnificent Jaguar; because of the huge biodiversity and incredible environment there is a wealth of other fascinating species to look out for, too. Giant Anteaters roam this part of the world, as do the Marsh Deer, Crab Eating Fox and Brazilian Tapir. The rivers are home to the graceful Giant Otter, and the skies sing with abundant birdlife such as the stunning Hyacinth Macaw, which is bound to grace your presence on more than one occasion.

Marsh Deer

Crab Eating Fox

Jaguar safari boat excursions take place at the cooler ends of the day: the early morning and late afternoon. It is at these times the rainforest truly comes alive. The deer come out to graze, the otter begin their search for river fish and, if you are lucky, you may see the resident snakes, insects and butterflies showing themselves off in all their glory.

Piquiri rivers

A trip to The Pantanal will include a variety of stopovers including Porto Jofre, which is home to some of the most stunning rivers in the region. Here you will have the chance to explore the Cuiaba, Negrillo and Piquiri rivers in the early evening and watch for Jaguars patrolling the river banks. The forests in this area are prime big cat territory, and while sightings in the area are almost guaranteed, patience is of the essence when searching for this shy and usually nocturnal hunter.