Pantanal Jaguar Photography Tour Brazil
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About the Tour
Join our Pantanal Jaguar Photography Tour in Brazil and photograph wild jaguars in one of the best places on Earth to see and photograph this iconic big cat.
During the dry season, from June to October, jaguars are frequently seen along the rivers of the Northern Pantanal, especially around Porto Jofre. Our small-group photography expedition is designed for photographers who want quality sightings, strong photographic angles, and enough time in the field to capture natural behavior such as jaguars resting, walking along the riverbank, swimming, hunting caimans, or interacting with other wildlife.
This tour combines expert local guides, experienced photography support, boat-based safaris, and carefully selected locations to maximize your chances of photographing jaguars, giant otters, caimans, capybaras, hyacinth macaws, jabirus, toucans, kingfishers, raptors, monkeys, and many other species of the Brazilian Pantanal.
Date
August 23rd–31st, 2027
Activity level
Easy
Available spaces
6
Itinerary
Day 1 | August 23: Welcome in Cuiabá
- Airport Reception: Our team will meet you at the arrival area of Marechal Rondon International Airport in Cuiabá. A representative will provide a warm welcome and coordinate your transfer to the hotel.
- Hotel Transfer: Once all participants are gathered, we’ll head to your accommodation in Cuiabá, where you can settle in, rest, and get acquainted with your surroundings.
- Welcome Dinner: In the evening, we’ll share a special welcome dinner—an excellent opportunity for all participants to meet. During this gathering, your guide will present the itinerary details and explain what to expect in the coming days of the expedition. This is the perfect time to address any questions and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Hotel: Amazon Aeroporto or similar
Day 2 | August 24: Departure from Cuiabá to the Pantanal
- Journey Cuiabá – Poconé (100 km): The day starts with a drive along a paved road from Cuiabá to Poconé, the gateway to the Pantanal.
- Journey Poconé – Porto Jofre (150 km): From Poconé, we’ll continue along the famous Transpantaneira Road, a dirt path known for its incredible biodiversity. Along the way, we’ll make strategic stops to observe and photograph local wildlife, including caimans, capybaras, and exotic birds.
- Estimated Arrival Time: Around midday, we’ll arrive at our accommodation in Porto Jofre and enjoy lunch before embarking on our first expedition.
- Boat Expedition (2:00 PM): In the afternoon, we’ll set out on a boat to explore the Cuiabá River and its surroundings in search of jaguars and other wildlife. We’ll spend approximately three hours on the river, observing animals in their natural habitat.
- Return to the Lodge (5:30 PM): At the end of the activity, we’ll return to the lodge to rest and prepare for the next day’s adventure.
Hotel: Pousada. Land Lodge
Days 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 | August 25-29: Jaguars and River Expeditions
5 full days of jaguars and River Expeditions
Each day begins with an early boat trip to explore the Cuiabá River and its tributaries—one of the best locations to observe jaguars in their natural habitat. These magnificent cats are most active during the early hours, and with some luck, we may see them hunting caimans or capybaras, resting on the riverbanks, or even swimming.
Throughout the journey, we’ll also encounter other fascinating species, such as giant otters, capybaras, and a wide variety of birds.
- Midday: Lunch will be served on the boat as we continue searching for local wildlife.
- Afternoon: We’ll head back to the river in the softer sunlight of the late afternoon, creating ideal conditions for photography and wildlife observation. During these hours, jaguars and other animals become active again, and with our expert guides’ deep regional knowledge, we’ll navigate the best spots to maximize sightings.
- End of the Day (5:30 PM): We’ll return to the lodge to relax, have dinner, share the day’s experiences, and recharge for the next day.
Hotel: Pousada. Land Lodge
Day 8 | August 30: From Porto Jofre to Cuiabá
- Breakfast and Check-Out: We’ll start the day with an early breakfast, followed by check-out from the lodge.
- Transfer to Cuiaba
Hotel: Amazon Aeroporto or similar
Day 9 | August 31: Return Flight or extension
Nine fascinating and fun-filled days captured in photographs and unforgettable moments, memories of our visit to a place where biodiversity knows no bounds.
It’s time to say “see you soon,” as we look forward to sharing a new adventure together.
After a comfortable rest and a delicious breakfast, we’re ready to head home.
Please confirm your flight schedules.
Extension option:
A representative from our team will greet you at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport.
Arrival in São Paulo and transfer to your accommodation.
Afternoon free to rest and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Hotel: Hilton by Hampton or Similar
Extension: Day 10 | Sep 1: Transfer to Duko Birdwatching
Morning:
Breakfast in São Paulo.
Transfer:
4-hour drive to Duko Birdwatching.
Arrival:
Lunch at Duko Birdwatching.
Afternoon:
Hummingbird and local bird photography session.
Target species:
- Red-necked Tanager
- Green-headed Tanager
- Blue Dacnis
- Rufous-capped Motmot
- Festive Coquette
- Saw-billed Hermit
- Pin-tailed Manakin
- Golden-chevroned Tanager, and more.
Hotel: Duco Pousada
Extension: Day 11 | Sep 2: Full Day at Duko and Surrounding Trails
Morning:
Photography session focused on hummingbirds.
Target species:
- Festive Coquette
- Saw-billed Hermit
- Violet-capped Woodnymph
- Versicolored Emerald
- Glittering-throated Emerald
- Spot white-bearded manakins in the area.
Afternoon:
Excursion to the Devil’s Cave.
Target species:
- Spot-billed Toucanet
- Pin-tailed Manakin
- Swallow-tailed Manakin
Return to Duko for additional photography opportunities.
Hotel: Duco Pousada
Extension: Day 12 | Sep 3: Transfer to Trilha dos Tucanos
Morning:
Early breakfast.
3.5-hour transfer to Trilha dos Tucanos, a site nestled in the Atlantic Forest, known for its feeders brimming with thrushes, tanagers, toucans, and hummingbirds.
Afternoon:
Photography session of local species.
Target species:
- Saffron Toucanet
- Green-headed Tanager
- Olive-green Tanager
- Red-breasted Toucanet
- Spot-billed Toucanet
- Plain Parakeet
- Black-throated Grosbeak
Optional night activity:
Nocturnal observation at the feeders, which attract tapirs, crab-eating raccoons, and South American coatis.
Hotel: Trilha dos Tucanos
Extension: Day 13 | Sep 4: Return to São Paulo
Morning:
Early breakfast.
Morning photography session.
Target species:
- Magpie Tanager
- Blond-crested Woodpecker
- Yellow-fronted Woodpecker
- Azure Jay
- Crimson-crested Woodpecker
Afternoon:
After lunch, a 4-hour transfer to our hotel in São Paulo.
Hotel: Hilton by Hampton or Similar
Extension: Day 14 | Sep 5: Return Home
Fourteen fascinating and enjoyable days captured in photographs and unforgettable memories of our visit to a place where biodiversity knows no bounds.
Time to say “see you soon,” as we look forward to sharing another adventure together.
After a comfortable rest and a delicious breakfast, we are ready to head back home.
Please verify your flight times.
Tour Highlights
- 5 full days focused on jaguar photography in the Northern Pantanal.
- Boat safaris in the best river areas near Porto Jofre.
- Excellent chances to photograph jaguars during the dry season. –
- Small group designed for wildlife photographers.
- Photography support in the field. –
- Opportunities for giant otters, caimans, capybaras, hyacinth macaws, jabirus, toucans, kingfishers, raptors and monkeys. –
- Comfortable logistics from Cuiabá. –
- Optional extension for additional Brazilian wildlife.
Featured sightings
USD 4,920
Included
- Double accommodation to share
- Meals
- Transportation from Cuiabá to Ciuaba
- Water
- Safari vehicle (Piuval)
- Boat (Porto Jofre)
- Expert photography guide
- Local guide
- Single room supplement: +USD 800
- Extension + USD: 2600. Request this information
Not included
- International and domestic flights and airport taxes
- Souvenirs
- Tours not mentioned above
- Dinner night 1
- Additional nights
- Alcoholic beverages, snacks, and drinks not included with meals
- Laundry service
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Tips
- Any other services not specified in this document
General tips
To have a better experience, it is important to consider some key factors that will make your stay in Brazil more comfortable:
- If you enjoy bringing souvenirs back home, we recommend bringing extra money to shop in the various localities we will visit (the local currency is the Brazilian Real). We suggest exchanging around 1,500 BRL (approximately equivalent to USD 300) at the airport. For any other expenses, we recommend using credit cards.
- Insect repellent or anti-mosquito spray
- Sunscreen
- Long-sleeved clothing and a buff to protect yourself from the sun
- Hat or cap
- Flashlight (preferably head-mounted)
- Fabric bag for wet clothes
- Water bottle
- Trekking shoes
Photographic equipment
Recommended Camera Gear for Pantanal Jaguar Photography
- For jaguar photography in the Pantanal, we recommend a telephoto lens in the 400–600mm range. A 100–500mm, 200–600mm, 180–600mm, 500mm or 600mm lens is ideal for most situations from the boat.
- A second camera body with a 70–200mm or 100–400mm can be very useful when jaguars come closer, swim across the river, or interact with the environment.
- Because most photography is done from boats, a monopod, bean bag, or handheld setup is usually more practical than a tripod. Fast shutter speeds are recommended for moving subjects, especially jaguars walking, swimming, hunting, or interacting with caimans.
Clothing
In August, the Pantanal remains in its dry season, with hot days and relatively cool nights. Wear light, breathable clothing during the day, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, to protect yourself from the sun and insects. A hat, sunglasses, and trekking boots are essential.
For the cooler mornings and evenings, bring a light jacket or sweater. A lightweight raincoat is also helpful for unexpected weather changes. Opt for neutral-colored clothing to avoid disturbing wildlife and dress in layers to easily adapt to temperature changes.
tour leader
He graduated in advertising career at the San Francisco de Quito University.
He worked on his career until 2017, since then he made the decision to live from his passion, nature photography. In the same year he started his own business, Photo Wildlife Tours, in which it is dedicated to wildlife photography tours, and conservation. In addition to other audiovisual projects.
In the year 2022 he became the first Ecuadorian to win a category of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, “Animals in their environment”.
