Pantanal 3 Nights Nature Adventure

Pantanal on the map

Pantanal

overview

On this trip, you will visit one of the largest inland wetlands in the world, the Pantanal. The wetland area is a nature reserve full of many different types of species, impressive flora, and fauna, as well as numerous rivers and freshwater lakes. On the excursions by jeep, by boat, on foot, and on horseback, we will have the opportunity to explore this unique environment while seeing various animals. If lucky, we could see caimans, jaguars, monkeys, anteaters, tapirs, exotic birds, etc.

Our local operating staff has been working with tourism in the area since 1992, so you are in good hands, and you will have the opportunity to spot countless animals and birds during this nature adventure trip.

Included:

  • 4 days and 3 nights in Pantanal with Accommodations, meals, and tours included
  • Lodgers in Pantanal: San Francisco or Aguapé Lodge (depending on availability)
  • Private Transfers, vehicle with air conditioning, to/from airport in Campo Grande and Pantanal
  • 3 nights in Pantanal with full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner at set hours) at chosen lodge
  • Tours in Pantanal: Photographic Safari, Boat Ride, Horseback Ride, Night Safari, Piraya Fishing
  • Private English-speaking local guide during the whole local circuit.

Optional:

  • Arrive one day before, stay in Campo Grande, to start the adventure early the next day
  • Extra night in Pantanal or Bonito ( more tours can also be added ).

 

day by day program

( optional )

Arrival in Campo Grande the day before the start of the adventure

We suggest that you arrive in Campo Grande the day before the adventure trip starts in Pantanal so that we can pick you up early the next day and get to your lodge by lunch time.

If your flight arrives late we suggest you stay with walking distance to the airport at Aeroporto Plaza Hotel (right in front of the airport) or if you arrive earlier then you might want to stay in the center of the city, close to shopping, restaurants, and attractions, in Campo Grande, then we suggest Grand Park Hotel. If you opt to come earlier and if you want us to reserve the hotel for you, please let us know.

Please note, this day we have no services scheduled.

DAY 1

Pantanal

( – / Lunch / Dinner )

We will pick you up at the International Airport in Campo Grande or at your hotel with a private comfortable veicule and along will be an English speaking guide. We will start the approx. 3:30hrs drive to San Francisco or Aguapé Lodge, in Pantanal; the largest swamp area in the world and a great jungle area full of impressive animals living in the wild,

After the included lunch or dinner ( depending on the time you arrive at the Pousada there will be a day or night activity, according to the schedule of the Pousada.

DAY 2

Pantanal

( Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner )

Wake up with a delicious breakfast and get ready to experience the wilderness that this part of Brazil is famous for. There will be 2 activities this day according to the schedule of the Lodge.

DAY 3

Pantanal

( Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner )

Wake up with a delicious breakfast and get ready to experience the wilderness that this part of Brazil is famous for. There will be 2 activities this day according to the schedule of the Lodge.

DAY 4

Pantanal – Campo Grande

( Breakfast / Lunch / – )

After breakfast there is a last tour in the beautiful Pantanal and after a last delicious farm lunch.

Check-out and private transfer back to Campo Grande.

 

SOME OF THE MAIN wildlife YOU MIGHT SEE ON THIS TRIP

ACCOMMODATIONS OPTIONS

Upon availability

total package price per person

pantanal package

All prices above consider included a Private English speaking local guide, with you during the whole local circuit. Should you not need this support then you can opt for a Portuguese speaking private driver, who is not a guide, and Portuguese speaking guides at the lodges in Pantanal. Opting out of having a Private English speaking guide will discount any of the above mentioned prices with 10%.

activities included in pantanal

Description below for San Francisco lodge, other lodges are similar but not exactly the same.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI + CARANDÁ TRAIL – The Photo Safari is done in the farm’s preserve area and rice fields. On this tour, it is possible to see the abundant local fauna like marsh dears, capybaras, caimans, and many birds, such as the jabiru stork – a symbol of the Pantanal. You might see anteaters, tapirs, and even the majestic jaguar, among many other mammal species and birds. During the safari, you can walk on a suspended trail built in the gallery forest of Miranda River. This walk lasts around 20 minutes. Visiting the encounter of the waters of Corixo São Domingos and Miranda River is possible. 

RIVER BARGE (CHALANA) TOUR – Chalana is a typical barge of the Pantanal. On this tour, it is possible to do some PIRAYA FISHING and see the birds that make the river bank their home, like kingfishers, cormorants, egrets, herons, hawks, jacamars, and many others. Caimans are often seen very close. With some luck, giant southern river otters and an anteater can cross before the boat. On this tour, guests can also try fishing for piranhas and visit the Centennial Fig Tree. During the dry season, walking on a trail in the gallery forest is possible, where you get to know the local vegetation. Trees like the strangling fig tree, white fig tree, acuri palm tree, piuva, angico, and several lianas can be seen.

VAZANTE TRAIL + WATCH TOWER – The Safari Car will take the guests up to the Vazante Trail, where guests will walk on areas of vazantes (water drainage in the wet season) and preserve the farm’s forests. The trail is built on stilts, allowing its use all year long. Many birds, marsh deer, anacondas, and other animals can show up during the walk. At the end of this trail, a watch tower 10 m high (30 feet) offers a great view of the surrounding landscape.

NIGHT SAFARI – Night tour operated in 4×4 adapted open vehicles, using a powerful long-range torch to observe crepuscular and nocturnal animals like anteaters, foxes, capybaras, caimans, crab-eating foxes, ocelots, tapirs, deers, owls, nighthawks, and with some luck the beautiful jaguar. During the night, the strong light used to spot the animals reflects in their eyes. We present the visitors with the possibility of encountering some of these animals during this night trip. We travel through the rice fields (a good place to spot mammals) and the forested areas. During the dry season (usually between June and October), it is possible to traverse the beautiful area of Corixo Seco, which has an intact and tight forest. Our cars, called Jaguaretê (Jaguar), Jaguatirica (Ocelot), and Guará (Wolf), were specially built for this trip. They are mounted on Toyota Pick-ups equipped with seats on three different levels to facilitate the observation of animals by everyone in the car. 

HORSEBACK RIDE – Horseback riding is the most traditional way to explore the Pantanal like the pantaneiros (local cowboy) do on a horseback! Our horses are tame and used to the easy walk of the trip that aims at searching for animals. On this tour, the pantaneiro guides, carry in their saddlebag the tereré – typical drink of the region – similar to the hot mate, but with cold water. During the ride, typical animals from the brazilian savannah can be seen, such as armadillos, anteaters, deers, rheas and countless species of birds.

CANOEING – In this 7km circuit the silence of the canoes and the emotion of paddling down river in a pristine area with caimans and piranhas make this tour an exciting and beautiful adventure, providing a unique opportunity to interact with nature with freedom and security. Monkeys, caimans, river otters, capybaras, among others, and many birds can be seen during this tour.

see a video from one of our previous trips

Reviews & Destination Award

further important information

Observations:

  • The order of the tours might change from above based on availability
  • In Pantanal, the tours are carried out according to the water cycle, so the day-by-day tour order is merely illustrative. Passengers will receive an exact confirmation of the tours at check-in at the Pousada
  • Any tour might be changed or replaced according to weather conditions
  • The lodge in Pantanal will be based on availability, but we first will check San Francisco Lodge, after Aquapé Lodge, and finally, Pequi Lodge unless the client requests another order to check
  • At San Francisco Lodge in Pantanal:
    Dinner is served until 7:30 pm, and any clients arriving in Campo Grande later than 4 pm will not make it on time for Dinner and must stop on the way to eat;
    To be able to do the morning activity and leave the lodge after lunch, the departure flight from Campo Grande must be from 6 pm onwards;
    The Lodge does not give discounts in case of late arrivals or early departures (also valid for missed meals and tours);
    Breakfast: from 7 am to 08:30 am, Lunch: from 12 pm to 1 pm, Dinner: from 06:30 pm to 07:30 pm
  • At Aguapé/Pequi Lodges in Pantanal:
    Dinner is served until 8:30 pm, and any clients arriving in Campo Grande later than 4:30 pm will not make it on time for Dinner and must stop on the way to eat;
    To do the morning activity and leave the lodge after lunch, the departure flight from Campo Grande must be from 5:30 pm onwards;
    The Lodge does not give discounts in case of late arrivals or early departures (also valid for missed meals and tours);
    Breakfast: from 6:30 am to 08:30 am, Lunch: from 12 pm to 1 pm, Dinner: from 07:30 pm to 08:30 pm
  • Any unforeseen events beyond our Rio Love Story’s control, such as missed, delayed, or canceled flights, and their results must be addressed directly to the provider of the service (such as the responsible airline)
  • Almost 100% of the food you will eat at the lodges in Pantanal is made from their own grown produce and meat, giving it a natural and delicious taste not found in any supermarket
  • There is only one airport in Campo Grande = Campo Grande International Airpot with code CGR
  • All lodges in Pantanal have accident insurance included, and their staff are trained in first aid
  • Private transfer in Basic Sedan vehicle with air conditioning (up to 3 people) or an Executive 14 seats Van (from 4 to 10 people)
  • In a Sedan, we use a Driver Guide, and in a Van, we use a separate Driver + separate Guide
  • For our private transfers – our cars are no older than 2 years (sedan vehicles and Doblo) or 3 years (Vans and Buses), and they are always checked up after returning from a trip
  • All our Guides are born and raised in the area, are very knowledgeable professionals, and are there to help you with information and logistics.

what to bring on the trip

Essential Items:

  • Avoid bright colors. Neutral colors are best for Safari
  • Avoid black clothing because it attracts mosquitoes
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat or cap
  • Shorts
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Long pants
  • Long sleeved-shirt
  • A small backpack for day trips
  • 2 pairs of shoes – tennis/walking shoes and/or hiking boots
  • Sandals
  • Bathing suit
  • Raincoat
  • Dry bag for camera or other water-sensitive equipment
  • Cash
  • Passport
  • Waterproof sunscreen
  • During June to August, it can be cool, therefore, please also bring a fleece or a sweater during this time of the year.
  • We kindly ask that luggage, per person, not exceed 50 pounds (23 kg).

Recommended Items:

  • Extra battery for camera
  • Underwater camera during snorkeling in Bonito
  • Ziploc bags for keeping things dry
  • Small first aid kit with personal prescriptions
  • Binoculars
  • Headlamp or flashlight + extra batteries
  • Non-breakable reusable water bottle
  • Appliance chargers, plug converters and/or charge adaptors
  • Toiletries Kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo (biodegradable products please)
  • Skin lotion and lip balsam
  • Personal medicines
  • Small supply of nonperishable snacks (avoid fruits/nuts to clear customs)
  • Contact lens or glasses and a spare

about the seasons in pantanal

The Dry Season – from April to October

As opposed to the wet season, the dry season provides countless opportunities to observe the rich and diverse Pantanal Fauna and Flora as the flood waters recede, leaving a fertilized soil that will restart the base of the food chain,  with special mention to land mammals that roam savannah-like open fields of Pantanal in search of food. The Dry Season is mostly indicated for those who want to observe land-based wildlife.

The Wet Season – from November to March

This is the best time for those who want to see what makes the Pantanal so unique and the largest flood plain in the world: the abundant fresh water that floods the plain, making it look like a gigantic water mirror. It is the best time for those who love dramatic landscapes, breathtaking sunsets, and sunrises. Although the wet season takes over a large portion of Pantanal, pushing land wildlife to seek refuge in higher lands, it is still possible to see thousands of birds, as well as some animals that can comfortably negotiate the flooded areas, such as Tapirs, Capybaras, and Marsh Deers.

Summer – January to March

The plain gets slowly flooded;
The rain intensifies throughout all of Brazil;
The water of the rain flows from the surrounding tablelands toward the Pantanal lowlands;
The largest flooded plain on the Planet is slowly formed, even if just for a short time;
The sky varies between cloudy and clear;
The wildlife seeks refuge on the elevated forest patches;
The reptiles lay their eggs;
Migration of the limpkins, ibises, and ducks
Explosion of water wildlife

Autumn – April to June

Spectacular scenery! The rainy season ends;
Ebb – the water returns to the river beds or it evaporates;
Wonderful clear and star-rich sky;
The fish return to the rivers or get trapped in small ponds;
The beginning of a giant food chain;
The fields emerge, turn greener, and bloom;
Strong breeding season;
Arrival of storks and herons in large numbers…

Winter – July to September

Rivers and lakes lower their volume;
Full drought;
Dry plain, semi-arid climate;
The sky gets smoky due to fires and dust;
Vegetation yellows from lack of water;
Animals are concentrated on the banks of ponds and river ravines…
Nesting and reproduction season…

Spring – October to December

The first rains turn the plain greener;
The arid soil absorbs all the water;
The sky becomes bluer and cleaner;
Spectacular explosion of foliage and flowers;
A period of euphoria is established;
Singing birds chirp and nest;
Mating season for most mammals;
Migration of fly-catchers, hawks, and swallows.

what do our customers say about us?

PAYMENT POLICY

  • 30% payment needed to reserve; the remaining part needs to be paid at least 10 days before check-in
  • Payment can be made via International Bank Transfer or Credit Card Link.
 

cancellation policy

  • Cancelation 20 days before check-in  = Full Refund
  • Cancelation between 19 and 11 days before check-in  = 30% charge of total value
  • Cancelation between 10 and 7 days before check-in  = 50% charge of total value
  • Cancelation between 6 and 0 days before check-in  = 90% charge of total value.
  • Changes can be made upon availability.

All cancelations should be communicated to the company in writing by email:
reservations@riolovestorycom or WhatsApp: +55 21 99620-1948

 

How to book?

Facebook

You can book or ask questions through Facebook Messenger.

WhatsApp

Or, if you choose, contact us on WhatsApp
+55 21 99620-1948

E-Mail

If you prefer to contact us by E-mail, you can do so at reservations@riolovestory.com

Translate »