Pantanal and Bonito Wildlife

Amazing Wildlife Watching in Brazil!

Pantanal is without doubt the hotspot for wildlife watching in Brazil. A stay in Fazenda San Francisco in Southern Pantanal will allow you easy sightings of a wide range of wildlife: hundreds of birds and dozens of species of mammals make an appearance. Here, even the elusive jaguar is frequently spotted.

Further south, the small town of Bonito is famous for its underwater attractions. The crystal clear rivers of the region are like natural aquariums. While floating downriver you can come into close contact with many species of fish, including the great Dourado and the beautiful Pacu.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 & Private transfer from Campo Grande airport to Fazenda São Francisco in the Miranda Region of Pantanal (approximately 3 hours 30 min drive) for a 2-night stay.
Fazenda San Francisco

Fazenda San Francisco is a working farm of almost 45,000 hectares located 232km from Campo Grande. It is one of the few properties in the region that practices agriculture alongside cattle production. Unlike other places in Pantanal, the predominant atmosphere is of a working farm and not of a wildlife sanctuary. However, they keep an area of 6,000 hectares as a nature reserve and this combined with water availability all year around the Farm is extremely rich in protected wildlife. More than 315 species of birds have been documented alongside all the major species of mammals present in the Pantanal. Jaguars are spotted in a regular basis, and even the rarer puma might be seen.

The accommodation is basic but comfortable. One of the wings is under refurbishment and should offer more comfortable apartments. The tasty meals are based on typical Pantaneira farm food. Meat is predominant, but a good variety of vegetables and fish is also served. The home-made deserts are a must!

Depending on time of arrival you will joint the day's activities.

Activities are shared and include: walking trail through the riverside forest, photographic safaris by 4x4 truck, canoe or motorboat trip, and horse-riding. The highlight is the night safari, when most of the mammals, which are mostly nocturnal, are spotted.

Day 2: Activities as per lodge schedule.

Day 3: Depart the lodge after breakfast. Drive to Boca da Onça Farm, in the Bodoquena mountain region. Activities include a walking trail along 11 waterfalls culminating with the highest waterfall in the region (156m high). After a hearty lunch, relax by the natural pool then continue south to Bonito, arriving at the end of the afternoon.

Two nights in Pousada Olho D'água with breakfast.

This simple but comfortable guesthouse is located in the outskirts of Bonito in pleasant grounds. It has a swimming pool, games and reading rooms, rooms have a/c, cable TV and wireless internet.

Day 4: Early breakfast followed by departure at 6:00 am to Rio da Prata area.

One of the best attractions in Bonito, floating down the Olho dágua and the Prata River is an amazing experience. Wearing only diving suits you can float downstream, snorkeling on this crystal clear water, observing the rich submersed life. Shoals of fish, including the great Dourado, known as the fresh water shark, follow you all the way.
The trip lasts 4 hours in total and involves a light walk through

On the way we stop at Buraco das Araras, a large depression in the middle of the Cerrado, formed by the collapse of the sandstone walls. At the bottom there is a lake rich in fish and caimans, but the attraction here are the flocks of Red and Green Macaws that use the cliffs as nesting grounds and dormitory.

Return to Bonito mid-afternoon.

Day 5: morning free for optional activities
If you have a late flight and an adventurous spirit we recommend a visit to the Abismo of Anhumas. This 72 meters deep abyss has been chosen as the best natural attractions in Brazil. You will need to abseil up and down on your own, so previous training in the headquarters downtown (which is done the night before) is mandatory, but the experience will be unforgettable. At the end of the rappel, you will be inside a cave the size of a football stadium and can snorkel in its crystal clear underground lake around huge stalactite formations.

Return to Campo Grande airport in the afternoon.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Accommodation in guest houses, simple lodges and tourist class hotels. All accommodation in double or twin basis. Single supplement for clients wanting to have their own room will apply.

Please note: accommodation with the farmers and in the jungle lodge is very basic.
In the jungle lodge accommodation is dormitory-style and there is no electricity, but there are toilet facilities and hot shower