Pantanal - Jaguar Safari

[ottclaret]

After days of trawling internet sites, it suddenly came to me – consult the Font of All Knowledge – UpTheClarets!

Visiting Brazil in June/July for several weeks (mainly visiting wife’s family) and I’ve always wanted to see the Pantanal and its wildlife, especially jaguars & giant otters.

Has anybody got any experience with a trustworthy tour outfit operating out of Cuiaba? Some of the Tripadvisor reviews of the same companies vary wildly, with some being folks being ripped off and not getting what was advertised.

Any advice would be appreciated. UTC

[dandeclaret]

i'll send out a whatsapp into our travel group. Lots of wildlife photographers in it who have been down there multiple times - although trips booked from this end, usually with Exodus, or Wildlife Worldwide - you might find some clues on those 2 sites of the companies they use - but both will be very wildlife photography focused.

[dandeclaret]

First response back, is that Wildlife Worldwide list their operators - but they tend to be hotesl they operate from.... they also provided a link https://www.wildlifeworldwide.com/group ... ommodation

[ottclaret]

Thanks, dande.
I've had quick look at their site - it looks like they offer full-on trips for several days; if it was just myself I would love it, but my wife doesn't share my love of nature! I'll enquire to see if they can organise a 3night trip (I should have been more specific in my original post), but it might be a bit beneath them!

[Tricky Trevor]

Lots of Jaguars on Coventry High Street, much safer too.
Enjoy your trip sounds fabulous.

[Tricky Trevor]

…..repetition.

[dandeclaret]

Thanks, dande.
I've had quick look at their site - it looks like they offer full-on trips for several days; if it was just myself I would love it, but my wife doesn't share my love of nature! I'll enquire to see if they can organise a 3night trip (I should have been more specific in my original post), but it might be a bit beneath them!

I reckon you’d be able to find the local sites for the locations they use, and organise a shorter trip directly through them. They tend to be high end photography trips, so the guides and positioning for any wildlife they find will be spot on. The other info that has come through is to make sure that you find places that offer quick boats. Jaguars can disappear quickly, so the faster boats get you more sightings.

[ottclaret]

Recently returned from Brazil, thought I would let folks know how we got on...
Family friend suggested Fazenda San Francisco on southern edge of the Pantanal, between Corumba & Campo Grande. Managed to get a very reasonably priced 4 day package, albeit not a specialised wildlife photography package. I went with no great expectation of seeing 'onca' (jaguar)...
We struck it very lucky - we saw jaguars on every day/night 'safari' - a female with 3 fairly grown-up cubs every day, and a male out hunting capybara one night. The week before, there had been no sightings. Also, we did an early morning birdwatching walk, just the two of us, with a local guide - absolutely amazing variety of birdlife that isn't shy! Guide reckons we saw 70-80 different species! Saw loads of other wildlife on various walking/river trips included in the package.
The accommodation was very good and with typical Brazilian dishes on help-youself buffet.
We can certainly recommend this place - but no guarantee of seeing jaguar (or giant river otters!).

[AfloatinClaret]

No advice beyond: Give those Amazonian otters some space, they're very big and very aggressive, I paddled a dinghy a bit too close to a family of them when up a river in Suriname; it wasn't a mistake I repeated

[bfcjg]

No advice beyond: Give those Amazonian otters some space, they're very big and very aggressive, I paddled a dinghy a bit too close to a family of them when up a river in Suriname; it wasn't a mistake I repeated

Is that how you got your UTC name after they sunk your dinghy?