OVERVIEW

Imagine drifting along one of the Pantanal’s rivers in the first light of morning. We scan the banks for movement. Suddenly, a jaguar emerges from the vegetation. It may be resting on a fallen tree, walking along the riverbank or preparing to hunt a caiman.

The Pantanal is one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife destinations. On this exclusive photography tour, we take our time to explore and photograph the extraordinary wildlife of this vast wetland.

We combine four nights at the Aguapé Flotel, in the heart of jaguar habitat, with two nights at Pouso Alegre Lodge, where we focus on remarkable bird species and land animals such as tapirs and giant anteaters.

With wildlife photographer Jan-Joost Snijders and experienced local guides, we seek out memorable encounters, fascinating animal behaviour and outstanding photographic opportunities.

• Dates: 24 September – 2 October 2027

• Duration: 9 days

• Price: From €5,399 per person sharing a room

• Guides: Jan-Joost Snijders and an experienced local wildlife guide

• Accommodation: Aguapé Flotel and Pouso Alegre Lodge

• Transport: Private transfers and two private boats for our group

• You can find the full day-by-day itinerary at the bottom of this page.

What makes this tour special?

The Pantanal is one of the best places in the world to photograph jaguars in their natural habitat. But this tour offers much more than the search for these impressive cats.

• Three full days and two half days on the river, focusing on jaguars and other wildlife.

• Two private boats for our group, giving us time to make the most of special photographic opportunities.

• Four nights at the Aguapé Flotel, close to the key jaguar areas.

• A strong focus on animal behaviour. We aim to anticipate interesting moments as well as find the animals.

• Professional photography guidance from Jan-Joost Snijders.

• Experienced local guides and jaguar trackers who know the area and its wildlife.

• A combination of river and land safaris, allowing us to photograph a wide variety of species.

• Two nights at Pouso Alegre Lodge, with excellent opportunities to photograph remarkable birds, tapirs and giant anteaters.

Location

Located largely in Brazil, the Pantanal is one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands. It is an impressive network of rivers, marshes, grasslands and forests.

Its immense biodiversity and relatively open landscapes offer exceptional opportunities for wildlife photography.

The northern Pantanal, around Porto Jofre, is internationally renowned as one of the best areas to observe jaguars. The rivers in particular offer regular opportunities to encounter these animals.

During our tour, we explore both the rivers and the drier parts of the Pantanal along the Transpantaneira, where different species and photographic opportunities await.

Wildlife: much more than jaguars

Jaguars

The jaguar is undoubtedly one of the stars of this tour. The rivers around Porto Jofre provide important habitat for this powerful cat.

Jaguars are excellent swimmers and prey on animals including caimans and capybaras. With a little luck, we may witness fascinating behaviour, such as a jaguar patrolling the riverbank, crossing the water or hunting.

We take plenty of time to observe the animals and follow their behaviour. Often, patiently waiting leads to the most memorable photographic moments.

Other wildlife

Beyond jaguars, the Pantanal is home to an incredible variety of animals.

On our river safaris, we may encounter giant otters, caimans, capybaras, anacondas, kingfishers and macaws.

On land, we focus on other remarkable species, including tapirs, giant anteaters, deer, monkeys and a wide variety of birds.

The Pantanal is a fantastic destination for photographers interested in animal portraits as well as behaviour, interactions and wildlife within its natural surroundings.

Why visit in September?

September falls within the Pantanal’s dry season. Water levels in the rivers and wetlands are generally lower, concentrating many animals around the remaining waterways.

This makes it an appealing time to search for jaguars along the rivers.

This season also offers interesting opportunities to photograph animals near the water. Wherever possible, we time our safaris to coincide with the best light and animal activity.

Of course, wildlife and weather remain unpredictable. We adapt our itinerary when needed to make the most of the conditions.

Activities

• Boat safaris: River safaris around Porto Jofre are the main focus of our tour.

  We explore jaguar habitat in two private boats, each with capacity for 10 people, while our group has a maximum of 8 guests (4 guests per boat). Our experienced local guide and boat driver help us find wildlife and position the boats for photography.

  We pay close attention to light, backgrounds and animal behaviour. When we encounter an interesting situation, we take time to observe and photograph it.

• Land safaris: After our days on the river, we travel to Pouso Alegre Lodge.

  Here, our attention shifts to wildlife on land. On our safaris, we look for tapirs, giant anteaters, deer and remarkable bird species.

  The landscape offers beautiful photographic opportunities, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.

• Guided walk: Our stay at Pouso Alegre also includes a guided walk.

  With a local guide, we explore the area and look for animals and details that are easily missed from a vehicle.

• Workshops: Afternoon workshops help you develop your photography skills. Together, we review our images and edit them in Lightroom. Jan-Joost is also available to answer your individual questions.

• Meals: A generous breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner are included daily. Complimentary coffee and tea are available throughout the day. We also provide a snack to enjoy during the afternoon safari.

• What equipment should you bring? Lenses up to 600mm are useful. Animals often come close to the vehicle or boat, so we usually photograph with a 400mm prime lens alongside a 70–200mm.

Facilities

• Accommodation:
  Aguapé Flotel – 4 nights

  For the first part of our tour, we stay at the Aguapé Flotel, a floating accommodation in the Pantanal.

  This location allows us to get out on the river early and spend plenty of time in jaguar habitat.

  The flotel has guest rooms and communal areas where we can relax between safaris.

  Staying on the river means we do not need to travel to the jaguar area from a land-based accommodation every day.

  Pouso Alegre Lodge – 2 nights

  For the second part of the tour, we stay at Pouso Alegre Lodge, located along the Transpantaneira.

  Pouso Alegre is a simple lodge, but offers excellent opportunities to photograph remarkable bird species and land animals.

  The surrounding area is home to tapirs, giant anteaters, deer and several species of monkeys.

  The lodge provides a wonderful complement to our days on the river.

• Transport: We arrange transport from your hotel in Cuiabá and back.

• Included: Two activities per day, daily workshops, transport to and from Cuiabá, a generous breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Not included

• Excluded: International flights, personal drinks, tips, cancellation insurance and any additional nights outside the itinerary.

Experience

This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore and photograph the Pantanal’s wildlife with an experienced professional. Jan-Joost Snijders brings more than six years of experience as an in-house wildlife photographer at Onguma and a deep understanding of animal behaviour to this unforgettable photographic experience.

Prices: