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Brazil11 daysMax 10 travellersSolo-friendlyGuaranteed departures

Brazil – Pantanal Explorer

Track wild jaguars deep in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands on an 11-day small-group expedition for up to 10 travellers, combining eco-lodge stays, boat safaris, and night spotlighting for rare wildlife.

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About this journey

What to expect on this trip

‘Pantanal’ comes from the Portuguese word for swamp, and this biodiversity hotspot covers a huge area of swampland, grasslands and thick forest as large as a small European country. Travel with us and discover the incredibly rich biodiversity of the Pantanal region of Brazil.

On this intimate tour with a maximum group size of only 10, we will explore in depth through land and water-based excursions staying in two different areas of the Northern Pantanal. After leaving Cuiabá, our first destination is the Pousada do Rio Mutum, an attractive eco-lodge boasting a lovely setting with a high focus on sustainability. Here we will enjoy walks, canoeing and horse-riding (all suitable for beginners) as well as exploring by jeep.

The second half of the trip is where we turn our attention to searching for the magnificent Jaguar as we navigate the winding and shimmering channels, using our comfortable expedition boat as base. For the wildlife enthusiast, this is an adventure not to be missed. This is just one of our Brazil tour options and travel packages — explore the full range to plan your perfect trip.

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The journey

Brazil – Pantanal Explorer

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
map

The highlights

  • Jaguar Safari by Boat

    Four nights aboard a fully equipped expedition vessel at Porto Jofre place you in the heart of the world's best jaguar-watching territory. Twice-daily speedboat excursions along the Cuiabá, Piquiri, and Três Irmãos rivers deliver eight hours of wildlife spotting every day, with outstanding chances of encountering jaguars in the wild alongside caimans, capybaras, and giant river otters.

  • Eco-Lodge Wildlife Immersion

    The first half of the tour is based at Pousada do Rio Mutum, a sustainable eco-lodge deep in the Pantanal, where morning ecological walks, afternoon river cruises, and night spotlighting excursions reveal the full richness of this extraordinary ecosystem. Guided by a knowledgeable English-speaking leader, you explore on foot, by boat, and by jeep at a leisurely pace that allows for unhurried observation and photography.

  • Rare and Iconic Species Encounters

    The Pantanal is home to an astonishing concentration of rare wildlife, and this tour is designed to maximise your chances of encountering it. Dedicated excursions seek out the endangered Hyacinth macaw at Capoeirinha village and giant river otters on the Mutum River, whilst dawn canoe paddles and sunset river cruises bring you face to face with the full spectrum of bird life, reptiles, and mammals that inhabit the wetland year-round.

  • Cultural Encounters in the Wetlands

    Away from the wildlife drives, the tour introduces you to the human communities that have long coexisted with the Pantanal. A visit to the traditional fishing village of Cuiabá Mirim offers an insight into subsistence life on the banks of the Rio Cuiabá, whilst an optional horseback ride to a working farm bordering Sia Mariana Bay connects you with the local ranching traditions and agricultural rhythms of the region.

  • Active Pantanal Adventures

    For those who want to engage with the wetland beyond boat-based safaris, the itinerary offers a range of active options at an accessible level. A sunrise canoe paddle suitable for complete beginners, an optional horseback ride requiring no prior equestrian experience, and leisurely guided walks across easy terrain ensure that every traveller can participate fully regardless of fitness level or outdoor background.

Trip highlights for Brazil – Pantanal Explorer

Full itinerary · 11 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

Our departures are guaranteed to run. We never cancel a confirmed tour.

  • Departure
    19 Oct 202629 Oct 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,995 pp
    Single supp. +£600
    Contact for availability
  • Departure
    12 Jun 202722 Jun 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,995 pp
    Single supp. +£600
    Book now
  • Departure
    5 Sept 202715 Sept 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,995 pp
    Single supp. +£600
    Book now
  • Departure
    23 Oct 20272 Nov 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,995 pp
    Single supp. +£600
    Book now
  • Departure
    23 May 20282 Jun 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,995 pp
    Single supp. +£600
    Book now
  • Departure
    3 Sept 202813 Sept 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,995 pp
    Single supp. +£600
    Book now
  • Departure
    21 Oct 202831 Oct 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £4,995 pp
    Single supp. +£600
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Brazil journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

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What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed, B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Brazil Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Brazil that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from ninety-plus small-group adventures worldwide, written by the people who took them.

The accommodation was outstanding and the staff really went above and beyond to help me when the airline lost my case. They were very knowledgable and I truly had an amazing experience. I was lucky enough to be the only passenger on the house boat and I had my own guides. This was really good value for money. Very well organised, lots of information to support you with your trip. Fantastic accommodation and an overall range of activities arranged to get many different experiences. Thank you for organising such a wonderful trip. Fred at the Aymara Lodge was a fantastic guide. Fred went out of his way to take me on a 2 hour round trip to shop when the airline lost my luggage. He was so knowledgable and sent me lots of photos and a list of all the wildlife that I had seen. The Aymara Lodge was a wonderful place to stay. I was made to feel very welcome by the staff and the food was fantastic. They even brought out a cake for my bIRTHDAY, a truly amazing experience.| Anna who was my guide on the boat was a fantastic guide. the staff all went out of their way to look after me. the chef was fantastic and the food was really out of this world. I had the most wonderful time and it was so great to have the experience of staying in a lodge and on a boat. A trip that I will never forget. thank you.
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Claire Hopkinson, UK

I travel to some very different places and really enjoy trips like this, when they work really well, it is always good to recommend. All done at very short notice and the trip went perfectly.
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Jeremy Lee, UK

The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.
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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

When asked by other travellers why I book with Undiscovered Destinations, it's because of the chance to visit places few, if any, other tour operators go to.
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Oliver Grumitt, UK

The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.
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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

Given the countries involved, I thought the accommodation was better than I expected. Our guide was knowledgeable. He was kind and provided snacks and stories to while away the very long driving days.
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Traveller from the UK

An excellent trip. We saw all that we expected to and more. Very good guide, helpful and considerate. Tour met and exceeded my expectations
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Martin Robathan, UK

Quite the best guide and driver we have encountered in 45 years of travel.
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John Davies, UK

You have a good choice of more adventurous options. Standards are good. Prices competitive
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Stewart Mitchell, UK

This was our first trip with Undiscovered Destinations and we were very impressed. You have some very interesting itineraries so we hope we will travel with you again and we will certainly be recommending Romania to our friends
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Anne Walton, UK

Want to customise this tour?

Make Brazil – Pantanal Explorer your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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Start planning your Brazil adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Brazil specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 10 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes, solo travellers are welcome on every small-group tour. A private single room is offered on every trip, with the single-room supplement listed alongside the departure price. If you’d rather share, you can opt for a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. Around 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you’ll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 19 October 2026; 12 June 2027; 5 September 2027. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • Will my departure definitely run?

    Yes. Departures marked Guaranteed on this page run whether one traveller books or twelve. We never cancel a confirmed tour for lack of numbers, so you can book flights and time off around it with confidence.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Brazil. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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