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With giant anteaters roaming the grasslands and colorful macaws soaring the skies, Brazilian wetland Pantanal is an exciting and lively ecosystem, just waiting to be explored. Pantanal, the world’s largest contiguous wetland is the wildlife capital of South America. Located right in the center of the continent, the area of this tropical wetland spans 54,000 square miles and three countries and is home to 11,000 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. In this truly spectacular wonder of the natural world, where the rivers are overflowing with fish and birds fill the vast skies, the biodiversity lures biologists, researchers, and visitors from around the world who come to witness and study this undisturbed natural environment.
Brazil Travel Guide: Exploring the Wild Lands of the Pantanal
Humans are few and far between in the Pantanal giving it a feel of almost absolute isolation, although the abundance of wildlife here more than makes up for the lack of people. Species found elsewhere in the world exist here, but in astonishingly oversized versions, such as the giant river otter (1.8 meters long), or the marsh deer (1.2 meters high).
Despite this, continuous flooding has made farming impossible, thus protecting its unique natural heritage. The waters have also made this a hugely important feeding ground for birds and fish, but the area is also home to large populations of land animals, such as the jaguar, ocelots, wolves, capuchins, anteaters and armadillos. The list is almost endless.
Experiencing the area is possible through a variety of exciting adventures and Pantanal tours. A boat ride along the Mutum River will offer fantastic sightings of the enormous and friendly otters, stingrays and fish. Horseback riding through the lowlands offers an extra advantage because you have access to routes where the water is too high for motorized vehicles but too low for boats. The rolling mountains, fields and pasturelands amidst verdant flora and beautiful and diverse fauna can all be explored on guided treks.
Lying mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil offers the best access to these remarkable wetlands. You will need to fly to Ciuaba or Campo Grande with either direct flight from Brasilia or connecting flights from Rio and Sao Paulo. Independent travel is not recommended because of limited access. The region is known for its fazendas, or cattle stations, which accommodate small numbers of guests at a time for an unforgettable cultural experience.
Now is the time to start planning your Pantanal vacation, with the wet season (November to March) coming to an end. The region is essentially a flood basin and during the dry season the water level recedes and fresh green grasses emerge, making travel over land easier and more comfortable. When making your Brazil travel plans, give yourself at least four days here for the full Pantanal experience. You won’t regret giving this underexplored nucleus of life a look; you never know when your next opportunity to track a jaguar will be.
Category: Brazil
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