The Pantanal in Mato Grosso is the best place in South America to see and photograph wildlife.
Sure, everyone’s heard of the Amazon, but it’s hard to spot wildlife in a rainforest.
It starts with a mistake. The Pantanal is not a swamp, as its name suggests.
The Pantanal is a vast plain that is flooded for part of the year; it is “the largest wetland on the planet”, as tourist guides and brochures advertise.
PANTANAL É UM PARAÍSO SELVAGEM NA AMÉRICA DO SUL
And it’s a world of its own, with its codes, its language, its rhythm – and a richness that no brochure can summarise.
If it can’t be summed up, the Pantanal is not easy to understand.
On arrival, it appears as a region without borders, with fluid contours, immune to any attempt to contain it.
The Pantanal of Mato Grosso has two commonly used divisions:
Each division, with its small sub-pantanais, is an attempt to grasp the great floodplain and impose a certain rationality on it.
On closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that the Pantanal has its own logic and its own time, completely subordinated to the cycle of the waters and the succession of the seasons: look at the rains and the floods, then the ebb and the flow and the drought, in an eternal movement of new beginnings.
In all seasons, life teems in the Pantanal, one of the largest wildlife reserves in the world. Travellers can see caimans, bush pigs, capybaras, deer and monkeys, and with a little luck, more elusive species such as the jaguar.
Birds fly in flocks or perch in the branches of trees by the hundreds, their bustle opening and closing the day.
The incessant sound of insects and frogs fills the night. The richness of the fauna is the result of a complex interweaving of ecosystems that gives the landscape an unexpected variety.
The landscape alternates between mountain ranges – the name given to the small elevations between the flooded areas – lakes, rivers, gallery forests, savannahs, remnants of the Amazon rainforest, limestone waters, caves, capons, marshes and ponds.
Close to the Pantanal, but outside its borders, the Chapada dos Guimarães and the Bonito region offer travellers new opportunities for wonder and enchantment, in landscapes of waterfalls, great red walls, cascades and submerged lakes that turn a unique shade of blue when illuminated by a glimmer of sunlight.
In the vast expanse of the floodplains, among the wildlife and unique geographical formations, a unique culture has developed, the offspring of several others, perfectly integrated with the local nature.
There are indigenous, Paraguayan, São Paulo, Minas Gerais and southern traits that can be seen in the daily work of the Pantanal cattle herder, in the strange accents of the natives, in the Hispanic sounds of the guitar players, in the popular festivals, in the typical dishes and in the pottery.
A universe that, although increasingly permeable to outside influences, remains true to its origins and essence – still authentic, rustic, Pantanal.
It’s not uncommon in the Pantanal for rivers to replace roads and for people to travel by boat; hotels are sometimes isolated by water or can only be reached by horse or jeep, the only way to get through the mud.
The day passes quickly, filled with horseback riding, fishing and wildlife watching, long conversations with the Pantanal natives and hearty meals on the wood-burning stove.
At night, from the veranda of the farm or from the bow of a boat, the traveller will be surprised to see so many stars that the sky turns silver with black streaks.
They will then feel part of this cycle that repeats itself endlessly, with its droughts and floods, with the movement of wild animals and the movement of cattle, with the voice of the guitar players under the surface of the stars: to go to the Pantanal, to go to this tangle of seemingly incomprehensible knots, is to finally understand what integration and permanence – or eternity – are.
Why go to the Pantanal?
Going to the Pantanal is a unique and unforgettable experience for many reasons. Here are some of them:
1. Rich biodiversity
The Pantanal is one of the largest wetlands in the world and is home to a huge variety of wildlife. It is home to many species, including jaguars, hyacinth macaws, capybaras, caimans and a huge variety of birds and fish.
2. Natural beauty
The landscape of the Pantanal is breathtaking, with vast floodplains, winding rivers and lush vegetation. The natural beauty of the region offers fantastic opportunities for nature photography.
3. Bird Watching
The Pantanal is a bird lover’s paradise. With more than 650 bird species, visitors can see rare and exotic birds in their natural habitat.
4. Cultural Experiences
The region is inhabited by traditional communities that maintain unique ways of life and cultures. Visiting the Pantanal is an opportunity to get to know these local cultures and traditions.
5. Sustainable tourism
Many tour operators in the Pantanal promote sustainable practices that help conserve biodiversity and support local communities. This allows visitors to have a positive impact on the region.
6. Outdoor Adventures
The Pantanal offers countless outdoor activities such as photo safaris, boat trips, horseback riding and sport fishing. These activities provide a direct connection with nature.
7. Environmental education
A visit to the Pantanal can be an educational experience, helping to raise awareness of the importance of conserving wetlands and global biodiversity.
8. Favourable climate
The climate of the Pantanal is favourable for travel and outdoor activities, especially during the dry season. The best time to visit is during the dry season (May to September), when the waters recede and wildlife becomes more concentrated and visible.
9. Wildlife Photography
The photographic opportunities in the Pantanal are exceptional. From large mammals to colourful small birds, the abundance of wildlife allows you to capture stunning images.
10. Hospitality and Tourist Infrastructure
The Pantanal has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, with comfortable lodges and experienced guides who can ensure a safe and enjoyable stay.
Conclusion
Visiting the Pantanal is an opportunity to connect with one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, appreciate its natural beauty and learn about the importance of environmental conservation. It’s an experience that offers both adventure and education, making it an unforgettable trip for any nature lover.
When to visit the Pantanal in Mato Grosso?
The best time to visit is from May to September, when there is less rain. The months of April to May, when the waters begin to recede, are better for game viewing.
The rainy season begins in October and lasts until April, with January and February being the wettest months.
See the Climate of the Pantanal in Mato Grossoin detail
Tourist attractions in and around the Pantanal
- Mammal and reptile watching in the Pantanal
- Fishing in the Pantanal – Best places, lures, methods and seasons
- Most common fish species in the Pantanal
- Birdwatching in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso
- Most common bird species in the Mato Grosso Pantanal
- Flora of the Mato Grosso Pantanal
- Fauna of the Mato Grosso Pantanal
- Pantanal of Mato Grosso – Geography, climate, soil and rivers
- History of the Mato Grosso Pantanal – Discovery and economic development
- Southern Pantanal Region
- Northern Pantanal Region
- Why visit the Pantanal in Mato Grosso?
- Campo Grande MS – Tourist Guide
- Corumbá in Mato Grosso do Sul State
- Tourism and nature in Coxim MS
- The city of Aquidauana MS is the gateway to the Pantanal
- Miranda in Mato Grosso do Sul – Tourist Attractions
- Bonito is the Mecca of ecotourism in Brazil
