Wildlife of Brazil's Pantanal


		Pantanal Photography Tour Details
		Dates	May 1–15, 2009
		Leaders	Wayne Lynch and Paulo Boute
		Fee	$5,595 from Sao Paulo, Brazil Internal flights arranged at additional cost
		Deposit	$400
		Limit	14
			Terms and Conditions

It is the world’s largest freshwater wetland. The Brazilian lowlands known as the Pantanal form an enormous wilderness in the heart of South America. This flat rain-fed region, laced with waterways and submerged beneath silvery sheets of floodwater for half the year, is one of the most photographically productive habitats on the entire continent.

Few places offer so many animals of such variety, so spectacularly visible, as the Pantanal. One reason for the exuberance of animal life is the sparse human settlement of the region. Because of the damp land and annual

flooding, large-scale cultivation of the land is impractical, and access remains difficult. Giant cattle ranches lay claim to the land, but they are stocked at low density, and ranching has done little to change the essential character of the landscape.

We photograph the fantastic wildlife while exploring the Transpantaneira Highway by vehicle and cruising the waterway in small boats. By building the "highway" through the wetland, the mounding of soil for the roadbed has created the adjacent "borrow pit" as a by-product that extends for countless miles. Here, our cameras capture jabiru, the

world’s largest stork. The jabiru compete with herons of many species, as well as black caiman, for masses of fish trapped in the pools shrinking at the start of the dry season. Families of capybaras are often seen wallowing and feeding right alongside the voracious caiman. Capybaras resemble giant guinea pigs; this conspicuous rodent attains weights exceeding 130 pounds!

The abundance and diversity of large mammals can be seen on all sides, yet many of the region’s big mammals have not been photographed extensively. Marsh deer, coatimundi, giant anteaters and giant river otters are all potential targets for our lenses. Even rarely-seen jaguars or ocelots could be spotted on one of our daily expeditions.

The greatest spectacle of all is provided by the amazing variety of water birds that utilize these roadside canals to probe, sift and stab for prey. They include huge numbers of egrets, herons, ibis and wood storks as well as spoonbills, whistling ducks and jabiru. Bird photography is exceptional here, reminiscent of Florida’s Everglades in the 1800s before its degradation. Other interesting species to photograph at close range such as toco toucan, hyacinth macaw, snail kite and savannah hawk add spice to this exceptional photographic adventure!

If you’re a serious nature traveler, and you’ve never been to the Pantanal, you’ve really missed one of Planet Earth’s greatest wildlife habitats and photography destinations!

Day 1
Depart from home.

Day 2 (May 2)
Arrive in Sao Paulo, transfer to our airport hotel. (D)

Day 3
Fly to Cuiabá, arriving midday. Depart for the Transpantaneira Highway, the main artery through the floodplain, looking for animals and stopping for numerous photo shoots along the way. Good for wading bird photos including jabiru storks plus massive numbers of birds of prey. (BLD)

Days 4–5
Exploration of the Pantanal by vehicle and by boat to see the unusual mammals and some of the more than 360 species of birds. Early morning and late afternoon boat rides produce shots of three species of kingfisher, rufescent tiger heron, cocoi heron and endangered giant otter. (BLD)

Day 6
Early morning photography at our private ranch accommodations. Two-hour drive and midday arrival at our next accommodations. Photograph wild hyacinth macaws. (BLD)

Days 7–8
Morning photography of macaws, toucans and nesting jabiru, afternoon exploration of ranch water holes. (BLD)

Day 9
Morning photography at our ranch. Afternoon return to Cuiabá. (BLD)

Day 10
Morning photography at the University of Cuiabá Zoo. Possibilities include giant otter, plus maned wolf, agouti, paca, brocket deer, giant anteater and others. Afternoon photography at a small private zoo. (BLD)

Day 11
Fly to Sao Paulo, continuing on to Iguassu. (BLD)

Days 12–13
Photograph Iguassu Falls, the most spectacular waterfall in the world. We visit a local aviary where five species of toucans are possible. An optional helicopter overflight of the falls may be scheduled at additional cost. (BLD)

Day 14 (May 14)
Morning shoot at the falls. Depart for Sao Paulo and continue home on overnight flights. (BL)

Day 15
Arrive home.



	Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070 Phone: (206) 463-5383 Fax: (206) 463-5484 Email: info@photosafaris.com Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.

Wildlife of Brazil's Pantanal

Pantanal Photography Tour Details