Pantanal Full Experience – Porto Jofre & Piuval

Day 1

Cuiabá to Porto Jofre

After collection at Cuiabá airport or your hotel, meet your English-speaking guide and begin the journey south towards the Pantanal.

Travel through Poconé and continue along the Transpantaneira, the famous dirt road leading through the wetlands to Porto Jofre. Several stops are made en route to photograph and observe wildlife; capybaras, caimans, herons, storks and birds of prey are frequently seen.

Arrive during the afternoon at Jaguar Bay Lodge or similar in the Porto Jofre area. After check-in, there is time to settle in and rest after the long but rewarding journey through the Pantanal.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 2

Jaguar safari on the rivers around Porto Jofre

After an early breakfast, set out by boat for the first full day of jaguar safari.

Boat trips explore the river systems around the Rio Cuiabá, Rio Piquiri and Rio Três Irmãos, one of the world’s leading areas for seeing wild jaguars. The cats often remain close to the riverbanks, where they rest, move between hunting areas or look for prey.

Your guide and boat driver scan banks, sandbars and riverside vegetation. Giant otters, capybaras, caimans and many bird species are also regularly seen.

Return to the lodge around midday for lunch and a rest during the hottest hours. Later in the afternoon, continue the boat safari until dusk, when temperatures fall and wildlife often becomes more active.

Dinner and overnight at Jaguar Bay Lodge or similar.

Day 3

Another full day of jaguar safari

This day is also devoted to looking for jaguars and other wildlife along the rivers around Porto Jofre.

Two full days on the water allow different parts of the river system to be explored and increase the opportunity for several and longer sightings. Conditions vary with water level, temperature and wildlife movements, and the guide adapts the route to current local information.

There are also good chances of encountering family groups of giant otters, caimans along the banks and capybaras feeding or sheltering close to the water.

Lunch and a rest at the lodge divide the day’s boat safaris. Return to the river in the afternoon and continue until sunset.

Dinner and a final overnight at Jaguar Bay Lodge or similar.

Day 4

Porto Jofre to the Piuval area

After breakfast, check out from Jaguar Bay Lodge or similar and begin the journey north along the Transpantaneira.

The journey itself is a long wildlife safari. The guide stops when animals are spotted, and the landscape gradually changes as you leave the river country around Porto Jofre and continue towards Piuval.

On arrival at Pousada Piuval or similar, check in and have lunch. In the afternoon, take a first activity around the lodge, such as a short nature trail, a visit to an observation tower or a wildlife drive, depending on conditions.

After dinner, a night safari may be made. The guide uses a spotlight to look for nocturnal species and reflected eyes in the vegetation.

Overnight at Pousada Piuval or similar.

Day 5

Sunrise, safari and lodge activities

The day starts early for those who want to experience sunrise over the Pantanal. The cooler morning hours are among the best times to observe feeding birds and mammals.

After breakfast, continue with activities in the lodge’s natural area. These may include a wildlife drive in an open vehicle, a walk along one of the trails or a visit to an observation tower overlooking wetlands and grasslands.

There is also an opportunity to join a horse ride. Pantanal horses are accustomed to the terrain and the ride is at a relaxed pace with a local guide. Guests who prefer not to ride can choose another activity or remain at the lodge.

After lunch and a rest, the programme continues in the afternoon. Depending on water levels and local conditions, there may be a boat or canoe trip or another vehicle safari.

Dinner at the lodge, with the possibility of another night safari after dark.

Overnight at Pousada Piuval or similar.

Day 6

A full day in Piuval’s natural area

This day gives more time to explore the surroundings of Pousada Piuval or similar without changing accommodation.

The programme is adapted to weather, water levels and recent wildlife sightings. You may join wildlife drives along the Transpantaneira and on the lodge’s private land, walk nature trails or visit observation towers and viewpoints.

The Piuval area is known for its variety of habitats, including open grassland, woodland, palm groves and temporary wetlands. This creates good conditions for species different from those associated mainly with the rivers around Porto Jofre.

Possible sightings include capybaras, marsh deer, anteaters, howler monkeys, caimans, hyacinth macaws and many birds of prey. With luck, rarer mammals may also appear.

Lunch and time to rest at the lodge separate the activities. The safari or another nature activity continues in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Pousada Piuval or similar.

Day 7

Morning safari and return to Cuiabá

The final day begins with an early activity, perhaps a vehicle safari or a shorter walk to enjoy the cool morning hours and one last opportunity to see Pantanal wildlife.

After breakfast, another activity may be possible depending on departure time, such as a short horse ride, nature walk or wildlife drive near the lodge.

After lunch, check out and begin the return journey along the Transpantaneira to Cuiabá.

On arrival, transfer to the airport or your hotel in the city.