Guide & Expert Pilot: TBC
Have questions? You’ll find answers in the FAQ section on our homepage.
Important Travel Information
Please book your arrival flight into Cuiabá (CGB) to land no later than 10:45 AM on the first day of your tour.
For your return, we recommend booking departure flights from 3:00 PM onwards, allowing enough time to travel from the lodge back to Cuiabá for your onward journey.
For anything jaguar-related — behaviour, sightings, photography, and how safaris actually work — this is your go-to:
https://journeywithjaguars.com/blog/the-ultimate-jaguar-safari-knowledge-hub
Wondering what to pack for a jaguar safari?
https://journeywithjaguars.com/blog/what-to-pack-for-a-jaguar-safari
Still unsure about the best time to visit? View our month-by-month summary HERE
Visa Requirement
As of 2025, US, Canadian, and Australian citizens must obtain a visa to enter Brazil. You can apply online here: https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/. If you hold another passport, please confirm whether your nationality requires a visa before traveling.
Health & Vaccination
Some airlines require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for travel to Brazil. We strongly recommend checking with your airline and carrying a valid vaccination certificate if applicable.
SPF 50 Journey with Jaguars Long Sleeve Shirt
Built for long days on the river — protects you from the sun while staying light and breathable.
Journey with Jaguars Cotton Hat
Simple, comfortable protection from the heat, designed for full days outdoors.
Journey with Jaguars Neck Buff
Versatile protection for sun, wind, and dust on the river.
800ml Stainless Steel Journey with Jaguars Water Bottle
Keeps your water cold throughout the day — essential in the Pantanal heat.
Raw Elements Natural Sunscreen (1oz)
All-natural, reef-safe sunscreen with no harmful chemicals.
Goodwipes Travel Pack (18 wipes)
For bathroom breaks on the river — part of our Leave No Trace approach.
Jaguar Identification Booklet (1 per guest)
Learn to recognise individual jaguars, understand their territories, and follow family lines and behaviour over time.
Pantanal Wildlife Field Guide (1 per two guests)
A complete reference to the region — mammals, birds, reptiles and more — so you can put a name to everything you see.
As part of your journey, you’ll receive a curated welcome pack, along with a few thoughtful collaborations designed to enhance your time on the river while staying aligned with our Leave No Trace philosophy.
We’ve partnered with Goodwipes to provide biodegradable wipes for bathroom breaks in the wild — everything used is packed out and disposed of responsibly.
We also include all-natural, reef-safe sunscreen from Raw Elements, ensuring protection without harmful chemicals to you or the environment.
Each guest will receive their own Jaguar Identification Project booklet, allowing you to recognise individual jaguars and better understand their movements and stories.
In addition, each room (one per two guests) will receive a Field Guide to the Wildlife of the Pantanal — a valuable reference for the broader ecosystem you’ll be immersed in.
• Elite Drivers
Many with 25+ years’ experience, working seamlessly with our guides to track and anticipate jaguar movements.
• Elite Guides
We work with the best guides in the Pantanal — they know the river, read the wildlife, and bring the right energy every single day.
• 115HP Motors
Speed matters. We get to sightings faster — often before anyone else.
• Perfect Boat Size
Agile in narrow rivers, easy to position for the best views and photos.
• Freedom to Move
Walk front to back, side to side — no fixed seats locking you in all day.
• Swivelling, Padded Chairs
Comfort for long hours, with full rotation for optimal viewing.
• Sun Covers
Shade when you need it, open skies when you don’t.
• Cold Drinks Included
Cooler stocked with unlimited water and soft drinks (many others charge extra).
• Private Radio Network
Instant updates between our boats — you’re always in the loop.
• Optimal Fishing
Bring rods, fish during the midday break, and have it cooked back at the lodge.
• No Fuel Limits
We don’t stay put to save gas. We go as far as it takes to find the action.
• No Midday Breaks
Most operators head back to the lodge for lunch — losing 2–3 hours of prime time on the river.
• Peak Hunting Hours
Jaguars here don’t behave like African predators. In the heat of the day, caiman are exposed — this is often when hunting happens.
• We Don’t Miss It
We stay out all day, positioned and ready when those moments unfold.
• More Time, More Opportunity
You didn’t travel all this way to sit at a lodge during the best part of the day.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Private Transportation
Round-trip private transportation from Cuiabá to Porto Jofre
Expert Local Guide
English speaking with deep knowledge of the Pantanal
Expert Boat Driver
Experienced local pilot, highly skilled at finding jaguars and positioning the boat for the best viewing and photography.
Private Safari Boat
Features a 115HP engine, shaded canopy, and cushioned seats for comfort
Lodge accommodation
Comfortable lodge stay with air conditioning and Wi-Fi
All meals and soft drink
Full board with meals, soft drinks, and river lunches on safari days.
Cooler box on the boat
Private cooler with ice-cold drinks and fresh fruit on the river.
Optional fishing gear
Fishing gear available on request.
NOT INCLUDED
Flights
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic Beverages
Tips
Upon landing at Cuiabá International Airport, you’ll be met by your English-speaking guide and private driver and begin the journey into the heart of the Pantanal. We aim to depart Cuiabá around 11:00 AM, heading south along the legendary Transpantaneira Highway—an adventure in itself.
Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant
Enjoy plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife right from the road: capybaras, caimans, storks, and more.
After approximately 6 hours (including the lunch stop and photo breaks), we’ll arrive at our partner lodge in Porto Jofre, perfectly positioned at the gateway to prime jaguar territory.
You’ll be welcomed and shown to your room— air-conditioned, and equipped with a small private bathroom. After settling in, we’ll enjoy a hearty dinner, review the plan for the days ahead, and get a good night’s rest before hitting the river at dawn.
Buffet dinner with meats, fish, salads, rice, beans, and seasonal sides. (Please let us know at checkout if you have any dietary restrictions.)
Wake up to the sounds of the Pantanal and fuel up with a buffet breakfast from 6:00 AM — fresh fruits, breads, spreads, eggs, coffee, juice, and tea.
By 6:30 AM you’ll be on the river, prime jaguar territory at sunrise. Each day brings something different — a stalking cat, playful otters, or incredible birdlife. As the sun sets, we return to the lodge for a hearty buffet dinner before resting up for another day.
So you can stay on the river all day, maximizing your chances of sightings without missing a moment.
Evening buffet featuring meats, fish, salads, rice, beans, and fresh local dishes.
Enjoy a final breakfast at the lodge, surrounded by the sounds of the Pantanal one last time. Afterwards, our private transport team will drive you back to Cuiabá International Airport for your onward journey.
The drive offers more chances to spot wildlife along the Transpantaneira, so keep your camera ready — you never know what might cross the road. You’ll arrive at the airport with plenty of time for your flight, feeling fulfilled, inspired, and just a little bit wilder than when you arrived.
PLEASE book onward flights from 3:00 PM onwards to allow for a relaxed transfer back to Cuiabá without any rush.
We will stay at Pousada Berço Pantaneiro – Ninho do Jaguar, a rustic lodge along the scenic Transpantaneira Road with direct access to the Pantanal wetlands. This is our base during the safari, perfectly located for exploring jaguar territory and the region’s incredible wildlife. You’ll enjoy simple, comfortable rooms, hearty local meals, and an authentic Pantanal atmosphere — the ideal place to rest after long days on the river.
