Encounter the Pantanal & Bonito
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The Pantanal is the world’s biggest inland wetland, covering an area the size of the United Kingdom. While Bonito boasts crystal clear visibility as you dive into a world that has to be seen, in order to be believed!
Over half of it lies in Brazil, with Bolivia and Paraguay sharing the rest. The world’s highest concentration of fauna is here, with mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish and especially birds in abundance. Wildlife viewing here is always spectacular as unobstructed views of large areas of the flooded plains make it possible to spot jaguars, pumas, wolves, deer, anteaters, armadillos, monkeys, around 650 species of bird, and 250 species of fish. It takes a little or a lot of luck to see some of these creatures, but everybody should be able to spot an alligator or two. There are estimated to be around 20 million of them in the Pantanal!
The flooding of the plain makes human encroachment and development very difficult. This has meant that the wildlife has continued to flourish, unlike elsewhere. The Pantanal is one of the world’s greatest remaining wildernesses.
DIVERSE WILDLIFE & CRYSTAL WATERS
A visit to the southern regions of the Pantanal can be combined with a trip to another place blessed by nature. Bonito has caves filled with lakes and stalactites, waterfalls from paradise, and rivers of impossibly pure water with huge shoals of fish. The visibility of the waters in Bonito has to be seen to be believed!
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What not to miss in
the Pantanal & Bonito
Southern Pantanal
The concentration and variety of fauna here is much more diverse here than anywhere on the planet, and the best way to access the area is by staying at one of our speciality lodges on the edge of the Southern Pantanal. Campo Grande is a great starting point for those arriving from elsewhere in Brazil, Campo Grande is also home to the must-see adventure waterworld of Bonito. The state has a number of parks as well, which are worth exploring, the wildlife endless.
Bonito
Bonito lies at the edge of the Amazon basin and is perhaps the best place in the world to snorkel. The water is crystal clear and crystal-clear due to limestone, which acts as Mother Nature’s most efficient filter. The environment mirror the Amazon rainforest and the Chaco savannah, and the water is crystal clear, being rich in limestone. The best snorkeling is perhaps to be found in the nearby state of Pantanal, which is popular for safari-like tours into the tropical wetlands.
Pantanal on Horseback
Saddle up as you head out on a horseback riding adventure through the floodplains and forests of the Pantanal. The advantage exploring by horse is is the opportunity to cover long distances and many less accessible areas that would take much longer by foot, or not reachable by vehicle. With the horses we also can wander through the grassland and riparian woods. Setting off from your lodge you’ll be able to spot all types of wildlife from giant anteaters and tapirs to anacondas, giant otters and alligators.
Blue lake cave
Located 20 km from the city of Bonito, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Gruta do Lago Azul has several speleothems (stalactites or stalagmites) as well as other beautifully curated cave rock formations. Its dimensions make it one of the largest flooded cavities on the planet. Inside this little treasure is a stunning and intensely blue lake over 80 meters deep, prehistoric animal fossils such as giant sloths and saber-toothed tiger were found.
Ecological Park River Formoso
This park near Bonito has a stunning landscape and exuberant flora that attracts birds and wild animals from all over the area. From its lake with limestone formation germinates millions of bubble from a waterfall. One of the main local attraction is the Formoso River floating, but you can also dive or snorkel among the shoals, algae and submerged logs, keeping you in contact with several fish species such as brycon microlepis and ray-finned fish.
Anhumas Cave
In the Anhumas Gorge, the Anhumas Abyss is one of the most sensational caves with a vertical descent by rapeling is a fully secure method of descending from the entrance, down to the base of the cave. The entire process is carried out with highly qualified instructor guides to ensure utmost safety precautions. The excursion needs to be organized in advance, as only 20 visitors are allowed to make the journey each day.
destination map
| Title | Address | Description |
|---|---|---|
Rio de Janeiro | Río de Janeiro, Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil | Rio de Janeiro is truly one of the world’s great cities. It is known to its people, the Cariocas, as the Marvelous City and every visitor to Rio will understand why. Much of that is due to the city’s unbeatable location, nestled between the deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean and Guanabara Bay and the dark greens of the forested mountains, and fringed by stunning golden beaches such as Ipanema and Copacabana.Read more… |
Buzios | Búzios, Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil | Búzios is one of the prettiest places in Brazil, and possibly in the world. Any visitor will be able to understand why it is regularly voted amongst the top ten most beautiful places on the planet. The romantic charm of Búzios is not just in the quaint old fishing village with its winding cobblestone streets and picturesque harbor. It occupies part of a small peninsula ringed by 25 beautiful tropical beaches. Read more… |
Paraty | Parati - Estado de Río de Janeiro, 23970-000, Brasil | Paraty is a fabulously picturesque colonial town on one of Brazil’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, the Costa Verde. The town itself, with its colorful old buildings and fishing boats, is dwarfed by the forest-covered mountains behind, which slope down to meet blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The rocky coast has many bays and sprinkled with over 60 islands and 100’s of secluded tropical beaches. Read more… |
Iguaçu Falls | Foz do Iguaçu, Estado de Paraná, Brasil | Possibly the most picturesque waterfalls on earth. Unlike other great waterfalls, the majesty of Iguaçu is that the Iguaçu River drops around 328 ft (100m) into 275 separate Falls across its 0.6 mile (1km) width. Many of the Falls would be tourist attractions in their own right, but as a whole, the spectacle is as awe-inspiring as any of nature’s great sights. Read more… |
Manaus & the Amazon | Manaos, Amazonas, Brasil | The idea of visiting the world’s biggest river and the rainforest that surrounds it attracts many adventurous travelers to Brazil. With over half of the world’s largest jungle found in Brazil, it is little wonder that the area’s main city, Manaus, serves as the nexus for most travelers who begin their adventures into Brazil’s lively Amazon Jungle. Read more… |
Southern Pantanal & Bonito | Bonito, MS, 79290-000, Brasil | The world’s largest inland wetland, over half of it lies in Brazil, with Bolivia and Paraguay sharing the remainder. Wildlife viewing here is always spectacular as unobstructed views of large areas of the flooded plains make it possible to spot jaguars, pumas, wolves, deer, anteaters, armadillos, monkeys, around 650 species of bird, and 250 species of fish. Read more… |
Salvador de Bahia | Salvador de Bahía - Bahía, Brasil | Salvador is the heartbeat of Brazil’s African culture with rhythms, dances, clothes, food and beliefs all imported, along with the people, from the continent across the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of Africans were taken to Brazil as slaves to work on sugar and coffee plantations in Salvador, the first capital of Brazil. Read more… |
Lençóis & Chapada Diamantina | Chapada Diamantina, Andaraí - State of Bahia, 46750-000, Brasil | Nature doesn’t get much better than Chapada da Diamantina, and luckily isn’t flooded with tourists. So the only distractions from mountain scenery are natural: orchids and bromeliads; butterflies the size of your hand; monkeys; alligators; deer; and possibly even jaguars can be seen amongst the trees. Read more… |
Depending on your client’s preferences, we can help you determine the best experiences tailored for your clients. From where to visit, when to go, what to do and how to get there safely, our travel experts will help you create an experience your clients will love.
Best times to visit Pantanal & Bonito
The best time to visit the Pantanal region is during the dry season between May and September. In the Southern Pantanal, water levels reach their highest in June. Daytime temperatures are usually 77-86˚F (25-30˚C), dropping 9-18˚F (5-10˚C) at night. Wildlife viewing is a little better when the waters have receded a little. Heavy rain between October and March makes travel and viewing difficult. This is also the hottest time, with daytime temperatures a minimum of a humid 86˚F (30˚C) and nights rarely drop below 77˚F (25˚C). Mosquitoes are also more prevalent at this time, but it does mean that animals have to gather on the few small islands remaining above water.
The best time to visit Bonito is in the rainy season of December to March, when the vegetation is lush and water levels are higher, with daytime temperatures around 86˚F (30˚C) and nights usually over 68˚F (20˚C). The dry season from June to August is a little cooler during the day and up to 18˚F (10˚C) colder at night.
practical information
HOW TO GET THERE
Campo Grande, the state capital of Mato Grosso do Sul in the west of Brazil, is the main entry point for excursions into the Southern Pantanal. Flights from major cities in Brazil regularly arrive there. Visitors arriving from Europe or North America will need to connect in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo for the 90-minute flight to Campo Grande. From there, organized tours involve driving up to 124 miles (200km) to accommodation on the edge of the wetlands using 4WD vehicles or boats to access the area.
Campo Grande is also the starting point for visits to Bonito, which lies around 4 hours and 186 miles (300km) to the southwest. The natural attractions of Bonito are spread out and visitor numbers are limited so authorized tours are essential.
GETTING AROUND
The Southern Pantanal is still mainly a vast area of untamed wilderness, so roads and towns are few and far between, and the roads that are there are can be impassable in the wet season due to mud. Public transport is almost non-existent there so all travel around the area is best conducted with guided tours, especially when venturing into the wetlands.
Bonito is not best served by public transport as yet, and as they are spread out around the town, all attractions are best visited as part of a guided tour.
WHERE TO STAY
There are several hotel options in Campo Grande, but for a real Pantanal experience it is necessary to travel further into the Pantanal. There are several lodges from mid-range to a more luxurious experience. All lodges include all meals and activities and are in general comfortable, but in a rustic set up. There are no 5 star properties, but they make up for that in experience.
In Bonito there are several options from budget to Superior boutique hotels. Most of them are small Pousadas (Bed& Breakfast boutique style).
More highlights of Brazil
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