The Pantanal
Stretching across hundreds of thousands of miles between Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay exists a mosaic of flooded grasslands, savanna, and tropical forest, known as the Pantanal. It is the world’s largest wetland area and seasonal floodplain – and as such boasts extraordinary biodiversity, being home to a wide variety of rare and important plants and wildlife.
Each year, tropical rains submerge almost 80% of the Pantanal basin creating a vast landscape for aquatic life. During the dry season, the water drains into the Paraguay River, leaving a myriad of sea creatures that attract a great influx of migratory birds comprising kingfishers, egrets, jabiru storks, herons, macaws and more.
But the Pantanal is much more than a bird paradise. The region is home to 3500 plant species, hundreds of different mammals and reptiles, and more than 9,000 subspecies of invertebrates.
The Pantanal is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most biologically rich environments on earth with over 4,700 plant and animal species.
Some of South America’s most rare and endangered wildlife species, including the hyacinth macaw, giant otter, marsh deer, margay and the maned wolf, can also be found there.
It is also home to the highest population of jaguars, thanks to an abundance of life and prey that call this unique ecosystem home.
Jaguars can be seen throughout the year in the Pantanal. However, during the dryer months from May to October, less precipitation means that the jaguars are regularly seen at the river to drink, hunt, mate and rest.
When is the best time of year to visit?
Journey with Jaguars provides tours 7 months of the year from the start of May till the end of November (We have run successful tours in April and December but it is more of a risk because of the increased chance of rain)
April to June
It's absolutely breathtaking. The rainy season ends an abundance of life returns including many bird species and jaguars. This is the best time of year to be able to identify new jaguars. The sky is clear and blue and the river levels are high. Thick and vibrant green vegetation covers the river’s edge and the sandbanks are not exposed. For all these reasons, finding jaguars is difficult. But it makes it worthwhile and special when you do, and you are less likely to be sharing sightings with anyone as there are not many boats on the river making all the experiences extremely intimate. The cons to this are with fewer boats on the river there are fewer scouting eyes.
July to September
Rivers and lakes decrease in volume. It is often dry at this time of year. The vegetation can turn yellow from lack of water depending on how dry it is. Some seasons are much dryer than others. Animals are concentrated on the banks of ponds and river edges, as this can sometimes be the only source of water as all the plains dry up. This is peak jaguar eco-tourism season.
This is the best time of year to see jaguars. There are many boats on the river meaning a lot of sightings are called through on the radio increasing the chances of seeing jaguars. However, at Journey With Jaguars, we will take you to all parts of the river and find jaguars. This way we create our own unique and intimate moments.
October to November
The rains arrive and they are absorbed by the dry terrain and in turn, the vegetation becomes colorful and vibrant. Migration begins for many birds as well as mating season for many mammals. Although Jaguars can mate all year round. We officially end our tours on the last day of November. However, after this, we can still provide tours. However, it can rain hard and jaguars can be more difficult to find so this is at the discretion of your guests.
January to March
The plain becomes slowly flooded. The rain intensifies throughout of all Brazil and the water flows from the surrounding tablelands toward the Pantanal lowlands. The largest flooding plain on the planet is gradually formed.