What Animals Can You Expect to See on a Jaguar Safari — And What Kind of Sightings?

A jaguar safari in the Northern Pantanal is unlike any wildlife experience on Earth. This is one of the few places where a top predator is not only thriving, but visible — hunting, swimming, and interacting in ways that feel almost surreal.

But guests always ask us the same question:

“Besides jaguars… what else will we see?”

Below is a clear, honest, experience-based breakdown of the wildlife you can expect on a Journey with Jaguars safari — and the type of sightings that make this region one of the most extraordinary on the planet.

🐆 Jaguars — World-Class, Close, and Consistent

The Northern Pantanal offers the best jaguar sightings in the world, hands down. That’s not marketing — it’s ecological reality.

What to Expect

• Daily jaguar encounters on river days
• Prolonged sightings
• Behaviour-rich moments:
  • hunting caiman
  • swimming
  • stalking along the banks
  • resting in exposed shade during the heat
• Diurnal activity — unlike Central American jaguars, Pantanal jaguars are often active in full daylight, especially during the hottest hours when caiman are basking

This is a predator you can genuinely spend the day with.

Important Note on Hunts & Kills

Many visitors arrive hoping to witness a jaguar hunting a caiman. While this does happen in the Pantanal more than anywhere else on Earth, it is never guaranteed. Wildlife is unpredictable, and every encounter depends on natural behaviour, timing, water levels, and a bit of luck. Our focus is always to observe respectfully and let the animal lead the moment.

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Ready to see jaguars in the wild? Explore our Pantanal Jaguar Safaris

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🦦 Giant River Otters — One of the Pantanal’s Most Charismatic Species

Giant otters are a guest favourite — loud, curious, social, and totally unbothered by boats.

What to Expect

• Family groups (4–8 individuals is common)
• Fish hunting, vocalising, scent-marking
• Close, fast-paced photography opportunities

Their energy alone brings the river to life.

🦜 Birds — A Birdwatcher’s Paradise Even If You’re Not a Birdwatcher

The Pantanal is home to over 650 species of birds — and the density is on another level.

Expect to See

• Hyacinth macaws
• Jabiru storks
• Kingfishers everywhere (Ringed, Amazon and Pygmy)
• Herons, ibis, spoonbills
• Toco toucans
• Hawks (Black Collared, Great Black, Savannah & Roadside)

Even people who “don’t care about birds” end up obsessed here.

🦌 Tapirs, Capybara & Other Mammals

While the river focuses heavily on jaguars and otters, you’ll also encounter:

• Capybara — everywhere, often with young
• Tapirs — Seen mostly in the Piquiri river for the afternoon cooling off in the water on a hot day)
• Howler monkeys
• Coatis, crab-eating foxes, marsh deer (All these are most common on the the Transpantaneira Hwy)
• People often ask about Ocelots. They are nocturnal. Although very rare to see them during the day its not an impossibility.

These add depth to the safari experience — moments of calm between the apex action.

🐊 Caiman — Everywhere, All the Time

The Yacaré caiman is the beating heart of the Pantanal food chain and a key prey species for jaguars.

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❌ Can You See Giant Anteaters Here?

Not in our river zone.
Giant anteaters do not inhabit the Porto Jofre river system where we spend our jaguar days.

However…

If you want to see giant anteaters:

The best place is the Transpantaneira Highway, particularly around Pouso Alegre Lodge, where our guests stay at the beginning of their journey to break up the trip. Alternatively you can stay there on your last night on the way back to Cuiaba.

Giant anteaters are regularly seen:

• walking the savannas
• feeding at termite mounds
• crossing the dirt roads in early morning light

For many guests, this is their first “wow moment” before they even reach jaguar country.

🦁 The Type of Sightings That Define the Pantanal

This region is unique in the wildlife world because of one defining truth:

Animals here don’t hide — they live right in front of you.

Expect:

• Low-disturbance encounters
• Long, calm observation periods
• A sense of intimacy you don’t get in many wilderness areas
• The ability to wait with a jaguar and simply watch its story unfold

In Summary — What You’ll See

Definitely:
✔ Jaguars
✔ Giant otters
✔ Caiman
✔ Capybara
✔ Tapirs (Have to be lucky)
✔ Hundreds of birds

Not here:
❌ Giant anteaters (but excellent chances at Pouso Alegre Lodge)

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Not sure when to come? Check out our full guide: Best Time to Visit the Pantanal →

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