The Pantanal

"The Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland area. It is situated in South America, and is thought to be the world’s most flora and fauna dense ecosystem. It is often overshadowed by the Rainforest, partly because of its proximity, but is a just as vital and interesting part of the Biosphere. The Pantanal is

mostly found within Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, which are states of Brazil. There are also small portions which are within Bolivia, and a small amount in Paraguay. In total, the Pantanal covers over two hundred thousand square kilometers.This ecosystem is home to a known 3500 species of plants, as well as over 650 birds, and 250 species of fish. The Pantanal is a natural home for the Hyacinth Macaw. This bird is endangered due to its US$]10,000 price tag on the black market. Other threatened species include the Jaguar, Maned Wolf, Giant Otter, Giant Armadillo, and Brazilian Tapir.

The Pantanal has an average yearly rainfall of 1000-1400 mm, but is fed by the Upper Paraguay River. It’s average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, but temperatures can conceivably fluctuate from zero to forty degrees Celsius. During the rainy season (December to May), the Pantanal water levels will rise more than three meters. Just as annual floods on the Nile allow for fertile, farmable land, the dramatic increase of water during the rainy season nourishes the producers of the Pantanal, which in turn nourishes all the other species as well."*

The National park (Parque Nacional do Pantanal Mato-Grossense) is divided into 8 sub-regions - Caceres, Pocone Barao de Melgaco, Corumba, Paiaguas, Aquidauana/Abobral, Miranda, Nhecolandia e Nabileque. The River Paraguai cuts the entire region in two - North and South. The National Park reserve Pantanal Wildlife

is located in the North region between the rivers Paraguai and Cuiaba. It is only possible to visit the park by boat and can only be done accompanied by an authorised guide. A boat and guide for 5 people costs around R$1000 per day. Boats depart from the town of Porto Jofre which is 149km south of Pocone. Accomodation in Porto Jofre is limited. There are other eco-tours less expensive and some of these can be found on the websites listed below. Note that in the wet seasons - October to February Mosquitoes are numerous, good insect repellant is a must as is yellow fever vaccination.

Pantanal North

Pocone: 102km from Cuiaba. Like Barao de Melgaco the town is located on the northern edge of the wetlands, some of the lodges located deep within the wetlands

Accommodation Barra de Melgaco - fishing specialists
Pousada Fordinho >>> web site <<<
Hotel Baiazinha >>> web site<<<
Chale do Pescado >>> web site <<<

Accommodation Barao de Melgaco - eco tours & fishing
Pousada do Rio Mutum - >>> web site<<<
Pousada Passargada - >>> web site <<<
Pousada Baguari - >>> web site <<<

Accommodation Pocone - fishing specialists
Porto Jofre Pantanal (on the edge of national park) >>website<<
Boat Rentals - Pantanal 5 Estrelas >>web site <<

Accommodation Pocone - eco tours & fishing
Sesc Porto Cerado - >>> web site <<<
Pousada Araras Eco Lodge - >>> web site <<<
Pantanal Mato Grrosso (Peixam) - >>>web site <<<

Pantanal South

Aquidauana : located on the southern edge of the Pantanal, 136km from Campo Grande ( state capital of Mato Grosse do Sul).

Accommodation Aquidauana - fishing specialists
Cabana do Pescador - >> website <<

Accommodation Aquidauana - eco tours & fishing
Pousada Aguape ->> web site <<
Fazenda Baia das Pedras - >> web site <<
Fazenda Santa Cruz - >> web site <<

Flight tips - Buy a Tam airpass with your international ticket for substantial savings on internal Brazil flights. >>Flights<< Alternatively use the low cost airlines that have started in Brazil, the most well known and succesful being GOL. Although not as cheap as the European and North American counterparts they have certainly improved the situation.

There are regular flights within Brazil to Campo Grande in Mato Grosso do Sul, which is 205km from Miranda and 188Km from Rio Verde de Mato Grosso.

* Above quotation from Wikipedia encyclopedia