Why do Most Websites Recommend Only 3-4 Nights in the Pantanal?
Mar 23rd, 2009, 10:13 AM
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Why do Most Websites Recommend Only 3-4 Nights in the Pantanal?
I checked four websites that are listed in National Geographic Best Adventure Companies on Earth for 2009 in their "Do It All" category (International Expeditions, Journeys International, Natural Habitat Adventures, and GAP Adventures) and two recommended by Conde Nast Traveler (Ecotour Expeditions and Focus Tours) and they all seem to follow a pattern of 3-4 nights actually in the Pantanal itself. Is it because you can see everything there is to see in 3-4 days? Or, should I look at a longer period of time? If so, what are some reputable companies to ask?
Mar 23rd, 2009, 10:34 AM
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Unless you are a serious SERIOUS birder, 3-4 days is probably fine. We were there this time last year, and while it was enjoyable, I don't know that I would have enjoyed another couple of days. It would have just been more of the same. Here is a link to our trip diary - hopefully that will give you an idea of what to expect:
http://www.justinandcrystal.com/Sout...2008/Index.htm
We actually spent one day less than the norm (because of time constraints). I think one issue is that the Pantanal is FAR away from the airports (either Campo Grande or Cuiaba), so the companies like to pick up a whole group only once or twice a week.
http://www.justinandcrystal.com/Sout...2008/Index.htm
We actually spent one day less than the norm (because of time constraints). I think one issue is that the Pantanal is FAR away from the airports (either Campo Grande or Cuiaba), so the companies like to pick up a whole group only once or twice a week.
Mar 23rd, 2009, 05:21 PM
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I spent 10 in N. Pantanal in Aug of 2007 and will spend 10 in S. Pantanal this June. Only time and $ kept me from a longer stay.
With nature you can never see "everything," but it gives you a good feel for the place and you'll likely see many caiman, quite a few capybaras, numerous bird species, probably crab eating foxes at night and maybe some other animals such as an agouti or anteater. Perhaps even a cat such as an ocelot or jaguar.
If you are a nature enthusiast, you'll enjoy more days. If you are a serious birder, you'll definitely want more days to tick off more species. I am not a serious birder, but enjoyed seeing the abundant species.
I am a serious nature lover and find I always double or triple the standard itinerary days in many parks and reserves and that serves me well. For the average person just wanting to see what the Pantanal is all about 3-4 days is fine.
Both Focus and Int Exped will do longer trips for you if you ask. The others may also. Nat Hab is a great company to travel with for wildlife viewing. Here is a link to my Focus trip report.
Brazil Safari Report: macaws, marmosets, monkeys, a myriad of mammals, & many jaguars
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...6&tid=35068062
Good luck!
With nature you can never see "everything," but it gives you a good feel for the place and you'll likely see many caiman, quite a few capybaras, numerous bird species, probably crab eating foxes at night and maybe some other animals such as an agouti or anteater. Perhaps even a cat such as an ocelot or jaguar.
If you are a nature enthusiast, you'll enjoy more days. If you are a serious birder, you'll definitely want more days to tick off more species. I am not a serious birder, but enjoyed seeing the abundant species.
I am a serious nature lover and find I always double or triple the standard itinerary days in many parks and reserves and that serves me well. For the average person just wanting to see what the Pantanal is all about 3-4 days is fine.
Both Focus and Int Exped will do longer trips for you if you ask. The others may also. Nat Hab is a great company to travel with for wildlife viewing. Here is a link to my Focus trip report.
Brazil Safari Report: macaws, marmosets, monkeys, a myriad of mammals, & many jaguars
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...6&tid=35068062
Good luck!
Mar 24th, 2009, 10:38 AM
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Wow - I hit the jackpot with two very experienced travelers who both love photography as I do! I'm jealous of atravelynn's pictures of the jaguar - I hope we get that lucky. I know that both of you are very active on this forum and that is such a key to find someone who has "been there done that."
I have a few pictures on http://rtr.smugmug.com/. I have also made DVDs of our East Africa, Galapagos, and Australia/New Zealand/Bora Bora trips. Liz, one of the Tasmania experts, was so excited when she saw the DVD, she wanted me to write Australia's Tourism office (see http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...reckmeyeer.cfm). I will send you these if you are interested - my e-mail is [email protected].
I also have a trip report on Australia/New Zealand/Bora Bora (see http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...er-18-2008.cfm). I received so much help from this forum when I planned this trip.
I notice that you both loved Africa as did I. I have been wanting to give back to Rwanda since our gorilla trek in 2006. Justin and Crystal, what did you mean when you say "being assaulted by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda?" Maybe we can discuss that on a separate thread.
Anyway, back to the Pantanal - we have an appreciation for birds but a couple of friends who may join us are serious birders and I am waiting to hear from them. IE is looking into an extension as I write this. We have used IE for East Africa and Galapagos but may switch to Natural Habitat Adventures because of their inclusion of Bonito. They both stay at the Caiman Ecological Refuge. Do you have an opinion on the Caiman Ecological Refuge? Is Bonito worth visiting?
I have a few pictures on http://rtr.smugmug.com/. I have also made DVDs of our East Africa, Galapagos, and Australia/New Zealand/Bora Bora trips. Liz, one of the Tasmania experts, was so excited when she saw the DVD, she wanted me to write Australia's Tourism office (see http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...reckmeyeer.cfm). I will send you these if you are interested - my e-mail is [email protected].
I also have a trip report on Australia/New Zealand/Bora Bora (see http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...er-18-2008.cfm). I received so much help from this forum when I planned this trip.
I notice that you both loved Africa as did I. I have been wanting to give back to Rwanda since our gorilla trek in 2006. Justin and Crystal, what did you mean when you say "being assaulted by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda?" Maybe we can discuss that on a separate thread.
Anyway, back to the Pantanal - we have an appreciation for birds but a couple of friends who may join us are serious birders and I am waiting to hear from them. IE is looking into an extension as I write this. We have used IE for East Africa and Galapagos but may switch to Natural Habitat Adventures because of their inclusion of Bonito. They both stay at the Caiman Ecological Refuge. Do you have an opinion on the Caiman Ecological Refuge? Is Bonito worth visiting?
Mar 24th, 2009, 12:30 PM
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I don't have any input on Bonito, but the Caiman Refuge is where we stayed and we liked it. There are multiple lodges, and we stayed at the "far" lodge (Baizinha). It was nice in that the view was better (overlooking a lake) and it seemed more tranquil. The flipside is that all but one of the excursions we went on required us driving back to the main lodge for this, that, or the other reason. This meant that by the 6th excursion, you were seeing the same scenery (albeit with the potential of different animals) for the 6th time. So it may be worthwhile to stay in the main lodge, which wasn't exactly "busy" anyway.
Mar 24th, 2009, 07:27 PM
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RTR,
I'll check out your photos. I'm afraid to look at the Australia report or I'll be longing to go there soon, which is not likely.
Nice to meet a fellow fan of Africa!
Want to see the gorillas in Rwanda again? Plus golden monkeys, colobus monkeys, and some chimps? (With luck, of course!) I'm going in August and looking for travel buddies.
Below is a link on that trip if you'd care to team up for some or all of it. The itinerary has one more day in Nyungwe for chimps now. By the way, Pantanal and Africa are the only 2 destinations for 2009. I don't take a trip every other month.
I will be at Caiman Refuge in June and picked it because it is easy to get to/from for a solo and I can join in the scheduled activities and don't need to hire a private guide. I also like its reputation for wildlife and believe the wildlife will be somewhat habituated to human presence there. I don't think there is a lot of river activity there, so I added a Refugio da Ilha, which is surrounded by water.
All of my jaguar photos were taken along the Paraguay River. Sightings there are fairly common, especially July-Oct. I saw only 1 jaguar briefly at night on my land portion of the the Northern Pantanal trip. I am not expecting jaguar sightings at Caiman Refuge and certainly not numerous jaguars.
Maybe I'll see you at Caiman. Or in Rwanda and Uganda!
I asked not to stay at the busiest main lodge in Caiman.
One of the big attractions at Bonito (I believe, never been) is the ability to snorkel. So be sure you go at a time of year that it is warm enough. I also think there is a clay lick there for parrots (or at least near there) that would be a real attraction.
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ganda-2009.cfm
I'll check out your photos. I'm afraid to look at the Australia report or I'll be longing to go there soon, which is not likely.
Nice to meet a fellow fan of Africa!
Want to see the gorillas in Rwanda again? Plus golden monkeys, colobus monkeys, and some chimps? (With luck, of course!) I'm going in August and looking for travel buddies.
Below is a link on that trip if you'd care to team up for some or all of it. The itinerary has one more day in Nyungwe for chimps now. By the way, Pantanal and Africa are the only 2 destinations for 2009. I don't take a trip every other month.
I will be at Caiman Refuge in June and picked it because it is easy to get to/from for a solo and I can join in the scheduled activities and don't need to hire a private guide. I also like its reputation for wildlife and believe the wildlife will be somewhat habituated to human presence there. I don't think there is a lot of river activity there, so I added a Refugio da Ilha, which is surrounded by water.
All of my jaguar photos were taken along the Paraguay River. Sightings there are fairly common, especially July-Oct. I saw only 1 jaguar briefly at night on my land portion of the the Northern Pantanal trip. I am not expecting jaguar sightings at Caiman Refuge and certainly not numerous jaguars.
Maybe I'll see you at Caiman. Or in Rwanda and Uganda!
I asked not to stay at the busiest main lodge in Caiman.
One of the big attractions at Bonito (I believe, never been) is the ability to snorkel. So be sure you go at a time of year that it is warm enough. I also think there is a clay lick there for parrots (or at least near there) that would be a real attraction.
http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ganda-2009.cfm
Mar 25th, 2009, 03:44 PM
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Great photos! From battling buffalo to purple skies and curious giraffes, your Africa album was lovely. You had some good luck with posing gorillas on your previous Rwanda trip.
Loved the marsupials, including the rare albino, in Australia.
Loved the marsupials, including the rare albino, in Australia.
Mar 25th, 2009, 04:14 PM
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What have you heard about Ecotours Expeditions? Their combination package with the Amazon (http://naturetours.com/pantanal.html + http://naturetours.com/amazon.html) has piqued the interest of our friends.
Mar 25th, 2009, 06:17 PM
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I have not heard of them. The Caiman part is the standard 4 day trip. You can visit Caiman Lodge for 3 nights, 4 nights, 7 nights, or any combination of those numbers. The Caiman van that brings in guests from Campo Grande operates on that schedule. So Ecotours is using that schedule for their group.
Was the Amazon part the cruise? I don't know about that. Once I did a shorter cruise on the headwaters of the Amazon in Ecuador. It was nice, but very hard to see anything from the boat. We made frequent stops where we saw cool tracks and a few birds. I would not do an Amazon cruise again, though I'd like to go to an Amazon jungle lodge some day.
One of the criteria I'll use for a jungle lodge that I'd visit in the Amazon is the possibility of seeing the pink dolphins that live there. Maybe the cruise you linked goes to an area where they are found.
Something like this might interest you.
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...elp-needed.cfm
A Pantanal and Amazon combo would be good.
Was the Amazon part the cruise? I don't know about that. Once I did a shorter cruise on the headwaters of the Amazon in Ecuador. It was nice, but very hard to see anything from the boat. We made frequent stops where we saw cool tracks and a few birds. I would not do an Amazon cruise again, though I'd like to go to an Amazon jungle lodge some day.
One of the criteria I'll use for a jungle lodge that I'd visit in the Amazon is the possibility of seeing the pink dolphins that live there. Maybe the cruise you linked goes to an area where they are found.
Something like this might interest you.
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...elp-needed.cfm
A Pantanal and Amazon combo would be good.
Apr 7th, 2009, 04:50 PM
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Another traveler who likes the Pantanal recently told me that the area is experiencing a drought.
The Brazil agent I am dealing with mentioned that at Caiman, they've seen 32 jaguars since January, the most ever recorded this early in the year.
The Brazil agent I am dealing with mentioned that at Caiman, they've seen 32 jaguars since January, the most ever recorded this early in the year.
Apr 7th, 2009, 07:47 PM
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mistadobalina, great photos from your Pantanal trip. I will need to look through the others as well especially since I see an antarctica link.
Atravelynn, have a great time on your return to the Pantanal. I can't wait for a trip report. We have thought about a Pantanal/Amazon trip for next year, but the economy may put that on hold. But, I need my yearly dose of the rain forest so who knows.
Alan
Atravelynn, have a great time on your return to the Pantanal. I can't wait for a trip report. We have thought about a Pantanal/Amazon trip for next year, but the economy may put that on hold. But, I need my yearly dose of the rain forest so who knows.
Alan
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