atravelynn

Your comments please on Northern vs. Southern Pantanal in August. If you can't compare the two, then just write about the one you know. Thank you.

atravelynn

I'll be able to answer my own question by mid-July 2009. I spent 10 days in N. Pantanal in Aug 2007 and I just booked 10 in S. Pantanal for June-July 2009. I hope trip #2 to the general region is as rewarding as trip #1.

ovenbird

atravelynn, are you using the same tour company as your previous trip? We're doing a birding trip to Brazil Sept 2009 and want to add a side trip on the front and/or back end. Did you by any chance look into the tours from the Patanal Bird Club?

Even if the S. Pantanal is half as good as your trip to N. Pantanal, it'll be wonderful!

Marsha

atravelynn

Ovenbird,
You'll be ticking left and right! Very exciting.

I used Focus Tours in 2007 and will use them again for their good connections with researchers and their ability to put together a unique solo itinerary.

But I'm not using them for this trip.

I contacted International Expeditions about one of their group itineraries to the Pantanal. The date I wanted was not going. Due to the economic downturn they are pairing their numbers of departures. I talked with Charlie Weaver about a solo trip, thinking it would probably come in way too high. But it did not. I compared with a Brazilian company and found I was paying just a little bit more for an IE custom trip.

Have not heard of the Pantanal Bird Club. Are you thinking of North or South Pantanal, Marsha?

You are right that it does not have to equal the first trip to be a success. In no way do I expect 8 jaguars. I'd be surprised with one. But I think the other birds and animals should be present.

walrus

Lynn,

Where are you exactly going in South Pantanal in june 2009?

Cheers

Mike

ovenbird

Lynn,

I haven't researched this trip yet so I'm not sure where these places are located. But our birding tour has us going to or staying at Itatiaia National Park, Serra Das Araras, Santa Tereza Lodge, Porto Jofre, Pousada Poco Alegre, Hotel Baiazinha (Paraguay River), Chapada Dos Guimaraes, and Iguazu Falls.

We're interested in adding Emas National Park, Caraca and Caratinga. I think we'll leave the Amazon for another trip.

atravelynn

Ovenbird,

My Brazil knowledge is not vast. I just know where I've been and a couple places I want to go.

Itatiaia National Park--good for monkeys too I think

Porto Jofre--great rep for wildlife, including jaguar, and birds

Hotel Baiazinha (Paraguay River)--that's where I saw the 7 jaguars. Beautiful area

Chapada Dos Guimaraes--Beautiful red and green macaws along the cliffs. We saw about 11 additional birds not seen in the Pantanal or Atlantic Forests. Very nice resort area.

Iguazu Falls--You may be able to see some tarantulas here with an experienced guide, in addition to the falls, if that is of interest to you. I read about that.

Caraca--the maned wolves visit the monastery. Try to avoid it on weekends. Dress warm if you plan to wait up for the wolves. Birding was ok there.

Caratinga--Great for muriquis (largest monkey in Americas), capuchins, brown howlers. Many birds. This was the only place I had insect troubles. Muquins are tiny ticks that infested my lower 2/3. Take extra care here with insect precautions.

You have a great itinerary. I agree with saving the Amazon for later.

Mike,

I'll spend 7 nights at Caiman Lodge and 3 at Refugio da Ilha. Just S. Pantanal and home.

walrus

Thank you Lynn,

Sounds great, I will be back in Pantanal next year, in South Pantanal for sure at Barranco Alto as usual and if I am going north, I might try Baiazinha or Chapada dos Guimaraes.
By the way did you see my pictures from my last trip at Mashatu. I did not make any report because GreenDrake who was there at the same period did one I could have made.
The pictures can be viewed at the following address ; http://www.africaddict.com/site/inde...&Itemid=30

Cheers

Mike

Patty

Mike,
Barranco Alto sounds wonderful. How do you get there (their website doesn't really address this)? What month were you there? What are the optimal months for wildlife?

I'm supposed to be researching Madagascar and not getting sidetracked by the Patanal!

walrus

Patty,

To get there, you have 2 alternatives, either you go by charter flight from Campo Grande, it's a 1 hour flight, or you go by 4x4 vehicle, which is a 6 hours drive.
I was there in May and July. May was a bit early for optimal wildlife, but I saw an anaconda. July is OK. September and October must be very good. But I must say that with wildlife, there are no assumptions, you can see everything at any moment of the year.

Cheers

Mike

Patty

Thanks, Mike! Did you fly or drive there?

atravelynn

Mike,

I've posted about Brazil on the Africa forum, why not comment on Africa over here on Latin America?

Magnificent Mashatu photos! I recognized that stately eland. You have a variety of wonderful eland shots. Nice job on the serval and the cheetah. You don't consider it a big cat, though, by your labeling. The leopard leg was a great catch. Will check the ele herds later. Thanks for posting.

walrus

Patty,

The first time I went there, I drove, all the other times, I flew. Driving is cheaper, flying is of course faster.

Lynn,

I do not consider the cheetah as a cat, it's a different specie (acinonyx jubatus) in itself. It's neither a panthera (the big cats), nor a felis (the smaller cats). Besides his claws are not retractile like for all the panthera and felis.

Cheers

Mike

Patty

Is the drive interesting or should it only be considered as a way to save money? How early is it necessary to book if one wanted to stay between July and September? Have you already booked for next year? I'm trying to get a sense if it's one of those places where you need to plan far in advance for availability. Thanks!

walrus

Patty,

The first part of the drive is tar road, the second part from Aquidauana is gravel first and then sand and is quiet interesting and slow and the driver has to stop about 35 times to open and close about 35 fences.
For the period between July and September, you should make your bookings around February.
I have not yet booked for next year because, first it's too early and also I do not know yet when I will be going.

Cheers

Mike

Patty

Thanks again!

Patty

Forgot to say, I'm looking forward to your trip report, Lynn!

atravelynn

Patty, you may be to Madagascar and back by the time I have North and South comparisons in July.

Mike, One more reason the cheetah is one of my favorites--it is biologically unique. Your little cats were great too. Those were very young lion cubs.

You had good light and interesting ele activites. A successful stay!

I'll keep Barranco Alto in mind for the future. Don't know how reasonable it is for one person to visit, mainly for the transport to and from. Or are plane or ground transport runs done with regularity for whoever is staying?

walrus

Thank you Lynn for your comments,

Plane or ground transport to Barranco Alto are not really regular transports. They are organised at demand. If you are alone you will be alone to pay for the plane or for the car.
If by chance, there are other people coming or leaving at the same time, it will cost you less. But the customized service you will have at Barranco Alto is far better than the inflexible organisation of Caïman Eco Lodge.

Mike

atravelynn

Maybe some day I'll hitch a ride with you Mike!