Overview

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Justin Black describes photographing jaguars in the Brazilian Pantanal.

THIS IS THE FINEST JAGUAR PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE, BAR NONE.

EXCELLENCE IS IN THE DETAILS.

The Brazilian Pantanal, the world’s largest continental wetland, is a luxuriant forest-savannah mosaic in central-western Brazil that is home to the highest density of jaguars in the world. The jaguars here also happen to be the most massive anywhere in their range, commonly weighing in at 300 pounds, about the size of a large African lioness. We commonly observe jaguars actively hunting (including young males hunting in coalition from time to time), courting and mating, mothers with cubs, swimming the river, and more. Peak action can include successful hunts of caiman and capybaras, males in a territorial battle, jaguars surveying the landscape from tree trunks leaning over the water, leaping off high banks into the river, and other highlights. The rivers and channels provide easy access for our customized photo boat – a stable state-of-the-art aluminum speedboat with revolving centerline camera mounts – to locations frequented by the big cats in the dry season.

The Pantanal is also simply the greatest wildlife spectacle of Latin America. In addition to the jaguars, it harbors the world’s largest parrots (hyacinth macaw), the world’s largest snake (green anaconda), the world’s largest otter, and many other species in astonishingly high densities.

Justin Black will lead his ninth expedition in the Pantanal for Visionary Wild, and will provide attentive photo instruction and guidance throughout the itinerary. The small group size ensures ample space to maneuver for photography from the boat, and plenty of time for one-on-one instruction and feedback from Justin.

After gathering for a night at the excellent Hotel Deville in the gateway city of Cuiabá, we will head down the renowned Transpantaneira Highway to spend two nights at the Pantanal Wildlife Center’s Fazenda Santa Tereza, a comfortable lodge located on an expansive estate on the banks of the wildlife-rich Pixaim River. Then we will continue to the inland river delta that constitutes the prime “Jaguar Zone,” spending six nights at our floating hotel, which consists of two hotel barges – the comfortable Jaguar Flotel and the newer, more spacious Jaguar Suites – moored together (you step from one hotel barge to the other) on the shore of the Piquiri River near the confluence with the Cuiabá River. Located in the heart of the best jaguar action, when compared with the longer commutes by boat from other area accommodations, this privileged location on the water permits us to spend an extra two hours per day with the big cats, and to be on location at the best times of day for quality light, comfortable temperatures, and scenic beauty in the Pantanal. Two classes of accommodation are available: the first consists of a block of four Jaguar Suites rooms, offering the finest guest rooms in all the Pantanal, purpose-built to support serious photographers in comfort. We are also offering a somewhat less expensive option in two rooms on the Jaguar Flotel barge. Both classes of accommodation are available as single or double occupancy, and both have great air-conditioning and hot showers.

At Fazenda Santa Teresa, several wildlife observation towers include one located just 16 meters from an active nest of habituated Jabiru storks – perfect at first light in the morning – and a second one in gallery forest along the banks of the river. Virtually guaranteed wildlife sightings here include giant otters, ocelots, capuchin monkeys, numerous bird species including toco toucans, hyacinth macaws, rufescent tiger heron, anhingas, crested caracaras, various fishing hawks, stunning yellow-billed cardinals, an the extraordinary great potoo. Jaguars and tapirs are sometimes seen at the Fazenda Santa Tereza as well.

On our way back up the Transpantaneira, we will spend our final night at Pouso Allegre Lodge, which offers excellent opportunities to photograph tapirs, giant anteaters, and diverse bird species.