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Pantanal - Photography with Todd Gustafson

   

September 18, 2012 - September 30, 2012

  • Introduction
  • Highlights
  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Contacts
  • Register

Shady lagoons, water hyacinth choked estuaries, and smooth sand beaches are the setting for our photo shoot. Mighty jungle rivers, smaller streams and sheltered coves are the habitat for countless bird, mammal, and reptile species. The Pantanal’s amazing fabric of life unfolds from one moment to the next offering constant and undreamed of photographic opportunities. With the water being the hub of life for the Pantanal there are great opportunities for flight photography. Seeing kingfishers and Black-collared Hawks fishing is a common sight. Many bird species inhabit these wetlands. Huge Jabiru Storks patrol the beaches, fish in shallow waters, and tend their young in massive nests. Flocks of birds roost in trees along the rivers, including Neo-tropic Cormorants, Snail Kites, Parakeets, and Toco Toucans. The jungle rivers offer perfect perches for stunning bird photography. Tapirs swim in the rivers; capybaras and white-cheeked peccaries can be easily photographed from the boats. Marauding giant otters in large family groups hunt for fish. Exploring by motor boat and armed with powerful camera equipment, we will come face to face with some of the most beautiful and dramatic photo subjects on earth including, of course, the main event…jaguars. The Pantanal’s rich habitat and abundant aquatic life have lured fisherman for decades. The constant activity of fishing boats has habituated jaguars to their presence. Jaguars often relax in the shade of riverside trees and underbrush to get out of the heat of the day. From these vantage points they monitor the river and wait for prey to come for a drink. By the end of the trip, each photographer will have had several opportunities to make photographic images of a lifetime in the Pantanal!

Photograph the Jabiru Stork nest from the world’s only observation tower.

Observe the 600-pound, elusive Brazilian Tapirs, comical, fat, wigglynosed relatives of the horse in the forest.

Take scenic drives and boat tours and get the chance to snapshots of Jabiru Storks, tapirs, anteaters, and otters.

Enjoy a boat trip on Rio Pixaim, a memorable way to view the giant otters from a distance of only 3 to 16 feet away.

Jaguars, jaguars, and more jaguars!

September 18 -

Depart from United States. Please note that American citizens need a visa to enter Brazil and this needs to be obtained before leaving United States.

September 19 - Pantanal

Upon arrival to Sao Paulo, you will meet our representative and check in for your internal flight. Upon arrival in Cuiabá, you will meet your guide and depart to the Pantanal driving for about 2 hours to reach the famous Transpantaneira Road, which is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the world. Lunch will be en route at Portal Paraiso Lodge. You will arrive at Pantanal Wildlife Center (PWC) late in the afternoon. PWC was once called, "Fazenda Santa Tereza," and was a traditional cattle ranch. Today, it is an eco-lodge on 3,500 hectares of flooded lands situated at the end of Rio Pixaim River. Here you are deep into the Pantanal where you can take boat safaris on the rivers see monkeys, many bird species, capybaras, caymans, and giant otters. You can also explore the marked trails through the forest surrounding the Pantanal Wildlife Center. Canopy towers are strategically located at fruiting and flowering trees. Overnight Pantanal Wildlife Center (LD)

September 20 - Pantanal

After breakfast enjoy an early morning walk in the surrounding area. Return prior to lunch in time to relax and explore the area on your own. After lunch, in the afternoon you will take a boat tour of the Rio Pixaim. P WC is an excellent location for bird watching. It is also one of the best sites for predictable viewing wild giant otters from a distance of only 3 to 16 feet away. Often they will come close to the boat, craning their necks, and snorting loudly. Overnight Pantanal Wildlife Center (BLD)

September 21 - Pantanal

After breakfast you will be driving south along the Transpantaneira to the Jaguar Research Center (JRC), which will be a photo safari in and of itself. You will continue to the very end of this famous road to Porto Jofre, to reach the 820 foot wide Cuiabá River, which is the border between the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso Do Sul. You will complete the journey to JRC by boating 1-1. 5 hours upstream on the Cuiaba River and then to Three Brothers River. The 270,000 acre meeting of the waters state park begins about a third of the way up the river to the JRC, which is located in the very heart of this remote, wild park. Overnight Jaguar Research Center (BLD)

September 22 - Pantanal

In addition to the jaguars, there are two groups of giant otters at JRC. One group is near the mouth of the Piquiri River and the other near the 330-acre island that lies seven minutes by boat upstream on the Three Brothers River. Today you will continue exploring the meeting of the water’s state park, in search of the giant otters and other wildlife. During the course of the next four days, you will explore the area by boat. After an early breakfast, you will leave the camp for a full day boat trip to observe the diversity of the animals in the region. You will watch for jaguars, tapirs, anteaters, giant otters, birds and other animals common to this region. You will use small motor-boats to explore narrow and wild rivers in the core of this huge park. Recent guests have seen several of these huge predators, during the day, many of them at very close range for extended periods. You will return to the center at the end of the afternoon in time for dinner. Overnight Jaguar Research Center (BLD)

September 23 - Pantanal

Full day search for jaguars and other wildlife by boat. Overnight Jaguar Research Center (BLD)

September 24 - Pantanal

Full day search for jaguars and other wildlife by boat. Overnight Jaguar Research Center (BLD)

September 25 - Pantanal

Full day search for jaguars and other wildlife by boat. Overnight Jaguar Research Center (BLD)

September 26 - Pantanal

After the breakfast you will take the boat to transfer back to Porto Jofre and a wildlife road safari along the Transpantaneira on your way back to the PWC. You will arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will explore the trails looking for various wildlife. Overnight Pantanal Wildlife Center (BLD)

September 27 - Pantanal

The next two days will be dedicated for wildlife spotting. PWC is the only lodge in the Pantanal offering mobile canopy towers near fruiting trees and electric catamarans for long-lens photography on the intimate, wildlife-rich river that flows next to the lodge. These floating blinds are designed to allow you to sneak up silently on mammals and birds along the banks of the river. Overnight Pantanal Wildlife Center (BLD)

September 28 - Pantanal

Full day wildlife spotting. Overnight Pantanal Wildlife Center (BLD)

September 29 - Cuiaba

After breakfast drive 1. 5 hours along the Transpantaneira back to the town of Poconé, and then 1. 15hours on asphalt to Cuiabá. You will be arriving to the airport approximately at 9:45 A.M for your 11:45 A.M flight to Sao Paulo, arriving at 2:45 P.M, where you will connect with your international flight back home ( most flights depart in the evening) lunch and dinner will be on your own. (B)

September 30 - Cuiaba

Arrive United States

Pricing

$7995

Cost is all inclusive in double occupancy rooms excluding international airfare.
Single supplement is offered at $875 subject to availability.

For more information please contact Pelin Karaca at 800-451-7111 x338 or email pelin@holbrooktravel.com