Jaguar au Pantanal, Brésil © Christophe Courteau
Brazil
Pantanal Nord
From Cuiabá, the journey takes around four hours by road during the dry season, from May to November. It can take longer during the rainy season, from December to April, depending on the condition of the track. From Poconé, the gateway to the Pantanal via the Transpantaneira, the journey takes around three hours in the dry season.
Getting to the reserve is part of the experience itself: the Transpantaneira road gradually crosses savannah, wetlands, forests and waterways, already offering numerous opportunities to observe wildlife.
The lodge is designed in the spirit of a comfortable nature camp, with a family-run, intimate atmosphere. The aim is to let travelers fully enjoy their surroundings without giving up essential comfort. The property aims to keep a human-scale feel, far removed from large hotel complexes.
The reserve is above all an outstanding base for wildlife-watching activities. Trails allow guests to explore different habitats on foot or on horseback, while 4x4 outings and boat excursions are offered to discover the landscapes and track down wild animals. The Cuiabá and Pixaim rivers are within less than an hour’s reach and allow, among other things, boat trips in search of giant otters, caimans, capybaras and, with luck and depending on the season, jaguars.
The Jaguar Ecological Reserve currently offers several types of accommodation, allowing guests to remain genuinely close to nature while enjoying a good level of comfort. The property states it has 13 rooms, split between standard and premium categories. The standard rooms, approximately 19 to 23 m² in size, feature reverse-cycle air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a private bathroom, mosquito-screened windows, free Wi-Fi and a safe.
The premium rooms, more spacious, offer around 35 m². They also feature air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a private bathroom, a hairdryer, a safe and a minibar. They additionally benefit from a private outdoor space dedicated to rest and reading, including hammocks.
The main richness of the Jaguar Ecological Reserve lies in its natural environment. Activities are entirely geared towards discovering the Pantanal and its wildlife: vehicle safaris, boat outings, hikes, horseback rides and birdwatching.
The reserve has a network of trails crossing different habitats, from grassy areas to forested sections. Guides accompany visitors in identifying species and can help spot monkeys, coatis, birds and other Pantanal animals. Boat excursions, meanwhile, reveal the wildlife of the rivers.