Pantanal Wildlife Photo Tour
August 22- September 1, 2025
$9495 Double Occupancy $10445 Single Occupancy
SOLD OUT – I will be offering this tour again in 2026 – email for waitlist
Diverse Wetland
The Pantanal is a massive and diverse wetland which teems with wildlife. This is an ALL NEW guided photo tour & workshop for 2025. We’ll see and photograph unique species such as giant otter, caiman, birds of endless variety and of course the BIG wish – Jaguar! Participants will get EXCELLENT images. Come with Don and capture it all.
Immersive Experience
During the end of August the wetlands of the Pantanal have receded enough that the animals become concentrated in certain locations. On my tour we’ll stay at and experience 3 wonderful eco-lodges, all located close to this wildlife action. Besides just being in the right place with our lodges, we’ll also enlist the services of expert local wildlife guides who know exactly where all the Pantanal wildlife can be easily found and photographed.
August 22, 2025
Arrive at the designated hotel in Cuiaba, Brazil anytime this afternoon or evening. We have a group meeting at 6pm to cover a meet and greet, tour logistics, etc. Fly from your hometown to Sao Paulo, Brazil and then on to Cuiaba, Brazil (airport code CGB). You’ll be met by a professional driver to transport you to the first hotel from the airport.
August 23-25, 2025
We’ll have a professional driver with van plus an expert wildlife guide to lead us on early morning and late afternoon private boat tours on the Pixaim River where we’ll search for and photograph a variety of Pantanal wildlife.
August 26-28, 2025
During these days we’ll transfer to the Porto Joffe area and again we’ll have a professional driver and private boat tours to search the area for wildlife. This is the place to Jaguar photography. While sightings of specific wildlife is never guaranteed, Jaguars are spotted in this area almost daily during the dry season. We should have excellent chances to photograph Jaguars at close range these days. Lots of other wildlife as well.
August 29-31, 2025
These days we’ll transfer by van to our third and final eco-lodge, located in the northern part of the Pantanal. Our lodge has excellent grounds for all sorts of amazing bird life including macaws, parrots, tanagers, hummingbirds and more. We’ll take daily driving safaris by van with an expert naturalist who can find all sorts of wildlife that we wouldn’t see on our own. On the 31st of August in the afternoon we’ll drive back to Cuiaba to be close to the airport.
September 1, 2025
One final breakfast this morning and then prepare for flights to your hometown.
August 22, 2025
Arrive at the designated hotel in Cuiaba, Brazil anytime this afternoon or evening. We have a group meeting at 6pm to cover a meet and greet, tour logistics, etc. Fly from your hometown to San Paulo, Brazil and then on to Cuiaba, Brazil (airport code CGB). You’ll be met by a professional driver to transport you to the first hotel from the airport.
August 23-25, 2025
We’ll have a professional driver with van plus an expert wildlife guide to lead us on early morning and late afternoon private boat tours on the Pixaim River where we’ll search for and photograph a variety of Pantanal wildlife.
August 26-28, 2025
During these days we’ll transfer to the Porto Joffe area and again we’ll have a professional driver and private boat tours to search the area for wildlife. This is the place to Jaguar photography. While sightings of specific wildlife is never guaranteed, Jaguars are spotted in this area almost daily during the dry season. We should have excellent chances to photograph Jaguars at close range these days. Lots of other wildlife as well.
August 29-31, 2025
These days we’ll transfer by van to our third and final eco-lodge, located in the northern part of the Pantanal. Our lodge has excellent grounds for all sorts of amazing bird life including macaws, parrots, tanagers, hummingbirds and more. We’ll take daily driving safaris by van with an expert naturalist who can find all sorts of wildlife that we wouldn’t see on our own. On the 31st of August in the afternoon we’ll drive back to Cuiaba to be close to the airport.
September 1, 2025
One final breakfast this morning and then prepare for flights to your hometown.
- Tour begins and ends in Cuiaba, Brazil. You’ll need to fly from your hometown to San Paulo, Brazil, then continue on to Cuiaba, brazil.
- Tourist Visas (eVisa, apply online) are now required for citizens of USA. Click HERE for required visa information.
- Tips are not included. It is customary in Brazil to tip drivers and guides.
- Low.
- Most photo locations are within 1/2 mile of where we’ll park.
- Trails/boardwalks can be wet and slippery – bring proper hiking shoes.
- Pantanal heat can be tiring for those not acclimatized.
- Drinking plenty of water or energy drinks helps. – Bring a refillable water bottle.
- Mostly sunny, with daytime temperatures in the 80’s or 90’s Fahrenheit.
- Early morning/nighttime temperatures generally in the upper 60’s Fahrenheit.
- Very little rain during August.
- Digital camera body or 2 in order to have a backup
- Wildlife zoom lens such as a 200-600mm, 100-400mm or similar
- All-around scenic lens such as a full frame equivalent of 28-200mm or similar
- Sturdy tripod
- Polarizing filter for your all-around scenic lens
- Extra batteries and battery charger
- Plenty of memory cards – you might shoot up to 3,000 images/day
Includes
- 10 nights accommodations.*
- All meals from dinner on August 22 until breakfast on September 1.
- In-depth photo instruction and leadership from a professional photographer.
- Guided sunrise and sunset photo sessions every day of the tour.
- 2 boat tours on the Pixaim River.
- 3 boat tours in Porto Jofre looking for Jaguars.
- Professional van driver and boat drivers throughout the tour.
- Dedicated naturalist and expert bird guide to help find and photograph area wildlife.
- The advantage of traveling with a like-minded, small photo group who doesn’t mind waiting in order to get the best photos.
- True small group (maximum of 7) which facilitates even more learning and inspiration.
- Group and/or one-on-one image critique and photo sharing sessions.
- Tons of fun!
Not Included
- Flights from your hometown to Cuiaba, Brazil.
- Necessary eVisa – Click HERE to obtain yours.
- Drinks such as beer and wine.
- Tips to local drivers and guides.
- Travel insurance.
- Gifts and items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc.
