Jaguar Photography Expedition

Mato Grosso, Brazil
September 9 - 15, 2024
- 7 Day Trip / 5 Days of Wildlife -
SOLD OUT


THE ADVENTURE

Journey with us to the Northern Pantanal, in Brazil where wild jaguars roam free.

The Pantanal River is thick with cats… and we know, we can get you close to these great cats to snap pretty pictures.

But what we really want to show you is a hunting cat.

It's a rush of adrenaline capturing nature's drama unfolding right before your eyes.

The Jaguar action is the primary reason for joining this trip, but the Pantanal promises you so much more.

YOU MAY ALSO ENCOUNTER… giant river otters, yellow anacondas, tapirs, giant anteaters, ocelots, crab-eating foxes, howler monkeys, capybaras, and the iconic Jabiru storks.

With each moment spent in the Pantanal, you'll create memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.


Trip Cost is $5,388 per person (Dbl Occ.)

With an $800 deposit required to reserve your space.


  • PRICE INCLUDES:

    • Transportation from Cuiaba Airport to lodge (R/T)

    • 6 night stay at eco-lodge. add $600 for single Occupancy

    • Bi-lingual guide

    • All meals

    • 4 days seeking out jaguars and wildlife along the river

    • One day land safari seeking out Jaguars, Tapirs, and Giant Anteaters

    • One night safari

    • Photo Coaching During the trip

    • Airfare

    • Alcoholic beverages

    • Soft drinks

    • Hotel on travel days

    • Crew gratuities

    • Covid tests (if required)

    • Travel insurance

    • Meals on travel days.


🔥 YOUR NEXT MOVE…
- You can book your trip now - Or request more information on the trip.




TRIP ITINERARY


Day 1
TRAVEL DAY
We pick you up in a private van at 10AM from the Cuiaba Airport (CGB), and drive (4 hours), to our Lodge, on the Northern Pantanal.

During the drive, we enter the Transpantaneira road, which offers some amazing wildlife viewing on the road sides.

Here you might find; peccary, greater rheas, tapirs, caiman, capybaras, marsh deer, giant anteaters, as well as countless bird species.

When we arrive at the hotel - we check you into your hotel room where you can prep gear, and spend the rest of the day walking around the hotel grounds.


DAY 2 - 5 (4 days)
WILDLIFE DAYS
Breakfast begins at 6am. At 7am we will depart for our first day on the river. Before we depart to the river, walk around the hotel grounds, there is a diversity of bird life here in the early mornings to photograph, including the endangered hyacinth macaw.


DAY 6
Today we change it up a bit. Breakfast begins at 6am. At 7am we will depart our hotel and head out to a private ranch spend the morning in search of tapirs and giant anteaters. The goal is to find these giants foraging for food in the grasslands. Our lodge has developed an area where it is now possible to find these elusive iconic animals.

NIGHT SAFARI
At 4pm will board the back of our safari styled vehicle, and take a drive along the Transpantaneira Highway, seeking out wildlife that comes out in the evening to forage along the road. At dusk we will drive the back roads of this private ranch, seeking out nocturnal wildlife; like ocelots, peccary, anteaters and tapirs, maned wolves, crab eating foxes, and if we are really lucky hunting jaguars.


DAY 7
DEPARTURE DAY
Wake up at 6AM to search for giant anteaters one more time, then return for breakfast.

After breakfast, we will pack up our gear and begin our journey back to the airport. Please make all return flights after 2PM


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


  • THE TRIP BEGINS IN CUIBA…

    To reach Cuiabá, you'll need to fly in from São Paulo International Airport (GRU).

    Here are some airlines that commonly fly into São Paulo:

    For Guarulhos International Airport (GRU):

    • LATAM Airlines

    • Gol Transportes Aéreos

    • Azul Brazilian Airlines

    • American Airlines

    • Delta Air Lines

    • United Airlines

    • Air France

    • Lufthansa

    • Emirates

    • British Airways

    • Qatar Airways

    These airlines offer both domestic and international flights, connecting São Paulo to various destinations within Brazil and worldwide.

    Flight availability and routes may vary based on the airport and airline schedules.

    It's recommended to check with specific airlines or travel platforms for the most up-to-date information on flights to São Paulo.

    AIRLINES THAT COMMONLY SERVE CUIBA:

    • LATAM Airlines

    • Gol Transportes Aéreos

    • Azul Brazilian Airlines

    • Voepass Linhas Aéreas

    • Avianca Brazil

    HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS:

    For Marechal Rondon International Airport (CGB) in Cuiabá, Brazil, there are several hotels in close proximity to the airport that offer convenience for travelers.

    Here are a few options:

    • Hits Pantanal Hotel: Located around 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) from the airport, this hotel offers modern rooms and amenities.

    • Hotel Express: Situated approximately 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the airport, it provides a comfortable stay with easy access.

    • Hotel Taiamã: Around 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from the airport, this hotel offers a range of facilities and is relatively close.

    • Hotel Skala: Located within a 10-minute drive from the airport, offering a convenient stay option.

    • Hotel Fazenda Mato Grosso: A bit farther, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the airport, this hotel offers a more rural setting and leisure facilities.

  • ARRIVAL DAY:
    In Cuiba, they will be picking us up at 10AM to take us to the lodge.

    We recommend flying in the day before, or an early morning flight from Sao Paulo.

    DEPARTURE DAY:
    The return to Cuiba airport we will depart around 9:30AM and get to the airport around 12 noon. Flights after 2PM.

  • This expedition offers a unique exploration of two distinct ecosystems.

    For four days, our focus will be on wildlife encounters by boat, scouting for jaguars hunting along the Pantanal river's edge, and observing various wildlife and birds.

    As we transition to the final day, we'll relocate to a private ranch for on-land safaris—both during the day and at night. Here, our quest continues for sightings of giant anteaters, foxes, tapirs, and night jaguars.

  • Please note that these expeditions involve wild animal encounters, and while there is never any guarantee of sighting wildlife, we strategically plan our visits during the best times of the year for the greatest chances of success.

    We want to highlight that touching wildlife is strictly NOT permitted.

    Every encounter is unique, and the duration is solely at the discretion of the animals.

    Participants caught manhandling wildlife may be asked to leave the area.

    It's essential to maintain a safe distance and show utmost respect towards wildlife.

    We know there's never a certainty, but during our expeditions, we've had a remarkable record. We've encountered jaguars on 100% of the trips we've run, making this an exceptional opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

    Please Note: if the animal is not interested in interacting with us or shows signs of stress, we will leave the animal alone and go find other wildlife to encounter. 



    YOUR SAFETY AND THE WELL-BEING OF THE ANIMALS ARE OUR TOP PRIORITIES.

    We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in preserving the beauty of the wildlife and their environment.

  • Solo Travelers signing up for land-based trips individually will be charged the single occupancy rate.

    To help keep costs down, you have the option to inform us if you would like to share a room with another solo guest of the same sex.

    We'll make every effort to find you a roommate. However, if no one else wishes to share, you will be charged for a single room.

  • A non-refundable deposit of $800 USD is required to reserve a space on SDM adventures.


    50% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 180 days prior to departure.


    100% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 90 days prior to departure.


    A 4% surcharge is applied to payments made via credit card.


    A 3% paypal surcharge is applied to payments made using paypal.


    Payments can also be made via wire transfer. Just let us know and we will send you the bank transfer info. 
Please add $40 to cover bank fees.


    Payments can be made by mailing a U.S. Check, or U.S. Money Order Payable to:


    SDM adventures
332 East 15th St.
San Juan, Texas 78589

  • All cancellations made more than 120 days prior to departure will receive refund (less an administrative fee of $800 USD per person). This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. However, if we manage to fill the trip after you cancel, we will apply the deposit towards any of our trips that you sign up for, during the following 12 months. If you cancel again during that period, you will lose the deposit.


    Cancellations made (91 to 120), calendar days prior to departure, are assessed a cancellation fee of 50% of the entire trip price, (including extensions).


    Cancellations made within 90 days of departure date will not be refunded, therefore we strongly recommend all guest purchase travel insurance.


    All cancellations must be made in writing by mail or by email to sdm@sharkdivermag.com, - received and acknowledged by SDM Adventures.


    We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.


    No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after an expedition begins.


    We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.