Photography trip with multiple-award winning
wildlife photographer Petr Bambousek
The Pantanal is an absolutely fascinating place from a photographic point of view. That is why I return there repeatedly and I am thrilled to announce that, I will be offering the opportunity for foreign photographers to join the expedition again. NORTHERN & SOUTHERN PANTANAL PHOTOGRAPHY TRIP is here! While I can’t promise specific sightings in advance, the photos below will demonstrate the variety of subjects available for photography here. Physically, the trip to the Pantanal is relatively easy, with no demanding treks. Most photographic subjects are conveniently located near well-situated lodges and fazendas. During the trip, we will also spend time on boats, which will allow us to observe life around the wetland from a different perspective. An experienced local guide and I, as a person with many years of photographic experience, will be at your disposal for the entire duration of the expedition. I will be happy to share with you my field-tested camera settings, help you find an attractive angles, and in the evenings we can also discuss my photo editing procedures on the PC. In short, the journey will be full of photographic inspiration. We will be spending 15 days / 14 nights in the world’s most iconic wetland! To maintain a personal and private atmosphere, I am offering ONLY 6 SPOTS on this trip.
UPDATE September 30, 2024: LAST 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE. Register thru the form at the bottom of the page.
PANTANAL 2025 | SIMPLE TRIP ITINERARY
NORTHERN PART
May 30th (Day 1): Arrival in Cuiabá and Transfer to the 1st Lodge.
The tour begins in Cuiaba (IATA: CGB) May 30, the capital of the state of Mato Grosso. Please plan to arrive in Cuiabá the previous day. After the group has assembled, we depart for a small town called Poconé. From Poconé we will start our adventure on the Transpantaeira road, where a few stops for photos will be made before we arrive at 1st lodge. Afternoon bird photography session. Night at 1st Lodge.
May 31th (Day 2): Full day at 1st Lodge
We will have a full day to explore the lodge’s property, where we can photograph various bird species. Boat trip to photograph kingfishers, herons, sunbitterns, … Night at 1st Lodge.
June 1st (Day 3): Travel to Porto Jofre
A full morning to explore 1st Lodge’s property. Morning activity around the lodge. Later we pack up and head south in the Transpantaneira in the heat of the afternoon, making a few birding stops as we go. The drive to Porto Jofre takes a couple of hours at a birding pace, so there will be quiet stretches we can skip over in order to make the Campos do Jofre, an expansive open marsh near the end of the road, by late afternoon. Here we should see many waterbirds dotting the swampy plain, and we’ll hope for our first Maguari Storks amongst the sea of caiman, capybaras, egrets, and herons. As the day draws to a close, we drive the final few kilometres to our destination for the next four nights at the comfortable Lodge. Night at 2nd Lodge
June 2nd – June 4th (Day 4 – 6): Jaguar area
We have three full days to dedicate to our search for the largest cat in the Americas, the powerful Jaguar. This elusive apex predator is nearly impossible to find across much of its range, but the area surrounding the Encontro das Aguas State Park, centered along the lower reaches of the Three Brothers river in the northern Pantanal has become famous over the past fifteen years as the most reliable place in the world to see Jaguars. While these solitary predators are secretive and elusive, we have excellent chances to observe and photograph them during our three full days on the Cuiabá, Piquiri and Three Brothers rivers. Each day will consist of a full morning and an afternoon river safari using comfortable motorized launches with powerful 4-stroke engines that allow us to reach all the best locations quickly and quietly. We’ll be looking for Jaguars as they rest in the shade, drink at the water’s edge, or stalk the river banks in search of their favoured prey – Capybaras and Caimans. Additionally, we expect to encounter multiple family groups of Giant Otters, and many birds including all five South American kingfishers, Black Skimmers, Yellow-billed and Large-billed Terns, Pied Lapwings, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Jabiru, Roseate Spoonbill, Black-collared Hawk, Blue-crowned Trogon, Little Cuckoo, Cinereous-breasted and Rusty-backed Spinetails, Orange-backed Troupial and much more. Night at 2nd Lodge
June 5th (Day 7): Transfer to 3rd Lodge
Right after breakfast, we will start driving back on the Transpantaneira road, towards our 3th Lodge. Afternoon birding around the lodge and Transpantaneira. Night at 3rd Lodge.
June 6th (Day 8): Full day in 3rd Lodge
We have a full day to explore birds and mammals of the area. High potential place for Giant Anteater, Armadillo, Burrowing Owls, Rheas, Seriema, Hyacinth Macaw and many more. Night at 3rd Lodge.
SOUTHERN PART
June 7th (Day 9): Move to Southern Pantanal
After breakfast we will move back to Cuiaba to catch the flight to Southern part of Pantanal. Night at 4th Lodge.
June 8th (Day 10): Travel to 5th Lodge
We will move to our next lodge right after the breakfast. We will enjoy beautiful environment with an abundance of birds. Night at 5th Lodge.
June 9th – June 10th (Day 11 – 12): Full day in 5th Lodge
We have 2 full days to explore the lodge surroundings. Our targets are Toco Toucans, Hyacinth Macaws, Giant Anteaters, and many more. Night at 5th Lodge.
June 11th – 12th (Day 13 – 14): 6th Lodge
On day of arrival to our 6th place – afternoon visit of the best spot for flying Red-and-green Macaw in Pantanal. Next day – morning visit of the same place for even more birds-in-flight opportunities. Night at 6th Lodge.
June 13th (Day 15): End of the tour
After breakfast we will end our ultimate photography tour …
TRIP DATES: May 30th to June 13th, 2025 (15 Days / 14 Nights)
GROUP SIZE: 6 persons (LAST 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE)
PRICE PER PERSON: USD 9 100 (first minute offer USD 8 900, register until 15 October 2024)
INCLUDED: Accommodation (based on 2 people sharing), 3 meals per day, drinking water, free soft drinks, all necessary ground transportation in comfortable air-conditioned van within Pantanal area, private boat rides just for our group, experienced local guides and boatmans, access to hides, Petr’s full day support, wildlife photography and photo editing lectures
NOT INCLUDED: Flights to/from Cuiabá and other international flights, local flights, alcoholic beverages, tips for guides, laundry services, single room surcharge (USD 1 420), and day trips outside the itinerary.
ARE YOU IN?
Great! Please submit the completed form, and I will contact you in the following weeks with the documents for the contract and payment after registration. You will also receive more detailed information about itinerary, optimal equipment, clothing and other necessary details to enjoy the trip 100%. Feel free to ask anything regarding to the trip.
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