Home > Jaguar Trasking Safari JAGUAR TRACKING SAFARI Track the jaguar in the Pantanal of Brazil Departures from Cuiabá – Mato Grosso In the northern Pantanal where there is more fauna, we snake through small lengthy tributaries to bays in small quiet aluminum boats where jaguars are known to be and have been seen hunting or just basking in the sun. In the southern Pantanal where the region is more open, enjoyable horseback riding and/or rugged Jeep safaris are used for reaching lakes that get smaller and smaller in the dry season where animals are forced to concentrate themselves around what little water is left. We will get up late at night and use our army level night-vision binoculars, to find the distinct star bright reflection of the jaguars eyes. Pantanal Eco Explorer does the most determined jaguar tracking tour than any other company, as being locals to the Pantanal and having more than 17 years of experience we know the areas that need to be searched, based on time of the year and weather. This tour is for small groups of 2 - 4 people as it is easier to stay stealthy instead of scaring the jaguar off before getting the chance to see it. Also, based on your preference we can either do a more rugged tracking tour by only camping, a more comfortable tracking tour by lodging in remote fazendas, or we can mix it up and camp some days, and lodge on others, the choice is up to you. While most other groups track jaguars by means of using dogs and microchips planted in the animals, Pantanal Eco Explorer uses nature to find this elusive feline. Using the "esturrador", an indian instrument made of bamboo, we call the jaguar, making what sounds very much like a jaguars roar. This is a persistent hunt to find one of the most secretive- yet majestic animals in the world, and the hunt takes place in the Pantanal region of Brazil, where Jaguar numbers are probably higher than anywhere else on the continent, the chances of encountering one greatly increase during the dry periods from June to July with also great chances of spotting one all the way through November. Interesting facts about the Jaguar: - Strongest bite out of all the other big cats - Instead of killing its prey by biting the neck, it bites and crushes the skull - Bite is strong enough to break a tortoises´shell - Can reach up to more than 7 feet in length - Is short and stocky in build - They are great swimmers and climbers - There are also melanistic or black jaguars Habitat: The Jaguar is commonly found in rain forests, savannahs, and swamps, but at the northern end of its territory it may enter scrub country and even deserts. The Jaguar still has a stronghold in the Amazon basin. The strongest populations being found in the Pantanal states of Brazil, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso Do Sul Diet: Jaguars eat an array of animals such as deer, monkeys, capybara, frogs, tapirs, dogs, and even anacondas and caiman. The jaguar is known by researchers and indigenous people alike to have an unmatched stalk and ambush attack tactic. Ecological Role: The jaguar is an apex predator, lives at the top of the food chain. It regulates the populations of prey such as herbivores and other carnivorous mammals which keeps the structural integrity of its habitat. Threats to the Jaguar: It becomes a problem for farmers when a jaguar starts to eat his cattle. Jaguars are sadly shot on site in certain areas of the Pantanal by farmers who fear for their livestock and by Natives, who fear for their lives and the lives of their children. Thankfully this is changing in some areas ,as tourism money fills in for whatever cattle is lost in the paws of a jaguar.

Example Etinerary

DAY 1 - Arrival Cuiabá Airport–CGB Mato Grosso, Brazil. - Reception at the Ecoexplorer Office. - Departure by 4WD vehicle for the Pantanal - Picnic style lunch along the way - Spotting of Animals along the Transpantaneira - Arrival at the Jaguar Lodge (130 km) - Time to settle into the lodge - Dinner - Night time spotlighting trip.	DAY 2 - Sunrise walk looking for jaguar - Return to the lodge for breakfast. - Full day safari by car and on foot. - Return to the Jaguar Lodge for Dinner - Night safari.

DAY 3
- Early Morning Wakeup.
- Travel to Porto Jofre by 4WD vehicle (30km) spotting animals along the way.
- Settle into a private house.
- Lunch.
- Afternoon boat trip exploring the nearby waterways (this is where the august 4th trip spotted their jaguar).
- Return to the house.
- Dinner
- Evening spotlighting trip by boat
- Overnight stay at the private house.

DAY 4
- Breakfast at the house.
- Repack items for camping.
- Departure by motor-boat upstream on the Três Irmãos River looking for Caimans, Giant River Otters, Deer, Capybaras, and, of course, Jaguars.
- Camp along the shores of the Três Irmãos River.
- Night time spotlighting.

DAY 5 - Break Camp - Return downstream along the Três Irmãos River - Lunch along the River - Turn east and continue upstream by motor-boat on the Piquirí River. - Establish overnight campsite on the Piquirí River. - Night time spotlighting by river or afoot depending on the camp location.	DAY 6 - Early morning walk into the savannah looking for Jaguar. - Continue upstream on the Piquirí River by motor-boat. - Overnight at the Ilha Verde Lodge.

DAY 7
- Continue upstream on the Piquirí by motorboat.
- Establish camp in early afternoon along the riverbank.
- Late afternoon trek into the savannah.
- Night time spotlighting.

DAY 8
- Return Downstream on the Piquirí to the Ilha Verde Lodge.
- Overnight at the lodge.

DAY 9
- Full day boat exploration. Returning to the Private house in Porto Jofre.
- Overnight at the private house.

DAY 10
- Early morning breakfast
- Return trip Porto Jofre to Cuiabá by 4WD vehicle.

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road conditions, weather, group decisions & desires, and circumstances beyond our control.

TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL: We have tour packages from which you can choose from and we can also customize tours according to your needs and preferences. Groups are small, usually two to four participants, choose between lodge safáris, camping safáris, to River Cruises, lodge & camping safaris.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any additional information


CLIENT'S TESTIMONIALS:

August 4, 2006 Pantanal Jaguar Tracking Tour
We have just returned from an eleven day adventure through the Pantanal. Of course, we saw an amazing abundance of wildlife. Highlights included tapir, giant river otters, hyacinth macaws, and to top it all off a jaguar! An important part of the trip was, of course, the remoteness of the experience. For the majority of our trip we only ran into a few local ranchers. We felt as we had the Pantanal all to ourselves.
Our guide, Flávio, was on a constant search for wildlife from the moment we started and could easily identify all that we saw, including birds. All of the support staff, from the boat crew to the jeep drivers was very kind and helpful. If you would like to get off the beaten path, Ecoexplorer can really help you build a wonderful trip. If you like a bit of comfort along the way, we recommend a Pousada or two (especially if you are in there for eleven days). We do not think there is much more we could have done to make this trip more enjoyable or exciting.
Scott & Jill (Colorado, USA)


August 4, 2006 Pantanal Jaguar Tracking Tour
I have just got back from 11 days in the Pantanal. Joined Jill and Scott on this trip and I think they have described very well our experience of this trip. Three to four people would be the maximum number for this trip for me. It kept the group very small which was great for viewing the wildlife.
The Pantanal is very beautiful and you can feel really alone and away from other tourists.
I loved the experience.
Thank you!
Helen Sayer (Lancashire, England)


19 October 2006 Pantanal Jaguar Tracking Tour
The Pantanal trip with Carlos was spectacular. We saw different varieties of animals such as caymans, hawks,
eagles, capebaras and more. The boat ride to the narrow river was just like being in National Geograhic - capebaras, caymans and storks all sitting by the river. The sound of the birds and different animals early in the morning was memorable. I am sad that I will never hear these sounds again unless we go back to Cuiaba.
The boat and camping trip to Guapore was fun, exciting, rugged and full of adventure. Flavio and Hermis made the trip more adventurous by waking us up early in the morning for the Jaguar tracking at 2:00 in the morning. Yes we saw the jaguar at around 2:30. I did not realize that the jaguar was actually roaming around our camp before leaving. I actually caught 3 piranhas even though I don´t fish. Our tent was very close to the river -- we heard fish going jumping in and out of the water. It was like someone was walking by the water but it was actually the big fish. We then went hiking in one fazendas looking for sucuri but we did not see one. However, the walk was memorable. We then stayed at Hermis farm and this was another memorable experience because I started the calling the jaguars and Hermis smiled as if to say I now know how to call for the jaguars but not at his farm.
Overall this is a National Geographic experience and we would recommend it to anybody who really wants an adventure of a lifetime. I never knew that I will be so close to caymans, call for the jaguars, hear the jaguar call us back, see the jaguar and catch piranhas.

Edwin and Adina


ACCOMMODATIONS:

POUSADA JAGUAR
A family-run fazenda with basic facilities, all rooms have mosquito netting, A/C, and private bath. The surrounding area is good for spotting tapirs, pumas and jaguars.
The fazenda is located at km 125 of the Transpantaneira road.

ECOEXPLORER CAMP
Riverside camp, located at the end of the Transpantaneira Highway on the banks of the Cuiabá River. The rooms have A/C and private bath. There is telephone communication with Cuiabá.

CAMPING ACCOMMODATIONS
Predominantly bush camp with no toilets, showers, or washing facilities whatsoever. Bathe in the river. Sleeping accommodations are in hammocks with mosquito nets or tents.

TRANSPORTATION: 4x4, foot and motorized boats.

ABILITY LEVEL: Challenging.

SEASON: June –November,

TOUR PRICE: Tour price varies with the size of the tour group, please consult.
Twenty five percent deposit to secure your position on the trip. Balance required on arrival date. Discounts are available for students, YHA members and travel agents.

PACKAGE INCLUDES: All food, drinking water, accomodations and transport during your expedition. We’ll also cater for vegetarians, or let us know about any other dietary requirements. Pick up from local airport or bus terminal at your gateway city. Multilingual guides, equipped with binoculars and spotlights.

ESSENTIAL PACKING LIST: We recommend that you bring the following: Lightweight sleeping bag
Lightweight rainproof jacket, Lightweight long trousers, long sleeves, T-Shirts or tank tops, Shorts, swimwear, Footwear suitable for trekking (walking boots or strong running shoes), Sandals, Sunscreen, Insect repellent - a bar of biodegradable soap, Torch/Flashlight & spare batteries. Be sure to bring a camera and plenty of film. For really effective wildlife photography a 200 - 300 m lens is recommended.
Also consider bringing binoculars (vital to enjoy birdlife and wild animals) and a strong one-liter water bottle. Carrying general pain killers, Antihistamine (such as benadryl), useful as a decongestant for colds and allergies, to ease the itch from insect bites or stings is also advised.