During the rains, the cerrado drains quickly. Although some rivers flow directly into the Atlantic or north into the Amazon, many drain towards the west. In the wet season, a huge surge of water tumbles down spectacular waterfalls along the western escarpment and into a vast basin filled with wildlife, known as the Pantanal.
The Pantanal of Mato Grosso is an extensive mosaic of savannah, forest, swamps and lagoons situated in the upper Paraguay River basin. Although the annual rainfall is less than on the higher cerrado, the Paraguay River and its tributaries back up during the wet season and burst their banks, turning the Pantanal into a gigantic wetland the size of England. The Pantanal is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. It is, after all, the largest continental wetland on Earth.
During the annual floods, the waters bring a fresh covering of silt, clay and organic material to the land. The diversity and numbers of the wildlife it supports are staggering – over 500 species of birds, 80 mammals, 260 fish and 50 reptiles, and these are only the ones known to science. There are estimated to be 10 million caiman here, the largest concentration of crocodilians in the world. The place is also a stopover for birds on migration, and about 75 per cent of the species found in the Pantanal spend only a part of their year here.
The north entrance is from the city of Cuiabá, along the only road to penetrate this part of the Pantanal, the Transpantaneira, a long red wound that winds in from the north for 150 kilometers (90 miles). The route includes 126 trestle bridges.
The wildlife viewing along this road at any season is nothing less than spectacular, although the dry season (April to November) is the best because the lakes and wet areas become more restricted and concentrate birds, mammals and reptiles in large numbers. During the wet season, the wildlife is spread widely across the region, but in the dry season the pools along the road are a magnet. Zillions of birds, including jabiru storks, egrets, whistling herons, snail kites and more make this a birdwatcher’s paradise. There are also capybara, peccaries and caiman either in or visiting the pools, and if you are really lucky you might spot a jaguar and some of the smaller cats.
LENGTH OF OUR SAFARIS : We offer several safaris which vary from three days to a week in the Pantanal to have a complete experience. But if you are short of time, we can organize even a full day safari. Tell us how many days are you planning to stay and we will send you the perfect itinerary for your visit.