If you’ve yet to photograph a wild jaguar, make 2023 the year to do so when you join Jeff Parker for his Jaguars of the Pantanal Photo Tour ~ 2023.
At up to 350 lbs., the jaguars you’ll photograph here are about double the size of an average Amazonian jaguar. These felines are also the 3rd largest cat in the world (after the lion and tiger). It’s typical for us to enjoy — and photograph — more than one sighting a day while in Jaguar Country.
This ALL-INCLUSIVE photo tour has space for SIX (6) ~ ONE (1) SPOT LEFT ~
IMPORTANT!
~~ This 2023 tour is likely the last time we’ll lead this tour due to dramatic cost increases, which would necessitate charging more for this tour than we’re comfortable doing.
~~ If you’ve considered joining us in the Pantanal, we highly recommend doing so this year.
~~ This is a very good price and one that will not be offered again.
This part of the Pantanal has lots of other wildlife, too! In addition to the jags, plan to photograph ocelots, caiman, endangered giant otters, toucans, Hyacinth Macaws, Jabiru Storks, monkeys, parrots, and raptors.
We may also see & photograph tapirs, giant anteaters, and crab-eating fox, rhea, marsh deer, brocket deer, and…and…well, this region is amazingly rich in biodiversity. Which brings us birds: This UNESCO World Heritage Site also provides habitat for over 690 species of birds.
Enjoy nine (9) days & nights exploring and photographing the wildlife-rich Brazilian Pantanal.During this photo tour we take our time, remaining at each shot spot until everyone has had a chance to create the images he/she wants. 
From your arrival in Cuiabá, the trip is all-inclusive (double-occupancy), and includes ten (10) nights of lodging.
Your tour includes a hotel room in Cuiabá upon your arrival so you can rest up before we head out to Jaguar Country the next day. Most tours have you hopping a bus right after your long flight to South America, but we think starting out rested & refreshed is a better option.
Plan to enjoy a Welcome Dinner the first night at an authentic traditional Brazilian steakhouse (a churrascaria).
In addition to the hotel upon your arrival in Cuiabá, your tour also includes nine (9) more nights of lodging: five (5) nights of double-occupancy in a Jaguar Suite on a floating hotel in the heart of jaguar habitat, plus four (4) nights of double-occupancy at two other wildlife-rich lodges in the Pantanal. (Single supplements are available; email me for more info.)
ITINERARY:
PLEASE NOTE: This is an estimated schedule and we’ll do our best to stick to this itinerary, but certain conditions may necessitate changes. Good photographic experiences & plenty of chances to view wildlife will be our goals at all times.
- Monday, August 21: Arrive. Overnight in Cuiabá. Dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse (an authentic churrascaria).
- Tuesday, August 22: We head to our first lodge in the Pantanal. Look for wildlife as we meander down the Transpantaneira “highway.” Watch for Hyacinth Macaws flying in the sunset. A gorgeous sight!
- Wednesday, August 23: Boat excursion from land-based lodge to photograph wildlife; more photography at & near lodge. Night time safari in old-timey, open-air truck.
- Thursday, August 24: Travel to the floating hotel, wildlife watching along the way (look carefully into those grassy spots for brocket and marsh deer!) Settle into your double-occupancy Jaguar Suite (NOT the regular tiny rooms). Afternoon shoot in the heart of Jaguar Country.
- Friday, August 25 ~ through ~ Monday, August 28: Boat-based excursions to photograph jaguars, caiman, giant otters, capybara, Hyacinth Macaws, toucans, monkeys, & other wildlife in the heart of Jaguar Country.
- Tuesday, August 29: Head back to the northern Pantanal via closed bus (not open truck this time). We’ll stop along the way for a break and to revel in the abundant bird song and activity. Plan for an evening photo shoot on the lodge grounds or nearby.
- Wednesday, August 30: Photograph wildlife at or near the lodge.
- Thursday, August 31: Head back to Cuiabá, wildlife watching along the way.
WHAT YOU CAN LEARN ON THIS TOUR:
- How to photograph wildlife through understory vegetation.
- How to master manual exposure (& when it’s better than priority exposures)
- Tips for wildlife action shots
- Tips for dealing with the water’s glare
- What makes a good wildlife image
- Photographing birds in flight
- How to do pan blurs
A note about instruction on my photo tours:
Since skills levels vary so much on photo tours, I tailor my teaching to individual needs. Please do not be shy about telling me what you need.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Double-occupancy accommodations for ten (10) nights (includes 5 nights in a Jaguar Suite on a floating hotel, 2 nights each at wildlife-rich lodges, & our first night in Cuiabá. Interested in a single? Please email me for availability & pricing.)
- Meals from your arrival in Cuiabá on the first day of the tour to drop off at the Cuiabá airport on the last day of the tour.
- Welcome Dinner at an authentic churrascaria (traditional authentic Brazilian steakhouse).
- Ground transportation.
- River trips & photo boat excursions.
- Services of local guides & boat drivers.
- Permits & conservation fees.
- An extensive & detailed full-colored dossier to help you plan your international journey.
- Jeff’s guidance, instruction and image review throughout. Don’t forget to schedule your one-on-one time with him! (Image reviews also after you return home, too).
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
Any other lodging in Brazil that’s not included in the itinerary. Airfare to Cuiabá, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages (watch out for those caipirinhas!), canned & bottled beverages, medical expenses, laundry service, any other personal items, & tips (the extensive dossier that we provide before the tour begins will include information about tipping protocols on this tour). 
LOGISTICS, EQUIPMENT & SUCH:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Most photo excursions will be in boats so there will be little walking. The drive on the Transpantaneira can be a bit rough at times.
That said, we do take small hikes to photograph ocelots, tapirs, and monkeys. You’ll need to carry your equipment during these walks. Paths are dirt, but not in bad shape. There are no hills to worry about but paths may not be completely level at all times.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
We’ll send out an extensive dossier when your photo tour grows closer and it will include, among lots of other things, a packing list.
In the meantime, if you’re wondering what sort of photography equipment you might need on a trip like this, here is the EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST (PDF)
NOTE: You do not have to own everything on the checklist to get good shots in the Pantanal! It’s a list of recommended equipment. If you have any questions about the minimum lenses, etc. that will get you though, please don’t hesitate to ask. 
ARRIVAL:
You’re final destination is Cuiabá (Marechal Rondon International Airport). The airport code is CGB.
Most flights from the U.S. go through São Paulo, which has an airport code of GRU.
IMPORTANT! ~ When booking your ticket, MAKE SURE that your connecting flight to Cuiabá leaves from GRU! Often domestic flights leave from another airport which, due to traffic, is a long taxi ride away. There is also a bus provided by the airport, but if you can avoid the stress of changing airports we highly suggest that you do. Thus, you’ll want to purchase a flight that both arrives in GRU and departs to Cuiabá from GRU.
Please plan to arrive in Cuiabá no later than 4:00 pm on August 21, 2023 (if possible).
Your flight will be long and you will be very tired when you arrive so we feel that it’s best that you get a good night’s sleep before we begin adventuring into the Pantanal. For that reason, your tour includes lodging in Cuiabá the night before we embark for the Transpantaneira.
All ground transportation is included in your tour.
FOOD & LODGING:
Meals are included in your tour from the Welcome Dinner on August 21st through breakfast the morning of August 31st.
Lodging (double-occupancy; singles are available for an additional amount) is also included.
VISA:
Citizens of the United States & Canada do not need a visa to travel in Brazil.
GENERAL INFO / SIGN UP:
- DURATION: 9 days & 10 nights
- DATES: Monday, August 21 — Thursday, August 31, 2023
- PRICE: $8195 ~ ALL-INCLUSIVE (double-occupancy)
- SPACE FOR: One (1) ~ ONE (1) SPOT LEFT ~
- DEPOSIT AMOUNT: $1500
- PAYMENT DUE DATES: A total of half the cost of the tour due 6-months before departure. Remaining balance due 60-days prior to start date of tour.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please read our Cancellation Policy before purchasing.(Follow the provided link or go to link under “MORE” on sidebar to the right.) Thanks!
LIABILITY WAIVER:
At the start of each event, we’ll ask you to sign this liability waiver. We encourage you to review it before signing up.
