The Combined Highlights of Brazil and Argentina
Tour Introduction
For the natural history enthusiast wishing to combine the best of Brazil and Argentina, this itinerary does just that. Enjoy expertly guided outings in Brazil’s fabulous Pantanal seasonal wetlands to spot jaguar, giant otter, ocelot and tapir, staying at unique and remote lodges in two very different locations – one deep in the interior, one by a large river. Then marvel at the world’s most impressive cascades: the mighty Iguacu Falls. Cross into Argentina and travel to the legendary Patagonian coast for sea lion, Magellanic penguin, elephant seal and close encounters with endangered southern right whales. Three amazing locations which combine to produce one fantastic itinerary.
Full Itinerary
Airport assistance to connect with flight to Cuiaba. Met on arrival and transfer to lodge, spotting wildlife down the Transpantaneira Highway en route. Visit an ocelot in the evening.
Staying at SouthWild Pantanal. Includes Dinner.
Early morning wildlife spotting at the lodge. Transfer south to the end of the Transpantaneira at Porto Jofre and transfer by boat to the unique flotel lodge for lunch. Spend the afternoon spotting jaguars, giant otters and other wildlife by boat on the Cuiaba River and its tributaries.
Staying at SouthWild Jaguar Flotel and Suites. Includes All Meals.
Full day of jaguar spotting by boat on the Cuiaba River and its tributaries. The chances of seeing jaguar are excellent, and several families of giant otter are likely to be encountered along with many capybaras, primates such as howler monkey, caiman and various birds including three species of stork.
Staying at SouthWild Jaguar Flotel and Suites. Includes All Meals.
Another day of wildlife and jaguar spotting along the Cuiaba River and its tributaries.
Staying at SouthWild Jaguar Flotel and Suites. Includes All Meals.
Another day of wildlife and jaguar spotting along the Cuiaba River and its tributaries.
Staying at SouthWild Jaguar Flotel and Suites. Includes All Meals.
After a last morning looking for jaguars, drive northwards up the Transpantaneira to the SouthWild Pantanal Lodge. Enjoy an afternoon excursion; maybe walk a trail or go on a 4x4 safari or boat trip. In the evening there will be an opportunity for a night drive to look for nocturnal wildlife including racoons and Brazilian tapir.
Staying at SouthWild Pantanal. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to Cuiaba airport and fly to Foz do Iguacu. In the afternoon visit the Brazilian side of the magnificent Iguacu Falls, probably the most impressive waterfalls on Earth.
Staying at Hotel Das Cataratas. Includes Breakfast.
A full day to explore and marvel at the Argentinean side of Iguacu (spelled Iguazu in Argentina) Falls including a boat trip up to the impressive Devil’s Throat cataract. In the late afternoon transfer to Puerto Iguazu airport and fly to Buenos Aires. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Staying at Legado Mitico. Includes Breakfast.
Enjoy a half-day city tour and the rest of the day at leisure.
Staying at Legado Mitico. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport and fly to Trelew. Met on arrival and transfer to the Valdes Peninsula. This 1,545 square mile promontory protrudes 62 miles eastwards into the South Atlantic. Wildlife includes the southern right whale which comes to mate and calve between May and December, the most northern colony of elephant seals, large breeding colonies of southern sea lions, and in March and April the Valdes Peninsula is the only location in the world where orcas use beach stranding as a hunting technique. Valdes Peninsula also has a high diversity of birds and is an important staging site for migratory shorebirds. Over 40,000 Magellanic penguins’ nests can be found here, spread over five different colonies, between September and April. There are also abundant terrestrial animals including large herds of guanaco, lesser rhea (similar to an ostrich), Patagonian hare, fox and Patagonian cavy.
Enjoy a whale watching trip in the bay to see southern right whales in their nursery grounds. Viewing of the whales is by boat and it is common to have a close encounter with a mother and calf. Then continue to your accommodation in the southern part of the Peninsula.
Staying at Estancia Rincon Chico. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Full day to explore the Valdes Peninsula including a visit to the haul out beach of huge southern elephant seals. During the breeding season massive males engage in thunderous, bloody battle for highly coveted mating rights.
Staying at Estancia Rincon Chico. Includes All Meals.
Another full day to explore the Valdes Peninsula.
Staying at Estancia Rincon Chico. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to Trelew and fly to Buenos Aires. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel. In the evening have dinner at a local restaurant and observe a traditional tango dance performance.
Staying at Legado Mitico. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to airport and connect with your international flight home.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
SouthWild Pantanal
Overview
Formerly known as the Pantanal Wildlife Center, SouthWild Pantanal lodge is owned and operated by professional wildlife biologists. The lodge is found 2½ kilometres off the Transpantaneira Road, on the forested banks of the wildlife-rich Pixaim River. With simple, air-conditioned rooms and accessible riverine forest, SouthWild Pantanal offers comfortable accommodation for serious wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. A stay here includes daily excursions such as boat outings, often in a silent, electric river catamaran (excellent for tripods and long lens photography). A mobile canopy tower is often strategically placed at fruiting and flowering trees, and there is a 16-metre tower in the gallery forest overlooking the Pixaim River. Other possibilities include horse riding, cattle drives, guided trail walks and mammal spotlighting.
There are bird feeders outside the main building attracting a large diversity of species including toco toucan. Hyacinth macaws and jabiru storks are often found close to the lodge.
SouthWild Pantanal offers a good introduction to the northern Pantanal and the opportunity to observe and photograph a variety of wildlife in comfort. However, some visitors may prefer a more remote Pantanal experience which can be experienced by combining SouthWild Pantanal with its sister property, SouthWild Jaguar Flotel and Suites, or one of the remote lodges in the southern Pantanal.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Large communal area incorporating dining room, lounge with a large selection of natural history books, and bar. Swimming pool and air-conditioned rooms.
Local Wildlife
Giant otters are often seen on the boat tours, Brazilian tapirs are frequently seen on night drives and occasionally during the day, particularly in October when the trees are fruiting. Crab-eating fox, racoon and other mammals are possible on the night drives. Black howler monkey, black-striped capuchin monkey and a large variety of Pantanal birdlife can be seen during the boat tours and when walking the trails. There is a canopy tower giving an eye-level view of a jabiru stork nest, and both great and common potoo can be seen at their day roosts.
Optional Activities
Canoe excursions, guided trail walks, horse riding, cattle drives and mammal spotlighting.
SouthWild Jaguar Flotel and Suites
Overview
The SouthWild Jaguar Flotel and Suites is focused on securing reliable and quality jaguar sightings for all its guests.
Over many years of jaguar watching operations, SouthWild’s accommodation has shifted between a series of tented camps and large houseboats to the current setup. From 2014 their jaguar watching has been operating from two houseboats, moored close to the confluence of the Cuiaba and Three Brothers Rivers. The houseboats have 18 small, air-conditioned en suite cabins with hot water showers and two single lower berth beds. There is also a large air-conditioned lounge/dining room and partially covered top deck with hammocks and seating.
New since 2014 are 6 en suite floating suites located 5 metres upstream from the current Jaguar Houseboat and connected by a 5-metre long bridge near water level. Each of the 6 guest rooms in the Jaguar Suites boasts more than 30 square metres of well-designed space and includes a flow-through, quiet “exhaustor” fan; split air conditioning; free Wi-Fi internet; two oversized twin beds (1.28 metres wide); ample table and shelf space; lots of electrical plugs for charging cameras and laptops and private river views. Meals will be taken in the main houseboat dining room.
Jaguars have historically been one of the most difficult of the big cats to see in the wild with sightings often restricted to brief glimpses in the remote rainforests of Latin America. However, over the years, the camps have been located in an area of Brazil’s Pantanal where jaguars are found in very high numbers and are seemingly very comfortable with human presence. Since 2007, Reef and Rainforest clients have seen over 350 jaguars whilst staying at the camps, with a 100% success rate from 2010 to 2013 – a real testament to the effort put in to find this apex predator. Some sightings have been brief whereas others have lasted for hours, with many visitors returning with hundreds of photos and hours of video of rarely seen behaviour such as hunting, swimming, mating and territorial fights.
Key to the jaguar camp’s success is having all boats linked by radio and scouring different areas of the riverbank. They aim to have three boats searching for jaguars for at least five hours each day, with scout boats used to make up numbers when there are fewer guest boats.
SouthWild Jaguar Flotel and Suites will undoubtedly continue to offer the best chance of observing jaguars anywhere in the world. As with all wildlife sightings, there is a large element of luck involved and factors such as weather can limit the number and quality of sightings. Whilst searching for jaguars there is plenty of time to see many of the Pantanal’s other great wildlife highlights such as capybaras, caiman, giant and neotropical otters, various species of monkeys and a huge number of birds, including three species of stork.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
18 simple, twin, en suite, air-conditioned cabins with single lower berths and hot showers, large air-conditioned lounge/dining room with picture windows, and partially covered top deck with hammocks and seating; 6 spacious suites with large picture windows.
Local Wildlife
The best viewing opportunities for jaguars and giant otters in the world. Neotropical otters, Brazilian tapirs, black howler monkeys, black-striped capuchins, various water birds, and plentiful capybara.
Optional Activities
Jaguar watching by small boat along the rivers. At a higher cost a private guide and boat can be arranged.
Hotel das Cataratas
Overview
Part of the luxury re-branded Belmond (formerly Orient Express) hotel chain, the Hotel das Cataratas is the only hotel located within the Brazilian section of the Iguacu National Park, and only a few hundred metres from the first set of cascades. The hotel has 176 rooms divided in to Superior forest view, Deluxe forest or garden view, and Deluxe falls view, in addition to 17 suites – Junior forest or garden view, Noble swimming pool or garden view, Tower falls view, Master Cataratas falls view, and Master forest view. The hotel also provides two restaurants, wildlife-filled gardens and a large swimming pool – the perfect place to relax.
In front of the hotel there is a footbridge with a panoramic view heading toward the lookout area, quite close to the Devil’s Throat, where the water flow is greatest. The Iguacu National Park preserves the last continuous area of tropical forest in Southern Brazil and is home to 348 bird and 45 mammal species, including the jaguar, the ocelot and the capybara.
The facilities and services at the Hotel das Cataratas are exemplary (though the food can be pricey) and the location unbeatable, offering guests the opportunity to explore the Brazilian side of the falls after the National Park has closed. Watch out for the inquisitive family troops of coatis marauding along the trail.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Swimming pool, children’s pool, 2 restaurants, bar, 24-hour room service, spa, gym, tennis court, sun terrace, deck overlooking the falls, shopping boutique and laundry service.
Local Wildlife
Complementing the spectacular falls, Iguacu National Park is home to 348 bird and 45 mammal species. South American coatis, brown capuchin monkeys, Brazilian cavies and Azara’s agoutis are frequently seen on the trails through the forest or feeding on the lawns of the hotel. Broad-snouted caiman and Argentine side-necked turtles can be seen basking on rocks and logs in the water and birds such as plush crested jays, toco toucans and various herons can be found around the trails.
Optional Activities
There is a choice of boat trips along the Iguacu River including an exhilarating (and wet) inflatable raft ride to the base of the powerful Devil’s throat drop. Helicopter rides over the falls, visits to the Argentine side and guided tours can also be arranged.
Legado Mitico
Overview
Legado Mitico is an intimate 11-room hotel located on a leafy street in the trendy Palermo district of Buenos Aires with its wide choice of bars and good restaurants. The individually-themed rooms are spread across three floors and all have en suite, cable TV and a minibar. The common areas are plush and provide plenty of space for relaxing and reading.
Facilities include a large lounge, rooftop Jacuzzi, sunny terrace, library, bar and classic cafeteria with plenty of comfy chairs and a wall-to-wall library. Light meals (sandwiches, pies and soups) are served until midnight, and a drinks service is available 24 hours a day. The staff are very friendly, speak good English, and are happy assist with restaurant and sight-seeing recommendations.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Cafeteria, lounge, 24 hour bar service, library, cable TV, mini bar, outside terrace, laundry and dry cleaning services, luggage storage and air conditioning.
Optional Activities
Relaxing, dining, visiting the bars.
Estancia Rincon Chico
Overview
This working ranch is owned by the fifth generation of two settler families who pioneered the Valdes Peninsula more than 120 years ago.
Constructed in the style of old English houses of the late 19th century, the ranch has 8 ensuite rooms with bathtub, a spacious living room with large windows that open to the vast Patagonian steppe, and a varied library of books about the fauna of the Valdes Peninsula, photobooks and scientific publications about the area. Home cooked fare is served in the dining room adjacent to the wine bar and living room, all decorated with antique furniture that belonged to the family.
Electricity is wind and solar-powered 12 volt current during the day, with a diesel generator providing 220 volts, hot water to shower, and satellite WiFi in the evening. There are no laundry facilities available.
Excursions are shared with other ranch guests and include wildlife watching and photographic opportunities guided by resident naturalists to the various beaches of the property, horseback riding across the steppe and cliffs, hiking on trails of varying length and difficulty, mountain biking, identification of native flora, bird watching, and opportunities to observe and even participate in ranch livestock activities (in season). On the coastal areas of the Estancia there is a southern elephant seal colony and colony of South American sea lions.
It is also possible to see southern right whales, orcas, dusky dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins, all sighted along the Estancia’s private, protected coastline. On short walks and hikes from the lodge a wide variety of inland and coastal birds can be observed including lesser rhea, penguin, and several owl species, as well as many of Patagonia’s native terrestrial mammals. Centuries of erosion have also left important geological traces rich in marine fossils, such as shells, oysters, bivalves and sea urchins.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Living room, dining room, library, wind and solar-powered electricity, sand satellite WiFi.
Local Wildlife
Southern elephant seals, sea lions, southern right whales, large seabird colonies, guanacos and possibly orcas and dolphins.
Optional Activities
Horse-riding, walking trails, 4x4 excursions, and bicycles are available to explore on.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
British Airways flies from London direct to Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. Or fly direct to Sao Paulo on Latam, and return from Buenos Aires via Sao Paulo. Iberia flies to Sao Paulo and Buenos via Madrid, KLM via Amsterdam, and Air France via Paris.
Best Visited:
January to January
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
John Melton
Area Specialist
Start the tour with an extension in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro to see its iconic landmarks and famous beaches.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
3 jaguars!! on two separate days. On the first sightings, guide driver and self sat in the boat from 12.35 till 6am watching Geoff [the jaguar] and his sister Estelle. On the second, two days later, I was able to sit on the opposite bank with my tripod and got perfectly steady film.
