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Brazil Jaguars 2025

June 2025

We inaugurated our “VETS-on-the-Edge!” program, different from our normal Adventure Travel, in May/June 2024 with a small expedition (21 colleagues/ family/ friends) to Namibia in Southwest Africa. This format differs from our usual Adventure Expeditions by being smaller (~20 participants + VETS personnel) which provides a larger selection of places that can accommodate us, more economical lodges, and less flying — more driving between destinations. We pass the resulting savings on to you.

Our Namibia adventurers loved the format and asked for more “edgy” opportunities. We listened and are now delighted to offer a new “-on-the-Edge” expedition to the Pantanal region of Brazil at the end of June and first weeks of July 2025.

We only have 3 spots available (including only one for a single traveler) and a terrific itinerary. Don’t miss out, this is expected to sell out quickly.

Interested? Contact Us!

Expedition Overview

June 2025

6/28 - 7/8

The Pantanal is an area in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay that is beginning to gain a following from wildlife enthusiasts. Still largely undiscovered and underappreciated by the big travel companies, it incorporates a diverse population of extraordinary wildlife.

The Pantanal is located below the Amazon jungle. The Amazon is the high rainfall equatorial area spread amongst nine countries including Brazil. The water that doesn’t evaporate from the Amazon basin finds its way into rivers, some of which flow through the Pantanal and supports an animal-rich ecosystem with a dryer and more comfortable climate.

The Pantanal is famous for Capybara, Giant Anteaters, huge Jabiru Storks, beautiful Jaguars, Caiman (a favorite Jaguar food), many species of Macaws, a number of monkey species, plus Giant River Otters, Ocelots and SO MANY beautiful birds, and much more. Our timing was carefully selected during a time with less hostile weather and peak wildlife viewing.

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International travel from home to São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (airport code GRU), Brazil.  There are many carriers and flights from multiple airports in the USA.  Schedule your flight to arrive early or late morning on June 28 thereby providing you with the necessary time to connect to the ~2:15 h flight YOU NEED TO BOOK from São Paulo to Cuiabá (airport code CGB).  

Most international flights arrive very early in the morning so there is plenty of time to get through immigration, recover any checked bags, and check-in for your late morning or early afternoon flight to Cuiabá.  You’ll want to coordinate this domestic flight with your international flight to provide the timing necessary to make your connections.  We are not able to do this for you because you will be  coming from many USA locations, on different carriers and at different times.

Our arrival hotel in Cuiabá is the modern Slaviero Slim Airport Hotel, a short shuttle ride from the airport.   

Should you arrive early enough you may take an afternoon walk to a dry forest park not too far away.  You’ll find very visible Black-tailed Marmosets (at 1-2 meter distances – quite habituated and cute photos.) 

VETS will be hosting a welcome dinner at the hotel on our first night.  Hotel room and dinner included in program tuition.

Breakfast at the hotel, then we’ll depart Cuiabá at 7:30 am with a 3-4 h transfer to SouthWild Pantanal Lodge (SWP), arriving there about lunch time.  This is not just a long drive, but rather we anticipate wildlife photo opportunities along way.  Among other species I expect to see quite a few caimans on route, many bird species and more.  Also includes stops for restrooms and to stretch our legs.

Upon arrival at SWP we’ll check in, have lunch and receive a short presentation about the lodge and all it has to offer.  Assuming we sell out the expedition we will be the only group at the lodge.  SWP offers multiple pathways within their large camp where you can walk different trails to enjoy the flora and fauna of the Pantanal.       

The afternoon is yours to explore among Jabiru Storks (and a HUGE nest with adjacent climbing towers allowing you to look/photo down into the nest), Howler Monkeys and Ocelots (one ocelot visits most evenings-at 5-9 meters distance in very good light), and many more bird species.

Lunch and Dinner at the lodge

Note: All meals at Southwild Pantanal Lodge are served buffet-style.

Continue activities exploring the flora and fauna at the SWP lodge.

Overnight at the lodge

(B/L/D included)

We’ll drive about 2 h to the end of the Transpantaneira Road (top row of photos below).  The capybara family crossing the road reminds us that the travel is also a wildlife experience that we can stop and enjoy as needed.

We’ll then transfer to small boats and head up stream ~ 1 h to our floating hotel, the lovely Panoramico houseboat.

We’ll lunch on Panoramico and then break into small groups and load on excursion boats with guides & drivers for an afternoon search for caimans, jaguars, capybara, giant river otters, and a myriad of bird species.

We’ll return for cocktails and dinner, followed by Wildlife lecture and overnight on the Panoramico

(B/L/D)

Note: Meals at Panoramico are served buffet-style.

Breakfast. AM Jaguar Search. Lunch. PM Jaguar Search. Dinner. Overnight on Panoramico

(B/L/D)

Breakfast. AM Jaguar Search. Lunch. PM Jaguar Search. Dinner. Overnight on Panoramico

(B/L/D)

Buffet breakfast, pack for travel, followed by our last boating trip in search of Jaguars and other critters.

Mid-morning we grab our luggage and travel by boat to Porto Jofre, then transfer to vans to take us to the Cuiabá airport. There is time for lunch on your own at or around the airport before our flight departs.

Fly Cuiabá – Campo Grande – flight ticket is included in registration fee. Arrival in Campo Grande and transfer to the deluxe Hotel Deville Prime.  Dinner is not included, and suggestions will be offered.  Self-serve laundry service is available at the hotel, and there is a pleasant bar and dining room.  It’s possible that late afternoon we can view (in a park not far from the hotel) Blue & Yellow Macaws in nests and find coatis walking about (dang they’re cute).

Overnight at Hotel Deville Prime.  .

(B/-/-)

Buffet breakfast at hotel. Drive ~2.5 h on asphalt to the town of Jardim, seeing Greater Rheas on the way (do compare them to Lesser Rheas that are found in Patagonia, & ostriches in Africa).  Lunch when we arrive at Jardim at a local restaurant (lunch is not included).

Afternoon we’ll make our first visit to Macaw Canyon for the Red-and-Blue and maybe Red and Green Macaw spectacle.   There are viewing points allowing you to photograph looking down at flying macaws with sun on their backs – Wow!

At the end of the afternoon, drive ~55 min to the town of Bonito and check into the lovely Pousada Olho D’Agua.  Dinner (not included) at Juanita’s or at Casa do João in the town of Bonito. Overnight at Pousada Olho D’Agua

(B/-/-)

Note:  In Bonito, there are several dining options available. Restaurants offer a variety of dishes including beef, fish, chicken, and pasta. For your reference, a lunch with a starter, main course, dessert, and a non-alcoholic beverage typically ranges from USD $50 to USD $55 per person.

Coffee, tea, and fruit and super-early Giant Anteater outing this morning in fields that are ~ a 20 min drive from the hotel.  Mid to late morning back to the hotel for a full buffet breakfast.  Then relax at the pool at the hotel, catch a nap, or edit your photos.  We can arrange for you to go into town for lunch (not included).  That afternoon we’ll return to Macaw Canyon and at the end of the afternoon, drive back to the hotel. Dinner at hotel or in town, not included. Overnight at Pousada Olho D’Água

(B/-/-)

Buffet breakfast. A full morning at Macaw Canyon for different light, and an afternoon for Giant Anteaters. We’re flipping times to diversify our photo opportunities.  Lunch on your own in town and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant sponsored by VETS that evening.  Overnight at Pousada Olho D’Água

(B/-/D)

Buffet breakfast. Drive to Campo Grande airport and lunch (lunch not included), then catch your plane (flight is included) to São Paulo.  Leave time from arrival in São Paulo to your international departure home!  You’ll need to claim any luggage, change terminals and check in for your flight home.  Dinner on your own at the airport or on the plane depending on schedule.

Flights home tend to be evening to night departures.

(B/-/-)

Summary

10-nights, 11-days

Included

  • Accommodation based on double occupancy
  • One single private room available with single supplement
  • Meals and excursions as noted
  • All Entrance fees
  • Flight from Cuiabá to Campo Grande AND Flight from Campo Grande to São Paulo. Timing TBD when airlines publish their schedule ~ 320 days before travel days (expected by September)

Not Included

  • International flights to São Paulo
  • Domestic flight from São Paulo to Cuiabá (you need to time this flight allowing sufficient time for your arrival in São Paulo, immigration, luggage retrieval and check in – give yourself 3 hours or more.  This flight is your responsibility to book because it needs to be coordinated with your international flight)
  • Meals not included as mentioned in itinerary
  • Tips
  • You may purchase small bottles of water OR bring a reusable (insulated)  water bottle with your name on it– filtered water will be available in bulk for free from which to refill your personal bottle throughout the trip, and  while small bottles will be available they are sold and not free.   
  • Soft drinks, small bottles of water, beer, wines, mixed drinks are available for a fee
  • Laundry (limited availability, self-service in hotel at Campo Grande.  Pack accordingly!
  • Travel Insurance – PLEASE – this is a must.  To achieve these low prices we had to agree that our payments to the vendors are not refundable should we cancel anyone.  Therefore, we are unable to refund your payments should you have to cancel for any reason.  Travel Guard, Faye, Generali and other reputable travel insurance companies can insure your payments and be the source for refunds should you need to cancel.  We cannot refund because your money has been sent to the vendor in order to reserve your place.  Should we sell out and have a waiting list, we’re happy to swap people into your spot and provide you with the refund funded by the new attendees payments, but there is no guarantee we will have a waiting list.  Travel insurance is the only way you can guarantee a refund of some or all of your payments.
  • A reminder: International airfare is not included.  In-country airfare is included except for the flight from São Paulo to Cuiabá.

Pricing

Main-Trip

  • Double Occupancy $10,350 Per Person
  • Single Occupancy $12,500 Per Person
  • $5,000 per person Initial Deposit due at registration (non-refundable other than through insurance).
  • $5,000 per person due December 1, 2024 (non-refundable other than through insurance).
  • Balance due March 1, 2025 (non-refundable other than through insurance).  The outstanding balance must be received by March 1, 2025 (if paying by check you need to mail before the due date, so we receive the funds on or before the due date).
 
Payment Method Options Below

This is our preferred method of payment. It’s easy, immediate and there are NO fees to you or us!!
You’ll need to sign up with your bank for Zelle (easy with our bank’s online platform and only takes about 3 minutes online). Look under “pay” or “pay and transfer.”

(When you use Zelle you simply tell the bank from which account you’re sending the money and put in Don Klingborg as the Recipient and the email address djklingborg@gmail.com Done! I use this to pay most of my monthly bills and it’s great!)

Send Zelle Payment to Don Klingborg at -> djklingborg@gmail.com

You may use a credit card, and we’ll add 3.5% (=$175.00) to partially cover cc fees associated with processing.

The link below will take you to our online store for the $5,000 deposit. If Double Occupancy, you will need to do this twice (because it is $5,000 per person and you need to pay for each ‘Adventurer’ individually.)

Make Payment

Or you may pay by check. Checks should be made out to VETS and mailed to:
Dr. Don Klingborg
814 Cherry Lane
Davis, CA 95616