Tour overview
Embark on the ultimate jaguar safari in Porto Jofre, the world’s best location for observing wild jaguars in their natural habitat. This adventure is designed to maximize your chances of seeing these magnificent cats while offering a unique experience staying in one of the boat hotels on the Cuiabá River—right at the entrance to the national park. Over 7 days, you will explore the Pantanal’s remote rivers for extraordinary wildlife encounters with not only jaguars but also giant otters, tapirs, capybaras, and a stunning variety of bird species.
Staying on the river means you’ll be perfectly positioned for early starts and late finishes, ensuring we are out during the most active hours for wildlife. This location gives you unparalleled access to one of the highest concentrations of jaguars in the world, often allowing for multiple sightings a day.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Journey to Porto Jofre
Pickup in Cuiabá: Once in Cuiabá, you’ll be greeted by your guide and transferred directly to Porto Jofre. The scenic 5-hour drive takes us along the Transpantaneira Road, a wildlife-rich stretch where you’ll see caimans, capybaras, and various species of birds along the way.
Check-In at the Boat Hotel: Our home for the tour will be a comfortable boat hotel, anchored at the limit of the state park. This floating accommodation offers air-conditioned rooms, WiFi, cozy communal areas, and the advantage of being right on the water, giving us a head start on our river safaris.
Evening Briefing: After settling in, your guide will walk you through the upcoming days and explain the plans for our river expeditions. Dinner will be served on board as you take in the breathtaking views of the Pantanal at sunset.
Day 2–6: Full day river safaris
Morning Safaris: We’ll set out early each morning, navigating the Cuiabá River and its tributaries, including the Tres Irmãos River, where jaguars frequently patrol the banks. Our boat hotel allows us to get out on the water earlier than other tours, ensuring we are in prime position to witness jaguars during their most active periods.
We will search for jaguars hunting caimans or capybaras, swimming across the river, or resting on the banks. Porto Jofre is world-renowned for its frequent and often close encounters with these big cats. We’ll also have opportunities to observe other wildlife, such as giant otters, capybaras, and an abundance of birdlife, including kingfishers, herons, and Jabiru storks.
Afternoon Safaris: After lunch, we’ll head back out on the river. The late afternoon light is perfect for photography, a prime time for wildlife activity. Our guides are experts in spotting jaguars and know the best spots to increase our chances of sightings. Each day, we’ll explore different areas of the river system to find new opportunities and maximize our wildlife encounters.
Day 7: Half-Day Safari and Departure
Final Safari: On our last morning, we’ll enjoy one final boat safari, capturing any last moments with jaguars or other species we may have missed. After our safari, we’ll return to the boat hotel for lunch before making our way back to Cuiabá for your onward journey home.
Why is Porto Jofre the best for Jaguars?
Porto Jofre is known as the jaguar capital of the world, with the highest density of jaguars anywhere on the planet. The big cats here are often seen along the riverbanks, sometimes within just a few meters of our boat, giving you unparalleled opportunities for close encounters and incredible photography.
In addition to jaguars, Porto Jofre is home to a variety of other incredible wildlife. Giant otters are frequently seen playing and hunting in the water, while tapirs, capybaras, and a dazzling array of bird species ensure that there is always something to see on the river.
Tour Highlights
Prime Location: Staying in a boat hotel means we are right on the river, providing early access to jaguar territory and maximizing our time spent in the field.
Frequent Jaguar Encounters: Porto Jofre offers some of the best opportunities in the world to see jaguars in the wild. With luck, you may witness them hunting, swimming, or interacting with one another.
Diverse Wildlife: While jaguars are the star of the show, the Pantanal is teeming with other wildlife, from giant otters and tapirs to hundreds of bird species.
Comfortable Floating Accommodation: Our boat hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, WiFi, delicious meals, and unbeatable proximity to the wildlife action.
Boat Hotel
The boat hotels on the Cuiabá River offer the best possible access to jaguar habitats, allowing us to get out on the water earlier than other tours and stay longer. This flexibility means we are in the perfect position to observe jaguars during their peak activity periods in the early morning and late afternoon.
Tour Inclusions
5 Full Days and 2 Half Days of River Safaris: Spend most of your time on the water, with expert local guides leading the way.
Accommodation in a Boat Hotel: Stay in the heart of the Pantanal with air-conditioned rooms and river views.
All Meals Included: Enjoy delicious, locally sourced meals on board the boat.
Transportation: Ground transportation from Cuiabá to Porto Jofre and back is included.
Expert Photography Guides: Led by highly experienced guides with extensive knowledge of jaguar behavior and Pantanal wildlife.