Pantanal Jaguar Budget Safari

These Pantanal Jaguar Safari prices are lower in comparison to other jaguar-focused tours for two main reasons: the accommodations are simple, and you’ll spend one less night in Porto Jofre (which means one less full-day jaguar boat safari).

Nevertheless, the experience is not compromised. Travelers can still enjoy the best of the Northern Pantanal—including fantastic chances to spot jaguars and other animals—and the  lodges still offer great comfort for all guests.

The Pantanal Jaguar Budget Safari is recommended for wildlife enthusiasts, couples, friend groups, and families.

While most lodges operate year-round, a few close from the end of November to the beginning of April due to the rainy season. Since the chances of jaguar sightings are significantly lower, we generally don’t recommend traveling during this timeframe.

If you still wish to travel during the rainy season, please notice that there are no seasonal discounts, and there is a high probability that you won’t see any jaguars.

From late April to May, and again in early November (depending on the rainfall), you still have good chances of spotting jaguars, though not quite as high as during the peak season (June to October).

There is no universal minimum age. However, most jaguar safaris recommend a minimum age of around 8 years old, especially due to the long hours on the jaguar boat safari in Porto Jofre, as well as the heat and the need for quiet observation.

Elderly guests with some kind of reduced mobility might not enjoy the experience to the fullest.

Children up to 10 years old have a special rate. Contact us for more details with pricing and conditions.

Activities are not flexible, but horseback riding can be added. Schedules are adaptable to your check-in and check-out times.

Since the Pantanal Jaguar Budget Safari is private, departure times from Cuiabá are flexible (the schedule can be adjusted to fit your arrival and departure from the lodge).

Keep in mind: activities have a fixed time schedule created by the lodge, which will be considered for your itinerary plan and might be altered due to weather conditions, logistics, or the specific needs of each group.

Other important information:

• Activities in Poconé generally begin early in the morning and in the late afternoon, as wildlife sightings are scarce between 11 AM and 3 PM. During this time, you can relax and enjoy the lodge’s facilities. 
• In Porto Jofre, jaguar safaris are conducted on private boats. The groups spend 8 hours on the river, stopping at 12 PM for lunch on the boat or at the lodge.

When you book this tour, activity logistics vary depending on the lodge. If you stay at Piuval, in Poconé, your group will join the lodge group, which typically consists of 6–10 people, while still having your own private English-speaking guide included in the package.

At Pouso Alegre, activities are conducted privately for your group. In Porto Jofre, jaguar safaris are also carried out privately by boat, exclusively for your group.

A private English-speaking guide is included as standard, assisting with logistics and supporting you throughout the itinerary.

Yes, removing the private guide is possible and will lower the overall cost. However, please keep in mind the following language and logistical details if you do not have an English-speaking guide:

• At Piuval Lodge, you will share a local Portuguese-speaking guide with other guests.
• At Pouso Alegre Lodge and Porto Jofre, your tours are private, so you will be accompanied only by a Portuguese-speaking driver.

Yes, solo travelers can book this tour. However, even if you join shared activities, the transfers and the jaguar safari in Porto Jofre are conducted privately, so the full cost is covered by each solo traveler.

If you choose to hire an English-speaking guide (recommended for international travelers), this cost is also covered by you.

Yes, you can customize the length of your stay. We recommend your trip last at least 4 days, but you can add as many days as you want.

Another option is to combine a visit to the Southern Pantanal with the Northern Pantanal. Keep in mind that these two regions are located in different states (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul) and are accessed via Campo Grande (South) and Cuiabá (North). The distance between them exceeds 700 km. The most practical way to travel between both destinations is by commercial flight.

Yes, our local partner can easily accommodate specific dietary needs (such as vegetarian meals or food allergies). Just make sure to note these details on your registration form prior to your trip so they can prepare accordingly.

We recommend arriving in Cuiabá by 12 PM at the latest. Traveling at night can be dangerous, so arriving in the morning or even the day before would be ideal. This way, you can start your journey to the lodge early and have time to enjoy some activities during the day.

How to get there?

• Starts at (first day): Cuiabá, Mato Grosso (airport or hotel) – Departure in the morning (according to your preferred schedule).
• Ends at (last day): Cuiabá, Mato Grosso (airport or hotel) – Departure in the morning (after breakfast).
  • Cuiabá → Poconé: 120–145 km (2 to 3-hour drive), depending on the selected lodge.
  • Poconé → Porto Jofre: 43–138 km (3 to 4-hour drive), depending on the selected lodge.
  • Porto Jofre → Cuiabá: 170–250 km (4.5 to 6-hour drive), depending on the selected lodge.

Land at Cuiabá International Airport (CGB), then head to your accommodation. This Pantanal Jaguar Safari includes round-trip transfers.

Traveling in comfortable vehicles, PlanetaEXO’s local partner will take care of transporting you to the Pantanal (including the route from Poconé to Porto Jofre) and back to Cuiabá—whether to the airport or a hotel in the city.

We offer single, double, triple, and up to quadruple rooms, depending on availability for your desired dates. Since the maximum capacity is 4 people per room, groups of 5 or more will need to book at least two rooms.

Please note: children up to 10 years old pay a supplementary fee and must share a room with at least one adult (they cannot stay in a room alone). Children aged 11 and older are charged the standard adult rate.

The activities are led by the lodges’ qualified teams of professionals, which is a key characteristic of Pantanal experiences. In Porto Jofre, jaguar safaris are conducted exclusively by boat, while in Poconé the activities are more diverse, including land safaris, hiking, night tours, and horseback riding.

We also rely on local operators to organize transfers and provide bilingual guides, ensuring a more comfortable and seamless experience throughout the trip.

Pantanal tours tend to have a relatively high cost due to the limited availability of lodges, remote logistics, and overall infrastructure. In addition, we work only with carefully selected partners to ensure a high-quality experience for our travelers. PlanetaEXO keeps around 15% of the tour price, with the remainder going directly to local operators.

If you are looking for a more affordable option, the Pantanal Wildlife Tour from Cuiabá offers a lower price point. However, it does not include Porto Jofre, where jaguar sightings are most frequent, so the chances of seeing jaguars are significantly lower.

Check-in is from 3:00 PM, and check-out is by 12:00 PM. Lunch on the first day is not included in the daily rate, but you can pay for an extra meal upon your arrival and use the lodge’s facilities while you wait for your check-in.

This tour takes place in Porto Jofre, the number one destination for jaguar watching in the world. While the chances of spotting them are very high, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, as this is a completely wild environment. What you see will depend heavily on the season, the daily weather, and the animals’ natural, unpredictable movements.

• North Pantanal (Cuiabá; Porto Jofre – Mato Grosso): the world’s best place to see jaguars, especially on boat safaris along the Cuiabá River. The region also offers excellent birdwatching and is perfect for photography-focused travelers.
• South Pantanal (Campo Grande; Miranda/Corumbá – Mato Grosso do Sul): features more diversity in activities, including horseback riding, walking safaris, and community experiences. Wildlife is abundant, though jaguars are only seen in a specific area.

👉 Learn more: North or South Pantanal – Which One Should You Visit?

The Pantanal has four well-defined seasons:

• Rainy Season (November and December): High humidity, growing rainfall. Vibrant green vegetation; great for birdwatching and boat trips. Average temperature: 23°C to 28°C (73°F to 82°F).
• Wet Season (December to March): High humidity, intense and frequent rainfall. Flooded plains; great for boat trips and safaris. Average temperature: 24°C to 29°C (75°F to 84°F).
• Intermediate Season (April to June): Lower humidity, less frequent rainfall. The water levels start to drop; great for birdwatching and safaris. Average temperature: 22°C to 27°C (72°F to 81°F).
• Dry Season (July to October): Low humidity, low rainfall. Dry land; great for hiking, horseback riding, and safaris. Average temperature: 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 79°F).

👉 Learn more: When is the Best Time to Visit the Pantanal?

Yes, the Pantanal is known for the amount of mosquitoes, especially during the rainy/wet season (November to March), since the flooded areas create ideal conditions for mosquito reproduction, but the incidence decreases from April to November. The use of insect repellent is indispensable in any time of year, as well as pants and long sleeves during safaris.

Please notice: The mosquitoes of the Pantanal do not transmit diseases, but they cause annoyance with their itchy bites or reactions to allergic people.

What should I pack?

Don’t forget to pack the following items for your Pantanal tour from Campo Grande:

• T-shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts (UV-resistant)
• Pants
• Shorts
• Windbreakers
• Khaki or natural-colored clothing for safaris
• Hats or caps
• Swimwear
• Sneakers
• Hiking boots
• Flip-flops
• Sandals
• Hiking socks
• Flashlight
• Reusable water bottle
• Documents
• Medication
• Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
• Insect repellent
• Sunglasses
• Universal power adapter
• Binoculars (optional)

Do I need a visa to travel to Brazil?

Citizens from certain countries require a visa to enter Brazil, while others are exempt under specific conditions. 

👉 Learn more: Entry Visas to Brazil – Ministry of External Relations

The Brazilian government doesn’t require foreign tourists to be vaccinated, but the Ministry of Health advises that visitors arrive in the country with a complete vaccination schedule for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rubella, and measles.

For extra safety, getting shots for yellow fever and hepatitis A/B is also recommended. 

👉 Learn more: Vaccination and Traveller’s Health (Brazil) / CDC Travelers’ Health (USA) / Foreign Travel Advice (UK)