Argentina, High Desert by Drone
October 26 – November 6, 2027
Brazil’s Pantanal Wildlife Safari
At a Glance
Location
Brazil
Tuition
$18,995
Dates
October 17 – 24, 2028
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 8 Guests
Collections
- Signature Collection
Brazil’s Pantanal Wildlife Safari Photography Workshop
Photograph Jaguars in the Wild
October 17 – 24, 2028
- Photograph from a small yet spacious boat in the heart of the Pantanal
- Jaguars, hyacinth macaws, capybaras, giant otters, caimans
- Dry season: receding water concentrates wildlife along water's edge
Join us on an unforgettable journey deep into the heart of Brazil, into the vast and mesmerizing ecosystem known as the Pantanal. This is a place where nature still pulses with raw life, where open skies stretch endlessly above shimmering wetlands, and where every bend in the river reveals another wonder. We will navigate its beautiful waterways, drifting past dense forests and sun-drenched banks as we search for one of the world’s most powerful and iconic big cats, the magnificent jaguar!
These elusive predators prefer to stalk their prey at the water’s edge, blending seamlessly into the shadows before launching their powerful ambush. It’s no coincidence that our search for these aquatic masters takes place entirely by boat; traveling quietly over the water gives us the best chance to observe and photograph jaguars as they patrol their domain. While our photographic focus will certainly be on the king of the swamps, the sheer variety of life around us means your shutter will be working overtime as countless birds, mammals, and reptiles appear throughout the journey.
The Pantanal is renowned for its extraordinary concentration of birdlife. Brilliantly colored species fill the skies, treetops, and marshes, creating a living tapestry of movement and sound. It is said that five of the most strikingly beautiful birds on the planet make their home here. With a bit of luck and patience, we may witness these avian gems in all their glory.
Our days will be spent cruising the rivers and narrow waterways aboard custom-designed boats built for stability, comfort, and excellent viewing. Our floating lodge is situated in close proximity to the locations we will explore, providing you with a comfortable home and efficient location. Our professional guides, specialists in Pantanal wildlife behavior, know how to anticipate animal movement and will skillfully navigate us to prime locations where jaguars most often appear. Their expertise as naturalists and boatmen ensures we’ll be positioned with the best possible angles to capture compelling images of jaguars, giant otters, capybaras, caimans, and other wildlife that share this watery world. You will have your own row in the boat, giving you the opportunity to spread out and take advantage of pointing your camera unobstructed in both directions.
At any moment, a jaguar may step quietly out of the forest to drink, or it may explode from the undergrowth in a lightning-fast burst of power as it hunts. We will be ready with cameras in hand to witness and photograph these unforgettable moments.
This small group workshop is designed for comfort, learning, and flexibility. With private boats and vehicles dedicated exclusively to our group, we can move freely and linger as long as needed to make the most of each wildlife encounter. Traveling without extra passengers gives us more space, time, and focus to do what we love most: creating meaningful images of some of the most remarkable animals on Earth and fully immersing ourselves in the magic of the Pantanal.
Read our blog post on photographing jaguars.
Your Pros
Itinerary
About the wildlife: This workshop offers significant opportunities for photographing wildlife, and while we do our best to maximize our wildlife encounters—based on past experiences, local knowledge, and the current conditions—we need to impress upon you that the wildlife really is wild and that we don’t control it.
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
October 17, 2028: Arrival in Cuiaba, Welcome Meet and Greet at Amazon Hotel Aeroporto
Arrive in Cuiaba before 6:00 PM today for transport to our hotel at the Amazon Hotel Aeroporto. We’ll have a group meet and greet before dinner to kick things off and review plans for the workshop.
October 18, 2028: Roadside Photography En Route to Lodge, Evening Wildlife Photography Lesson
After breakfast, we’ll be driven in a private air-conditioned vehicle to our first lodge, with lunch and roadside photography along the way.
Possible species include the world’s biggest stork, the jabiru, orange-backed troupial, northern emerald toucanet, black-collared hawk, Chaco chachalaca, snail kite, roadside hawk, large-billed tern, and various herons and egrets. The endemic marsh deer is possible, as are anteaters. We will photograph birds at the numerous feeders around the lodge before dinner.
An evening lesson on wildlife photography will follow dinner.
October 19, 2028: Journey to Porto Jofre, Boat Transfer to Port do Capivara Lodge
After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Porto Jofre, photographing at a couple of hotspots along the way. Once at the port, we will travel by boat to Port do Capivara Lodge. We’ll spend the afternoon looking for wildlife. Possible species: vermillion flycatcher, great-horned owl, and black-backed water tyrant.
October 20–24, 2028: Exploring Jaguar Territory, Wildlife Photography in the Pantanal Heart
We’ll spend the next four days searching and photographing from boats in the heart of the Pantanal. Possible species: jaguars, capybara, caiman, howler monkeys, giant river otters, kingfishers, herons, egrets, and one of the 500 avian species in the Pantanal might pop up! The Lodge, Port do Capivara, is comfortable, but most importantly, it is in the heart of the jaguars’ territory. Jaguars have been seen on the property, so always take care when outside. Our location also lets us get into the action at the best times for sightings and photography.
October 24, 2028: Wildlife Spotting at Feeders, Evening Photo Review at the Lodge
After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Porto Jofre by boat, then drive to the next lodge. There will be time to check the feeders for some photos, followed by dinner and an evening image review.
Possible Species: peach-fronted parakeet, red-crested cardinal, saffron finch, white-tailed goldenthroat.
October 25, 2028: Morning Toucan Sighting, Departure from Cuiaba
We’ll wake up early to check for toco toucans at the feeders. Following our last breakfast, we’ll transfer to Cuiaba airport for flights home after 2:00 PM.
We've chosen this floating lodge for comfort, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and convenience to our main objective, photographing the jaguars along the river. We also place a significant value on isolation and exclusivity. We visit the Pantanal later in the season than most, when we are highly successful in finding wildlife, including many jaguar sightings. The accommodations feature twin beds or a queen bed, storage for clothing, a sitting area, a verandah, and of course, en suite bathrooms with toilets, hot water, showers, and air conditioning. The lodge staff will make you feel comfortable and well fed.
Typically, we'll go out on our private boats looking for jaquars two times each day, in the morning and again in the afternoon. This will give you some downtime between each photography session to import images, work with our instructors, and enjoy a wonderful lunch.
You'll have your own row in the boats, giving you ample space to photograph from.
Fitness
Moderate: Be prepared for days spent on boats navigating waterways to photograph wildlife, including jaguars. The workshop involves early starts and transfers between lodges, with some downtime for rest. Expect to carry camera gear and capture images from a stable position on the boat, with opportunities for roadside photography during transfers.
Flights
Arrive at Marechal Rondon Airport (CGB), Cuiabá before 6:00 PM on October 17, 2028. Flights out can be made after 2:00 PM on October 24, 2028. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for a $2,000 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Cuiabá, Mato Grosso.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance including coverage from point of injury (required).
- Travel Medical Insurance (required).
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming is available for a $2,000 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $8,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $5,000 is due by February 1, 2028.
- The balance is due not later than June 1, 2028.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply, including our cancellation and refund policy.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll have the chance to photograph a wide variety of wildlife, including jaguars, giant otters, capybaras, caimans, and a diverse array of bird species like the jabiru, toucans, and kingfishers.
You'll learn techniques for capturing wildlife in action, working with natural light, and composing compelling images in dynamic environments. Our instructors will also guide you through post-processing to enhance your images.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. If you cancel more than 150 days before the start date, you'll receive a full refund. For cancellations 150–91 days before, you'll receive a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and for 90–61 days, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are available within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you'll receive a 100% refund. All refunds are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee and are issued by the original payment method.
The workshop is limited to a maximum of 8 participants, ensuring a personalized and intimate experience with plenty of one-on-one guidance from our two professional photographers.
Yes, medical evacuation insurance and travel medical insurance are required for this workshop. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but recommended to protect your investment.
Pack lightweight, breathable clothing for warm weather, a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent. For photography, bring a range of lenses, including telephoto lenses for wildlife and wide-angle lenses for landscapes.
You'll need to fly into Marechal Rondon Airport (CGB) in Cuiabá, arriving before 6:00 PM on September 30, 2028. It's advisable to arrive early, possibly the day before, to account for any travel delays.
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