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Venture deep into the heart of the Pantanal.

The Brazilian Pantanal is a place where the land hums with life. It’s one of the world’s largest wetlands, a sprawling mosaic of rivers, forests, and grasslands that teem with an incredible diversity of wildlife. From the shimmering waters of the Cuiabá River to the dense thickets of the Encontro das Águas National Park, the Pantanal is a sanctuary for countless species, making it one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

But it’s the jaguar—the elusive predator of the Americas—that steals the spotlight here. The Pantanal is home to the highest concentration of jaguars in the world, making it the ultimate destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers seeking to observe these majestic cats in the wild. In this unique ecosystem, jaguars are not just a rare sight—they are a central force in the balance of life.

On our Jaguar Photo Tour, you’ll venture deep into the heart of the Pantanal, exploring the riverbanks, flooded forests, and remote trails where these creatures roam. Guided by Mike Dexter, a brilliant and experienced photographer, you’ll spend several days searching for jaguars, observing their behavior, and learning about their vital role in the ecosystem. Along the way, you’ll encounter other remarkable wildlife—giant river otters, howler monkeys, caimans, capybaras, and a wealth of bird species—all set against the backdrop of this breathtaking landscape.

This tour isn’t just a journey into jaguar territory; it’s an opportunity to witness the wild pulse of Brazil’s Pantanal, where every moment is a chance to connect with nature on a deeper level. Join us for a unique photographic experience in one of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations.

Quick Facts

Brazil

Aug 26 - Sept 2, 2025

Sept 4 - 11, 2026

Wildlife photography
Photography guide: Mike Dexter
Group Size: Max 6
All Photography Levels

Tour & Destination Highlights

  • Jaguar Safaris: Spend five full days in search of jaguars, the largest cat in the Americas, in the world’s highest concentration of these magnificent animals.
  • Pantanal Wildlife: Encounter other incredible wildlife, including giant river otters, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, caimans, and a diverse array of bird species.
  • Professional Photographic Tutoring: Throughout the tour, Mike Dexter will provide personalized guidance, hands-on guidance, and insights into capturing stunning images in real-world settings.
  • Boat Safaris: Navigate the Cuiabá and Piquiri Rivers aboard a comfortable safari boat, with expert naturalist guides offering insight into the region’s unique flora and fauna.
  • Scenic Transpantaneira Road: Travel along the iconic Transpantaneira Park Road, a beautiful dirt track lined with wooden bridges and opportunities for wildlife spotting.
  • Aguapé Houseboat: Enjoy an exclusive stay aboard the Aguapé Houseboat, anchored on the Piquiri River in the heart of jaguar territory.

Quick Facts

Brazil

Aug 26 - Sept 2, 2025

Sept 4 - 11, 2026

Wildlife photography
Photography guide: Mike Dexter
Group Size: Max 6

PRICING OVERVIEW

USD $6995GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $
USDGBPEURZARAUD

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly


per person sharing

INCLUDING

  • Accommodation
  • Meals (except breakfast and lunch on day 1 & 8)
  • All transfers, drives, and excursions
  • Guidance by local guides
  • Photographic tutoring by Mike Dexter

EXCLUDING

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
EXPLORE

Photography in Brazil

Come face to face with jaguars dfdfd

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What to expect in Brazil

Your Photographic Experience

This vast, wild region offers a wide range of ecosystems, habitats, and wildlife, making it a perfect location for both landscape and wildlife photography. Whether you’re shooting wide-angle vistas, macro shots, or focusing on the action of predatory behavior, this tour is designed to offer you unparalleled opportunities to perfect your craft. No other animal represents the Pantanal quite like the jaguar. With an estimated population of 1,500 jaguars, this is the highest concentration of the species anywhere on the planet. You will spend five full days exploring the Encontro das Águas National Park and surrounding areas in search of these elusive big cats. The Pantanal is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 650 species of birds calling this region home. Whether perched on the banks of a river, swooping across the sky, or perched in the treetops, the Pantanal’s birds are sure to captivate your lens. One of the most unique features of this photography tour is the boat safaris on the Cuiabá and Piquiri Rivers. These waterways provide unobstructed access to some of the Pantanal’s most remote and wild areas, allowing you to photograph wildlife up close in their natural environment. Throughout the tour, Mike Dexter will be there to offer personalized tutoring and hands-on guidance. His years of professional photography experience allow him to provide insights not only into technical aspects of photographing wildlife, but also into more creative concepts such as story telling. Additionally, his expert guidance on animal behavior will give you a deeper understanding of how to anticipate moments and capture them at their peak.
A hotel boat & more

Where you'll be staying

Pantanal photo tour

Cuiabá: Deville Hotel Stylish yet casual, Hotel Deville combines comfort with convenience to allow guests to sleep well while also enjoying the neighborhood of Cuiabá. Aguapé Hotel Boat  The Aguapé Hotel boat offers a comfortable and unique accommodation experience in the heart of the Pantanal, along the Paraguay River. With space for up to 36 guests, it provides a relaxed and intimate setting for ecotourism and fishing expeditions. Designed to blend comfort with the natural surroundings, the Aguapé Hotel Boat is the perfect base for exploring the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes of the Pantanal, offering a memorable stay in this extraordinary ecosystem.

WORKSHOP LEADER

Mike Dexter

Mike Dexter

WORKSHOP LEADER

Mike Dexter

Mike is a South Africa based wildlife photographer and specialist photographic safari guide with over a decade of experience exploring Africa’s most remote and breathtaking wilderness areas. His journey began with a degree in photojournalism, where he honed his skills in visual storytelling. He later deepened his understanding of the natural world by earning a FGASA Level II guiding qualification and entering the wildlife industry as a full time guide. Mike’s work has been featured in numerous travel and wildlife publications, showcasing his ability to convey the beauty and intricacies of the natural world. But for him, photography is about more than just the final image—it’s about the stories, experiences, and connections made along the way.

EXPERIENCE

Your Daily Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Cuiabá
Arrive at Cuiabá airport and transfer to the Deville Hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2Cuiabá to Porto Jofre
After breakfast, depart for Poconé City (100km). Once there, you’ll enjoy a 145 km drive along the scenic Transpantaneira Park Road, passing through forests and wetlands, stopping frequently to spot wildlife. This road is very scenic and charming, with many classic wooden bridges. Enjoy lunch  along the way at a restaurant on the banks of the Pixaim River before continuing to Porto Jofre. Arriving in the late afternoon, around 4:00 pm, we will take a half hour boat and travel along the Cuiabá River to the Aguapé Aguapé Hotel Boat, which is anchored on the Piquiri River. Settle in for the night with a delicious dinner onboard served at 7:00 pm.
Day 3 - 7Jaguar Safari and Wildlife Exploration
Each day begins early with a boat safari at sunrise, exploring the Encontro das Águas National Park, a hotspot for jaguar sightings. The Aguapé Houseboat is located around 5 minutes from Encontro das Águas National Park. Return around 11 am for lunch, served at 12 pm. Restart the Boat Safari at 2:30 pm, returning at sunset for dinner and overnight. Your guide will lead you through the region's diverse habitats, ensuring optimal opportunities for jaguar viewing. Over these next 5 days whilst we will mainly stay focused on spotting jaguars, we will also most likely see giant others, howler monkeys, brown capuchin monkeys, more mammals and many birds!
Day 8Return to Cuiabá
After an early breakfast, check out of the Aguapé Houseboat and return to Cuiabá. Estimated arrival in Cuiabá around 1:00 pm. 

Jaguars of the Pantanal Photo Tour

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Pantanal photo tour
An elephant walking in a grassy field with a safari vehicle in the background carrying people with cameras

At Penda, we're all about creating incredible photographic opportunities.

Our photo tours and safaris will take you to the right place, at the right time, to get that epic shot. You'll be guided by a professional photographer, who will help you take your photography to the next level, and we keep our trips exclusive by traveling in small groups. Whether it's in Kenya's sprawling savannahs, Yellowstone's snowy interior, or the jungles of India, your journey will be filled with photography magic.

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