Pantanal Jaguar Safari in Porto Jofre, Cuiabá

PlanetaEXO’s local partner will pick you up at the airport or your hotel in Cuiabá. The drive to Porto Jofre takes around 6 hours, covering 249 km along the iconic Transpantaneira — a dirt road famous as a wildlife corridor, with strategic stops for photos and animal sightings. Capybaras, caimans, and a wide variety of birds are commonly seen from the vehicle.

On arrival, check in at the lodge, meet your local guide, and settle in. If you arrive before lunch, a regional Brazilian meal is served on Day 1. (Note: lunch is included on either Day 1 or Day 4 — not both.) The day closes with dinner and a short briefing on the upcoming activities.

Meals included: Lunch (on arrival, if pre-arranged) / Dinner

Set out at sunrise on the Cuiabá River. The first hours of daylight are the most active for wildlife, with strong chances of spotting jaguars resting on the banks, giant otters hunting in family groups, and large concentrations of birds. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a relaxed midday — the hottest hours are quiet on the river, and most travelers use them to rest at the lodge.

In the late afternoon, head back out for a second boat safari, often working a different stretch of river based on the latest jaguar sightings. The light is excellent for photography and the wildlife is active again as temperatures drop.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

An entire day dedicated to the largest feline of the Americas. The boat covers a wider range of the river system, including the Piquiri and Três Irmãos rivers, where guides regularly find jaguars patrolling the banks even in broad daylight.

Lunch is served on the boat or back at the lodge, depending on the group’s preference and the day’s conditions. Keep your camera ready: with 8 hours on the water, multiple sightings are common during peak season.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After a relaxed breakfast and a final morning at the lodge, head back to Cuiabá along the Transpantaneira. Departure time is set in advance, aligned with your return flight.

If you didn’t take lunch on Day 1, a regional Brazilian lunch is served before departure or en route. Arrival in Cuiabá is typically in the late afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch (if not pre-arranged on Day 1)