Location: Pantanal, Brazil.
Jaguar Photography Expedition
Deep in the Brazilian Pantanal, jaguars hunt for caimans and other prey species in the world’s largest wetland. Join us on a world class adventure to photograph jaguars as they slip into the river and stealthily close-in on their prey.
Between predations, we commonly encounter numerous jaguars along the banks of the rivers. You may see mothers and cubs, solitary adults, or adolescents moving together. In the Pantanal, jaguars are not afraid of small boats, so it is possible to observe them over very short distances for exceptional photographic opportunities.
The Pantanal is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It boasts the highest density of jaguars in the world, but there is so much more to photograph! We will also focus on encounters with ocelots, anteaters, tapirs, giant otters, capybaras, caimans, howler monkeys, and capuchins.
The Pantanal is also famous for its incredible variety of avian species including healthy populations of toucans, colourful parakeets, and many more!
THE ENCOUNTER
Photographing Jaguars, Ocelots, and other iconic wildlife of the Brazilian Pantanal.
2025
DATE
September 5-11 FULL
PRICE (USD)
$6,095 per person double occupancy
$7,495 single occupancy
LEADER
Julian Gunther
2026
DATE
August 16-22 FULL
August 23-29 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$6795 per person double occupancy
$7995 single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
2027
DATE
TBA4 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$7,795 per person double occupancy
$9,295 single occupancy
LEADER
Andy Murch
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Santa Rosa & South Wild Lodges in the Pantanal
FITNESS LEVEL
There will be some some light walking on unpaved trails with very mild inclines.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Group transfer from/to Cuiaba Airport
- All meals
- 4 nights accommodation at Santa Rosa Lodge
- 3 full days of jaguar boat tours
- 2 nights accommodation at South Wild Lodge
- Ocelot viewing and wildlife walks in the wetlands
- Experienced local guides
- Photography coaching
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Tips
- Alcoholic beverages
ITINERARY
| Day 1
|
At noon we will meet you at Cuiaba Airport; gateway to the Pantanal. From there, it is a 5-6 hour journey in a comfortable 4WD vehicle through the largest wetland in the world to Santa Rosa Lodge on the banks of the São Lourenço River.The journey will take you along the famous Transpantaneira Highway; a great place to photograph and observe wildlife. We expect to arrive at the lodge in the late afternoon. Dinner will be served at the lodge in Porto Jofre State Park; your home for the next 4 nights. |
| Days 2-4
|
After an early but sumptuous breakfast at the lodge, you will board a shallow draft, motor boat to explore the tributaries of Meeting of the Waters State Park; one of the largest protect areas in the Pantanal. With a high density of jaguar prey, including caiman and large groups of capybara, this location offers the best chance to see jaguar predations. To maximize your time with the jaguars, we will stay out on river all day. When the sun gets low, we will return to the lodge for dinner. |
| Day 5 | Today we will move to Santa Tereza Lodge aka ‘South Wild. Located on the banks of the Pixaim River, this lodge offers very comfortable rooms, jungle walks for close encounters with caphuchins, howler monkeys, and other creatures of the Pantanal, and opportunities to see the elusive but incredibly beautful ocelot. Santa Tereza Lodge is arguably the best place in the world to photograph ocelots in the wild. |
| Day 6
|
Today, you are invited to take a jungle walk with an experienced local guide through South Wild to photograph the Pantanal’s diverse flaura and fauna. After lunch you will travel by boat along the Pixaim River to see even more wildlife, and perhaps even a jaguar or two! In the late afternoon, after returning to shore, you will have a second chance to photograph an ocelot, before joining your group for a final dinner to celebrate a wonderful week in the heart of the Pantanal. |
| Day 7 | After breakfast today, we will transfer you back to Cuiaba Airport for fond farewells before your onward journey. No doubt the journey will have numerous stops to photograph the Pantanal’s phenomenal bird species, and terrestrial fauna encountered along the way. |
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
JAGUAR PHOTOGRAPHY TRIP REPORTS
Jaguar and Ocelot Photography Tour 2024
Delivering world-class wildlife encounters since 2010
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last three decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
