Travel Report: Pantanal and Chapada dos Guimarães – June 2026
We began our journey from the city of Cuiabá, capital of the state of Mato Grosso, a large and noisy city like all capitals of the world, but we wouldn't be there for long because we only used it as a starting point to gather our entire group. One by one they arrived on different flights to the hotel where we were staying just a few blocks from the airport. The first to arrive were Deidre and Petra, who visited us from the United States. Then came Michael and Hannah, who arrived from faraway Ireland. The group was completed with the Argentinian team: Oscar, María, and Edith from Buenos Aires 😊
The tour guide and coordinator was Diego, one of the most experienced guides on the Sandpiper Birding team and a great expert on Brazilian birds.
The welcome dinner was filled with laughter, and the group gradually got to know each other. Stories and differing expectations began to emerge as Diego explained what the tour would be like and the precautions we should take.
On the first day, a comfortable and spacious minibus picked us up from the hotel and, full of expectations, we set off for the famous Transpantaneira Route; 140 km of fun awaited us ahead and a whole day of sightseeing to reach our first destination: Porto Jofre.
The surprises came quickly. As soon as we reached the iconic entrance gate, a pair of macaws flew overhead. Ñandúes Greater Rhea were grazing in the field next door, and the first 30 species of birds appeared before our eyes. Group photo and on we went! We had lunch overlooking the Pixaim River before exploring the trails of the complex and climbing the 25-meter canopy tower. Seeing the Pantanal from the sky was a magnificent experience.
We arrived in Porto Jofre and, settled in our lodge, it was time to rest up for the next day to fulfill some dreams….
Day 2, breakfast and into the water! Two days of boat excursions and plenty of adrenaline await us. New species immediately appeared, such as cinnamon-breasted guans and white-throated and red-throated jacutingas. Everything in this great ecosystem is alive and very accustomed to tourists and boats, making close-up shots for photographers amazing.
Our boat, very comfortable and spacious, had room to walk around and take photos without disturbing us (with nine people on board). The helmsman demonstrated great skill in positioning the boat in the best spot, taking advantage of excellent views and light quality.
Day 3 of our tour brought, in addition to jaguars and many birds, the charming (but serial killer) giant otters. A family of six appeared, and their communication, using a piercing, high-pitched sound, was striking. They dived into the vegetation, and one of them managed to catch a fish. What was happening underwater? We couldn't see it, but it was clear: a frenzy of fish trying to survive and a team of otters working together, coordinated to secure their prey. Moments of adrenaline and great photos were guaranteed.
Three days in the Pantanal left us wanting more; we knew there was more to discover, but we also had to begin our return to Cuiabá to then change scenery and explore the famous "Chapada dos Guimarães" region. Our day was spent almost entirely on the Transpantaneira Route, but in the opposite direction, where we stopped at a specific point to observe and photograph one of the most sought-after species by the birdwatchers in the group: the Mato Grosso Antbird, There on the Pixaim River we managed to spot a pair and take some good quality photos.
Chapada dos Guimarães:
The second stage of the journey began. Chapada is a place that no birdwatcher in the area should miss. The predominant environment is the cerrado, a low, flat, dry, and hot shrubland where amazing species lived, such as the Plumbeus Seedeater, Forest Elaenia and the amazing White-banded Tanager among other very prominent species
But here, not only does the Cerrado predominate, there are also patches of Atlantic Forest or Parana Forest where completely different species appear, such as the Helmeted Manakin o el Yellow-tufted Woodpecker , a striking diversity of environments in such a small area that allows you to see a completely different birdlife between morning and afternoon.
The Chapada dos Guimarães National Park deserves a separate mention, with its stunning waterfall called "Bridal Veil" and the Red-and-green Macaw Flying in front of the water and landing just a few meters away. There are no words I can write to describe that feeling. I've included some photos that better illustrate this experience.
A special thank you to everyone who trusted Sandpiper Birding & Tours for this adventure; it was a pleasure spending time in the field with you all 🙂 That's all for now. Best wishes to everyone, and I promise we'll be back in Mato Grosso and the Pantanal next year for more adventures 😉
Do you like enjoy this trip with us? Check the published dates here...
Credits
Photos: Michael O’ Clery
Videos: Diego Emmanuel Oscar