Back to top

South Pantanal, Brazil

Pantanal Ranches and Rivers

Bite-sized trip

  • Itinerary:
    Campo Grande - Bonito - Pantanal - Campo Grande
  • Duration:
    6 days / 5 nights (flexible)
  • Price:
    from £ 1,229.- per person (excluding flights)
Get behind the wheel as you travel to Bonito and the southern, less visited part of the Pantanal. You'll have your own rental car and armed with detailed instructions you'll find that driving through this area is quite easy. Visit the relaxed town of Bonito for a few days and snorkel in the crystal clear Rio da Prata, before heading deeper into the Pantanal - one of the best places in the country to spot wildlife. Spend your days on jeep and boat safaris, fishing and horseriding. The activities available will vary depending on the weather and the season.

If you'd prefer not to self drive in Brazil, we can arrange a private car and driver for this bite-sized trip. Speak to your Travel Specialist about prices.
Brazil Pantanal wetlands canyon ranches and rivers
Decorative torn edge

Day 1 – Campo Grande to Bonito

After you arrive in Campo Grande you’ll pick up your rental car and head off on a 4 hour drive to Bonito. It’s an easy drive along well-maintained roads, but we’ll provide a detailed road book to follow so there’s no chance of getting lost! Bonito is the Portuguese word for beautiful, and the area around the town lives up to the name. After checking in to your pousada the rest of your day is free to explore. The town itself is pretty tiny, with a relaxed atmosphere. The main street is dotted with shops and eateries.

Decorative torn edge

Day 2 – Bonito: snorkelling & macaws

This morning, drive to the Rio da Prata River for a magical snorkelling experience. Plunge into the crystal-clear waters and follow your guide. Snorkelling requires hardly any effort as the gentle current carries you past schools of colourful fish and underwater scenes reminiscent of a tropical aquarium. You’ll leave the water and walk along the riverbank for some short sections. After around 2.5 hours you’ll reach a jetty and transfer back to the centre in time for lunch.

After lunch drive to Buraco das Araras: an impressive sinkhole that measures over 100 metres deep and 500 metres wide. Many red-blue macaws, as well as toucans and other bird species, have built their nests amongst the cliffs here. Follow the walking trail along the rim of the sinkhole and you should be able to spot the macaws as they leave their nests for foraging.

Decorative torn edge

Day 3 – Bonito to Southern Pantanal

After breakfast you’ll leave Bonito and travel into the Pantanal – a wetlands area that’s half the size of France and one of the best places in the country to spot wildlife. After around 3 hours you’ll take an unpaved road to a small, family-owned fazenda (farm). Accommodation is simple, but comfortable, with an en-suite bathroom and air-conditioning. There are hammocks to relax in, a pool where you can cool off, and a small dining area. All your meals are included and are served buffet style. Settle in and listen to the sounds of nature all around you.

Decorative torn edge

Days 4-5 – Southern Pantanal wildlife spotting

The fazenda organises various activities that you can take part in: wildlife spotting safaris by truck or boat, nature hikes, Piranha fishing and horse riding. Rainfall varies hugely throughout the year, which will affect what is on offer. Whatever you decide to do, there’s a very good chance that you’ll see lots of wildlife. The area is home to capybara, caiman, deer, anteaters, giant otters and a huge variety of birds.

Decorative torn edge

Day 6 – Pantanal to Campo Grande

After breakfast it’s time to head back to Campo Grande, which will take about 4-5 hours. You’ll drive across well maintained roads back to Campo Grande airport where you’ll drop off your rental car. From here you’ll catch a flight to your next destination.

Decorative torn edge

Accommodation

torn-edge

Pantanal Ranches and Rivers

For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options

Bonito Accommodation
Bonito Accommodation
Option
1

Upgrade to our Comfort option

  • Price:
    from £ 2,154.- per person (excluding flights)
  • Included:
    Comfort accommodation, car hire, excursions and meals as described above

For this bite-sized trip we have an alternative option available for your accommodation. Our Comfort version is something a bit more special or unique but still with lots of local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your accommodation in Bonito and the South Pantanal for this bite-sized trip select our Comfort option below.

Decorative torn edge

This bite-sized trip combines well with

Bite-sized trip

Revelling in Rio

  • Rio de Janeiro
  • 3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
  • from £ 299.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
Decorative torn edge
Brazil Streets of Salvador
Bite-sized trip

Cobbled Streets of Salvador

  • Salvador de Bahia
  • 3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
  • from £ 234.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
Decorative torn edge
Paraty, Brazil
Bite-sized trip

Perfectly Paraty

  • Rio de Janeiro - Paraty
  • 4 days / 3 nights (flexible)
  • From £ 399.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
Decorative torn edge
Iguazu Falls in Brazil
Bite-sized trip

Catch Your Breath at Devil’s Throat

  • Foz do Iguacu - Brazilian waterfalls - Argentine waterfalls - Foz do Iguacu
  • 3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
  • From £ 359.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
Decorative torn edge
background-pattern