Close your eyes and imagine a vast landscape teeming with exotic wildlife. Are you thinking of the Serengeti? Think again. The Brazilian Pantanal, in the heart of South America, is the largest tropical wetland on earth, with its 68,000 square miles spilling over the horizon in every direction. Hundreds of mammal, bird, and reptile species bring this great vista to life in a way that thrills every visitor, from the casual nature lover to the professional wildlife photographer. The World Wildlife Fund calls it “one of the most biologically rich environments on the planet.” SouthWild’s Pantanal Lodge is right at the center of this intricate web of life.
About The Pantanal
The Pantanal serves up a spectacle of unrivalled biodiversity every day. Its 4,700 plant and animal species are enmeshed in a tapestry of life that is profound, complex, and deeply rewarding to the visitor. The extraordinary variety of life here has led UNESCO to declare part of the Pantanal a Natural World Heritage Site. From apex predators such as the mighty Jaguar to the miniscule Flea-frog that can perch comfortably on your fingernail, each animal in the Pantanal has a niche to fill supporting the entire ecosystem. To make the Pantanal their home, all those species have adapted to its annual rhythm of wet and dry seasons.
Pantanal’s Nature Wonders
The Pantanal is a huge inland river delta, centered above a primordial depression in the Earth’s crust. During the wet season, from October to March, heavy local rains, as well as runoff from the neighboring uplands, collect in this basin before slowly flowing on into the local rivers. During this time, about 80% of the Pantanal flood plain is submerged. Non-aquatic species must share the remaining dry places. During the dry season – April to September – land animals stay close to the dwindling sources of fresh water and fish and amphibians jostle for room in the shrinking pools and streams. Those crowed receding waters attract a tremendous influx of fauna, what the Nature Conservancy calls “one of the hemisphere’s greatest natural phenomena.” These seasonal movements are a gift to our skilled guides, helping them always to know where to find the animals on our visitors’ wish lists.
From hummingbirds to hawks, our variety of birds make the Pantanal a photographer’s dream. While cameras click on Roseate Spoonbills wading in the shallows, a flock of Greater Rheas might stroll by, scattering some Bare-faced Currasows, all under the watchful eye of a Savanna Hawk. Most days, all five South American species of kingfisher visit the Pixaim River that runs behind the lodge. Beside our pool, Toco Toucans often pay a morning call. Meanwhile, out front, our nesting pair of Jabiru Storks are much too busy to pay attention to the guests watching them from the world’s best Jabiru observation tower, just 15 meters away. In total, the great wetland hosts more than 650 species of birds. Many of them are large (the storks and the ibises) or colorful (the macaws and the spoonbills) or noisy (the parakeets and the Chaco Chachalacas). These birds are easy to spot. But their smaller, less dramatic, easy-to-miss fellows are there in abundance, too, and our guides will make sure you see them.
The birds share the Pantanal with a wide assortment of mammals, part of the web of biodiversity that distinguishes the region. The magnificent Jaguar is king, the largest of the big cats of the Americas, with a substantial, thriving population right in our neighborhood, which we like to call Jaguarland. The fact that their favorite prey, Capybara and Caiman, abound here clearly contributes to their success. The Capybara, who often graze placidly on our lawns (and occasionally sleep on our porches!), are the largest rodents in the world. This trend toward the super-sized is evident in several Pantanal mammals, resulting in the word “giant” becoming part of their names: the Giant Anteater, the Giant River Otter, the Giant Armadillo.
Of course, mammals of every size have established their places in the panoply of life here. Tapirs, Ocelots, Jaguarundi, Capuchin and Howler Monkeys, Crab-eating Foxes, Black-tailed Marmosets, and even Vampire Bats are all part of the local scene. Reptiles, too, are well represented. The Yacare Caiman population of the Pantanal is reckoned at some 10 million individuals, the largest crocodile assemblage on earth. The Pantanal Swamp Turtle and the Red-footed Tortoise make their homes here, as do a large variety of lizards and several snake species. You may never see another of the Pantanal’s giants, the Yellow Anaconda, but be assured that it is here. And, one of the local amphibians, the little Paraguayan Swimming Frog, might visit your room.
There is a saying in Brazil: “O Pantanal é vida!” The Pantanal is life! That is the simple truth, and it sums up the experience of every traveler who visits SouthWild’s charming Santa Tereza lodge in the heart of the remarkable land of the Pantanal.
Visit The Pantanal
Wouldn’t you like to join the ranks of those fortunate guests who have discovered the magic of the Pantanal with SouthWild? Come and experience firsthand the breathtaking beauty and unparalleled biodiversity of the Pantanal. Dive deep into the heart of this natural wonder with our exclusive tours at jaguar.southwild.com. Witness the majestic jaguars, the playful capybaras, and the vibrant birdlife that make the Pantanal a world-renowned destination. Our expert guides are ready to unveil the secrets of this unique ecosystem, ensuring you have an unforgettable journey. Don’t just read about the Pantanal – live it, breathe it, and let it captivate your soul. Visit jaguar.southwild.com today and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. The Pantanal awaits!
