Pantanal Luxury Safari at Caiman Ecological Refuge
PlanetaEXO
TripsBrazilPantanalSouthern Pantanal

Pantanal Luxury Safari at Caiman Ecological Refuge

Brazil
3 Nights·4 Days
Southern PantanalSafari & WildlifeConservation Adventures

Overview

A Pantanal luxury safari at Caiman Ecological Refuge puts you in the only property in the Southern Pantanal where jaguars are tracked and spotted reliably in the wild. The lodge’s conservatory work with the native fauna has habituated the resident jaguars to vehicles at a respectful distance, which is why the regular game drives here reach a 98% sighting rate.

The trip is about more than jaguars. Over your luxury vacation in the Pantanal, rotate through morning and afternoon safaris, guided walking trails, sunset canoeing, and nocturnal spotting on the drive back to the lodge. Caimans, giant anteaters, capybaras, and native birds turn up across the 53,000-hectare private reserve.

The stay experience is of the highest standard, featuring spacious and elegant lodgings, diverse leisure areas, personalized service, and breathtaking views of the vast natural expanse of the Pantanal.

  • Full itinerary: jaguar jeep safaris, canoeing, and hiking.
  • 98% jaguar sighting rate on the regular game drives in the animals’ natural habitat.
  • Strong chances to spot caimans, giant anteaters, capybaras, and native birds.
  • Luxury stay on a 53,000-hectare private reserve, rated one of the best lodges in Brazil.
  • Activities guided by English-speaking local experts.
  • Full-board stay with accommodation, meals, guided activities, and local guides.

  • Please note: Each activity lasts around 3 hours, and schedules can change. The itinerary is a suggested plan, confirmed on arrival at the lodge, and it may be adjusted for weather or the group’s needs. Activities on check-in and check-out days depend on your arrival and departure times.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival / Afternoon Safari

  • DrivingCampo Grande → Caiman (Miranda) · 236 km · ~3h30
  • Afternoon safari~3 hrs (with optional sunset canoeing)
  • Nocturnal observationduring return

If you book the private transfer (see Optional Extras), the driver picks you up at Campo Grande airport or your hotel at 10 AM. The drive to the lodge in Miranda covers 236 km in about 3 h 30 min, reaching Caiman around 1:30 PM.

After check-in, take some time to relax before your first activity. In the afternoon, head out for your first safari to explore the Pantanal during one of the best times of day for wildlife observation.

Weather permitting, this outing can include canoeing at sunset. After dark, on the way back, guides use spotlights to find nocturnal animals such as caimans, owls, and ocelots.

Meals included: Dinner

A jaguar descending a bare-branched tree against a pale blue sky on a pantanal luxury jaguar safari, its rosette-patterned coat vivid against the dry bark
Aerial view of a safari vehicle crossing a red-earth bridge over mirror-still flooded wetlands scattered with green aquatic vegetation during a pantanal luxury safari
A traveller in a wide-brim hat and rust-coloured wrap gazes out a rain-speckled jeep window at golden-hour light filtering through trees during a pantanal luxury safari transfer
A capybara almost fully submerged in dark water during a pantanal luxury safari, its head glowing in warm backlight while a golden dragonfly hovers above
Two hyacinth macaws preening each other on a bare branch during a pantanal luxury safari, their cobalt-blue plumage and yellow eye-rings vivid against a pale sky
A flock of roseate spoonbills bursting into flight from golden grassland, wings fully spread and glowing pink against a dark background on a pantanal luxury safari
Two guests drifting in a canoe on glassy water at golden hour during a pantanal luxury safari, surrounded by lush wetland vegetation and large trees reflected in the still river
Aerial view of a lone traveller standing on a wooden boardwalk observation deck surrounded by vast green wetland vegetation and dark open water channels during a pantanal luxury safari
A young caiman rests at the water's edge on a pantanal luxury safari, its textured scales and pale throat reflected in the still blue water below
A giant anteater pup rides on its mother's back amid green shrubs during a pantanal luxury safari wildlife encounter
A fiery orange and pink sunset over a Pantanal wetland, with aquatic vegetation silhouetted on still reflective water and a treeline of palms darkening against the glowing sky — the kind of twilight moment that defines a pantanal luxury safari
A glowing amber full moon hangs against a pitch-black sky during a pantanal luxury safari night outing

Day 2:

Morning Safari & Hiking / Afternoon Jaguar Safari

  • Morning safari + walking trail~3 hrs (5:30–6 AM start)
  • Afternoon jaguar safari~3 hrs
  • Optional sunset canoeingdepending on conditions

Start the day early, around 5:30–6 AM, when wildlife activity is at its peak. During the safari, there is typically a stop for a guided walking trail, offering a closer look at the Pantanal’s ecosystem.

After returning to the lodge for lunch and some time to rest, head out again in the afternoon for a jaguar safari. This second outing offers different perspectives of the landscape and wildlife, often including beautiful sunset views.

Based on the current weather, canoeing may be part of the afternoon activity. As night falls, nocturnal wildlife observation takes place naturally during the return to the lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

A jaguar resting in tall golden dry grass during a pantanal luxury safari, gazing directly at the camera with tail raised
A guide points upward into the forest canopy while a guest holding binoculars looks up during a pantanal luxury safari guided walking trail
Aerial view of a safari vehicle dwarfed by vast golden grassland and dense woodland canopy during a pantanal luxury safari
Two hyacinth macaws spreading their wings side by side on a bare branch against a clear blue sky during a pantanal luxury safari
A black-collared hawk with rich rufous plumage and a pale head perches on a green fence post during a pantanal luxury safari, with flooded wetland grassland glowing behind it
Two jaguars walking in front of safari vehicles during a pantanal luxury safari, with guests photographing from open and covered jeeps beneath dry woodland trees
A fluffy, downy rhea chick bends its long neck down to peck at low green vegetation during a pantanal luxury safari wildlife encounter
A burrowing owl balances on one leg atop a small mound, wings fanned wide, its bright yellow eyes fixed on the camera during a pantanal luxury safari
An adult capybara stands in sunlit grass on a pantanal luxury safari while two tiny pups shelter beneath her body
A jaguar wading through dark water at night, its rosette-patterned coat glowing under a spotlight during a pantanal luxury safari
A local guide points into the canopy of a tree while guests on a pantanal luxury safari look up and use binoculars, parked beside a Caiman Pantanal safari vehicle in open grassland
A giant anteater forages through low savanna vegetation bathed in warm golden dawn light during a pantanal luxury safari
A large flock of jabiru storks and white egrets foraging across a golden floodplain grassland on a pantanal luxury safari, with mixed dry-season woodland stretching across the horizon
Silhouetted treeline reflected perfectly in still water under a glowing amber horizon during a pantanal luxury safari at dusk
A giant tree silhouetted against a blazing orange and violet sunset sky during a pantanal luxury safari, with a tall palm visible to the right

Day 3:

Wildlife Safari / Sunset Canoeing

  • Morning safari~3 hrs
  • Afternoon safari~3 hrs (with optional sunset canoeing)
  • Nocturnal spottingduring return

Begin the day with another early morning Pantanal safari, continuing your search for jaguars and other wildlife across different areas of Caiman. Each outing is adapted based on recent sightings and environmental conditions, maximizing your chances of meaningful encounters.

Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before heading out again in the afternoon. This safari once again combines wildlife observation with the changing light of the biome and may include canoeing at sunset if conditions allow.

On the way back after dark, guides conduct nocturnal spotting as part of the experience.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Silhouette of a woman holding a canoe paddle on a glassy river during a pantanal luxury safari, with a vivid orange and purple sunset reflected on the water and lodge lights glowing on the far bank
A jabiru stork with its distinctive black head, red neck band, and white plumage stands tall among dew-covered green grasses during a pantanal luxury safari
Two ecotourists watch and photograph a giant anteater foraging across open grassland scrub on a pantanal luxury safari at golden hour
Aerial view of a pantanal luxury safari vehicle parked beside a lagoon as a group of capybaras grazes along the grassy bank at golden hour
A jaguar strides directly toward the camera on a pantanal luxury safari, tail curled high and intense gaze fixed forward against a blurred green background
A magnificent pink-flowering lapacho tree in full bloom rises above the open grassland on a pantanal luxury safari, flanked by scattered palms under a cloudless blue sky
A guide in a wide-brimmed hat watches from the bank as two guests paddle a canoe across a calm wetland lagoon during a pantanal luxury safari at golden hour
Two guests in life vests paddle a canoe across mirror-still water at dusk on a pantanal luxury safari, their reflections perfectly mirrored on the glassy surface
A caiman gliding just beneath the surface of dark tannin-rich water during a pantanal luxury safari, its scaly back and snout catching warm amber light amid rising bubbles
Vivid orange and violet sunset sky reflected in a still wetland, with silhouetted trees lining the horizon on a pantanal luxury safari
A long-tailed bird perched high in a tall tree silhouetted against a deep amber sky during a pantanal luxury safari sunset
A guide stands beside a Caiman Ecological Refuge safari vehicle at dusk, with a fiery orange and violet sky reflected over a wetland lagoon covered in aquatic vegetation during a pantanal luxury safari
A jaguar rests on the ground beneath dark foliage at dusk during a pantanal luxury safari, its amber eyes gazing directly toward the camera

Day 4:

Final Safari / Back to Campo Grande

  • Final morning activity~2–3 hrs (safari, possibly with a short walk)
  • DrivingCaiman → Campo Grande · 236 km · ~3h30 (arrival 3 PM)

It’s the final day of your Pantanal luxury safari, but the adventure isn’t over yet. Enjoy one last morning activity—usually a safari, with the possibility of a short walk depending on timing and conditions—to immerse yourself in nature one last time.

After lunch, travel back to Campo Grande (private transfer optional, see Optional Extras). The transfer to the airport or your hotel takes about 3 h 30 min (236 km), with a scheduled arrival at 3 PM.

Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch

A jaguar strides across a red dirt track during a pantanal luxury safari, glancing back at a open-top 4x4 vehicle with photographers on board
A grey-and-tan canid rests low in golden savanna grass, gazing directly at the camera during a pantanal luxury safari
A tapir lowers its prehensile snout to drink from a shallow pool on a pantanal luxury safari, dry golden grasses stretching behind it
A southern tamandua curled among leafy branches high in a tree canopy, its distinctive two-toned fur clearly visible on this pantanal luxury safari
Aerial top-down view of a vehicle travelling along a narrow red dirt road cutting through dense green savanna vegetation on a pantanal luxury safari

What is Included

  • 3-night stay at Caiman Ecological Refuge in your selected room category (extra nights on request, subject to availability)
  • Meals (full board), with water and juice at meals and snacks during activities
  • Caiman has a zero-plastic policy and gives you a reusable bottle on arrival
  • Environmental fee
  • Guided tours (safaris, canoeing, hiking)
  • English-speaking guides and local native guides

Not included

  • Transfer Campo Grande ⇌ Southern Pantanal (see Optional Extras)
  • Flight tickets
  • Accommodation in Campo Grande
  • Breakfast and lunch on the first day
  • Dinner on the last day
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses (e.g., laundry service, phone calls) and tips
  • Any services not mentioned above

FAQ

Reviews

“SPECTACULAR hotel! I had a wonderful experience from beginning to end: comfort, service from the staff, meals, everything a perfect 10! For me the best of all was the quality of the guides who lead the safaris. A true lesson on every outing!”

— Bruno Kairalla Silveira

“Had an awesome time at Caiman. The staff were so helpful, organised and friendly, especially our tour guides Lara (caiman)/Rafael (oncafari) and hosts Thais/Jackeline. Great Brazilian food, and like that they didn't waste huge amounts. Would recommend to anyone”

— Chris Wyatt

“We really really loved Caiman lodge. Our tour guide was amazing. Not only we saw jaguars with him, he also was full of knowledge about other animals. The stuff overall was very attentive and rooms were excellent. Reservation was easy and they even connected us to a great company for transfer from the airport. We enjoyed the adventure and it was a highlight of our trip to Brazil. Unfortunately our Oncafari driver managed to run over speed bump at very high speed and one of our party was injured. We were not sure if it was a large bruising or internal bleeding. When we went to reception to ask for help, none was forthcoming. Medic was not available at the lodge or near by, there was no offer to drive us to closest medical facility. They did not even have a cold pack in the medkit ( that kit had less supplies than what we had with us). The lady at the reception could care less. Everything ended up OK but it did leave a bad taste in our mouth. So overall amazing experience which I would recommend to anyone.”

— Megan

“All good!”

— Paulo Patinho

“From Campo Grande where we spent the night to Casa Caiman lodge is a 4 hour road transfer, the last hour being over a dirt track road. On arrival at the lodge we were given a briefing on the lodge and its facilities. There are two blocks of rooms the main area incorporates the dinning room and has a very spacious lounge area, the second block on the other side of the compound has a smaller lounge area but is nearer the air-condition gym and the small pool. We were allocated Room 16 in this block. The room had a queen sized bed, good quality air conditioning, a safe, a reasonable shower, toiletries were provided as was a hairdryer. Two flasks of drinking water were also provided and topped up each day. There was also a small patio area with chairs and a table. The meals were all served buffet style, breakfast had all the usual options, with eggs however you wanted them. Lunch and dinner was also a culinary experience with well known dishes and many Brazilian dishes to try. We had one breakfast outside after a game drive and two evening meals, one of which was a Brazilian BBQ also outside after a game drive.The main event at the lodge are the game drives which occur early morning and late afternoon and last for around 3 hours. After a quick coffee and biscuit, cake or fruit we were off. Our game drives were guided by Natalia who was so passionate about the animals, pointing out animals, birds, (of which there are hundreds of different varieties), reptiles and the flora and fauna at every turn. Clearly most people are here to see the Jaguars, and we were not disappointed seeing two on our first game drive. On the evening game drive as night fell, Natalia would climb onto a seat at the very front of the 4x4 and with a spotlight in hand would lookout for the nocturnal wildlife for us to see. An amazing lodge with super friendly staff whose English was excellent and nothing was too much to ask.”

— Pete

“A unique nature experience!”

— Ursula Gross Leemann

“Spectacular, impeccable No words to describe it.”

— Leandro Magagnato

“Stayed here for 4 nights in Sept 2025. Everything was perfect - the staff, the food, the rooms, the service, our guide & driver. We had amazing wildlife sightings and lots of other wonderful experiences.”

— Mary Davies

“Without a doubt, Caiman was absolutely the highlight of our tour of Brazil which was organised around staying at Caiman to hopefully see the elusive jaguar. What I hadn't appreciated was how Caiman had started and how incredible it is as a pioneer of ecotourism. Plus how vast it is in terms of being home to so many species of wildlife including the hyacinth macaw, capybara, giant anteaters and the tapir. We also hadn't anticipated eating such amazing food at Casa Caiman, carefully crafted to feature typical Brazilian dishes served with a voiceover from the team. We ventured out with the dedicated guides with both the Oncafari and the Caiman teams on driving safaris. Both teams were well-informed, passionate and excellent, and within a very short space of time we had close-up viewings of jaguars, capybara, giant anteaters, tapirs, hyacinth macaw and the toco toucan, and so much more. On our last evening safari as the light was starting to fade and I thought our trip had been absolutely everything we could have wished for, our guide spotted Itapira swimming. Itapira is the jaguar whose paws were burnt during the extensive 2024 fires; she was rescued and subsequently recovered, so it was special moment. Then as the sun set and it was dark, and we assumed sightings were over, our guide spotted an unknown female jaguar and her four month old cub wandering down the track in front of us. A very special moment at a very special place - Caiman Pantanal.”

— Selena

“Caiman Lodge has been on our list for a decade. We finally decided to pull the trigger and it couldn't have been any better. We came for the Jaguars and saw our first within 5 minutes of arriving for our first game drive. We had Laura and Gabriel as our guides and they were extremely knowledgeable and tons of fun! All in all, over 4 days we ID'd 130 bird species, caiman, agouti, crab-eating fox, marsh deer, pampas deer, giant anteater, ocelot, tapir, capybara (wife's fav) and of course, Jaguars (7 total). The food is different every day and there are tons of options. The fresh fruit, juice and beef were highlights for me. I would highly recommend coming here if you are an animal lover. We decided on this instead of the Porto Joffre area so we could be more isolated in our experiences with the Jaguars and it definitely was.What you see is obviously luck to some degree. We heard people in other cars who saw up to 12 different Jaguars, one saw a Jaguarundi and other things. If you understand wildlife, you get it. We chose to do the Oncafari one day to prioritize Jaguars. We only saw 3 over the entire day (one was stalking cattle at night), but it was the hottest day we were there. The Oncafari group the next day saw 8, so you just never know. Regardless, our experience was top notch and it is up there with any other eco lodge we've ever stayed at.”

— Adams

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$ 2,400/ per person