Capybara Expeditions logo Capybara ExpeditionsPantanal Norte, Mato Grosso
A jaguar crouched among dry vegetation at the edge of the water

Explore. Connect. Preserve.

Jaguar and wildlife expeditions in the Northern Pantanal

Tailor-made trips to Porto Jofre and the Transpantaneira, starting in Cuiabá and planned by a local team.

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Two ways to explore the Northern Pantanal

A jaguar with her cub at the water's edge

Porto Jofre

Boat outings focused on finding jaguars and other wildlife along the rivers and their banks, including giant otters, capybaras, caimans and birds. A classic Porto Jofre jaguar safari.

A giant anteater walking with a pup on its back

The Transpantaneira

Stays at lodges that open up other environments, with possible land safaris, walks, birdwatching and other activities, depending on the lodge and its program.

The two can be combined in one trip: pairing Porto Jofre with a Transpantaneira lodge adds more environments and experiences to your journey.

Suggested expeditions

Think of these as starting points for tailor-made Pantanal trips. Length, lodges and activities are adapted to your interests, dates and budget.

4 days / 3 nights

Porto Jofre Jaguar Expedition

Explore the rivers of Porto Jofre with two full days of boat safari in search of wild jaguars. Along the way there are chances to see giant otters, capybaras, caimans and birds, plus wildlife stops on the drive along the Transpantaneira.

A suggestion for travelers whose main goal is jaguars: three nights in Porto Jofre, with lodging chosen to match your preferences and budget.

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5 days / 4 nights

Jaguars & Pantanal Wildlife

Combine two full days of boat safari in Porto Jofre with a stay at a Transpantaneira lodge. Add land-based experiences and birdwatching to discover other environments of the Pantanal.

One suggested combination is three nights in Porto Jofre and one in Pouso Alegre or Piuval. Other lodges and activities can be considered when we plan your trip.

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7 days / 6 nights

Explore the Northern Pantanal

Take more time to enjoy the rivers, landscapes and wildlife of the Northern Pantanal. Combine two full days of boat safari in Porto Jofre with three nights along the Transpantaneira, so you can explore the lodge activities at an easier pace.

A suggested combination brings together Porto Jofre, Pouso Alegre and Piuval. The number of nights, the sequence and the lodges are adapted to each trip.

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Your Trip, Your Way

We also organize shorter trips, longer expeditions, birdwatching, photography and other combinations of lodges. Tell us what you dream of seeing and we will shape the journey around it.

Itineraries are suggestions. The final program is confirmed in your proposal and depends on availability, weather and operating conditions.

Plan My Custom Trip
Private tripsPlanned around you, your family or the group you already travel with.
Shared tripsPossible when travelers with compatible dates and interests come together.
4x4s and vans4x4 vehicles for smaller groups, vans for larger ones.
On the roadVans used on our trips have Starlink, as do most of the 4x4 vehicles. Connectivity is confirmed for your assigned vehicle.

We can arrange transport, lodging, a guide and activities according to your proposal.

Where you may stay

We suggest lodges based on your interests, dates, group and budget. Facilities and activities differ from one lodge to another, and availability is confirmed in your proposal.

In Porto Jofre

Covered walkway in front of the numbered rooms at Dona Onça Jaguar Lodge, with wooden benches, blue columns and palm trees

Dona Onça Jaguar Lodge

A base in Porto Jofre for days on the rivers, looking for jaguars and other wildlife.

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Aerial view of SouthWild Porto Jofre Pantanal Lodge, with red-roofed buildings among forest beside the river and boats moored along the bank

SouthWild Porto Jofre Pantanal Lodge

A riverside lodge in Porto Jofre, with Standard rooms in the Pousada category and the premium Suíte Imperial.

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Aerial view of Santa Rosa Pantanal Hotel on the riverbank, with the pool, lawns, the pier and boats, surrounded by forest

Santa Rosa Pantanal Hotel

A riverside hotel in Porto Jofre with several chalet options, a swimming pool and a private pier.

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Aerial view of Hotel Porto Jofre Pantanal Norte on the Cuiabá River, with three piers lined with boats, red-roofed buildings among trees, a pool and an airstrip beside the forest

Hotel Porto Jofre

A riverside base in Porto Jofre, with air-conditioned apartments and access to boat excursions through the northern Pantanal.

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Covered seating area with rustic wooden tables and benches, woven pendant lamps, colorful bunting and a Brazilian flag

Pousada Berço Pantaneiro

A welcoming pousada in Porto Jofre, with air-conditioned apartments for one to four guests.

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Along the Transpantaneira

Aerial view of Pousada Piuval's buildings, grounds and lakes at dusk

Pousada Piuval

Open landscapes, outings on land and three room categories on the Transpantaneira.

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Main building of Pouso Alegre Lodge, a yellow single-storey house with a tiled roof, a wide veranda with wooden benches and chairs, and trees around a lawn

Transpantaneira · Northern Pantanal

Pouso Alegre Lodge

A traditional Pantanal farm stay for birdwatching, wildlife photography and exploring the region's diverse habitats.

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Depending on your trip, we may also consider other options, such as Aymara Lodge, UeSo Pantanal Lodge and Pantanal Mato Grosso Hotel. Another option is SouthWild Pantanal Lodge, in the Pixaim region, a different property from SouthWild Porto Jofre Pantanal Lodge.

Wildlife of the Northern Pantanal

A glimpse of the animals you may encounter. Tap a photo to see it larger.

Jaguar by the water
Giant otter with a fresh catch
Hyacinth macaw
Jaguar and cub
Giant anteater and pup
Toco toucans
Ocelot, seen after dark
South American coatis
Black-collared hawks
Toco toucan
Toco toucan and brocket deer

Meet the team

Capybara Expeditions is a family-run company created by José de Andrade, known as Zé Cabelinho, and his son-in-law, José Donizete.

José de Andrade and José Donizete combine experience in the Pantanal with close, personal service and tailor-made planning, so every Northern Pantanal wildlife tour is built around your interests. Depending on the itinerary and availability, they also work with partner guides and drivers to run the expeditions.

José de Andrade, known as Zé Cabelinho, a guide wearing a field vest and binoculars, standing among trees and palms in the Pantanal

José de Andrade (Zé Cabelinho)

Tour guide and driver

A tour guide and driver in the Pantanal, José works on local operations and leads expeditions, sharing his knowledge of the region with travelers. He speaks English and Spanish.

José Donizete

Customer service and trip planning

Looks after customer service and trip planning, and coordinates with clients and suppliers.

Traveler experiences

Reviews and stories from our guests.

Cristin Lambert

Review on Google

Excerpts from the review

“…we had the most unbelievable wildlife filled days thanks to José's expert eye and invaluable local knowledge.”

“He also really catered the tour for our interests and couldn't have done more for us.”

Read the full review on Google

Joey Li

Review on Google

“Very professional guide, flexible and willing to communicate, they can customize your experience based on what you want to watch. I am deeply impressed by how they love the nature and the wildlife.”

See the original review on Google

Amir

Review on Google and trip report

“perfct guid perfect tour Ze is the best you can find”

Read review on Google Trip report, our summary

Amir spent two days on the rivers of Porto Jofre with guide Zé, following a jaguar from the boat for an hour or more. He also joined Zé on a land safari that included a night drive.

Read the full trip report (Hebrew)

Star ratings: individual traveler reviews on Google.

Ready to plan your own Pantanal trip?

Tell us what you would like to see and we will shape the trip around your interests.

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When to travel

The Pantanal changes with the seasons. Rainfall, river levels and wildlife-watching opportunities vary through the year and from one year to the next, and each period offers its own landscapes. Tell us your dates and what you most want to see, and we will help you choose the right moment.

Frequently asked questions

Where do the trips start and end?

Trips start and end in Cuiabá. We can arrange airport or hotel pickup and drop-off, as agreed when planning your trip.

Can I customize the itinerary?

Yes. Our suggested expeditions are starting points. Length, lodges and activities are adapted to your interests, dates and budget.

Do you offer private and shared trips?

We offer private trips for individuals, families and groups who already travel together. Shared trips are possible when travelers with compatible dates and interests come together.

Which languages can I request?

English and Spanish are our main guiding languages. Other languages depend on availability, so please ask when you contact us.

Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?

No. The animals live free in the wild, so sightings can never be guaranteed. We plan each trip to give you good opportunities to see them, and we share what to expect when we prepare your proposal.

How do I request a proposal?

Fill in the form below, or write to us on WhatsApp or by email. Tell us your approximate dates, who is traveling and what you would like to see, and we will prepare a personalized proposal.

Plan your trip with us

Share your plans, receive a personalized proposal, and confirm your booking according to the conditions presented and availability. Payment and cancellation details are sent with the proposal, before you confirm.

Answer only what you can. Everything here is optional.

Shared trips depend on availability and on other travelers with compatible dates and interests.

Tell us the animals and experiences you are most interested in, how many rooms you need, whether you prefer double or single beds, and any other requests.

Send by email instead

This form prepares your message in WhatsApp or your email app. Review it and send it from there to complete your request. Choosing a lodge shows your interest and is not a reservation.