7 nights and 8 days in search of the Giants of Nature: Giant Anteaters, Tapirs, Jaguars, and Giant Otters
I’ve just returned from an unforgettable week guiding a wildlife photography expedition deep in the Pantanal with the talented photographers Joseph & Bolke. It was an intense journey, filled with thrilling encounters with some of Brazil’s most iconic wildlife.
Our mission? To ethically and respectfully photograph the giants of the Pantanal fauna:
➡️ Giant Anteater ➡️ South American Tapir ➡️ Jaguar ➡️ Giant Otter
🛏️📍2 Nights – Piuval Lodge
We kicked off our adventure at Piuval Lodge, located at the northern gateway to the Pantanal. The diverse landscape of open fields, gallery forests, and wetlands provided the perfect setting for our first sightings. On one of our first outings, we were rewarded with a breathtaking encounter: a giant anteater foraging at sunset, bathed in golden light. We also spotted macaws, pampas deer, and the ever-curious capybaras.
📸 Highlights at Piuval:
- Giant anteater walking along the road
- Tapirs crossing open fields at dawn
- Sunset reflections on the water
🛥️ 5 Nights – Hotel Pantanal Santa Rosa
We then traveled to the Hotel Pantanal Santa Rosa, ideally located on the banks of the São Lourenço River – a hot spot for jaguar and giant otter sightings.
Here, the river set our rhythm. Every morning before sunrise, we were already on the boat, scanning the riverbanks. The rewards came quickly: jaguars patrolling the sandbanks, giant otter families hunting together, and tapirs cooling off in the water, creating perfect mirrored images.
📸 Highlights at Santa Rosa:
- An adult jaguar walking gracefully on the beach in soft morning light
- Giant otters vocalizing and socializing in groups
- Magical moments of silence and beauty on the river, broken only by the sounds of nature
🌿 A True Connection with Nature
More than just a photography tour, this was a deep, meaningful connection with nature. Joseph & Bolke brought a sensitive and respectful approach, appreciating every moment, every animal, and every detail of the Pantanal ecosystem.
Guiding this tour was an honor. Every image captured is an invitation for more people to fall in love with the Pantanal and join in its conservation.
📷 Photo Gallery
Below you’ll find a selection of the incredible images taken during our expedition. For more, follow Joseph & Bolke on Instagram and social media.
