Brazil’s Pantanal Jaguars and more 2024 – Trip Report

Brazil’s Pantanal is the land of jaguars and over the course of our time on the river, we had 41 jaguar encounters!

We had numerous sightings of Jaguars hunting, eating, swimming, leaping and more but the absolute highlight of the trip was the hour and a half that we spent with a mother Jaguar and her 4-month old cub on a beach!

Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/1000th sec @ f/7.1, ISO 500, Image cropped 5% for final composition.

Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/1600th sec @ f/7.1, ISO 500, Image cropped 5% for final composition.

Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/250th sec @ f/10, ISO 800, Image cropped 10% for final composition.

Nikon Z9, 180-400mm TC, 1/320th sec @ f/10, ISO 640, Image cropped 0% for final composition.

Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/320th sec @ f/11, ISO 800, Image cropped 0% for final composition.

Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/320th sec @ f/11, ISO 800, Image cropped 0% for final composition.

Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/200th sec @ f/11, ISO 800, Image cropped 5% for final composition.

Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/200th sec @ f/11, ISO 800, Image cropped 5% for final composition.

In addition to these great encounters, while we were there, there were at least two mating pairs of Jaguars!  This bodes well for us to see little cubs again next year!

Nikon Z9, 180-400mm TC, 1/1000th sec @ f/5.6, ISO 1000, Image cropped 15% for final composition.

In addition to Jaguars, we see a wide array of other wildlife on this trip!

Giant River Otter – Nikon Z9, 180-400mm TC, 1/400th sec @ f/9, ISO 1000, Image cropped 0% for final composition.

Giant River Otter family – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/640th sec @ f/9, ISO 800, Image cropped 10% for final pano composition.

Capybara family – Nikon Z9, 180-400mm TC, 1/400th sec @ f/9, ISO 800, Image cropped 0% for final composition.

Ocelot – Nikon Z9, 180-400mm TC, 1/25th sec @ f/7.1, ISO 2000, Image cropped 10% for final composition.

Here was an unexpected surprise – we heard about a lodge that was being visited by Maned Wolves and Tapirs so we took a risk and spent a night there – we got lucky with both!

Maned Wolf – Nikon Z9, 180-400mm TC, 1/5th sec @ f/4, ISO 4000, Image cropped 0% for final composition.

Tapir – Nikon Z9, 180-400mm TC, 1/20th sec @ f/5.6, ISO 4000, Image cropped 0% for final composition.

Something that people really underestimate about the Pantanal are the birds!  There is such a wide diversity found here.  This is just a small sampling of those we photographed and enjoyed. One of the lodges we stay at has absolutely excellent Tocos Toucans which are a real treat to be able to photograph at close range.

Toco Toucan – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC plus second stacked 1.4 TC, 1/125th sec @ f/8, ISO 2500, Image cropped 10% for final composition.

Toco Toucan – Nikon Z9, 180-400mm TC, 1/1600th sec @ f/7.1, ISO 1600, Image cropped 10% for final composition.

Toco Toucan – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/8000th sec @ f/9, ISO 500, Image cropped 5% for final composition.

Orange-backed Troupial – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/30th sec @ f/6.3, ISO 3200, Image cropped 35% for final composition.

Red-legged seriema – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/800th sec @ f/10, ISO 400, Image cropped 10% for final composition.

Crimson-crested Woodpecker – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/640th sec @ f/8, ISO 400, Image cropped 10% for final composition.

Another highly coveted animal on this trip are the Anteaters. We visit one lodge specifically for the chance to photograph these unique animals. We had great opportunities with the smaller Tamandua as well as seeing 4 Giant Anteaters including on mama with a baby which she carries on her back.

Tamandua Anteater – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/100th sec @ f/7.1, ISO 2500, Image cropped 15% for final composition.

Giant Anteater – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/40th sec @ f/4, ISO 1600, Image cropped 5% for final composition.

Giant Anteater with a baby on her back – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/160th sec @ f/7.1, ISO 1250, Image cropped 5% for final composition.

Giant Anteater with a baby on her back – Nikon Z9, 600mm TC, 1/320th sec @ f/9, ISO 800, Image cropped 0% for final composition.

Brazil 2025 We still have a few spots left in our 2025 trip.  You can read through the details and register here. If you would like to be on our Early-Announcement list for our 2026 trip, shoot us an email and let us know. If you are on the Early Announcement list, we will send you a notice giving you the opportunity to register before we publicly announce the trip.