Travel to the Pantanal -

Experience the Pantanal at the Caiman Lodge, Pantanal, Brazil

The Caiman Lodge and the Pousada Aguape are the two accommodation options selected by Discoverbrazil in the Pantanal region. The Caiman Lodge offers basic and comfortable accommodations especially for families and groups. The lodge is situated in a 530 km2 (204.6 sq miles) nature refuge. A large variety and quantity of wildlife can be seen within this refuge and in the gardens of the lodge.

The Caiman Lodge’s main house was founded in 1912 by English investors who built a Spanish American style house that served as the owner’s residence. Today, the Caiman Lodge main house maintains its charm from the old times and can host 25 guests in 11 rooms. The lodge has spacious living rooms and a kitchen that sits 42 people. The Caiman Lodge also has three more options for lodging within its area, the Baiazinha Lodge which has been built overlooking a bay of crystal clear water and it is located 9 kms (5.5 miles) from the main house. This pousada has 9 comfortable rooms and a kitchen with cooks at the guest’s service. It also has a swimming pool and a natural aquarium where various fish and alligators can be seen. The Cordilheira Lodge, a small lodge with 6 apartments, built with comfortable and sophisticated architecture in the middle of a circular forest from where the woods and wildlife can be appreciated. It is located 14 kms (8.6 miles) from the main house. And the Piúva Lodge which is located walking distance from the main house, equipped with 6 rooms and a swimming pool, and from where, in the dry season, the Giant Anteaters can be seen.

What is the best season to visit the Pantanal? Pantanal landscapes change radically throughout the year due to the geographic and climatic characteristics. The fauna also changes, staying or migrating according to the existing conditions for shelter, nesting or food. There are two seasons in the Pantanal: the wet season which goes from October to March and when many aquatic animals and reptiles are present (as well as mosquitoes and insects), and the dry season which goes from April to September and when butterflies make their presence.

What to do when visiting the Pantanal? There are many activities to do in the Pantanal, but the main activity is wildlife watching. To fully enjoy the Pantanal Discoverbrazil offers many tours such as hiking, photo safaris, horseback riding, canoe trips, and tours to the Aquidauana River. The Pantanal culture is also an experience. This culture includes habits such as drinking 'tereré' (a Brazilian iced tea), eating beef jerky, using the horse for work and transportation, playing the guitar on nights with a full moon, and screaming to call and direct the cattle.

While visiting the Pantanal try to follow these tips:

• Bring light and comfortable clothes
• Two pairs of shoes (tennis, boots, etc.), one to be used on tours, subject to get dirty and wet, and other to change into
• Jeans (mainly for horseback riding)
• Hat or cap
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Raincoats
• Flashlights
• In the dry season is highly recommended to bring among the above items, jackets and sweaters.