Pantanal in the Dark: a Night-Spotting Experience

• Embark on a night wildlife spotting experience through the Pantanal

As darkness falls upon the Pantanal wetlands and we return on our vehicle to the lodge from our afternoon tour, we’ll experience the unique orchestra of sounds of the Pantanal’s wildlife, and we’ll take this opportunity to spot the animals that wake up and become active as the coolness of the night sets in. Beneath the starry skies of these exotic wetlands, we may see owls, brocket deer, tapirs, foxes and waters filled with caimans, whose eyes glow in the dark under the moonlight.

Every night, as we return from our afternoon explorations to our lodge, there will be a night-spotting excursion. On our adapted safari vehicle equipped with spotlights, we’ll be accompanied by two knowledgeable guides, one a local “Pantaneiro,” an expert in all things Pantanal who can spot and track all kinds of wildlife, and the second a naturalist who knows plenty about our surroundings and the wildlife within it.

Night-time spotting requires a more cautious approach, so our excursion will move at a slower and quieter pace than one would during the daytime hours. We’ll spot plenty of wildlife in their natural, night-time habitat, with one of the most visible animals being the caiman. When they’re concentrated in pools of water, shining a spotlight on the caimans will reveal their eyes, seeming as though you are gazing at a star-filled sky! Caimans, with their flat heads, armor-like scales, and sharp claws are skilled hunters. They’re extremely important to the wetlands habitat because they keep the number of animals (their prey) under control. If the number of caimans is drastically reduced, this would result in an increased number of capybaras (who destroy crops) and piranhas (which attack cattle).

After an exciting ride spotting wildlife in the darkness, our night-time safari concludes as we arrive at our lodge for dinner.

Important: the tour’s exact itinerary and duration may change subject to weather conditions and decisions of the tour guide to optimize your tour experience.