On the Expedition

Explore wildlife ecology in the world's largest freshwater wetland.

Part of the time you’ll navigate the twisting channels of this wet wilderness in search of playful and endangered otters. Other days you’ll venture into the forest to monitor the canopy for bats that play a critical role in the Pantanal’s overall health. In your recreational time, you can explore the one of the planet’s most astounding places with experienced field scientists, encountering caiman, macaws, capybaras, and dozens of other species.

Meals and Accommodations

You’ll stay at a comfortable fazenda (ranch) in the most pristine part of the Pantanal, where wildlife is visible from each breezy porch. The fazenda is graced by shady trees and features shared rooms, electricity, hot water showers, and internet access. Delicious and plentiful meals featuring traditional Brazilian dishes of rice and beans, meats, and fresh fish are prepared by local cooks.

About the Research Area

There is no other place in the world like the Pantanal, a vast wetland wilderness in the heart of Brazil. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance, known for its natural abundance. The flat, open landscape consists of a wide range of tropical forests and savannas, a complex river network, and the largest expanse of tropical wetlands on the globe.

The region was a historically important hunting and fishing ground for povos indígenas (indigenous peoples living in Brazil before Pedro Álvares Cabral’s arrival in 1500). Today, the Guató, Kadiwéu and Terena tribes live in the region practicing agriculture, natural resource harvesting, and commerce related to traditional products and crafts. The region’s rich natural resources have also been used by many other cultures since the mid-1500s, from mining and cattle grazing to commercial and sport fishing.