DOCUMENTATION

Brazil has a visa waiver agreements with certain countries, so before applying please consult the visa chart in the PDF to verify if you need to have a visa to go to Brazil. If you are exempted, please be sure that your passport is valid for than 6 months, and check if you need vaccination.

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FITNESS, SAVETY & MONEY

Fitness: On this trip we will do some contemplation hikes out in off-road terrain for a few kilometers at max. Our Jaguar Safaris are done by speed boat so will be mostly sitting during the whole day. We usually return to the hotel for a midday siesta. 

Safety: All of the places we are visiting are very safe. However, you want to be reasonably careful at the airports & big cities, just as you would in almost any airport in the world. 

Diseases: In the Pantanal there is no malaria, so unless you aren´t going to the Amazon on this trip, malaria pills aren´t necessary.

Vaccination: Yellow fever vaccination is required to visit Brazil.

Money and tipping: Brazilian currency is the Reais. For your travel you might only need Reais for the odd taxi ride outside our itinerary or other small costs. At the hotels and in most other places you can use your credit card, especially Master Card and Visa. Bring some cash in US dollars though, as some lodges don´t accept any cards (Hotel Pantanal Norte, Baiazinha Hotel and Pousada do Parque) and it can be used to tip local guides and waitresses. 

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WEATHER CONDITIONS & SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK ON YOUR SAFARI WITH PANTANAL JAGUAR SAFARIS

Weather conditions: Because this region is extremely close to the Equator, we only have two seasons – a dry season (from April to October) and a rainy season (from December to March). In both seasons, the temperature will center around 35°C (95°F). However, the weather has been changing a lot around the world, and Brazil is not an exception. So, before packing your clothes be sure to check the five-day weather forecast for the region you are going to visit, using the Weather Channel or CNN.

Packing list: Travellers may have their own preferences but please bear in mind our suggestions below:

- Khaki/natural coloured clothing for safaris

- 1–2 pairs of light weight trousers – that can dry quickly (if wearing on  treks)

- 1 pair of shorts

- 1-2 long sleeved shirts – quick drying preferably

- 2-3 short sleeved t-shirts

- 1 Lightweight waterproof/ windproof/breathable jacket e.g. Gortex/ Event / Paramo

- Casual clothes for evenings

- 1 fleece, sweater or sweatshirt

- Sturdy/lightweight waterproof walking boots – trousers/pants should be tucked into socks and boots while hiking in the forest.

- 1 pair shoes for evening wear

- 1 pair sports sandals are also useful e.g. TEVA / Keen

- Swimsuit (and a plastic bag for packing in)

- Bush hat with a brim for sun protection

- Underwear & Lightweight wool socks

- Sunscreen and moisturizing cream

- Sunglasses with neck strap

- Insect repellent with DEET

- Daypack/ small rucksack

- Torch/ flashlight – LED models are light weight and have a good battery life

- Binoculars

- Alarm clock- though your guide will wake you!

- Ear plugs

- Camera and extra lenses (see below ***photo gear for photographers)

- Camera charger & Spare batteries

- Plenty of spare memory cards or film

- Personal toiletries

- Prescription medicines and possibly prescription itself

- Wet-wipes/ tissues

- Back-up glasses especially if you wear contact lenses

- Ziplocs/ dry bags and other plastic bags for keeping valuables dry or storing wet clothes

- Sewing kit (needle, thread, safety pins)

- Small notebook

- First Aid Kit including anti-diarrhea medicine, rehydration sachets, aspirin, cold    medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids, motion sickness pills, lip balm, eye drops and personal medication.

- Photocopies of your passport, visas, credit cards and airline tickets (it is advisable to have 2 sets to keep in separate places)

 

***PHOTO GEAR: Lens ranges are considering the use of full frame cameras.  - Two camera bodies, one with a telephoto lens the other ready with a wide-angle zoom. - Telephoto lens in the 500 to 600mm range. Alternatively you can opt for a lighter/smaller lens, like a 200-400mm or 300mm f/2.8 and work with teleconverters when more reach is needed. The lighter lens are much easier to work in the field. The Jaguar sightings vary from 30m to literally just 5 meters away. There’s no average distance, it depends on how the cat is behaving and where it is located. - “Normal” to short telephoto lens in the 35 to 200mm range, for wildlife and landscape. - Wide-angle in the 16 to 24mm range for big landscape. - Polarizer filters, especially for the wide-angles, but consider them for the longer lenses too. - TTL flash (optional, limited use). - Tripod and monopod. The monopod is useful when walking out.

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Electricity: Either 110V or 220V, check before if necessary. 

 

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

1. Pantanal Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide to Brazil's Great Wetland (Bradt Wildlife Explorer) 

2. Brazil: Amazon And Pantanal (Travellers' Wildlife Guides) by David L. Pearson

3. Birds: Wildlife Conservation Society Birds of Brazil: The Pantanal and Cerrado of Central Brazil (A Field Guide) Paperback by John A. Gwynne (Author), Robert S. Ridgely (Author), Guy Tudor (Author), Martha Argel (Author)

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