Brazilian Amazonas & The Pantanal
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When considering wildlife tours in Brazil, the choice is simple - Amazonia or the Pantanal!
But the wide range of options available in each can make selection difficult, based on travel aims, time and cost! NB. Serious wildfires have been raging in the Pantanal since June 2020, causing severe destruction of habitat and wildlife. Local indigenous are also suffering. Please ask for an update before booking! Listed below are Unique Destinations' favourite choices in both areas. These include short duration land tours for those seeking a taste of the jungle but with less time to spare; to longer duration tours that go deeper into each area to view more elusive beasts, such as tapir, anteater, ocelot or jaguar. We also include insights into river cruise options in each area, an ideal way to see more by covering a lot of territory, usually in great style! In all cases, your experience will be an adventure of a lifetime! Enjoy! |
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Extending right across northern Brazil, Amazonas State established its capital, Manaus, at the junction of the Amazon and Rio Negro rivers. Nicknamed the "Paris of the Tropics" during the rubber boom of the 19th century, this was due to the wealth and style that was introduced by the many "rubber barons" who came here from Europe. Bringing in European customs and ideas, this included construction of many classical buildings and cultural activities that can be enjoyed here today, such as a performance in the majestic Manaus Opera House ("Teatro Amazonas" ; 1896). Whilst the rubber boom in Brazil died in the '20s, Manaus enjoys new wealth today as a Tax Free Port with a bustling population of some 2 million inhabitants. Well worth including with an Amazon jungle vacation, this is ideally done when the city hosts one of its many festivals* (*May/Opera; Jun/Folklore; July/Jazz; Nov/Film)
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Amazonia - Land Tours
Unique Destinations can recommend eight Amazon lodges around Manaus (1 on map) that offer land tours from 2 days/1 night to
6 days/5 nights. The longer duration tours are at longer distances from Manaus and offer a better wildlife experience, but require more time and the costs are higher. Typical pricing packages include* (to Dec 2019):
* (Per person, based on 2 persons sharing, standard to superior accommodation)
6 days/5 nights. The longer duration tours are at longer distances from Manaus and offer a better wildlife experience, but require more time and the costs are higher. Typical pricing packages include* (to Dec 2019):
* (Per person, based on 2 persons sharing, standard to superior accommodation)
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(*Low Season: 1 Feb - 30 Jun; & 1 Sep - 14 Dec) (** High Season/holidays) (*** Carnival, X-Mas, New Year higher rates apply)
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Best Amazonia Experience?
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For the optimum Brazil Amazonia land tour experience we recommend the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve. Mamirauá is one of the newest, yet least known Amazon wildlife reserves in Brazil. It is home to some of the rarest and least seen Amazon species of flora and fauna, making it one of the best destinations to visit today.
Normally accessed by air from Manaus, the park is located some 2 hours by air (520kms/320 miles) west of Manaus on a delta of the Upper Amazon river near Tefe. It was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2000, and is one of the few Sustainable Development Reserves in Brazil, a star focus for Ecotourism! |
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Consisting mainly of "Amazon flood forest", this unique refuge is home to some 400 species of bird, 300 varieties of fish, and over 45 different mammals. The latter includes the rare white Uakari and Monk Saki monkeys. Other primates abound in the canopy, including sloths. Two types of caiman and river dolphin are often seen, as are capybara and collared anteater. With luck, a jaguar may be encountered. Birds include over 20 species of parrot and toucan, the magnificent Harpy Eagle, and bizarre Hoatzin. Mamirauá is also home to the Pirarucú, the largest fresh water fish in the world, and is ideal terrain for orchids, ferns and a host of other flora. April - July, when it is flooded, is a great time to visit. Access will be by boat/canoe and canopy birds/creatures will be closer for photography, but land animals will be less common.
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The Uakari Lodge is the only lodge in Mamirauá, consisting of 5 bungalows each with two rooms and two bathrooms (total 20 guests). A central floating area houses the kitchen, restaurant, bar, video room and library. A natural pool lies alongside. Maximum use is made of sustainable sources, using solar energy and collecting rainwater for use where possible. Effluents are treated before going back into the river.
The lodge is managed jointly by the Mamirauá Institute and the local Reserve communities, their goal being to generate sustainable income for the locals and to contribute to the preservation of natural resources; a truly community-based tourism program. |
Pricing: An optimum 7 night stay here starts at US$1,000/person (sharing double room). This includes the boat transfer from Tefe and return, all meals, accommodation and guiding. Alcoholic drinks are extra. Economy return flight MAO - TFF with Azul Air is approx US$250/pers.
Amazonia - Jungle Cruises
Amazon river cruises in Brazil are generally all of a similar standard, offering comfortable cabins with good cuisine and excellent jungle guiding on smaller expedition boats. Onboard facilities are generally less luxurious that those found in other countries, but are more than adequate. Unique Destinations can recommend three examples operating out of Manaus:
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Amazon Clipper offer quality cruises on two vessels of similar design (premium class; M/V "Premium" & M/V "Otter"), each with 16 twin cabins and full air-conditioning. The cabins are spacious, as are the relaxing public areas with bar, and salon. The sun decks have inviting loungers and two hot tubs. The specially designed vessels have low draft to permit easy access to small rivers, and comfortable motor canoes for off-boat excursions. The Amazon Clipper fleet conduct cruises on the Rio Negro and Amazon, out of Manaus. It is all-inclusive less bottled drinks.
Cruises range from 3day/2ni, 4day/3ni ,to 6day/5ni. * Prices (2019): Range from US$ 932/person* to US$ 1,875/person**(depending on length of cruise selected) (eg. * 3 day/2ni on Amazon Clipper "Premium" Amazon cruise; **6 day/5ni on Amazon Clipper "Premium" Amazon & Rio Negro cruise) |
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Most Amazon cruises out of Manaus make use of the smaller "traditional regional boat" design, as used for inter community travel along the river, offering a more intimate experience. This is typified by the Motor Yacht Tucano, with only 9 twin berths, making for a comfortable "old fashioned" experience. Once again, the cuisine is good, and guiding excellent in motorized canoe excursions. All cabins are air-conditioned. The cruise is all-inclusive less bottled drinks. Cruises offered are for 5day/4ni* and 7day/6 ni**.
* Prices (2019): From US$ 1,750/person* to US$ 4,665/person** depending on cruise selected and level of cabin requested. |
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Budget cruises can be found that offer a more utilitarian service and simpler cabins, but will still provide a safe and high quality nature experience. Any extra services (eg. kayak rental, fishing, bar sales, etc) must be purchased on board. An example would be the Amazon Clipper Traditional vessel, with 8 twin, air-conditioned cabins, again operating out of Manaus.
* Prices (2019): From US$ 667/person* to US$ 1,340/person** (depending on length of cruise selected) (eg. * 3 day/2ni on Amazon Clipper "Traditional" Amazon cruise; **6 day/5ni on Amazon Clipper "Traditional" Amazon & Rio Negro cruise) (*Shorter and longer cruises are possible, as are charters for larger groups or special occasions) |
The Pantanal
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The Pantanal (4 on map) is the world's largest freshwater wetland , sitting on the eastern border of Bolivia and south western border of Brazil. Access can be via Bolivia's Puerto Suarez (rail or air) or by air into Cuiaba or Campo Grande on the Brazilian side. Whilst the complete wetlands themselves are huge, the size of Portugal, the actual park area, Pantanal Matto Grossense Park, is but 1% of the overall. However, here visitors can catch excellent views of rare fauna, such as the Pantanal jaguar (slightly smaller than the Amazon equivalent), giant anteater, giant otters, capybaras, marsh deer, anacondas and caiman, plus a host of birds, to list a few!
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The Pantanal - Land Safaris
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Put simply, unlike in the Amazon where animals can hide in deep undergrowth when human approach is heard, in the Pantanal it is less easier for them to hide!
Rainy season is December to March, when roads are flooded, but great horseback safaris can be undertaken then, or tours in boats, allowing for close-up photos in both cases. During this time the animals gather on the fewer dry spots to be found. Dry season is June to November, when floodwaters shrivel to smaller pools, making vehicle access easier and increasing chances of viewing animals at the fewer watering holes. A 4 day/5 night tour is recommended as a minimum, typically costing from US$ 850/person (2019 season). |
The Pantanal - Cruises
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Pantanal Cruise For those who have the interest, budget and time, perhaps the most exciting and rewarding adventure would be a Pantanal Cruise - the ideal being a combined land safari and jungle cruise! Visitors would arrive by air at Cuiaba, and go by car/minibus to Pocone. From here, they go in 4x4 on the Transpantaneira, initially planned as a road that would link Cuiaba with Bolivia's Puerto Suarez. Today this stretch stops at Porto Jofre, taking visitors past exceptional wildlife country for giant anteater, jaguar and rare blue hyacinth macaws. The journey then continues south by boat, down the Rio Cuiaba until reaching the Rio Paraquay, where it plunges north into the famed Pantanal Matogrosso NP then continues through more wildlife reserves to Caceres. Here the car/minibus would be waiting to return visitors to Cuiaba.
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A shorter version also out of Cuiaba, goes direct to Caceres and offers cruises from 4 days/3 nights up to 8 days/7 nights, cruising around the Taiama Eco Reserve. Only a few specialist companies offer these treats, and demand is high, so advance planning is necessary. The houseboats are small (eg. 8 twin berths), but nimble and comfortable, crewed by local experts who offer safe travel with expert guiding. Their expedition boats allow guests to get closer to the action. The combined Delux safari/cruise listed initially takes 8 days/7 nights. Shorter cruises may be ideal to combine with a visit to other unusual parks here, such as Chapada dos Guimaraes.
Pricing: From US$ 1,750/person on shorter, Premium packages, to US$ 5,800/person on longer Deluxe cruises. Contact us now for MORE information. |