Rating: Mid-range
Don't come here for luxury, but do come here to stay in the heart of the world's best jaguar spotting territory!
This ten-cabin floating hotel is moored on the Cuiaba River, near the mouth of the Three Brothers in the northern Pantanal. The accommodation is fairly simple, but despite its remote location it offers 24 hour electricity, air-conditioning and hot showers.
Radio-equipped boats are sent out from the lodge each morning to search for jaguars and reporting sightings back to the lodge. This is the only lodge that offer this service, and so gives the best chance of seeing jaguars. Uniquely, the jaguars along this stretch of the river have become accustomed to seeing boats thanks to years of sports fishing in the region, and the jaguars are no longer disturbed by the presence of humans. They will sit on the banks for hours, allowing for prolonged sightings and unparalleled opportunity for photography. Guests at the flotel have seen jaguars fighting, hunting and mating. Nowhere else in the world offers such an excellent chance to see these big cats acting naturally in the wild.
Although they are the biggest attraction, a stay here is not just about the jaguars. The Cuiaba River is also the best place in the world to see giant river otters. The same factors that have allowed the jaguars to become accustomed to people have also worked with the giant otters, and large family groups can regularly be seen swimming and playing on the riverbanks. The forest that lines the riverbanks teems with birds and monkeys, and of course the river is home to countless capybara and caimans.
Stays at the flotel are arranged in small groups on set departures, led by experienced naturalist guides. The boats have been designed to allow the best sightings of jaguars and don’t have canopies which can obstruct vision.
So if you’re keen on jaguars or giant otters, this is the place to come!
Open: From May to November.
Location: The flotel (floating hotel) is located in the northern Pantanal. It is anchored near the mouth of the 3 Brothers River in the centre of the Jaguar Zone. To reach the flotel, you have to drive along the length of the Transpantaneira Highway from Cuiaba to Porto Jofre. It is a long and bumpy drive from Cuiaba to Porto Jofre, and there is plenty to see on the way, so it is best to break the journey and stay at a lodge along the Transpantaneira along the way. From Porto Jofre, you board a small boat for the journey along the river to your accommodation. The non-stop journey time by boat from Porto Jofre is about an hour, but you are bound to stop along the way, diverted by the rich wildlife of the river.
Activities: There are morning and afternoon motor boat excursions, to view not only jaguars but also giant otters, howler monkeys, caimans, capybaras and birds such as kingfishers and herons. These excursions are led by experienced naturalist guides.
Facilities: There is a dining room/lounge where meals based on local cuisine are served. There are large picture windows looking out onto the river and riverbank. The large top deck is partially shaded and has tables, chairs and hammocks. Breakfast, lunch and drinks can be enjoyed here. Electricity is supplied by a generator.
Dining: Meals are taken at individual tables.
Children: Please check with us.
Health: Malaria prophylactics are recommended for the Pantanal.
Communication: There is no Wi-Fi internet access on the flotel.
A wonderful opportunity to venture deep into the Pantanal with excellent chances of seeing jaguars.
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0"We were upgraded to a new Jaguar Suite, which was excellent. Food was not special but was well cooked, presented and always enough. Crews on the launches ensured that sun-shades were erected when observing the resting Jaguars."