SouthWild Jaguar Flotel

SouthWild Jaguar Flotel overview

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!