Rating: Mid-range
SouthWild Pantanal, on the Pixaim River, is one of the places to come in the Pantanal if you are a naturalist or wildlife enthusiast.
One of the main attractions here are the Pixaim giant otters. The otter families have been fed piranhas for years and are habituated to the presence of tourist boats. Tapirs visit the centre frequently, and there is a viewing tower at their preferred feeding spot. Late September and October is the best time to view tapir activity from the tower. Patches of gallery forest line the river and are home to 3 species of monkeys - brown capuchin, black and gold howler and silvery (bare-eared) marmoset. The lodge has an observation tower overlooking a jabiru stork nest which is ideal for observing these giant birds up close, and there is also the chance of seeing jabiru storks and eagles along the river.
The lodge has 12 simply furnished rooms with ensuite facilities including hot showers, air-conditioning and 24 hour electricity. Each room has a hammock and seating outside. The lodge also has a screened dining room and lounge area with a bar. There is a small open air swimming pool and deck area with sunloungers, where you can relax. Kayaks are available for clients use, and the lodge has its own stable of horses.
During a stay at the lodge, the activities offered are hikes, cruises on the Pixaim River, horse rides through fields and forests, Transpantaneira truck safaris to see the beautiful Pantanal vistas and caiman-filled pools of Campo do Jofre, and night drives. This is a great area for bird watching and there is a specially designed trail for bird watchers through the centre's forest.
Open: Open all year.
Location: Within 4500 hectares of the Pantanal in central-western Brazil, on the Pixaim River, just 1½ miles off the Transpantaneira. It is about 2½ hours drive from Cuiaba.
Rooms: There are 12 simply furnished rooms with ensuite facilities including hot showers, air conditoning and 24 hour electricity. Each room has a hammock and seating outside.
Activities: You can take hikes, cruises on the Pixaim River, horse rides through fields and forests, Transpantaneira truck safaris to see the beautiful Pantanal vistas and caiman-filled pools of Campo do Jofre, and night drives. This is also a great area for bird watching and there is a specially-designed trail for bird watchers through the centre's forest.
Facilities: There is a dining room, lounge, bar and a small swimming pool.
Children: Children are welcome at the lodge.
Health: Malaria prophylactics are recommended for the Pantanal.
A wonderful opportunity to venture deep into the Pantanal with excellent chances of seeing jaguars.
This camp is very hot on all aspects of water and energy-saving, plus recycling and pollution control.
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0"Room 9 was adequate but the shower appeared to present a possible electric hazard, it didn\'t provide heated water - probably disconnected to ensure no lives were at risk. The whole shower area was in need of some TLC. A complaint to Susan< our guide ensured that on our return, room 5 was allotted and this room & shower were OK. "