Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/09/22 | 18/09/22 | 11 days | £4,995 ex. flights | £1,395 | Valquiria Cabral | 12 Max | LIMITED | Reserve place |
Travel across two vastly different ecosystems to go in search of Brazil’s most iconic big cat, the jaguar and its most endangered canid, the maned wolf.
Accompanied by expert naturalist guides, gain an in-depth insight into this fascinating wilderness and have the chance to see South America‘s most iconic animal, the ever-elusive jaguar as well as maned wolf.
The Pantanal is one of the most magical landscapes in the world and your time here will be spent in the company of expert naturalists and leading conservationists who know the area and wildlife of these wetlands intimately.
In the vast tropical savannah of the Cerrado, you will be based at the exceptional Pousada Trijuncao, home to a research project committed to protecting the maned wolf. You will go out on safari – in a vehicle, by foot and by kayak, with researchers from the project to look for maned wolves and other Cerrado wildlife. Finish the tour with four days in the world’s largest tropical wetland, taking boat safaris to search for the Pantanal’s apex predator – the jaguar.
Valquiria Cabral is one of the lead researchers from The Oncafari Project in the Cerrado. She was a trainee at the wild animal rehabilitation centre in Campo Grande from 2013 before going onto work as a wildlife safari ranger at Caiman Ecological Refuge for two years.
She is currently part of Oncafari’s team at Pousada Trijunção in the Brazilian Cerrado, responsible for monitoring and habituating the resident maned wolves.
Luciano is a Bird and Wildlife Guide and Sustainability Coordinator at Pousada Trijuncao. He is a keen conservationist and professional ornithologist and with a masters degree in zoology. He grew up in southern Minas Gerais surrounded by nature, spending his time exploring the depths of the Itatiaia National Park spotting elusive birds, learning their names and collecting specimens.
Neither a fox nor a wolf, the maned wolf is an intriguing animal. Unlike its namesakes in other parts of the world, the maned wolf prefers to hunt alone, looking for rodents, lizards, small birds and even fruit. A combination of habitat loss, hunting, road kills and disease have led to the maned wolf being threatened with extinction. This is where the Oncafari project steps in with a plan to use eco-tourism in conjunction with field research, to help protect the maned wolf.
Thanks to Steppes’ partnership with Oncafari, you will have the opportunity to meet with researchers to learn about the maned wolf conservation project in more detail. Off the back of this tour, Steppes Travel will donate $500 to the project in order to purchase a camera trap to help researchers develop a better understanding of the maned wolf’s behaviour and movements.
Spend time exploring the Cerrado, the most biodiverse savannah in the world.
Benefit from the knowledge of naturalists, Oncafari researchers and local landowners.
Gain a unique insight into the culture, conservation and wildlife of Brazil’s Pantanal region.
Have the best chance of seeing jaguar and maned wolf in their natural habitat.
Day 1
Brasilia
Day 2
Brasilia - Cerrado
Days 3-5
Cerrado
Day 6
Cerrado - Brasilia - Cuiaba
Day 7
Cuiaba - Pantanal
Days 8-11
Pantanal
Day 12
Pantanal - Cuiaba
Day 1
Brasilia
Arrive into Brasilia and take a guided panoramic tour of the cities most interesting sights.
Day 2
Brasilia - Cerrado
Depart for Pousada Trijuncao, located in Brazil’s great savannah, the Cerrado. Check into the lodge, the remainder of the day will be at your own leisure.
Days 3-5
Cerrado
During the next three days, take guided excursions around the Cerrado, looking for the wildlife that calls this wild region home.
Day 6
Cerrado - Brasilia - Cuiaba
Return to Brasilia, from here fly to Cuiaba, the capital city in the state of Matto Grosso in the northern Pantanal.
Day 7
Cuiaba - Pantanal
Depart after breakfast and drive from Cuiaba to the Porto Jofre region. On arrival to Porto Jofre, embark the Mutum expedition boat, your home for the next four nights.
Days 8-11
Pantanal
The next three days will follow a similar pattern. Set out each day in the morning and afternoon in a boat with your guide, heading along the Pantanal’s four main rivers – the Sao Lourenco, Cuiaba, Three Brothers and Piquiri.
Day 12
Pantanal - Cuiaba
Depart after breakfast to travel back to Cuiaba.
The first part of this tour will be spent at Pousada Trijuncao. A beautiful boutique property located in a remote position in the Cerrado, the Brazilian savannah, which covers two million square kilometres, and the base for Oncafari’s maned wolf conservation project.
The seven rooms are located around an open courtyard bursting with trees, flowers and birds, they are furnished to an extremely high standard with stylish local art pieces and a relaxed rustic feel. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating as well as a barbeque area. There are endless activities on offer during the day to allow exploration of some of the 33,000 hectares of land the pousada has, these can be guided or independent.
The second half of this tour takes you into the Pantanal aboard the Mutum Expeditions Boat. Based on the Sao Lourenco River, 30 minutes by boat from Porto Jofre. The boat has been designed for wildlife watching and jaguar spotting. The boat offers 8 twin cabins, each 6m2 with air conditioning, mini-fridge and private shower facilities. There is a dining and living room with panoramic windows and a sundeck. River outings are on small 8 to 9 passenger boats.
The Cerrado is the most biodiverse savannah in the world, home to more than 850 species of birds, 251 mammals, 482 reptiles and amphibians and 1,200 fish as well as 13,000 plant species (about 5% of all plant species of the world). Currently, there remains less than 50% of the original Cerrado in Brazil, and it is estimated that 150 species of animals are at risk of extinction as a result of destruction or damage to this habitat. The jaguar, ocelot, armadillo, anteater, maned wolf and grey eagle are among these species.
The Pantanal, or wetlands of Mato Grosso, is one of nature’s last frontiers, the world’s largest animal reserve, and home to more than 600 different species of birds and 230 varieties of fish. It is made up of a huge lowland plain that is entirely overgrown by lush vegetation and covered with flowers that bloom during the rainy season from December to April.
Why travel with Steppes Travel to Brazil?
The Pantanal is one of the most magical landscapes in the world and your time here will be spent in the company of expert naturalists and leading conservationists who know the area and wildlife of these wetlands intimately.
This trip offers a wonderful chance to be involved in some pioneering conservation work and the chance to see these elusive animals in the wild.
What happens on a typical day?
Most days will be active, spent in search of wildlife, with plenty of time to search for wildlife.
For those who wish to embark on activities, most of which are included during your stay, choose from canoeing, hiking, horse-riding, walking tours and cycling.
Is August a good time to travel to Brazil?
August is one of the best months to travel to Brazil for wildlife encounters, and it can be combined with numerous other activities and experiences throughout the rest of Brazil.
What wildlife might I see?
The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Americas. It resembles the leopard physically but its behaviour and habitat characteristics are closer to those of the tiger. It is a sharp predator at the top of the food chain. Maned wolf is one of the most fantastic animals of the Cerrado, and one of the greatest examples of its diversity. It is an endangered species, but some individuals inhabit the limits of Fazenda Trijunção. In partnership with the Oncafari, there is a research project, dedicated to its preservation. Visit the project – and witness its greatest star, in his natural habitat.
As well as jaguars and wolves, you can typically expect to see giant anteaters, giant river otters, tapirs, capybaras and spectacled caimans as well as primates such as capuchins and howler monkeys. Birdlife in the Pantanal is plentiful and varied and includes endangered species such as hyacinth macaws as well as toucans, herons and migratory birds of prey such as ospreys.
How likely am I to see Jaguar?
Wildlife is unpredictable so it is of course never a given. However, your chances of seeing a Jaguar in the Pantanal in the dry season are extremely high. If there is ever a good chance to see a jaguar in the wild, it is here. Travelling by small boat in the Pantanal allows a less invasive form of exploring this region, and increases your chances of seeing a jaguar.
What is the standard of accommodation on this tour?
In the Cerrado, you will be based at Pousada Trijunção, a quality lodge, with a focus on conservation within the region. You will then travel to the southern Pantanal, spending time on a houseboat, perfectly placed to explore the scenery and wildlife of these vast wetlands.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places does provide security and peace of mind. We handle all the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed.
If you are willing to share, we will always do our best to match you up with another solo traveller of the same sex so that you do not have to pay for a single room.
If you would prefer the privacy of your own room and would like this guaranteed, then the single room price supplement will apply.
Do I need to be physically fit to enjoy this tour?
Many of the wildlife excursions will be done by boat and 4×4 so suitable for all abilities. During your time in the Cerrado there will also be time to partake in alternative more strenuous activities should you wish.
Can I extend my time in Brazil?
Absolutely. Brazil is a vast country with vibrant cities, fabulous beaches and iconic waterfalls. A stay in the Pantanal works particularly well with a visit to the Brazilian Amazon, the world’s largest tropical rainforest, Iguaçu Falls or Rio de Janeiro. Please speak to one of our Brazil specialists for further information.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for?
We have been running insightful and groundbreaking group tours since our inception in 1989. We have worked with institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum and run wildlife tours in conjunction with conservation agencies such as Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Orangutan Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Jane Goodall Institute.
Our average group size is typically eight to ten people, smaller than other group tours typically offered – a factor which many of our clients appreciate. Travelling as part of a smaller group provides a more intimate, personalised and relaxed atmosphere.
We have developed an enviable pool of expertise from which to choose our tour experts, who we carefully select based on their knowledge, companionship and personality. Often, these experts can use their influence to facilitate private access to sites not typically open to the public.
Steppes Travellers are like-minded people – interesting, interested and curious. Our group tours aim to create an easy and informal atmosphere – we have a lot of fun on our tours and many friendships have been formed.
Our tours are well-priced to ensure you get real value for money. We include gratuities on the majority of our tours and do not pass on currency surcharges. We strive to look after single travellers as well as we can, keeping single supplements to a minimum.
When you travel on one of our group tours, you will be looked after by our local agents and your tour expert with the back-up of our 24-hour emergency number and duty manager. All our holidays are fully bonded and protected – our ATOL number is ATOL 6495.
Travelling on your own? Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group in faraway places provides security and peace of mind. We handle all of the arrangements for you and there will be a local tour guide on hand throughout to provide advice and help if needed, as well as the expertise of a Tour expert.
To allow flexibility, our group tours do not include international flights as standard. We can arrange international flights on your behalf, please get in touch with our travel experts for a quote. All international flights from the UK are ATOL protected.
For further information about any of these tours please call 01285 880 980
| Start date | End date | Days | Prices from | Single Supplement | Tour Expert | Group Size | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/09/22 | 18/09/22 | 11 days | £4,995 ex. flights | £1,395 | Valquiria Cabral | 12 Max | LIMITED | Reserve place |
Our travel experts have a wealth of first-hand knowledge, so if you have any questions about this expert-led group tour, please get in touch. They would love to help. We hope you can join us on this tour.
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Expert-Led Group Tours
With an average group size of just eight to ten people our group tour itineraries enable you to travel to some of the most intriguing regions of the world in the company of experts guides in the field and, of course, with likeminded people.
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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