Porto Jofre · 2027
*
Northern Pantanal, Brazil · 8-day photography tour
Pantanal Jaguar Photography Tour 2027
PhotoLior field
The tour
Eye-level jaguars from the boat, in the largest tropical wetland on Earth.
The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland on Earth. As the dry season sets in, falling water pushes fish and caiman into shrinking rivers, and jaguars follow them onto the banks. Along a few rivers near Porto Jofre, they have grown used to boats, which is what makes eye-level photography possible.
This tour starts in Cuiabá and drives the Transpantaneira south to Porto Jofre, where we spend five full days on the Cuiabá and Piquiri rivers. The last two days move to a private ranch in the transition zone for maned wolf, giant anteater and tapir.
Groups are capped at six photographers, with a photography expert and local guides Branco and Raquel on the water.
25
Jaguar * Giant otter * Maned wolf * Yacaré caiman * Giant anteater * Tapir * Hyacinth macaw * Jaguar * Giant otter * Maned wolf
The route
From Cuiabá to Porto Jofre and back
One road in, five days on the rivers, two days on a private ranch.
17°21′S 56°46′W · Porto Jofre
Day 1
Cuiabá
Arrive and drive south
Day 1
Transpantaneira
The road into the wetland
Days 1 to 6
Porto Jofre
Boat safaris, Cuiabá and Piquiri rivers
Days 7 to 8
Transition zone
Private ranch: maned wolf, anteater, tapir
Day 8
Cuiabá
Transfer and departure
Itinerary
Pantanal itinerary, day by day
Day 1
Cuiabá to Porto Jofre
Arrive in Cuiabá and drive the Transpantaneira to Porto Jofre. An afternoon boat outing gives a first look at jaguars and the river wildlife.
Days 2 to 5
Jaguar safari
Full days by boat on the Cuiabá and Piquiri rivers, tracking jaguar movement and photographing giant otters, caimans and birds.
Day 6
Maned wolf and ocelot
A last day of river safaris, then an evening session for ocelot and maned wolf around Porto Jofre.
Day 7
Into the transition zone
A morning maned wolf session, an afternoon for giant anteater and tapir, then on to a private ranch in the transition zone.
Day 8
Giant anteater, tapir and departure
A final morning search for anteaters and tapirs at the ranch, then the transfer back to Cuiabá.
From
$5,150
per photographer
Dates
Aug 14 to 21 or Sep 2 to 9, 2027
Duration
8 days, 7 nights
Group
Max 6 photographers
Deposit
$550
Reserve with a $550 deposit
Ask Lior on WhatsApp
Starts and ends in Cuiaba.
08
Days in the field, Cuiabá to Cuiabá
What you'll photograph
The Pantanal's Big Five
Jaguar, giant river otter, maned wolf, giant anteater and tapir, with honest odds from our 2026 departure.
Three anteaters in one morning, 2026
Jaguar Hunting · Porto Jofre
Jaguar
Maned wolf
Dedicated dusk sessions
Giant river otter
On the rivers, days 2 to 5
Giant anteater
Three in one morning
Tapir
Seen at dusk in 2026
When to go
Best time to photograph jaguars in the Pantanal
Jaguar activity on the riverbanks peaks in the dry season, when water levels drop and prey concentrates in the rivers. Both 2027 departures sit in that window.
Our two departures
Our 2027 departures
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jaguars on the riverbanks
Wet season, animals spread out
Water drops, activity builds
Peak dry season, jaguars on the banks
Piquiri River · 2026
Sony 100-400mm GM
In the field
How we photograph jaguars from the boat
Boats hold position at a distance the jaguars are used to, so you shoot at eye level across the water instead of down from a bank.
Keep your camera ready, not in the bag: jaguars do not wait for lens changes. A telephoto handles the animals and a wide zoom tells the story of the river, the boat and the group.
What Lior shoots with
Body
Sony a1
Autofocus tracking and burst speed turn a few seconds of action into a usable sequence.
Main lens
Sony 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM
Light enough to hand-hold all day on the boat, sharp enough for large prints.
Wide lens
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 Art
For the river, the boat and the group: the context shots that tell the story.
Dates and price
2027 departures, price and what is included
$5,150 per photographer in August, $5,650 for the September flotel edition, with a $550 deposit to hold your seat.
*
$550
Holds your seat
Aug 14 to 21, 2027
8 days, 7 nights · Cuiabá to Cuiabá
$5,150
$550 deposit
Reserve
Sep 2 to 9, 2027 - Flotel edition
8 days, 7 nights · Cuiabá to Cuiabá
$5,650
$550 deposit
Reserve
Included
7 nights lodging
All meals
Photography expert on every outing
Local guiding with Branco and Raquel
Ground transport from Cuiabá
Boat transport on the rivers
Park fees
Not included
International and domestic flights
Travel insurance
Alcoholic drinks
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Is it for you
Six photographers, at most
Everyone gets a clear line from the boat, and the boat waits for the shot instead of the schedule.
A photographer on board
A photography expert on every outing, plus local guides who know these jaguars by name.
Long-lens ready
Days are planned around light and animal activity, with time to review and refine your images.
“
Everything he told us we might see, we saw. This is our second trip with Lior.
Glenn O
RT
Rahul T
Sep 06, 2026
Pantanal PhotoSafari
* Your guide
Lior Berman
Where does the tour start and end?
−
In Cuiabá, Brazil. On day 1 we drive the Transpantaneira to Porto Jofre, and on day 8 we transfer back to Cuiabá for your flight.
When is the best time to photograph jaguars in the Pantanal?
−
The dry season, when falling water concentrates prey along the rivers and jaguars hunt the banks. Both 2027 departures, in August and September, fall in that window.
How many photographers are on the trip?
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Six at most. I lead every outing as the photography expert, with local guides Branco and Raquel on the water, so everyone gets a clear line from the boat.
What is included in the price?
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7 nights of lodging, all meals, a photography expert on every outing, local guiding, ground transport from Cuiabá, boat transport on the rivers and park fees. Flights, travel insurance, alcohol, gratuities and personal expenses are not included.
How do the deposit and payment work?
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A $550 deposit holds your seat. The rest of the $5,150 can be split into a payment plan before departure. Message me on WhatsApp and I will send you the schedule.
What lenses should I bring?
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A long telephoto does most of the work. I shoot a 100-400mm all day on the boat, plus a 24-70mm for the river, the boat and the group. Anything from 400mm to 600mm is ideal.
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*
2027
Aug and Sep
Two departures. Six seats each.
Aug 14 to 21 and Sep 2 to 9, 2027. From $5,150, with a $550 deposit to hold your seat.
Reserve your seat
Ask Lior on WhatsApp
