Pantanal

The Pantanal is a seasonal floodplain located in south-central Brazil's Mato Grosso do Sol and Mato Grosso states, considered to be the second largest freshwater wetland on earth. The extent of this seasonally dynamic region is estimated to be from 160,000 to

210,000 sq km in total area and 600 km north-to-south along the banks of the upper Paraguay River and the tributaries of the São Lourenço and Taquari rivers. In other words, the Pantanal is gigantic.During the summer rainy season (November-March), these rivers overflow their banks, flooding adjacent lowlands, forming shallow lakes, innumerable swamps, vast marshes and small islands of higher ground. During the dry winter season (April–September), river levels diminish, but the lowlands only partially drain and just as with the

Okavango Delta in Botswana, there is also a vast network of underground streams that distribute subsurface flow of water. The summer floods bring rich sediment to the Pantanal’s soils, which in turn fertilize the Pantanal and support scattered clusters of trees, bullrushes, grasses and vibrant flowers. This is one of earth's major sanctuaries for a rich assortment of wildlife, consisting of thousands of varieties of insects, butterflies, fish, as well as a plethora of mammals, reptiles and indigenious and migratory birds. The primates include Howler and Capuchin monkeys and the larger mammals Tapir, Marsh deer and South America`s only wolf, the long legged Swamp wolf. The Pantanal is also home to a number of endangered and increasingly rare animals, including the

largest of the carnivore cats, the Jaguar and Puma. Among the bird species who dwell, mate, lay their eggs and hatch youngsters are the common white heron, ibis and the Jabiru stork. In addition, Cobalt-blue hyacinth macaws (our world’s largest parrot) reside. As for reptiles, this is a nirvana for caiman and the world's largest snake, the anaconda. The Pantanal southern region has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and ongoing projects are in place to preserve it and the wildlife treasures it embraces.

Nature and wildlife lovers come seasonally in the annual drier April to end October period to the Pantanal, to view and photograph wildlife. Specialist `safari` lodges and moored floating vessel accommodation is available, provided one sets dates well in advance.