Southern Pantanal Birdwatching & Wildlife Tours (via Campo Grande)

1-4 days

Intermediate trail Dry Season (Jul-Oct)

Pantanal Birdwatching Tours: Southern Pantanal Birding & Wildlife Safaris

Southern Pantanal Birdwatching & Wildlife Tours (via Campo Grande)

Private 1–4 day birding and wildlife expeditions in the Southern Pantanal, entering via the Estrada do Parque from Bonito and the Campo Grande (CGR) gateway, led by biologist and guide Lucas Yanai.

The Southern Pantanal is shaped by the rhythm of its waters. The annual flood and dry cycle completely transforms the landscape, shifting between open plains and vast wetlands, creating one of the most dynamic and productive ecosystems on the planet.

We reach the Southern Pantanal from Bonito and the Campo Grande (CGR) gateway along the Estrada do Parque — the southern route into the wetland, distinct from the northern Cuiabá/Transpantaneira access most operators use. It is the practical, well-connected way in for international birders.

This natural pulse enhances birdwatching in the Southern Pantanal, especially during the receding waters, when food becomes concentrated and emblematic and migratory species gather in key areas. Each season reveals different behaviours and bird assemblages.

The experience becomes a genuine wildlife safari: alongside birds such as the and , mammals move with the waters. Capybaras, armadillos, giant anteaters, southern tamanduas, capuchin monkeys, crab-eating foxes, marsh deer and tapirs are all part of the region's fauna, and with luck the elusive maned wolf may appear.

As access, climate and wildlife concentration vary seasonally, consulting a specialised guide is essential to select the best period and maximise sightings. In the Pantanal, everything responds to water — understanding this cycle is key to experiencing the region at its fullest.

Headline species

Hyacinth Macaw
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
Mato Grosso Antbird
Cercomacra melanaria
Jabiru
Jabiru mycteria

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Region: Southern Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Access: Estrada do Parque, from Bonito or Campo Grande (CGR)
Duration: 1 to 4 days
Best season: Dry season, July to October
Format: Private and tailor-made — dates, pace and target species set with you
Guide: Lucas Yanai, biologist, Cadastur-certified, 18+ years in the field
Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish
Level: Intermediate trail — short walks on flat terrain

Why the Southern Pantanal is some of the best birdwatching in the Pantanal

The Pantanal is the largest continental wetland on the planet, and its advantage for birdwatchers is not only diversity — it is visibility. Unlike closed forest, where most species are heard and seldom seen, the landscape here is open. Herons, storks, spoonbills and raptors sit exposed over flooded grassland, shallow bays and riverbanks, often just metres from the road.

Everything is organised by water. The annual flood-and-recede cycle completely redraws the landscape, and the birdlife responds to it with precision. As the waters drop, water that was spread across kilometres shrinks into shallow bays and pools, concentrating fish, amphibians and invertebrates — and concentrating the birds that feed on them along with it. That is why the dry season is so productive: there are not more birds, they are predictably gathered.

Our expeditions work the Southern Pantanal, in Mato Grosso do Sul, entering along the Estrada do Parque from Bonito or from Campo Grande (CGR). It is a region of open grassland, wooded ridges, seasonal channels and the banks of the Miranda and Aquidauana rivers — a mosaic of habitats that delivers very different bird families within a few kilometres.

Birdwatching in the Pantanal is also, unavoidably, a wildlife safari. Capybaras, armadillos, giant anteaters, southern tamanduas, capuchin monkeys, crab-eating foxes, marsh deer and tapirs are all part of the region's fauna, and with luck the elusive maned wolf may appear. For visitors from the United States or Europe, that combination of birds and large mammals in a single day afield is what makes the Pantanal hard to compare with anywhere else.

Southern vs Northern Pantanal: which one for birdwatching?

Almost every international operator sells the Northern Pantanal — Cuiabá, the Transpantaneira, Porto Jofre. We work the South. The two halves share most of their birdlife, but the logistics and the expectations are different, and it is worth understanding that before you book.

	Southern Pantanal (our tours)	Northern Pantanal
State	Mato Grosso do Sul (MS)	Mato Grosso (MT)
Gateway airport	Campo Grande (CGR), or Bonito (BYO)	Cuiabá (CGB)
Main access road	Estrada do Parque	Transpantaneira
Jaguars	Not the focus. Sightings are possible but uncommon — we do not promise jaguars.	The region's speciality, above all at Porto Jofre, June to October.
Crowds	Considerably lower — it is common to spend a day without meeting another group.	High in jaguar season, with competition for boats and lodges.
Combines well with	Bonito and the Cerrado, Buraco das Araras and the Brazilian Chaco — three biomes in one trip.	Chapada dos Guimarães and the southern Amazon (Alta Floresta).

To be direct: if photographing a jaguar is your single overriding priority, the Northern Pantanal is the place, and we will tell you so. If your priority is birds, an unhurried pace, a biologist guide and the option of adding the Cerrado and the Chaco to the same trip, the Southern Pantanal gives you more.

How a day of birdwatching in the Pantanal works

Tours of 1 to 4 days are built to order, so the exact route depends on your dates, the water level and your target species. The shape of the day, however, follows bird activity — and it is always this:

Before dawn: departure and transfer
We leave in the dark so we are in the field when activity starts. That is the real cost of a good day of Pantanal birding, and it is also when owls and nightjars are still active.
First hours: the morning peak
The two or three hours after sunrise account for most of the day's records. We work slowly, in short stretches, stopping often: this is when Hyacinth Macaws pass overhead, Jabirus stand at their nests, raptors warm up and the Mato Grosso Antbird calls from the riverbank scrub.
Midday: the lull
Heat shuts bird activity down, and pushing through it yields little. This is the time to rest, review the day list, settle uncertain identifications and deal with photographs — and, in the Pantanal, to watch mammals and caiman, which stay visible.
Late afternoon: the second peak
Activity returns as the temperature drops and runs to dusk. It is the best window for waterbirds gathering in the bays, macaw flights returning to roost, and the light nature photographers are after.
After dark: optional night outing
On multi-day itineraries a short night outing is worth it for owls, nightjars and nocturnal mammals. It is optional and depends on your pace — field days in the Pantanal start very early.

Best time for birdwatching in the Pantanal

The Pantanal does not have a high and low season for birds — it has two completely different water regimes, each with its own advantages.

Dry season, July to October — the best window

This is the period we recommend and when we concentrate our expeditions. Receding water concentrates birds and wildlife around what is left, roads are firm and access is predictable. July and August are dry with cool nights; September and October are hotter, with intense breeding activity. If you can choose your dates, choose here.

Wet season, November to March — green, full and harder

The landscape turns lush, migratory species arrive and song activity is high. In exchange, the water spreads out and so do the birds: the predictable concentration disappears, and stretches of road can become impassable. It is an interesting season for someone who already knows the Pantanal or is after breeding behaviour, not for a first visit.

April to June — the transition

Water starts to drop and bird concentration builds progressively, with fewer visitors than the July–October peak. It is a good and frequently underrated window, especially if your dates are flexible.

Flagship birds of the Southern Pantanal

Hyacinth Macaw
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
The world's largest macaw, with cobalt-blue plumage and a powerful bill. The Pantanal holds the largest wild population of the species, and it is one of the more reliable targets here in the dry season.
Jabiru
Jabiru mycteria
The symbol bird of the Pantanal and of Mato Grosso do Sul, standing up to 1.60 m tall. Its large nests, built atop dead trees, are visible from a distance.
Mato Grosso Antbird
Cercomacra melanaria
Notable vocalisations and a bird that is difficult to photograph, staying among branches and leaves along Pantanal riverbanks — traits that drive birdwatchers to seek the best possible record.
Red-and-green Macaw
Ara chloropterus
The second largest macaw found in the region. It can be seen in pairs or in large flocks of dozens of individuals.

What is included

Cadastur-certified biologist guide (Lucas Yanai) throughout the expedition, in English, Portuguese or Spanish.
Itinerary planning around your dates, pace, experience level and target species list.
Field identification support and a list of species recorded by the end of the tour.
Adventure insurance, included in all tours.
Free cancellation up to 30 days before the tour date, and free rescheduling in case of adverse weather.
Airport transfer and transport logistics arranged, once you share your flight details.

Practical information for reaching the Southern Pantanal

Campo Grande (CGR) is the most practical international airport, with the widest choice of connections; from there it is about a 4-hour drive to Bonito.
Bonito (BYO) receives direct flights from São Paulo (GRU) and Campo Grande (CGR), and is 15 minutes from town.
Citizens of the EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Brazil.
Bring your own binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and long sleeves in neutral colours. A scope is useful for open grassland and bays, but not essential.

Species you may encounter on this Pantanal birdwatching tour

Arapapá
Boat-billed Heron
Cochlearius cochlearius
Arara-azul
Hyacinth Macaw
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
Arara-canindé
Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Ara ararauna
Arara-vermelha
Red-and-green Macaw
Ara chloropterus
Aratinga-de-testa-azul
Blue-fronted Parakeet
Eupsittula aurea
Biguá
Neotropic Cormorant
Nannopterum brasilianum
Cabeça-seca
Wood Stork
Mycteria americana
Carretão-do-oeste
Yellow-rumped Cacique
Cacicus cela
Cavalaria
Southern Lapwing
Vanellus chilensis
Chororó-do-Pantanal
Mato Grosso Antbird
Cercomacra melanaria
Chupim-do-brejo
Unicolored Blackbird
Agelasticus cyanopus
Coleiro-do-brejo
Wedge-tailed Grass-Finch
Emberizoides herbicola
Colhereiro
Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
Frango-d’água-azul
Purple Gallinule
Porphyrio martinica
Garça-da-mata
Rufescent Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma lineatum
Garça-moura
Cocoi Heron
Ardea cocoi
Garça-real
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Gavião-belo
Ornate Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus ornatus
Gavião-caboclo
Savanna Hawk
Heterospizias meridionalis
Gavião-do-banhado
Long-winged Harrier
Circus buffoni
Irerê
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna autumnalis
Japacanim
Wattled Jacana
Jacana jacana
João-do-Pantanal
Greater Thornbird
Phacellodomus ruber
João-pinto
Cream-colored Woodpecker
Celeus flavus
Maracanã
Blue-winged Macaw
Primolius maracana
Maracanã-de-colar
Golden-collared Macaw
Primolius auricollis
Marreca-cabocla
Brazilian Teal
Amazonetta brasiliensis
Martim-pescador-grande
Ringed Kingfisher
Megaceryle torquata
Periquito-de-cabeça-preta
Nanday Parakeet
Aratinga nenday
Picaparra
White Woodpecker
Melanerpes candidus
Sebinho-de-olho-de-ouro
Yellow-olive Flatbill
Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Trinca-ferro-gonga
Grayish Saltator
Saltator coerulescens
Tuiuiú
Jabiru
Jabiru mycteria

* Lists vary according to season and specific conditions. Sightings are not guaranteed but maximized by expert guiding.

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Pantanal birdwatching: frequently asked questions

When is the best time for birdwatching in the Pantanal?

The dry season, July to October, is the best window: receding water concentrates birds and wildlife around what is left, and access along the Estrada do Parque is predictable. April to June is a good, underrated transition. From November to March the landscape is lush and migrants arrive, but the birds disperse along with the water.

What is the difference between the Southern Pantanal and the Transpantaneira in the north?

They are two halves of the same biome, in different states. The Northern Pantanal is in Mato Grosso, entered from Cuiabá (CGB) along the Transpantaneira, and its speciality is jaguars at Porto Jofre. The Southern Pantanal is in Mato Grosso do Sul, entered from Campo Grande (CGR) or Bonito along the Estrada do Parque, receives far fewer visitors, and combines with the Cerrado and the Chaco in one trip. The birdlife is largely shared.

Will I see a jaguar on this tour?

Probably not, and we would rather be direct about it. Jaguars do occur in the Southern Pantanal, but sightings are uncommon and are not the focus of this tour. If a jaguar is your overriding priority, go to Porto Jofre in the Northern Pantanal between June and October. What we offer here is birdlife, mammals such as capybara, giant anteater, marsh deer and tapir, and a field pace without crowds.

How many bird species can I expect to record?

It depends heavily on length, season and water level, so we do not work with guaranteed numbers. Our tours across the three biomes of Mato Grosso do Sul have recorded 600+ species cumulatively, and the list on this page gathers the emblematic species we specifically target in the Southern Pantanal. A longer tour in the dry season naturally yields more.

Will I see Hyacinth Macaws?

The Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is one of the most sought-after species on this tour and one of the more reliable ones in the Southern Pantanal during the dry season, especially where fruiting palms and nesting trees occur. As with any wildlife observation it is not guaranteed — but it is among our strongest chances.

How do I get to the Southern Pantanal?

Fly into Campo Grande (CGR), the international airport with the most connections, or into Bonito (BYO), which receives direct flights from São Paulo (GRU) and Campo Grande. Campo Grande to Bonito is about a 4-hour drive. We enter the Pantanal along the Estrada do Parque, and we arrange airport transfers and all transport logistics — just share your flight details.

Is the tour private, or will I share it with another group?

All our tours are private and built specifically for you or your group. We do not combine separate clients into one outing, and the pace, the stops and the target species are agreed with you before the trip.

Do I need a guide for birdwatching in the Pantanal?

Technically no, but the gain is large. The Southern Pantanal rewards reading water levels, knowing the access points and knowing calls — that is what turns a scenic day into a productive one. Bird Bonito is led by biologist Lucas Yanai, with 18+ years in the field, fluent English and deep knowledge of the region's target species, calls and best sites.

How much does a Pantanal birdwatching tour cost?

Because every tour is private and tailor-made, the price depends on length, number of participants, season and the logistics involved. Send us your dates and what you want to see and we will come back with a detailed quote, no obligation.

Can I combine the Pantanal with Bonito and the Chaco?

Yes, and that is precisely the advantage of the Southern Pantanal. Bonito sits at a crossroads of the Cerrado, the Pantanal, inland Atlantic Forest and the Chaco, so you can add three biomes — including Buraco das Araras and its Red-and-green Macaws, and the Chaco specialities around Porto Murtinho — in a single trip, with no extra domestic flights.

Records and references for the region

To research the birdlife of Mato Grosso do Sul before you travel:

eBird — Mato Grosso do Sul
Checklists, hotspots and month-by-month bar charts for the state.
WikiAves — Brazilian bird records
Photographs, sounds and distribution documented by Brazilian birders.

Ready to see these birds?

Tell us your dates, group size and the species you most want to see. We reply with availability, a suggested itinerary and pricing.