Photo opportunities during the trip will be very varied. We will have chances to shoot macros, landscapes and fauna in general. Quite often these situations will come up suddenly, without the possibility to change the lenses. Because of this reason, plus the possible failure or damage of one camera body, I recommend bringing two DSLR camera bodies.

 

Camera Bodies

At least one camera body in your back pack should be able to handle fast bursts (6 fps or more) and capable of handling well high ISO (1000 and above). Quite often we will be shooting in low light situations but we will need high shutter speeds to freeze the action. This difficulty will be accentuated when we are floating in our boat because this makes our position more unstable.

 

Lenses

No doubt we will need, mainly, a good telephoto lens. At least 300mm, and preferably 400mm or 500mm. Deciding between a prime lens and a quality zoom lens is for the consideration of each one. The first will give us more quality, while a zoom lens will be more versatile.

In all cases it is preferable that the lens has an image stabilization system. For specific landscape, larger animals, or social shots a wide angle zoom (16-135) might come in handy.

Those who like macro photography can add a macro lens to the backpack; there will surely be opportunities to use it. An intermediate zoom, say 70-200mm, can be useful mounted on the second body when using the longer lens on the main camera body.

If you own a fast lens, f/2.8 or f/4, the TCs can be useful, mainly the 1.4X.

 

Tripods

I also recommend carrying a tripod. In addition to giving us that extra tad of sharpness, it is nice to have it around to rest the heavy lenses on it when we are not shooting. A monopod would be a alternative some might want to consider.

 

Extra Battery Units and Memory Cards

I recommend at least 2 batteries per camera body. Memory cards should be ideally 16Gb/s or more. A combined 64 Gb storage capacity should be enough for most photographers.

 

Other Accessories

A good flash unit may prove useful too, also a macro flash, a polarizer filter, and external storage unit, light weight, compact binoculars, and a reliable flashlight. 

 

Tour price includes hotels (double occupancy), all meals with soft drinks, bottled water while in the field, ground transportation in comfortable vehicles with AC, boat rides, and guide and photo coach fees.

International flights, Brazil entrance visa (if applicable), extra nights in Cuiaba, alcoholic beverages, items of personal nature, tips, and insurance of any kind are not included.

Single rooms will be subject to availability.

Roommates will be assigned to those participants willing to share a room. If a roommate is not available, you will be required to pay the single supplement.

Cancellations need to be requested in writing.

In case of cancellations requested on or before 31 July 2018 all payments made will be refunded minus a $250 Cancellation Fee.

Refunds will be made by check to participants with an address in the US, and via wire transfer to bank accounts for international participants. All refunds will be made within 90 days from the notification of cancellation.

Without exceptions there will be no refunds for cancellations made on or after 1 August 2018.

Raptours reserves the right to cancel the trip prior to departure with full refund to participants.

Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Brazil requires U.S. citizens to carry a valid U.S. passport and visa when traveling to Brazil for any purpose. You must obtain your Brazilian visa in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence in the United States. Visas cannot be obtained at the airport, and immigration authorities will refuse entry into Brazil to anyone not possessing a valid visa. Plan to apply for your visa well in advance before the tour.

The level of difficulty of this tour is easy. No strenuous hikes are involved.

In Cuiaba we will stay at the Slaviero, a comfortable and modern hotel equipped with ample rooms with AC, hair dryer, fridge, and IDD phone. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of the airport.

Facilities at the Pousada Rio Claro are a bit basic, but rooms are clean and comfortable, and have AC. Location is the highlight here and easy access to the river and nearby forest will be appreciated by everyone.

Hotel Pantanal Norte in Porto Jofre is well-managed, well-maintained, and strategically located. Rooms have AC and minibars that are stocked daily. Free wi-fi is available at the restaurant and some of the rooms. The hotel features a swimming pool and has laundry service (not included in trip price). Food here is excellent and whether you like river fish dishes, salads, pasta you will appreciate this place.

All hotels serve a full buffet breakfast with plenty of choices for cereal, dairy and meat products, fruit, juices, and, of course, hot real coffee! Other meals will be either buffet or a la carte.

Importantly, on the dusty Transpantaneira we will travel in a closed and comfortable vehicle with AC that has ample windows and plenty of space for your equipment and luggage.

Boat rides on the Cuiaba river will be on a comfortable speed boat. Plenty of bottled water will be available at all times when in the field.

September is the peak of the dry season in the northern Pantanal. Expect average highs around 95 F | 34 C, and average lows around 65 F | 18 C.

It is highly unlikely that we will get rained on, but we recommend that you bring dry bags to keep your photography equipment dry on the boat rides.

Bring a boonie or breezer hat (or two!) with a strap. Boat rides can be quite fast and hats fly off. We will not turn around to pick up a hat if we are in pursue of a jaguar! Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must. Insect repellent should contain at least 20% of the active component DEET (n-diethyl-meta-toluamide).

Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended.

No malaria is present in the areas we will visit.