Brazil

Caiman

Luxury lodge & centre of conservation initiatives for jaguar & hyacinth macaw

Introduction

Located near Miranda in Mato Grosso do Sul state Caiman is by far the best lodge in either region of the Pantanal. Conservation and sustainability are at the forefront of eco-tourism here but hospitality and fine living also go hand-in-hand.

Situated in 53,000 hectares of the southern Pantanal that seasonally floods, this is an immense reserve for many species and large mammals are often encountered. In one 24h period alone that we spent there last time we saw a number of giant anteater, jaguar, Brazilian tapir, ocelot and maned wolf plus a whole host of other wildlife and bird life.

Description

Casa Caiman is a sophisticated boutique lodge with modern, sleek suites that feel a long way from the wildlife & wilderness surrounding the lodge. The property lies at the heart of the private reserve and has a large lounge and homely dining area where Brazilian dishes are served, usually with an international slant. Produce comes from local suppliers.

There is a lovely pool set in the gardens and a gym and so relaxation between activities is nicely catered for.

Your guide at Caiman will probably be a biologist linked to one of the on-site conservation projects. Notably Onçafari have done a great deal of work in recent years to habituate the jaguars that are free to roam here almost guaranteeing sightings during a visit.

Caiman is also a working cattle ranch but the cattle are managed in a way that is complimentary to the conservation efforts of the reserve. The stories of the lives of a vaqueiro are fascinating when translated.

Stays here are truly memorable and enriching. This is a delightful property that has led the way with responsible tourism and conservation in Brazil.

Additional Details

Location

Southern Pantanal

Rooms

18 suites in 3 categories at Casa Caiman.

6 rooms at Villa Baiazinha a the private villa that is booked for exclusive use.

Activities

Guided nature activities plus understanding of conservation projects with Onçafari and the Hyacinth Macaw Institute.

Horse back riding (limited availability) and canoeing dependent on water levels

Suitable For

Individuals, couples & families with children over 8 years

Season

Year round - the floods occur December to March and then start to recede from April through until June. The dry season from July until October is the best time to observe wildlife. By November the rains start again.