This ride covers a gigantic area with breathtaking scenery. The starting point for the South American Wildlife Trail & Safari are two fazendas in the southern Pantanal. The ranches, each of which is family-owned, cover a huge area with a very rich flora and fauna. The Patanal, known as the world´s largest conservation area and vast wetland, encompasses approximately 240,000 square kilometers of the upper Paraguay River valley basin and is world famous for its abundant wildlife. Lovers of animals and nature will get their money´s worth here.

Itinerary

Exemplary route

Day 1: Arrival in Campo Grande and transfer (by car and/or small plane) to the Fazenda in the Rio Negro region, one of the best preserved areas of the Pantanal. In the afternoon there will be a short briefing of the tour and if time allows, you will break for a first ride in the surroundings. You will have the opportunity to get to know the strong Panatneiro horses and the local, very comfortable saddles. On this occasion you will get a great first impression of the Pantanal with its many animal species. Dinner and overnight at the Fazenda Baia das Pedras.

Day 2-3: After breakfast to tack up you take the horses. The fazenda covers an incredible 16,000 hectares countryside with around 4,000 head of cattle. You to ride through green fields, savannah, deciduous forests, hill and salt marshes, where you can spot countless birds and wild animals, including colorful parrots, storks, toucans, tapirs, crocodiles, Nael pigs, armadillos and howler monkeys. You may even be able to help the cowboys with a little round-up along the way, as there is always something to do. Riding time approx. 6 hours with an extended lunch break on both days.

Day 4: After an early breakfast, you set off on a long day of riding towards the Hacienda Primavera. Along the banks of the river you ride through untouched nature. The bushes and water are home to countless species of birds. Lunch break in Retiro Sau Luis, where the support vehicle with field kitchen is already waiting.
After you have rested, you continue along the Vazante Castelo until you reach your camp on the grounds of the Fazenda Primavera. Tonight you will have the unique experience of sleeping in a hammock. The camp has a comfortable infrastructure with a kitchen, bathrooms and mosquito nets, and the sleeping areas are covered. 

Day 5: In the morning you explore the riverbank on foot to observe the animals even better. Afterwards, a second coffee awaits and you have time to relax a little. After lunch, explore the wild nature once again from saddle . Don't miss the magical sunset over the water-rich countryside! If you wish, you can then return to river in the dark to track down the pairs of eyes of the crocodiles with a flashlight. Overnight stay once again at the camp.

Day 6: Today you will cross the vast plains where the Pantaneiro horses graze. Sometimes they even graze in the  water . You reach the Rio Negro region and can see a change in the landscape. Picnic and cool drinks in the shade of the trees. Afterwards, we take a boat across the Rio Negro to the Fazenda El Dorado with its picturesque sandbanks. The fazenda is completely secluded and is located in one of the wildest corners of the Pantanal, teeming with wildlife! You may feel like you're in a documentary. An aperitif awaits you at the fazenda and you round off the day together before falling asleep exhausted.

Day 7: Today you will go on a canoe trip to spot animals in and around the Rio Negro river from a different perspective, including crocodiles, otters, anacondas, capybaras and even jaguars. At lunchtime, take a dip in the river and try your hand at fishing for piranhas - your guide will show you how.

Day 8: Breakfast and departure to Campo Grande.

Accomodation
You´ll stay in three different historic farms (fazendas) that have been family-owned for over 150 years. In addition to traditional cattle work, horse riding and eco-tourism (bird watching etc.) have been added as activities over the last 30 years. Catering naturally includes typical local and regional dishes. These include barbecue specialties with meat from the farm's own production, freshly caught fish and local fruit. The dishes often consist of several different components such as rice, meat, potatoes, salads, sauces, vegetables etc., all of which are home-made and made from fresh ingredients.
At the fazendas, you will spend the night in cozy guest rooms. One night is spent in a wilderness camp, which is equipped with covered hammocks, a kitchen and two bathrooms.

Saddle & Tack: South American saddles with sheepfur. similar riding style to western.

Experience: Intermediate riding level is necessary. It is partly ridden slowly (in cattle work, in the water-flooded plains etc.) but with possibilities for galloping. You must be comfortable in all gaits and have experience in varied terrain. Beginners only on demand as private group.

Horses: Quarter crosses, Pantaneiro horses, descended from the Criollo, perfectly adapted to the wetland environment.

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