Brazil Tours and Travel

Refugio Caiman Pantanal Tours

Reflugio Ecologico Caiman is the most upscale and acclaimed option in the southern Pantanal. It is located 236 km west of Campo Grande , State Capital of Mate Grosso do Sul.

Caiman Ecological Refuge comprises 02 lodges with independent operation. All the lodges offer the same contact with local fauna, flora and culture, as well as the same standard of service, with swimming pool, air conditioning in the rooms, private bathrooms with hot shower, alternated 110 volts energy outlets, living room with TV and DVD, bar and restaurant.

Upon reservation confirmation, the guests do not know in which Lodge they will be staying at; it is up to Caiman Ecological Refuge to allocate and accommodate the guests at one of the lodges, according to availability.At the main farm's infrastructure, you will also have at your disposal telephone service, fax, infirmary, gift shop, radio communication base, which covers the whole property providing safety to the community and our guests.

BAIAZINHA LODGE : Located 9 km from the entrance, it was built on stilts and is structured like a bird with opened wings. Located at the banks of a clear-water lake, it provides a magical and cozy ambiance for its guests. It has 06 standard guestrooms.

CORDILHEIRA LODGE : Located 13 km from the entrance, it was built with bricks and mounted on stilts, it is located at the margins of a Cordilheira forest, perfectly integrated with the surrounding natural scene. It has 08 guestrooms, being 06 standard and 02 suites.

Program of Activities

Trekking around the lodge for observation of animals and vegetation. At night, one can also observe caimans and other nocturnal animals.
Horse back riding, which is the best way to get into the heart of the Pantanal, getting to places which normally could not be reached by regular means of transportation.
Rides on specialty adapted vehicles to distant places, where a wider variety of animals and, sometimes, thousands of birds can be observed. On such rides one can notice the peculiarities and contrast of the habitats along the way.
Motor boat trip on the Aquidauana River - only during the dry season (April through October).
Row boat rides on the lakes close to Caiman and Baiazinha lodges. Such rides are very peaceful and one can enjoy the sounds of Nature.
Also included in our program are a lecture with slides and video show.

Guests are taken on twice daily outings, one early in the moming and a second in the afternoon. A third activity takes place at night after dinner, including a night outing for nocturnal animal observation. The different seasons as well as weather conditions determine the destinations for each excursion and they are decided locally by our staff. The final schedule is given to guests upon arrival by our guides and managers.

The package includes:

Full board (drinks consumed are charged separately);
Horseback, row and/or motorboat excursions, nature observation and photographic safari, hikes and nocturnal animal spotlighting;
Bilingual (English/Portuguese) guides with knowledge of local fauna and flora;
Welcoming orientation lecture and audiovisual presentation.

2010 Prices (not including transfers):
March 1-June 13 & Sept. 13-Jan. 3, 2011
Passengers have to book an entire lodge during these time periods. Baiazinha lodge = US$4140 per night and Cordilheira lodge = US$5520 per night. 3 night minimum
June 13-Sept. 13
Thurs.- Sun. - US$2649 single, US$1324 per person double
Sun.- Thurs. - US$3532 single, US$1766 per person double

BOOKING
REQUEST

MANDATORY: Environmental Fee: USD 32,00 per person, per package.

Land Transfer: Distance from Campo Grande airport to Caiman Ranch - 236 km / 147 miles.
Length of trip - 4 hours average, including stop
Regular Departures : THURSDAYS AND SUNDAYS
Time Schedule : Campo Grande airport to Caiman Ranch - 1:00 pm or 5pm departure.
Caiman Ranch to Campo Grande Airport - depart at 6:00am and 1030am.
REGULAR TRANSFER RATES : per person each way- US$ 118.
PRIVATE TRANSFER RATES: per person each way - $256 with 1 person, $129 with 2, $93 with 3, $71 with 4
Seasons and packing reccommendations:
WET SEASON = SUMMER (Jan.. through Mar.)
With the summer rains, as parts of the Pantanal are flooded, the fauna and flora reinvigorate and Pantanal reveals one of its most lively seasons. The main characteristics of this season are the beautiful water landscapes, and many water birds such as the Jabiru Stork, Woodstorks, Limpkins, ducks, teals and egrets. Among the common mammals we can find the Capybaras, Crab-eating Foxes, and the Grey-brocket and Pampas deer. The water plants are in bloom with different shapes and colors throughout the lakes and rivers. Also abundant are butterflies and other interesting insects. The wet season is also the best time to watch the most beautiful sunset of the year.

Sport clothes, two pairs of shoes (tennis shoes, boots or hiking shoes), jeans, light long sleeve shirts, swimming costume, hat, rolls of film, insect repellent, binoculars, light raincoat and flashlight, sun cream,sunglasses.
INTERMEDIATE SEASON (Apr. through June)
In April, the rains stop and the water level begins to recede, giving rise to lagoons and water puddles. Here, thousands of fish are trapped, providing a food banquet for the water birds which concentrate in these regions. The temperature becomes milder and the night skies are filled with stars.The mammals, who dispersed in the wet season, start to come back and show themselves. Species such as the White-lipped Peccaries, Collared Peccaries, Marsh Deer and the Howler and Capuchin Monkeys can often be seen.
DRY SEASON = WINTER (Jul. through Oct.)
The best time to observe wildlife. The lack of rain diminishes the lagoons, revealing the flat grounds and aiding transportation by land. The fields begin to dry, providing vast grazing areas where mammals search for food and water in the remaining water puddles. From August on, the Tabebuia trees blossom - locally known as Piuvas (with pink flowers) and Paratudos (yellow flowers). This is the breeding season for birds - their plumage is at their best condition and their calls can be heard throughout the Pantanal. This is also the best season to observe Giant Anteaters, Crab-eating Racoons and South-American Coatis.To the above add an anorak and pullovers as temperatures drop drastically in addition to wind chill effects.
RAINY SEASON = Nov. through Dec.
The period when there is a lot of rain in the Pantanal, but not enough to flood. Due to the long dry season, it takes a while for the soil to saturate to the point of flooding. It is also a season of a great abundance of food for birds who started their breeding in the past months. It is very common to see chicks being fed by their parents.

TEMPERATURE: The summer is hot, with temperatures around 25ºC (77ºF) to 40ºC (104ºF). During the winter the weather is mild and dry, with temperature varying from 18ºC (64ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF), but the occasional cold front can bring temperatures as low as 8ºC (46ºF). So, if you plan visit the Pantanal from June to August, is important to be prepared to these unpredictable cold fronts.

The Theme Excursions - no extra costs

Discovering the Pantanal, riding horses, exploring rivers, on foot or by car, tasting typical foods and traditional beverages from the Brazilian Middle West region. This is the essence of the new theme packages, created by Caiman Ecological Refuge. The idea is to offer an unforgettable cultural experience with a touch of adventure on the Pantanal floodplains always focusing on sustainable tourism.The theme excursions will complement the regular activities, that are already included in the regular package, and they will give more information and will allow a deeper interactivity with the environment and the local culture. The length of excursions will depend on the activity itself, and it can last a period (morning or afternoon) or a full day (morning and afternoon). A briefing on the activity will be given in the night before the event by one of the Caimaners (naturalist guides) and one of the resident researchers, if that is the case.

Cowboy’s Program – April
Experience a day in the life of a Pantaneiro cowboy. The day starts with the preparation of the horses and then to the fields and their work routine (herding, counting, etc). This activity includes a typical cowboy meal: barbecue, carreteiro rice, manioc, and Paraguayan soup amongst others.

Adventure Program - May and June
Guests will have the opportunity to paddle in the Aquidauana River on a Canadian canoe. The program includes a safari ride to observe the local fauna and flora, followed by a two-hour horse ride through the fields, while enjoying the beauties of the fllodplains This activity in total takes about 09 hours, including lunch and beverages

.Birdwatching Program – October
This activity takes place during the morning with different departure time per group. It offers the guests a perfect introduction on birdwatching in the surrounding areas of the lodges in combination with short safaris on special adapted vehicles, which allows better views thus, making the sightings and identification of the species easier. Binoculars, bird guidebooks, fauna check list; caimaners and telescope are all included.

Environmental Projects September and November
Besides these three activities especially designed for Caiman Ecological Refuge guests three other special programs involving the scientific researches carried on the ranch will be included in the calendar. The Hyacinth Macaw and the Blue Fronted Parrot Projects will put the guests and the researchers in close contact. The researchers routine their filed work in the struggle for the preservation of the species will be presented to the guests.

Phone: 800-232-5658 or 1-512-443-5393 email

Brazil Tours and Travel

Refugio Caiman Pantanal Tours

Program of Activities

BOOKING REQUEST

Phone:
800-232-5658 or
1-512-443-5393
email

BOOKING
REQUEST