Jaguar Expeditions in the Mamiraua Reserve
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Be one of the few to observe the unique arboreal behavior of jaguars from the Flooded Forests of the Mamirauá Reserve! Photo above by JP Jorges Pedro
Jaguars here spend 3 months sleeping and hunting in the treetops - an amazing adaptation to the flooding of the forest. The only records of jaguars exhibiting this behavior is here 
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Why choose this experience? - Mamirauá has one of the highest densities of jaguars in the world; - Mamirauá jaguars spend three to four months living in treetops, an amazing adaptation to the Flooded Forest that can only be observed in Mamirauá; - Only a small and privileged group of tourists will have the chance to join the Jaguar Expedition. Each package allows only 4-6 visitors and there are only three/four packages per year. Less than 20 visitors a year. 2021 will be the 7th year for the Jaguar Expedition - a unique program in the Brazilian Amazon that combines the observation of jaguars with science and conservation of the species.
They are delighted that over the years they are turning this experience into an increasingly 'scientific' expedition, where some of Brazil's leading feline researchers guide visitors through Mamirauá. The focus will always be on conservation and science, so spotting the jaguar is just a short moment of a transformative experience. Once again they have only 3 weeks for this experience. Their concern is the conservation of jaguars and this innovative program can bring impacts that are unknown to the behavior of jaguars. For this reason, researchers at Mamirauá Institute defined that 3 outings / 12 tourists seems to be a safe number to not bring behavioral changes for this animal. First of its kind, the Jaguar Expedition links conservation and scientific research of endangered species, the jaguar (Panthera onca), with the social and economic development of traditional communities of Amazonia. Visitors will travel deep into the Flooded Forest in canoes in search of the jaguar, tracking it with VHF telemetry receivers and expert local guides. Guided at all times by PhD researcher Emiliano Esterci Ramalho of the Mamirauá Institute, coordinator of the jaguar research in the region with over 10 years of experience in the study of jaguars. The Jaguar Expedition is a pioneer initiative, of a new conservation model, financially sustainable and replicable, able to benefit local communities as well as contributing to the jaguar population tracking in Mamirauá floodplain given that the more information is acquired, the easier it is to create strategies to preserve this species. The package price includes a direct donation to the Iauaretê Project to finance research and educational projects for local communities. This offers the opportunity to join the comfort of a floating lodge totally integrated into the landscape with a special team of researchers and guides. Visitors will work with them, understanding their work better. This experience is a deep dive in the jaguar ecology and in its dynamic in the Floodplain Forest. Challenges of the expedition: - Spot a black jaguar which is the rarest type; - Spot a baby jaguar. Jaguars has few cubs in its life that’s why it is a special event; - See a jaguar hunting its next meal. Jaguars usually sleep during the day and become more active at night. However, in places with a high density of animals, there is a chance of seeing them hunting during the day. 
The expeditions will take place from May to June on specific dates.
Visitors will be received in Tefé Airport. If chosen by the visitor, it is possible to fly over Mamirauá Reserve (optional service, directly hired by the visitor himself), to track the jaguar’s VHF signal and appreciate the beautiful landscape in the company of Iauaretê Project researchers. After that, visitors will be transferred to the port, where a boat will take them to the Uakari Lodge. After a one-hour and a half boat ride through the mighty Solimões River, visitors will arrive at the Uakari Lodge. Along the way, they may see aquatic mammals such as the Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and the Grey River Dolphin (Sotolia fluviatilis). The Uakari Lodge is strategically located in a wildlife-rich area close to the Mamirauá Lake in the core of Mamirauá Reserve. This gigantic reserve protects more than two-and-a-half million acres of forest, rivers and lakes and is home to many rare and threatened species, some of them only found in the Reserve or in the surroundings. Among these are the beautiful Uakari Monkey (Cacajao calvus calvus) and the Black-headed Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri vanzolinii). Mamirauá Reserve is not just a successful conservation story, but also a pioneer model of conservation that involves local people and allows them to benefit from biodiversity conservation. |
Monday: After check-in, visitors will have a chance to explore the surroundings of the Uakari Lodge to adjust to the Flooded Forest and help the researchers set trap cameras on the trails to capture images of the jaguars. These images will later be presented to you at the end of the program. After dinner, there will be a small presentation about Mamirauá Reserve, the Uakari Lodge and the Iauaretê Project. In the end, they will talk about their schedule for the next few days.
Tuesday: After breakfast, the group will go on a field trip to look for jaguars. The researcher will lead the work in a separate canoe with a VHF receiver. Visitors will be able to use a VHF receiver and help track the elusive jaguars. A safety distance is asked and must be respected. The goal is to contemplate the largest wild cat of the American continent, take photos, contribute to the research and learn about the jaguars. During the afternoon visitors will be involved in regular research activities, for instance inspecting camera-traps installed on the treetops. The goal is to capture animal images or signs of the animal, such as leftovers and other animal carcasses. After dinner, the documentary “The Trapper” will be screened. Wednesday: After breakfast, the group will go on a field trip to look for jaguars. In the afternoon visitors will go to Mamirauá Lake to observe the incredible sunset of the lake. Cruising towards the lake, visitors will be on the lookout for the Uakari Monkey (Cacajao calvus calvus), Black Caimans (Melanosuchus niger), Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta), Hoatzin (Opistocomus hoazin), Tui Parakeet (Brotogeris sanctithomae) and many other birds. Thursday: After breakfast, the group will go on a field trip to look for jaguars. In the afternoon, the group will visit one of four communities: Boca do Mamirauá, Caburini, Sítio São José or Vila Alencar, which regularly receive Uakari Lodge visitors. While in the community, they will have the opportunity to observe firsthand how traditional communities of Amazonia conduct their daily activities. During these trips visitors will be on the lookout for Three-Toed Sloths (Bradypus variegatus), one of the main jaguar prey. After dinner, visitors will look at images from camera-traps with the researchers. Friday: This is the last morning and there is still time for a short outing after breakfast. Visitors will check-out from the lodge and be transferred back to Tefé, in order to be at the airport on time to catch the flight back to Manaus. *Schedules can change according to weather conditions and jaguar locations and movement. 2024 dates: June 10-14 / 17-21 / 24-28 - maximum of 4 passengers per departure Jaguar 2024 Rates per person: R$17,600 single or double Includes:
Prices do not include: soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, insurance, extra transfers, flights Tefe is accessible by local flight from Manaus on Trip/Azul airlines |
