Overview
Straddling the border between Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil lies the largest and most spectacular wetland system in the world. Unlike the heavily-visited Brazilian side, the Bolivian Pantanal remains largely pristine, offering nature lovers world-class birding, fishing and wildlife-watching opportunities, often without another traveller in sight.
This tour is based around Utuquis National Park and the Tres Gigantes Biological Station, reached by a combination of 4WD and boat travel along the Río Paraguay and Río Negro. Days are built around peak-hour wildlife drives and walks, with a focus on Yellow Anaconda, Giant Otter, Spectacled Caiman and the wetland’s resident Jaguar population, alongside Marsh Deer, Capybara, Southern Screamer and the endangered Maned Wolf, which favours this remote corner of the park.
The tour is available as a shorter 2-day/1-night option or an extended 3-day/2-night version that adds a boat journey to Tres Gigantes Biological Station for guided forest treks. It suits families, birdwatchers, nature lovers, adventure seekers and photographers, and runs best between May and November.
Hotel pickup followed by a drive to the entrance of Utuquis National Park, passing through the surrounding mining region with plenty of photographic opportunities along the way. After meeting park rangers and presenting permits, camp is set up around midday with a freshly prepared lunch. The evening brings a peak-hour wildlife drive focused on Giant Otter, Yellow Anaconda and the wetland’s Jaguar habitat, with the chance of a glimpse of the elusive Maned Wolf.
An early morning wildlife drive or walk before breakfast, followed by a roughly 40-minute boat ride along the Río Paraguay and Río Negro to Tres Gigantes Biological Station. After settling in and a freshly prepared lunch, the afternoon is spent on guided treks of the surrounding forest, observing the area’s flora and fauna, with a night walk along the trails after dinner.
An early morning walk before breakfast and departure from the lodge, followed by a scenic boat trip back to Utuquis National Park, where transport is waiting. The roughly 80km drive back through the park offers further opportunities to spot the park’s flora and fauna before arriving in Puerto Suárez for lunch and hotel drop-off.
Our team replies within a few hours. We also speak Spanish and English.