It's a secret that, until recently, was known only to film crews: The best place in South America to see wildlife is not the Amazon but the Pantanal, a Florida-size wetland on the far western edge of Brazil that bursts with animals -- capybaras, caimans, jaguars, anacondas, giant otters, colorful hyacinth macaws, kites, hawks, and flocks of storks and herons hundreds strong. In fact, many species that live in the Amazon and are next to impossible to see there can be viewed here in abundance. The Pantanal is home to over 700 species of birds, 100 mammal species, more than 250 fish species, and 80 reptile species.

The weather is classified as a savanna climate. The basin has two distinctive periods of precipitation: dry from about April through September rainy with heavy rain from October through March, with 80% of the annual precipitation during the wet season.

It can be hot during the day, but the nights are fresh or cold. Summer begins as the rains come and the temperatures rise. A heavy rainfall can lower temperatures, but as soon as the rain stops the temperature rises again.

December and January are the months with heaviest rains, during that period the Pantanal is humid and warm. The predominant climate is tropical, the minimum temperature is 12°C and the maximum 34°C.

From April to September, during the dry season, the temperature is very agreeable and the rains scarce. During this season temperatures range from 24°C to 34°C.

Pantanal is recommended to be visited during the dry season, from April to September or October.

We recommend staying in Pantanal for at least two nights in a lodge of camping, consider the time needed to get there.

You can fly or go by bus. If flying, you can choose any flight to Campo Grande or Cuiba from Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Rio. If gtting there by bus, you can access Campo Grande from Cuiba (10h), Bonito (5h), Foz do Iguazu (16h) or Sao Paulo (14h).