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Caiman

Brazil’s Pantanal is a region of extraordinary beauty, with vast seasonal wetlands and ancient woodlands. It is a completely unique biome, home to numerous wildlife species, including capybara, caiman, ocelot, the elusive jaguar, giant anteaters and the highest concentration of birds in South America.

Caiman has long been regarded as the pioneer of ecotourism in the Pantanal, with the highest level of accommodation and guest experience. This 53,000 hectare private reserve is also a beacon project for sustainable practise, harmoniously combining cattle ranching and cutting edge conservation – most famously through the Oncafari jaguar habituation project which last year enabled 98% of guests to spot at least one jaguar during their visit.

In 2021 Caiman upgraded its accommodation options with the opening of Casa Caiman, featuring 18 luxurious, boutique suites, surrounded by extensive gardens and complete with a swimming pool and gym. in addition to Casa Caiman for FIT guests, Villa Baiazinha is located 9 kms away and is available for private rental for small groups seeking more privacy. Guests discover the spectacular surroundings and wildlife during guided daytime and nocturnal jeep safaris, nature walks and canoeing trips, while horse riding led by the local community of cowboys has been added to the experiences on offer. The reserve is also home to a 5,600 hectare Private Reserve of Natural Patrimony (RPPN), legally protected in perpetuity, and a permanent residents’ community for both lodge and ranch employees with their families.

The BBC featured Caiman in an exciting and ground-breaking rewilding project; “Jaguars: Brazil’s Super Cats” is narrated by Sir David Attenborough and tells the remarkable story of how two orphaned cub sisters Isa and Fera became the first jaguars in the world to be successfully reintroduced to the wild.

Senderos Soul

A visit to Caiman is to take an adventure in your own private safari park. Most people imagine the rainforest is where you’ll see Brazilian wildlife, but actually the wetlands of the Pantanal is where you need to be for up-close encounters with giant anteaters, big and little cats, armadillos, the most vibrant bird life and all manner of creatures we are very unfamiliar with in Europe. I was lucky enough to see five jaguars during a 3 night stay, including both rewilded sisters Isa and Fera. Other highlights include night safaris with the Oncafari team - you just never knew what was around each corner in the dark - could that really have been two ocelots running down the middle of the road?! I watched in awe as the ladies from the Blue Hyacinth Macaw projects winched themselves up tall trees to inspect nests, as pairs of macaw parents squawked territorially around them. Life in the wild certainly isn’t quiet! Getting to spend time with the local cowboys was also a real treat as their levels of horsemanship are astounding. And they know how to produce the most incredible barbeques….

- Naomi, Senderos

Key Facts

No. of rooms:
Main house, Casa Caiman: 18 in 3 categories
Villa Baiazinha: 6.

Room categories:
Casa Caiman: 1 Master Suite, 80m², 1 king size bed or 2 single beds, wardrobe, large bathroom. The living room includes a terrace with great views of the bay, a sofa, table, coffee machine, mini bar and satellite TV, plus a second WC. Located on the first floor.

3 Superior Suites, 52m² king-size double bed or 2 single beds, can also accommodate one extra bed for a child aged 8-12 years, subject to an additional cost. With verandah, coffee machine and minibar.

14 Suites, 45m², king-size double bed or two single beds, spacious bathroom, outdoor terrace.

Villa Baiazinha (private rental): 6 superior rooms with king or twin bedroom, ensuite shower bathroom and balcony.

Facilities: Casa Caiman features an outdoor terrace, swimming pool, deck overlooking the bay, living room, courtyard, hammock area and a restaurant. Villa Baiazinha has a swimming pool with deck, loungers and hammocks, living room with Cable TV, and dining area.

Internet:
In Casa Caiman & Private Villa: available in rooms and main public areas.

Excursion details: Three daily guided excursions (walking, canoeing and by jeep). Group size: up to 12 guests per naturalist guide

Dates of operation: All year. During high season (25th May – 9th November) Caiman operates fixed 3 & 4 night packages starting Thursdays & Sundays. For the rest of the year there are no restrictions on arrival days, though there is a minimum stay of 3 nights during public holidays.

Rates* from: In 2024 from (double/twin room): Casa Caiman: R$4,237 (Feb, Mar, Dec) category Suite / room per night;  Villa Baiazinha: R$33.062/ night (for all 6 rooms)

In all properties: add Environmental Fee R$500 per package per person
*For full rates see Gallery and Resources box below.

Rates include:
Full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); non-alcoholic beverages; regular activities accompanied by Caimaners (bilingual guide Portuguese/ English) and field guide.

Minimum age: No restrictions for the Villa as private rental; 8 years for Casa Caiman and the included and optional activities, except for Onçafari (age 12, unless booked as part of a private group, when there’s no minimum age).

Minimum stay: See “Dates of Operation” above.

Senderos recommends: 3 to 4 nights to make the most of the various safari opportunities. Book additional excursion options with Onçafari and the Blue Hyacinth Macaw Project in advance.

Affiliations: The Long Run, Bee + Hive, Latin America Travel Association (LATA) Brazilian Luxury Tourism Association (BLTA).

Awards: 2017 finalist at the WTTC Tourism of Tomorrow Awards in the Environment category.

Stories:

Senderos stories celebrate the positive impact that sustainable and regenerative tourism can bring to destinations, communities and the environment.

  • Click here to learn more about the conservation efforts of Caiman and Onçafari.

“Ecotourism is a vehicle which enables conservationists, and biologists like me to approach the conversation with farmers in a different way. To share examples which prove jaguars are worth far more alive than dead.” Lilian Rampim

Sustainability

  • Caiman is home to some of the most respected conservation projects in Brazil, including the NGO Onçafari and its jaguar habituation project, by which wild jaguars become accustomed to vehicles so they can be tracked and studied.
  • Caiman and Oncafari were the first in the world to successfully rewild jaguars. The story of how two female cubs returned to independent lives in the wild was the subject of a BBC Natural World documentary by Joe Stevens with commentary from Sir David Attenborough.
  • Conservation projects include the hugely successful programme to breed Blue Hyacinth macaws and another to protect endangered blue-fronted parrots.
  • Caiman hosts an “RPPN” (Private Natural Heritage Reserve), protected in perpetuity by law, which is only visited by scientists studying the unique properties of the Pantanal landscape.
  • Caiman is a GER (Global Ecosphere Retreat) of the The Long Run – having undergone a vigorous recognition process

Need to know:

  • Not included are activities with Oncafari, the Blue Hyacinth Macaw Project, horse riding and birdwatching, which should be booked in advance as availability is limited. Rates on request.
  • Private guides are available at an extra cost on request.
  • Fixed packages and arrival days in high season (see Dates of Operation above).
  • Transfers are not included in package rates and should be booked through DMCs.
  • Recommended packing list.

Perfect for:

Wildlife enthusiasts and those looking for the best accommodation in the Pantanal.

Getting there

Set in 53,000 private hectares, Caiman Reserve is located 36km north of the town Miranda in the Southern Pantanal, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Villa Baiazinha is located 9 kms from Casa Caiman.

Road

By Road

Drive from Campo Grande (4 hours).

Aeroplane

By Air

Nearest airport: Campo Grande. Small (single and twin engine) private planes can fly from there directly to the grass landing strip at Caiman.

Weather

Dry Season (May to October): This is peak jaguar-spotting time, with most wildlife seeking out the reduced water supplies. The best bird watching is from July to September. Temperatures range from 16-34°C.
Wet Season (November to April): The cattle and wildlife of the Pantanal cluster together; there’s heavy rain generally starting in December through till March, which can lead to flooding. Temperatures range from 17-33°C. Within this period the Peak Season is from December to February, with temperatures ranging between 25-40°C.