Among nature lovers and wildlife photographers, the Pantanal is no longer a secret – at least not for those interested in high-level wildlife observation. While the region rarely features in mainstream global tourism, it’s considered one of the most important destinations in ecotourism. And rightly so: it’s the best place in the world to spot jaguars in the wild – outside of Africa, few places can compete for top-tier wildlife safaris.

Between 150,000 and 200,000 travelers visit the Pantanal each year – roughly half go to the northern part, the rest to the south. Geographically, our project is located in the western Pantanal, but due to access routes and infrastructure, we are effectively part of the northern Pantanal. And this is where almost all ecotourism activities concentrate – especially along the well-known Transpantaneira road. In Porto Jofre, the main jaguar safari hub, up to 40–50 boats crowd a single jaguar sighting during peak season. Prices are high, and experiences can feel standardized. (The photo for this blog post was taken there.)

Our vision was born from the desire to offer an alternative: an authentic, exclusive wildlife experience away from mass tourism, yet with the same quality of animal encounters. And in fact, the demand is clearly there. Particularly agencies and experienced tour operators who already know the Pantanal are actively looking for new, quieter regions for their guests. Many have realized that Porto Jofre has reached its capacity – and have responded with great enthusiasm to what we offer.

The real challenge isn’t demand – it’s supply.
Ironically, that’s where we expected the biggest hurdles. But to our surprise, the greater obstacle lies locally, on the supply side.

While we quickly found passionate boatmen, fishermen, and wildlife guides who support our vision, we face serious difficulties finding accommodation partners willing to cooperate. Many lodges along the Rio Paraguai focus exclusively on fishing tourism – a sector that is labor-intensive, often less profitable, and considerably more demanding for staff. What we’ve learned: fishing and wildlife tourism are rarely compatible. Their workflows, needs, and target audiences often contradict each other. In practice, these two types of tourism frequently work against each other.

So, the idea of reaching new guest segments with us is often met with hesitation, lack of understanding, or simply disinterest.

Even local authorities struggle to grasp the enormous potential that nature tourism could bring to this region – in terms of environmental protection, visibility and preservation of local culture, and as a long-term economic perspective.

We expected many challenges – but not that local outreach would be the toughest. Yet here we are, facing it head-on. And with every group we guide, every photo we share, and every conversation we have, awareness and curiosity grow – slowly but surely.

2025 is the year we plant the seeds.
Not just in terms of building infrastructure or launching operations – but above all, in the hearts and minds of the people here. Every successful tour, every interested partner, and every bit of guest feedback is part of a long-term transformation.

We’re deeply grateful for the support of our wonderful guests and partners – and we look ahead to the coming season with optimism. 2026 could be the year our vision takes off.