Guest reviews Caiman Lodge, Pantanal

by SquirrelyCody London, United Kingdom

Super with Oncafari and Hyacinth Macaw project

Stayed in the main lodge [owners house] - stunning property. Proper pool for a decent swim. Staff great. Quality of food very high. The different lodges also share some evening meals including a churruascario with music, and a meal in a lighted grove. The B lodge was open and looked lovely. All rooms with a view over the lake, small verandah and hammock. Really lovely lounge, a deck and a pool. The C lodge was closed after the fire. We also had drives with Oncafari as well as the lodge. In total over 4 days / 5 nights - 10 different jaguars, anteater, tapir, lizards, tonnes of birds. Half a day with the hyacinth macaw project which was really interesting and the opportunity to see a chick up close. Also to plant a tree that in 50 years will have matured enough to provide a cavity for the macaws to nest in. Caiman is recovering from the devastating fire, and as above there are still plenty of animals and great sightings. Very very good stay.

by Carla_2009 Lincolnshire, UK

Even in devastation they were magnificent

Staying in Baiazinha Lodge was incredible. With all the guest arriving on the same day for the same duration means we all explored the environment together. The Lodge itself with its own manager is a delight, large recreation areas, the deck and pool. Our room overlooked a large tree on the lagoon where up to 300 white egrets would roost, flying away from about 5.30 (worth getting up for!) The food was excellent and plentiful. We had shared afternoon/evening game drive the day of arrival seeing an amazing array of wildlife and birds. We had book a shared Oncafari and we were lucky enough to find 2 different Jaguars and their cubs, along with rafts of birds and four legged beasts. The 2nd day we had a private Oncafari, which was fantastic, our guide was incredible, and our driver was a guide on the Maned Wolf Project, we learnt so much. Sadly, and devastatingly that day the fire that jumped the river started to consume the reserve and after lunch we were evacuated to The Old Farmers House, the rooms were enormous, with large enclosed indoor terraces. Set around a courtyard with central pool, we were advised this was Jaguar territory too so no wandering around alone at night – plenty of scat as proof! We were escorted at mealtimes (when dark) over to The Owners House for all our meals. The guest from Cordilheria had been evacuated here. The staff worked tirelessly to keep up safe and informed as to what was happening. There was absolutely no drop in the standard of care, All staff were all devastated by what was happening in the reserve with the animals and the fauna. The staff that live within the estate had all also been evacuated from their homes. Given the devastation that was unfolding the way we were treated / looked after / kept informed / offered new lodge locations was incredible. They liaised with our Brazilian and UK agents about onward connections. They way they held it all together is exemplary. I would love to get back there one day and finish what we started because what we did see blew us away.

by KI-NRT San Jose, California

The closest you'll get to a high-quality African safari experience in the Pantanal

As veteran nature enthusiasts, we researched long and hard for places that offered high-end accommodations, key amenities, good food, low guest count, beautiful environments, an ethical approach to conservation and - most importantly - a high density of wildlife. Caiman Ecological Refuge checked all of those boxes, and then some. Of the two lodges at Caiman, we felt that rooms at Cordilheira Lodge offered more space and comfort, and we were not disappointed. The property is stylish, comfortable and well maintained; it's very reminiscent of the nicer safari lodges in Africa, which is sorely lacking in the Pantanal. At Cordilheira, the suites have separate bedrooms and living rooms, which is key for allowing Mrs. KI-NRT to sleep in peace while I go over the hundreds of photos I shoot at every outing. The rooms are completely sealed from the elements (like most Pantanal lodges), and have very functional air conditioning, which came in very handy during the midday that can approach 40C. The rooms are solidly built with good privacy, and with good noise insulation, yet is just a very short walk to the common area. Everything is stylishly adorned, from the furniture to the carpets to the paintings on the wall. The decor was definitely a highlight of this property. Service was very polished... The English skills of the staff were excellent, and they were warm, professional and catered to our every need. It is readily apparent that Caiman definitely attracts the best guides and service professional from all of Brazil. The evening that we arrived, they gave a nice presentation of the Pantanal, the environment, various conservation initiatives, the history of Caiman Ecological Refuge and its flora and fauna. The vehicles were open air with high canopies, which are perfect for viewing and photographing. They're also modern and in good shape - similar to the ones you see prowling the savannas of Africa. We chose to go on a private outing for three of our 4 days at Caiman with Onçafari, a team whose mission is to protect Jaguars via habituation, a process by which jaguars become gradually more tolerant of humans and vehicles, which both helps in the research of these charismatic felines, and helps increase tourism that results from the increased sightings of the big cat. We learned a great deal of Onçafari's various initiatives, the Jaguars it researches (we now know many of them by name) and had a chance to track some of the cats that have been radio collared. We also got to visit an large, enclosed area that is being used to train Jaguars to be functional in the wild (they are often ones that have lost their mothers that were killed by farmers or poachers), and were lucky enough to get a glimpse of Jatobazinho, a shy young male that is currently in the process of being "re-wilded." By no means, however, is Onçafari a Jaguar-only experience. Mario Nelson and Stephanie (our private driver and guide) were adept at spotting a variety of animals, including Tapir, Giant Anteaters, Black Capuchin Monkeys and a whole host of awesome birds, including the Hyacinth Macaws. Speaking of the Hyacinth Macaws, we spent the final morning going out in the field with Kefany and Lucas, two members of Arara Azul (I.e. Hyacinth Macaw Project), a Hyacinth Macaw research and conservation organization. Over the course of the morning, we learned about their habitat, the threats they face, and the work being undertaken by Arara Azul to protect the species. The food was buffet style, but of high quality. When you consider that Cordilheira Lodge only has six guest rooms, the sheer variety of dishes that they offer at every meal is astonishing. Not every offering is amazing, but the overall quality is high and there should be enough on offer to fill the belly of most foodies. Those (like us) who seek a Singita, Great Plains or Wilderness Safari experience in the Pantanal, Caiman is as close as it gets. Even if it's not what you're looking for, the exclusivity, the high density of Jaguars and the various conservation projects taking place at Caiman makes it worth the splurge.

by Chantal L London, United Kingdom

Eden!

One of my best nature trips ever. The lodge is so well-run, with lovely staff, great food, and plenty of places to chill and get to know the wildlife better - birds, caimans, and capybara galore. There was so much to see and wonder at whether you were sitting on the deck, or going for a stroll nearby, or of course, going on "safari". Obviously, it isn't quite like going on safari in the African bush, but it feels similar in a lot of ways. We saw anteaters (including a baby on its mother's back), eagles, peccaries, and jaguars. We opted for the additional day out with Oncasafari, a conservation initiative, and it was money incredibly well spent (not only are you helping to fund conservation and research, but jaguars with radio collars are less likely to be killed by ranchers). We saw jaguar cubs as well - unforgettable, as was sitting on the lawn outside the lodge watching the capybara happily graze. I would love to go back.

by Thais R Sao Paulo, SP

Best choice!

The lodge is excellent. Service is great. People are extremely friendly and helpful, always with a smile on their faces.Wildlife is awesome. The Oncafari and Blue Macaw project is really worth a visit. We saw jaguars every day and were guided by very professional guides who are in passion with protecting animals. Worth a visit to the agro forest and see all they grow.