Pantanal, the last eden!

Wow, where to start. Pantanal was one of my favorite places in the world when I first visited in 2004 and still is my favorite place now that I visited it again in 2017. My visit in 2004 was purely for travel and was a short staying in the Pantanal is expensive. When I heard about a volunteering program in the Pantanal that lets you train and become a wildlife guide I was immediately sold! Being able to stay in the Pantanal for weeks instead of just a few days? HECK yeah!

It is honestly hard to believe that the Pantanal is still flying under the radar for so many travelers visiting Brazil. It is hansdown one of the best places in the world to see a wide and great variety of wildlife. Only places Like the Masai Mara in Kenya really come close except that the Pantanal is way more beautiful landscape wise.

Thanks Fronteering for making my dream come true at my age of 63! Everything was arranged top notch and all the people I had to deal with both at the host organization and at Fronteering were kind and helpful!

Becoming a wildlife guide was so amazing, the horse riding, the fishing, the bird watching, the search for wildlife, kayaking, jeep safari's. I've learned so much and got to experience so much. We saw such a variety of wildlife that it is too much to keep track. What was my favourite encounter? The Tapir and Giant anteaters were definitely highlands but of course seeing is a Jaguar in the wild is hard to beat!

I recommend this trip to anyone who is a wildlife lover and I give this trip a 10 out of 10. I did give this program a 8 for Impact as it is a voluntourism program and your impact is not direct however more longterm as through wildlife tourism in a responsible way the wildlife can be protected. One of the great things about this area is that they no longer hunt there (safe for the feral pigs that are a pest) and that is all to thanks to eco-tourism!

What a wonderful we world we live in! It is out there, just go and and enjoy it no matter your age or goals in life!