Price
2026
7 nights – $6,370 per person, sharing.
Dates & Prices
BRAZIL
The Pantanal Riding Safari
Overview
A riding holiday for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, a trip where you imagine yourself in the middle of a National Geographic documentary! See exotic animals in there natural habitat in a wild and wet territory, in the largest wetlands of the world. Visited by the lucky few, in few other places on the planet you can see as much wildlife as in the Pantanal. The Amazon may well run away with the fame and reputation, but there is no doubt, the Pantanal is the best place in South America to spot wildlife.
The Pantanal, a pristine and almost unknown region is massive, nearly half the size of France. It not only has the greatest biodiversity of the entire American continent but it is also an authentic cowboy culture! Nature, wildlife and cowboys are the obvious choice for a riding adventure if you love horses!
The Brazilian cowboy or Pantaneiro is a living legend in his country, he lives and breaths his work and and the region is proud of its century-old cowboy or rather Pantaneiro tradition. There really is no other riding adventure to equal this one which delivers, a unique environment of outstanding beauty and nature, plus the working environment of the Brazilian Pantaeiro.
The Pantaneiros will saddle their Pantanal horses for you, fast horses, well behaved, light in the mouth and a real pleasure to ride. Together with the Pantaneiros, the only true connoisseurs of the area, you will go for some cattle work in the field and get acquainted with their cowboy culture, lassoing, rounding up the cattle, learn about their music, customs and habits. They take you along on their wilderness trips which guarantees adventure, encounters with wild animals, action, super canters and a 100% latino atmosphere! You will be staying in 3 different Fazendas (farms). On average you will spend 6 hours per day in the saddle.
The Pantanal, also known as 'terra de ninguém' (no man’s land) is a lush half-open tropical territory, which annually in the rainy season (Oct to March) sets large parts of the Pantanal under water. Water and sunshine, a dream combination for luxuriant vegetation and a wonderful habitat for some of the most fascinating animals in our world. 270 different bird species including all colours of macaws, toucans, ibis, kingfisher, colibri, jabiru-stork, and many more. In waterholes and rivers are living cayman, giant river otters and piranhas. Have you ever fished for piranhas? Well, on this trip you will for sure! Furthermore we have the opportunity to encounter anacondas, iguanas, anteaters, capybaras and monkeys. Last but not least, the Pantanal offers you the best chance in the world to see the Jaguar. This is National Geographic in all it’s glory in an area very little known and visited by the outside world.
A bit about Paul Codeny, your ride leader
Paul Coudenys, originally born in Belgium, at the age of 21, travelled backpacking around the globe. Three years later and with a luggage full of travel and riding experiences he returned to Belgium. During his long journey, he worked as a blacksmith shoeing horses at the polo club in Singapore and cowboy at a cattle station in Australia, then became a gaucho in South America and as a rider in too many other places and countries to mention.
In 1996 he founded “Hippo-Trek” and became one of the pioneers of worldwide riding holidays in Europe. Paul rode horses in 53 different countries and is in our opinion one of the most experienced trail riders in the world. After years of experience in organising and guiding equestrian holidays and riding expeditions around the world, he now concentrates on trail rides and equestrian tourism in Latin America. He speaks 6 languages, loves life, is a very social person and knows like no other how to take you on a ride on the wild side!
Jill visited here and says:
"A mind blowing place where horse and nature exist in harmony – if you have already been to Africa and been on a riding safari, then this place has to be next on your list, it offers a similar type of adventurous riding, coupled with the most joyous wildlife interactions!”
Location
Pantanal, Brazil
Airport
Campo Grande, Brazil
Duration
7 nights
When to go
May - June
Riding level
Intermediate to Advanced
Weight
100 kg / 15.7 stone / 220 lbs
Group size
4 - 10
Accommodation
Authentic farm stays and wilderness camp
Included
All riding, full board accommodation, drinks, snacks, guiding, back up vehicle, tours and recreational activities in the programming of each Fazenda.
Extras
Single supplement – We cannot guarantee single rooms, but if available we will offer them to you at no extra charge.
$33 sales booking tax per person.
Excluded
Flights, transfers, tips and $33 booking sales tax per person.
Price guarantee
All our riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book with us and will refund the difference should you find the same riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
Exchange rate
Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details.
Transfers
You will be picked up at the Campo Grande airport on arrival. Transfer by 4×4 vehicle from Campo Grande to Baia das Pedras and return from El Dorado to Campo Grande. The all-terrain vehicles will take 3 passengers per car, that way you will travel comfortably to and from the Pantanal.
The cost for this all-terrain private transfer both ways is $795 per person. A drive of minimum of 6 to 8 hours in the wilderness each way.
Transfer by private Cessna plane to and from the last farm is also possible, please ask for info and prices. Transfer time per Cessna is 50 minutes.
Departure dates
2026
18 - 25 May
22 - 29 June
You can also easily book private groups, minimum number of 4.
Riding & Itinerary
Horses – The Pantaneiro (similar to the Criollo), a beautiful horse, usually grey and easy to ride. Average height 15.2hh. They are well adapted to the wet environment, run barefoot over sandy tracks and through high waters and can eat grass under water.
Day 1
Upon arrival at the airport of Campo Grande you’ll be greeted by your guide Paul. Transfer by 4×4 vehicle from Campo Grande – to Baia das Pedras. The all-terrain vehicles will take 3 persons per car for a comfortable travel. The drive will be minimum of 6 to 8 hours in the wilderness.
On the front door of the fazenda enjoy a welcome drink, room distribution and presentation of the region, general information about the Pantanal and the programme for the next days. If time allows, we will have our first ride in the afternoon. We get to know the horses and get a first impression of the Pantanal. The Pantaneiro horses are strong, well trained and very agile, the local pantaneiro saddles are extremely comfortable. Dinner and overnight at Fazenda Baia das Pedras.
Day 2
With its approximately 16,000 acres of land and 4,000 head of cattle, Fazenda Baia das Pedras is a real Brazilian cattle farm. We meet with the local cowboys and their culture. Here we may just roll up our sleeves and help the cowboys to round up the cattle on horseback. The Fazenda is located in an immense area on the banks of the Castelo Vazante river, amid a lot of rich nature and wildlife. You can see animals like, capybaras, howler monkeys, crocodiles, wild pigs, peccaries, coatis, tapirs, and hundreds of birds, including toucans, araras, storks, parrots, parakeets and many more.
Every day we will be about 6 hours in the saddle, divided into 2 rides, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Day 3 - 4
After an early breakfast we saddle the horses and go for a ride to Fazenda Primavera. Today is a full day in the saddle. We ride through the beautiful landscape of Vazante Castelo, where we observe the abundant wildlife of the Pantanal in a unique and untouched landscape. We follow an open area surrounded by native bush adjacent to the bed of the river and see the incredible amount of birds foraging.
Once at resting place Retiro Sao Luis, we meet the back-up vehicle with our luggage and field kitchen. We have lunch and continue our journey in the afternoon. A true horseman expedition through the wilderness. We arrive at the territory of Fazenda Primavera but not at an actual lodge. Here we will stay at a wilderness camp not far from the fazenda. In a beautiful and isolated area you will be welcomed into a unique wooden bush camp, where we will sleep in hammocks under a fixed roof, with mosquito net walls, it has a kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Dinner and overnight in the wilderness.
The next morning after breakfast we walk to the River to take a closer look. Take pictures of alligators, capybara and the many bird species. We enjoy a second coffee in the cozy camp overlooking the wilderness. In the afternoon we ride out on horseback into the middle of the wilderness. At sunset an opportunity to take beautiful pictures and after supper we can go with a torch to the River to see the orange eyes of the crocodiles. We sleep for a second night in a hammock. You will be surprised how well you will sleep in a genuine Brazilian hammock!
Day 5
After breakfast at sunrise we will mount our horses and ride through the Pantanal to Fazenda Barra Mansa. From the saddle we discover how the Pantanal awakes. We notice how the landscape is changing as we get to the area of the Rio Negro. We arrive for lunch at Fazenda Barra Mansa.
In the afternoon we go on a boat expedition on the Rio Negro, stopping at beautiful white sand beaches on the shores, where you can bathe in the river or go fishing for piranhas. We enjoy a delicious aperitif at the fazenda and listen to the stories of the past days. Overnight in this authentic fazenda.
Day 6 - 7
Located in a very special and secluded area Fazenda Barra Mansa is considered the most wild and unspoilt area of the Pantanal. The fazenda is situated on the banks of the Rio Negro, where it is possible to go on boat and canoe expeditions and see the natural beauty and wildlife of the region. Alligators, otters, capybaras, anacondas, and even maybe the jaguar, are animals you can see there. We will also ride in the same area, so you discover it in two different ways, from the water and in the saddle.
Day 8
Departure after breakfast in all terrain vehicle (transfer time 6-8 hours) to the city of Campo Grande. Farewell and the end of an unforgettable wilderness journey.
Note: We will do everything possible to follow the indicated itinerary, although spot changes can occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Rides are subject to change depending on weather, location and difficulty of terrain. In the unlikely event that this happens on your trip, we ask for your flexibility and understanding.
Horses
The Pantaneiro
Riding level
Intermediate to Advanced
Type of riding
Western style neck reining.
Tack
Authentic and comfortable Pantaneiro style saddles covered with brightly coloured sheepskins
Weight limit
100 kg / 15.7 stone / 220 lbs
Group size
4 - 10
Accommodation & Meals
All the fazendas (farm stays) have been carefully chosen for their individuality and charm. Rooms allocated on sharing basis, and single bookings will have a single room whenever one is available.
Two nights are spent at a wilderness camp, a unique wooden bush camp in an isolated area. Here you will sleep in hammocks under a fixed roof with mosquito net walls. The camp has a kitchen and 2 bathrooms.
Brazil has a rich cuisine. The country is a mixture of European, Indian, African and Asian cultures and is reflected in the way the Brazilians cook. Especially the Italian and African cuisines have great influence on Brazilian cuisine.
The main dishes are mostly rice and beans (Feijão) and sauces, with lots of meat or fish and salads. From region to region one has its own traditional dishes. Along the coast you will find more fish and shrimp dishes, in the south the tasty meat grill’s (Churrasco) will surprise you. In the Pantanal home cooked, country style meals are often prepared on wood stoves, which give it a special flavour.
Accommodation
Authentic farm stays and wilderness camp
Single Supplement
We cannot guarantee single rooms, but if available they're offered at no extra charge
Meals
Inform us about food allergies and intolerances
Drinks
All drinks included
The Destination
The Pantanal is a natural region encompassing the world's largest tropical wetland area, and the world's largest flooded grasslands. It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, but it extends into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay.
The Pantanal, though less famous than the Amazon in the north, is a highly diverse ecosystem with over 4700 plant and animal species. Interestingly, it has the highest concentration of certain wildlife species in South America, including the jaguar and caiman.
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