Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Americas

Amsterdam to Brazil: Bonito and the southern Pantanal

Amsterdam → Campo Grande → Bonito → Pantanal

Pantanal
"Pantanal,_south-central_South_America_5170.jpg" by Alicia Yo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Clear rivers & wetland wildlife Best season (general guide): May–Sep

The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland, and it is one of the best places in South America to see wildlife. This route combines it with Bonito, a town known for its crystal-clear rivers. From Amsterdam you'll connect through São Paulo to Campo Grande.

How to pace it: Spend day one in Campo Grande: arrive and settle in. Then spend days two to four in Bonito: day two, road to Bonito; day three, float down a clear river; day four, Gruta do Lago Azul. Then spend days five to seven in Pantanal: day five, into the Pantanal, then lodge; day six, boat safari and birdwatching; day seven, night drive and dawn walk.

Campo Grande is the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul and the gateway to the region. After a night there, the road leads to Bonito.

Bonito is known for its crystal-clear rivers, and floating gently downriver on a guided trip is the classic outing. The Gruta do Lago Azul is a cave with a deep blue lake inside. Visits in Bonito are controlled, and most activities must be booked through local agencies.

The southern Pantanal is reached by road. Lodges offer boat trips, horse rides and night drives, and visitors often see caimans, capybaras and many birds, including the hyacinth macaw. Jaguars are present but rarely seen in this part of the wetland. UNESCO lists part of the Pantanal as a conservation area.

May to September is the dry season, when wildlife gathers around the water and is easiest to see.

Many Pantanal lodges are on working cattle ranches, and some offer horse riding with local cowboys, called pantaneiros. Evenings bring a chorus of frogs and insects, and the night sky is often clear. Bonito's town centre has restaurants serving local fish such as pacu and pintado.

Good to know: Book Bonito activities in advance, as visitor numbers are limited. Pantanal lodges usually include meals and guided activities. Bring insect repellent and binoculars.

Bring a dry bag, a light long-sleeved top and insect repellent for the river trips and the lodge walks.

Suggested outline

  1. Amsterdam

    Start

  2. Campo Grande

    By air · 1 night suggested

    State capital and gateway to Bonito and the Pantanal.

    Campo Grande Mato Grosso do Sul
    "Vista de Campo Grande (Mato Grosso do Sul).JPG" by Alexanderps, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

  3. Bonito

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    Crystal-clear rivers to float down and the Blue Lake Cave.

    Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul
    "Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul.jpg" by Coordenação-Geral de Observação da Terra/INPE, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Pantanal

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    The world's largest tropical wetland, rich in birds, caimans and capybaras.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Campo Grande — Arrive in Campo Grande· Amsterdam → Campo Grande (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Bonito — Road to Bonito· Campo Grande → Bonito (overland)
  3. Day 3 · Bonito — Float down a clear river
  4. Day 4 · Bonito — Gruta do Lago Azul
  5. Day 5 · Pantanal — Into the Pantanal; lodge· Bonito → Pantanal (overland)
  6. Day 6 · Pantanal — Boat safari and birdwatching
  7. Day 7 · Pantanal — Night drive and dawn walk
  8. Day 8 · Pantanal — Travel home from Pantanal· Pantanal → Campo Grande (overland), then Campo Grande → Amsterdam (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Campo Grande

More about Campo Grande →

Plan the trip: Campo Grande

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Bonito

More about Bonito →

Plan the trip: Bonito

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Pantanal

Nearest airport: Campo Grande Search fares · Campo Grande ↗

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.