Safari to Bonito

such a delight to experience rural Brazil

The small town of Bonito lies in the Mato Grosso do Sul province of southwest Brazil.

Although very little-known outside the country, Bonito has become a significant hub for domestic tourism since around 2005, largely due to the various caves and crystal-clear rivers created by the local limestone rock.

Perhaps most excitingly, the town also has a much lesser-known reputation as being the best location on the continent for viewing giant anteaters (which are surprisingly difficult to approach in the better-known wildlife areas of the region.

The town remains relatively low-key, but does now have a reasonable selection of hotels and restaurants, making it a good base from which to explore the local attractions, most of which are tucked away on local farms.

Getting there

Bonito is located around 100 km (62 miles) south of Pantanal in southwest Brazil, making it an ideal extension to a visit to that famous wetland and wildlife location.

Access is usually via the main regional airport at Campo Grande (CGR), some 210 km (130 miles) to the northeast (about 4 hours by road). Wth the south part of Pantanal being about the same distance from the airport, a combination of the two areas makes a sensible overland route, through pleasant rural scenery all the way.

Connections with the lodges to the north of Pantanal are a little more complicated, usually involving a flight between Cuiaba and Campo Grande.

Campo Grande Airport (CGR) has multiple direct flights every day to Sao Paulo, with convenient connectors on to Rio de Janeiro and the Iguacu Falls.

added on to the end of a safari in Pantanal