Araras Eco Lodge

guiding focus and a hyacinth macaw nesting site

Araras Eco Lodge sits toward the southern end of the Transpantaneira, on a reserve of just over 1,000 hectares of dry gallery forest, woodland and wetland lakes, a noticeably drier and more wooded habitat than the open country further north on the road.

The lodge is owned by Andre, an ex-guide, and this shows in how the place is run. Every staff guide must have a minimum of five years’ guiding experience before joining, and Andre works with his team long-term rather than rotating through seasonal hires.

On our visit, this was the standout lodge of the whole Transpantaneira for feel and atmosphere. It strikes a balance between a traditional Pantanal ranch and the touches of an African safari camp: open-sided dining, shade trees, and a genuine communal mood. A pre-safari snack ritual before guests head out is a small detail that does real work, giving the group a moment together rather than simply dispersing to a truck. Natural water features around the lodge draw good birdlife, and a hyacinth macaw nesting box has become a reliable, highly visible fixture.

The lodge has run an electric perimeter fence since 2025, after a sub-adult male jaguar took to visiting regularly, on one occasion found beneath a guest room veranda. It is not the prettiest addition to the grounds, but once the reason is understood it sits comfortably rather than feeling intrusive.

Rooms

Very comfatable, good-sized, simply and tastefully decorated, with private veranda access onto the gardens. A small number can be configured for families.

• Suite : x19 : double or twin configuration, air-conditioned, with private veranda, hammock and screened windows

Activities

Araras Eco Lodge provides the following guided activities, not all of which are necessarily included in the room rate:

• Vehicle safari
• Walking safari
• Horseback riding
• Canoe safari on the lake, water levels permitting
• Night safari
• Boardwalk and tower walks (two towers on the property)
• Full-day jaguar boat trip to Porto Jofre (the ‘Jaguar Express’)

The main tower, reached along a boardwalk, is the best vantage point on the property and a reliable spot for howler monkeys. For guests who want a jaguar sighting without a Porto Jofre stay, the full-day Jaguar Express boat trip down to the river system and back is a long day but returns to a very comfortable lodge.