#araguaia trip exploration cerrado

[octaviocampossalles-blog]

I’m currently developing a new option for our extension to the cerrado of central Brazil. This is the headwaters of the mighty Araguaia River, it crosses a huge part of Brazil all the way north to the mouth of the Amazon River. 

The headwaters are very scenic, with clear water and beautiful gallery forest surrounding it. This is the place where Instituto Onça-Pintada, our partner for our Scientific Extension to the Pantanal South & North trip, develops an important conservation work. The river and its surrounding forest acts like a vital corridor between the Amazon and the Cerrado and even the Pantanal. Jaguars and other animals use this as a connection with different populations, enhancing the genetic quality. Instituto Onça-Pintada is working alongside farmers to conserve and reforest important areas that connect this with the nearby Emas National Park.

The vegetation around is gorgeous, with a profusion of orchids, like this Brassavola tuberculata. 

There are lots of birds, like Blue-and-yellow Macaws, that nest on dead Mauritia Palms. 

Mammals are present too. Instituto Onça-Pintada has several camera trap  images of Jaguars on the river. Tapir, like this one with client and friend Patrick Meier photographing, are more common. 

Famous Jaguar biologist Leandro Silveira guiding us there. In the future we plan on also creating downriver canoe trips there, stopping for lunch on a river beach or even a longer trip with good camping for a night under the moon. It’s the kind of place nature lovers just feel at home.