I'm researching a potential multi-day solo packraft trip through the Pantanal towards Rio Paraguai & Corumba later in August/September. I acknowledge that without a guide I may not learn as much about any wildlife I might see, however, for me it is as much about the journey as what can be seen en route. In Scotland there is a right to roam on rivers and lands, but does anyone know whether it is possible to paddle down rivers in the Pantanal, or Brasil generally, without first seeking advance permission from each landowner whose land the rafter might pass through? If so, it would seem that the plan is doomed to fail! Thanks in anticipation.
1
fingindo
In Scotland, perhaps someone would care if something happened to you, and maybe come to your rescue.
In Brazil, you'd be on your own (and foolish to try, IMO).
2
netraveller
Many thanks for the feedback. Such a trip clearly has potential for problems, or worse, so a back-up plan is likely to feature a few days in a pousada, some time spent with a guide and some hopefully pottering about the streams, etc in the vicinity of the pousada.
3
jenny886
Where are you planning to start and end this trip? It sounds like you actually want to traverse the Pantanal from north to south?
The Pantanal is approximately 95% privately owned, so you will be travelling through private property. I imagine many of the farmers won´t be particularly bothered about you passing through, however I do know of one or two in the Nhecolandia area who are more fussy and do not like to have strangers on their land. My husband grew up in the Nhecolandia area and he knows where to go and where to avoid, but as an outsider I have to say that I find it impossible to know when we are passing from one persons land to another (although there are fences and gates, there is never any sign indicating whether both sides of the fence are on the same farm or if they are different!). In short, there is certainly no right to roam in the Pantanal, so I think you would have to contact the landowners, and I´m not sure it would be a good idea to head out into the Pantanal without a guide anyway.
Most people who visit the Pantanal stick to either the Transpantaneira in the north or the Estrada Parque in the south. Along these ´roads´ (dirt tracks) there are several pousadas, fazendas and hotels which take guests and offer tour packages. If you want to go much deeper into the Pantanal, I would suggest you get in touch with Fazenda Quatro Cantos, which is right in the middle of the Pantanal. They offer tour packages or just accommodation, although getting to them is quite difficult and expensive.
4
colebozbourne
I crossed the Pantanal starting in Cuiaba heading down the Transpantanal Highway to Porto Jofre. From there I caught a boat to Porto Alegre (not the city), a place along the river where Gauchos from the interior and supplies for Fazendas are dropped off and picked up. I caught another boat there hauling horses, and I heard of some fishing boats too. We traveled the Rio Paraguai and the trip ended in Corumba. Accurate information is hard to get even if you speak Portuguese. I don't know if you need land owner's permission to travel the river, but I can imagine you would if you stopped on their land for whatever reason. There are no fences or gates in the middle of the river. I wouldn't attempt to navigate it myself, but it sounds like an adventure. If you'll be on a raft I assume you'll know which way the currents are going. Good luck!
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