Refúgio Ecológico Caiman, located in the Southern Pantanal, 236 km west of Campo Grande, State Capital of Mato Grosso do Sul, is settled on a 53,000 ha cattle ranch. The development combines 3 different activities being: cattle breeding, ecotourism & nature conservation.
Lodges:
Refúgio Ecológico Caiman comprises 4 different lodges:
Sede Lodge:
The old main house, constructed in Spanish-American style, has been adapted
to host 25 guests in 11 rooms and still hasn’t lost the charm of the “Casa
Grande” of a typical farm in the Pantanal. The close-by villa and the
mango grove (built and planted by the peons who work with cattle), richly
illustrate the local culture.
This lodge has a pool, dining room for 42 people, comfortable living rooms,
a bar, souvenir store, and telephone center with fax. It is the building
that houses the operational offices of Refúgio Ecológico Caiman. In the
gardens around the house, a number of birds that have come in search of
shelter and food can be observed. For the comfort of our guests, besides
the kitchen that offers a menu of typical local and international food,
all apartments have private bathrooms, hot water, screened windows, ceiling
fans, air conditioners and outlets adapted for 110 volts. The Pousada
SEDE, the old farm owners’ house, is like a family house, perfect for
a rest during the adventures that Caiman offers.
Baiazinha Lodge:
With bold architecture, built over a bay of crystal clear water, this
lodge is 9 kilometers from and totally independent of the SEDE. Pousada
Baiazinha has 6 apartments, each with a balcony with screen doors, air
conditioning, ceiling fan, private bathroom, hot water, and outlets adapted
for 110 volts.
The kitchen provides its guests with a delicious menu that is a mixture
of international and regional dishes. Here the guests have direct contact
with the cooks and can suggest repeating those dishes and desserts they
like a lot. From the living room there is an ample view of the bay that
gave the lodge its name and of the luxurious jungle that surrounds it.
From the deck or the pool, one can see a natural aquarium of various fish
and alligators, and from the top of the observation tower one can appreciate
the Pantanal as far as the eye can see. The rays of sun from the sunrise
over the water are a delight to the eyes of early risers. Here nature
is all around with its sounds, colors, shapes and movements for those
who want to enjoy the calm of a country retreat without leaving behind
the comforts of home.
Fourteen kilometers from the main lodge, the CORDILHEIRA, has 6 apartments, all with balconies with screened doors, air conditioning, ceiling fans, private bathrooms, hot water and outlets adapted to 110 volts.
In the Kitchen, the international and regional dishes are prepared with such perfection that the guests will praise the cooks, who are present to serve them in the best way possible. From the living room or the observation tower, one can watch the movement of the animals going about their natural activities throughout the whole day. From each apartment, all one has to do is open the balcony and the discovery of the Pantanal begins!
The house is decorated with kadweu Indian handicraft, creating on unique atmosphere. You might want to enjoy the sunset view over an old bridge over the lake between Piúva and Sede lodges.
Or you might enjoy the view from Piúva's Garden, located on higher grounds of the Pantanal. During the wet season, Flacks of Hyacinth Macaws fly round Piúva Lodge. When the rains cease and the region becomes dry large South American mammals, as the Giant Anteaters, may be spotted in the area.
Trekking: around the lodges for animal and vegetation observation. At night, one can also observe caimans and other nocturnal animals.
Horse back ride: is the best way to get into the heart of the Pantanal getting to places, which normally can not be reached by regular means of transportation.
Truck ride: on specially adapted vehicle to distant places, where a wider variety of animals and, sometimes, thousands of birds can be observed. On such rides one can notice the peculiarities and contrast of habitats along the way.
Row boat outing / Motor boat ride: on Sede and Baiazinha lakes. Row boat rides are very peaceful and one can enjoy the sounds of Nature. Motor boat rides allow the observation of flocks of birds at sunset.
Slides and video shows: lecture on the Pantanal ecosystem.
The "Caimaners" are our bilingual guides with college degree and knowledge on the local fauna & flora. They lead the excursions showing and explaining the different habitats. Native Guides also accompany our guests along with the Caimaners on the tours, born in the area they have great knowledge on the Nature.
