BIG CAT OBSESSIVES

Sprawling across southwest Brazil, the Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland and one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on the planet. Stay on a boat instead of in a hotel, and you’ll have the same perspective as the wildlife that lives in this lush region. Sunvil’s six-night Northern Pantanal cruise, which goes between Caceres and Porto Jofre, takes you onto lakes, into lagoons and skirts land in hope of seeing the Pantanal’s jaguars, as elusive as they are iconic.

Like the Northern Territory trip, this is about the destination, rather than the 10-berth boat — which lacks bells and whistles, but has kayaks and speedboats to zoom you right into the most remote spots. In the Taiaman Ecological Reserve you’ll hit the speedboats to go in search of jaguars, explore an archaeological park to see the beginnings of humanity in the area; and in the shadow of the Amolar mountains, the boat will dance through a patchwork of giant water lilies. There’s even Meeting of the Waters state park, where the Piquiri, Cuiabá and Three Brothers rivers swirl into each other. Who needs the Amazon when you’ve got the Pantanal?

Sunvil offers six nights from £2,940 per person, including full board, and transfers to and from Cuiaba airport. Flights and extra activities (riding, hiking and 4x4 safaris) are excluded. Departs 7 and 21 August 2022. sunvil.co.uk