- Drive to the sleepy town of Poconé
- Midday rest with great heat and humidity
- First safari along the Transpantaneira
- Birds of all sizes, colors and shapes spotted
- Watch caimans crossing the street
The two-hour flight in the brand-new GOL machine saves us a 35-hour bus journey and was only slightly more expensive thanks to early booking. We come in pretty tired from the long day Cuiaba at. There we get into a taxi and let us take us to the pre-booked hotel, where we quickly go to bed.
After a short but comfortable night, that's it rich breakfast buffet a welcome strengthening. At 10 a.m. we are picked up by Fabricio Dorileo, our guide for the next few days, as agreed. In his somewhat aging car we drive south in the direction of Poconé. The dead straight road riddled with potholes leads slowly through the transition zone of the savanna-like Cerrado down into the swamps of the Pantanal. Herds of cattle graze everywhere, some soy plantations can be seen and one too Carakara we get to see.
Then we reach the sleepy nest Poconé, where we move into our room for the first night and take a rest. Due to our short-term booking, our safari jeep is not yet available. We march into the center, where we buy a snack in the supermarket. The high humidity in combination with over 30 degrees makes us sweat. The remains of huge run-over insects are scattered all over the street. Then shortly after 4 a.m. Fabricio appears with ours Safari jeep. The converted pickup offers us a comfortable, elevated seat with a great view. So let's go, I can't wait.
Soon we will have the last kilometers of asphalt behind us and on the unpaved Transpantaneira goes leisurely. It's teeming with birds here. There are all kinds of sorts everywhere Herons, kingfishers, parrots, jabiru storks and other bird species to see.
Yes, a splendid one Toucan We see briefly in the thick foliage. Next, we get to see a larger relative: the ostrich-like one Rhea.
There is always something new to discover between the meadows, fields and swamps. The street is being turned over by someone Pantanal caiman crossed, which, quite typical of a lizard, wants to go to the next pond.
We will see further Peccaries and one Swamp deer. After almost two hours and a great first impression, we make our way back. The gathering storm clouds give the evening mood a strange atmosphere. The sky literally glows purple-orange.
When we are back at the simple hotel it starts to rain. When we said goodbye to Fabricio, we noticed that the restaurant was not open in the evening. Fortunately, the hotel employee can order us a weird but tasty pizza.
