German
Brazil: Marshland Pantanal
July 2024
Pantanal, magnificent marshland landscape
The Pantanal is the largest inland wetland in the world. The marshland is almost half the size of Germany and is mainly located in Brazil, while around a third belongs to Bolivia and Paraguay. The area is completely under water for up to six months of the year and serves as an important refuge for numerous animals. The entire area covers around 200,000 square kilometers. In 2000, the species-rich wetland biotope was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
First we did a loop in the southern Pantanal. Then we drove from Poconé in the north, the gateway to the famous, notorious Transpantaneira, the 150 km track to Porto Jofre.
At the start there is a sign saying vehicles for 5 tons only.
15 years ago, we drove part of the Pantanal in a 22-ton Robusto. Back then, we still had to drive around many wooden bridges by fording. Now we encountered cattle trucks with nine axles on the normal track.
Many of the critical bridges were defused with concrete elements, and some were also filled in as dams.
The diversity of wildlife is still magnificent. Unfortunately, the increase in tourism in recent years has resulted in jaguars being fed in some of the lodges.
There has also been a lot in the press recently about huge fires in the Pantanal. Mostly probably slash-and-burn. Fortunately, we saw neither fire nor smoke.
