Hotel Fazenda Baia das Pedras, Pantanal Sul (Nhecolândia), Mato Grosso do Sul - recommended- review pending

The Hotel Fazenda Baia das Pedras is located 3 hours drive from the nearest village and 6 hours from nearest city Campo Grande which means it must surely qualify as the most hidden of all the hidden pousadas. It also qualifies as one of the most amazing places on earth!

Located at the centre of a 15000 hectares  ranch the main house was built in 1960, but only became a pousada  after its refurbishment in 2003. Owners Rita and Doio not only live on site but also personally receive guests and accompany them on the many expeditions out to see birds (hundreds of varieties) and animals- deer, racoon, capybara, anteaters, cayman - the list is endless.

The five suites are fairly basic, but large clean and comfortable with good airconditioning and hot showers; the main house is spacious, and airy with verandas, hammocks and a lounge and dining area where guests mingle and share homecooked buffet style food. Full board is included in the daily rate as are all the bird and animal watching excursions and horseriding the beautiful Pantaneiro horses. Altogether a really exceptional and unique experience in wonderful company.

The first thing to say about the Pantanal is that it is huge- 250,000 square kilometres in total: an area where you could fit the 3 countries of France, Switzerland and ireland and still have room to spare. The other thing to note is that if you are a bird or animal lover you will see much more here than in most parts of the better known Amazon region of Brazil. Just the variety of birds and flora and fauna is extraordinary: 100 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, 177 reptiles and 250 different fish.

One of the largest wetlands on earth the Pantanal covers a large part of 2 Brazilian states, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul and in the rainy season between December and April, the waters of the alluvial plain rise up to 3 metres, making large expanses of the region impassable except by plane or specially equipped 4x4 vehicles.

The city of Campo Grande is the major gateway to the South Pantanal- and the only large centre of population in Mato Grosso do Sul.  From here, unless you want to charter a small plane,  it will take you another 6 hours by 4x4 to get to the Hotel Fazenda Baia das Pedras (organised by the pousada). The last 3.5 hours of this  is along dirt and, when we did it, completely deserted roads, but the trip is most definitely worth it for the experience you get at the other end. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

• Photographic safari around the ranch
• Horseriding the Pantaneira horses
• Bird and animal watching
• Chilling in the hammocks under the mango trees
• Incredible sunsets

• The variety of wildlife on the ranch
• Hospitality of Rita and Doio
• Home-made food
• Sense of total tranquility

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Price Guide

Prices below are low season rates for two people in brazilian reais (R$). Standard double room, with en-suite shower room, breakfast included.

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