scenic road / safari · Corumbá, MS
Estrada Parque Pantanal
About 120 km of dirt road crossing the Southern Pantanal between Corumbá and the BR-262, with wooden bridges and wildlife in sight the whole way. You can drive it on your own.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Estrada Parque Pantanal
The Estrada Parque Pantanal is a dirt road of about 120 km that crosses the Southern Pantanal, in the municipality of Corumbá (MS). It joins two stretches of state highway: the MS-184, which leaves the BR-262 at the spot known as Buraco das Piranhas and runs to Curva do Leque, and the MS-228, which continues from there back to the BR-262, near Corumbá.
It was created as a park road in the early 1990s and is often cited as the first in Brazil. The idea was to combine vehicle traffic with protection of the landscape and wildlife along the route.
The road passes through floodable fields, corixos (natural channels), bays and woodlands, and crosses dozens of wooden bridges. It is from these bridges that you see the most wildlife: caimans in the water, capybaras, jabiru storks, egrets, macaws and, with luck, anteaters and even jaguars. Along the way are Passo do Lontra, on the banks of the Miranda River, and Porto da Manga, a riverside village on the Paraguay River.
You can drive the road in your own car, without hurrying, stopping on the bridges to look around. If you want to see more animals, go with a local guide who knows where to look. There is no physical effort, but the road is unpaved, dusty in the dry season and may flood in places at high water.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
The full route takes about four hours without long stops; with time to watch wildlife, allow a full day.
Best time
In the dry season, in the second half of the year, when the road is firmer and animals gather near the water; early morning and late afternoon are the times of greatest wildlife activity.
How to get there
The road is in the Corumbá Pantanal (MS). You can enter from the BR-262 at Buraco das Piranhas, coming from Miranda and Campo Grande, or from the other end, also on the BR-262, near Corumbá.
Tip
Fill up the tank and bring water, snacks and insect repellent: there are few places to stop along the way. In the rainy season, check road conditions before setting out and choose a high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle.
A look at the place
Estrada Parque Pantanal in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Estrada Parque Pantanal
How long is the Estrada Parque Pantanal?
About 120 km of dirt road, combining stretches of the MS-184 and MS-228, with both ends on the BR-262.
Do I need a 4x4 to drive the Estrada Parque?
In the dry season, a regular car can usually make it with care. In the rainy season there are flooded and muddy stretches, and a high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle is best. Check conditions before setting out.
How long does it take to drive the Estrada Parque?
About four hours driving straight through. With stops to watch wildlife, it is worth setting aside the whole day.
What is the best time to visit the Estrada Parque?
The dry season, in the second half of the year. The road is firmer and the animals gather near the water. Between the start and the middle of the year, parts of the road may flood.
Do I need a guide for the Estrada Parque?
It is not required: you can drive your own car. With a local guide, however, it is easier to find and identify the animals.