park · Poconé, MT
Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas
Created in 2004, it protects about 109,000 hectares of Pantanal, mostly in the municipality, at the confluence of rivers such as the Cuiabá and the São Lourenço. It is home to a large population of jaguars, seen on boat trips.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas
The Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas is a conservation area in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, created by state decree in December 2004 and managed by the State Department of the Environment (Sema-MT). It covers about 108,000 hectares, split between Poconé, which has the larger share, and Barão de Melgaço.
The name, meaning "Meeting of the Waters," comes from the network of rivers that forms and crosses the area: the Cuiabá, the Piquiri, the Cassange, the Alegre and a web of corixos (natural channels), bays and seasonal streams. At high water, much of the park floods; in the dry season, the rivers drop and banks and beaches appear along the shores.
The park is known worldwide for its jaguars. According to Sema-MT, the region has one of the highest densities of the species on the planet. Boat trips cruise the rivers looking for jaguars resting, drinking or hunting along the banks, and also show giant otters, caimans, capybaras and many birds.
There is no entrance gate and there are no land trails: you visit by river, on boats run by local operators and guides. It means many hours sitting in strong sun, more about patient watching than physical effort.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
Each boat outing takes half a day or a full day; for a good chance of seeing jaguars, allow two to three days of trips.
Best time
In the dry season, from July to October, when jaguars gather along the riverbanks looking for water and prey; on the trips, early morning and late afternoon usually bring more animal activity and better light for photos.
How to get there
Access is by river only. Most trips depart from Porto Jofre, at the end of the Transpantaneira (MT-060), a dirt road that starts in Poconé; from there, boats travel up the Cuiabá River and into the park's rivers.
Tip
Watch the jaguars quietly and keep your distance: avoid asking the pilot to pull the boat up to the bank or to surround the animal. Bring a zoom lens or binoculars, a hat and sunscreen.
A look at the place
Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas 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 Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas
Where is the Parque Estadual Encontro das Águas?
In the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, split between Poconé, which has most of the area, and Barão de Melgaço.
How do I visit the Encontro das Águas park?
Only by boat, along the rivers. Most trips depart from Porto Jofre, at the end of the Transpantaneira, with local boat pilots and guides.
What is the best time to see jaguars in the park?
The dry season, from July to October, when jaguars stay closer to the riverbanks.
Am I guaranteed to see a jaguar?
There is no guarantee, because they are wild animals. But the region has one of the highest jaguar densities in the world, and staying several days greatly increases your chances.
When was the park created?
In December 2004, by decree of the Mato Grosso state government. It is managed by the State Department of the Environment (Sema-MT).