Middle Brother Calum was lucky enough to head off to Brazil at the start of May and experienced some truly epic wild swims. Dive in to find out all about South America’s top wild swimming destination.

Deep in the southwestern corner of Brazil lies the Pantanal. It is a huge expense of waterways and dense vegetation, think JG Ballards ‘Drowned World’. It is the world's largest tropical wetland area and the world's most extensive flooded grasslands. It is located mostly within the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul but extends into Mato Grosso and portions of Bolivia and Paraguay. We were travelling there on safari looking for Anaconda, Capybara, Giant River Otters, Caiman and Jaguar but couldn’t quite pass up the opportunity to go for a somewhat nerve-wracking swim.

We’d spent the previous days in search of wildlife and awoke to a dawn chorus of Howler Monkeys, it just felt right to go for a swim. We travelled up the Rio Miranda, surveying the grassy banks for Capybaras, Caiman and Anacondas. As the river widened, great masses of entangled branches and vines bobbed along the current. Each upturned log resembled the head of Caiman as our imaginations raced. Our guide had assured us that it was safe and I remembered from the Martin Strel documentary about swimming the Amazon that most snakes/crocodiles stick to the banks so you’re much safer in the middle of the river. Also, all of the Caiman we had seen so far had been pretty small so there was nothing for it and we leapt off the boat.

The water was warm, tea coloured and I surfaced with joy. Thoughts of Anacondas and Caiman appearing from the murky water faded as Kingfishers and Chacalacas flew overhead. I was so proud of Serena who braved the waters and we swam downstream for half an hour with the Howler Monkeys calling us onwards! We arrived at the lodge to be greeted by a Capybara and a Caiman 🐊

Thank you Pantanal Jungle Lodge for an incredible stay and to our awesome guide Boby and his brother Pipinho

The Capybara

Now I know it might seem a bit cavalier to just leap off a boat into the middle of the river without really knowing what’s in there. But swimming in the Pantanal can be safe under certain conditions, but it is important to exercise caution and be aware of potential risks. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Wildlife: The Pantanal is known for its rich biodiversity, including a variety of wildlife species such as caimans, piranhas, and snakes. While most wildlife poses minimal threat to swimmers, it's essential to be cautious and avoid swimming near areas where potentially dangerous animals are known to inhabit. As I previously mentioned all the Caiman we had seen had been under 2m.

2. Water quality: The water quality in the Pantanal can vary depending on the location and season. Some areas may have stagnant or polluted water, which can increase the risk of waterborne diseases or infections. Our guides assured us it was safe.

3. Local advice: Seek guidance from local authorities, tour operators, or experienced guides familiar with the region. They can provide valuable information about specific swimming spots, potential hazards, and any precautions you should take. We really trusted our guides and they made a big difference in our confidence levels.

4. Weather conditions: Pay attention to weather forecasts and avoid swimming during heavy rainfall or stormy conditions. Sudden changes in water levels and strong currents can occur, which may pose a danger to swimmers.

5. Personal abilities: Assess your swimming skills and physical fitness before swimming in the Pantanal. Some areas may have deep or fast-flowing water, requiring confident swimming abilities. If you are not a strong swimmer, it's best to avoid areas with challenging water conditions. We’re competent enough swimmers and this was not outside our comfort zone.

It's crucial to respect and preserve the environment while enjoying your swimming experience but equally important to not let feat control you and to have fun!