Pousada Aguape
We did not stay in a hotel in Mato Grosso do Sul, but on a cattle ranch. In recent years these ranches have turned to eco-tourism to supplement their income. They are no longer permitted by the government to hunt and live off the land as they did in the past and so they have turned to new ways of making their living.

Pousada Aguape is a family ranch with rooms for about 14 visitors, most of whom are European. Evidently the majority of Brazilians can neither afford to travel to Pantanal nor have the interest in the ecology of the region.

Pousada Aguape was a really special place. The owner of the ranch is wholeheartedly committed to trying to preserve the ecology of the region and the livelihood of its people. This is a family concern. His wife has ensured that visitors have a typical experience. His son is an experienced cattle rancher and his daughter-in-law speaks English and knows exactly how to make visitors feel at home. In fact all the people who work at Pousada Aguape are special and really interesting. They are warm and incredibly open - extremely generous, helpful and very willing to share their knowledge of the area, local flora and fauna. Without them the environment would still have been unique but not as accessible.

I have posted lots of photos of Pousada Aguape in the Photo Gallery of my website - www.jennymackness.co.uk