Caiman Lodge

A total of two lodges each separated over extensive grounds. You cannot pick which lodge you stay at, the lodge decides as it will depend on the demographics of the people staying in the lodge. Each lodge offers the same contact with local fauna, flora and culture, as well as a high standard of excellent service from its friendly staff. The Lodge offers 3 activities per day – morning / afternoon / evening – such as: boat tours, alligator spotting, video presentation, horse-back riding, photo safari, Farm tour, ecological trek and others.

The lodges
Baiazinha lodge is raised on wooden stilts and stands at the edge of a small cove of permanent wetland, a haven for birdlife. This rustic style lodge has 6 rooms with private bath and terrace, ample living room and a home style restaurant.

Cordilheira lodge is built on stilts and is situated on the edge of a seasonal wetland, with a castle like tower which provides a more extensive view of the surrounding ridges. It has 6 apartments and 2 suites terraces.

Located on a 53,000 hectare ranch, 36kms from the small town of Miranda in the magnificent setting of the Pantanal wetlands of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Refugio Ecologico Caiman is a cattle farm, an important centre for nature conservation projects and home to the region’s most exclusive eco lodges.

Caiman Lodge was established in 1985 as the first ecotourism operation in the Southern Pantanal. Since then it has aimed at creating and offering visitors a means of getting close to the region’s nature and culture, while pursuing excellence in hospitality services and gastronomy. Its two lodges Cordilheira (5 suites) and Baiazinha (6 rooms) are 22 km apart and run independent operations.

Caiman operates an important Nature Conservation Programme, which is recognised domestically and internationally. This consists of maintaining a Private Reserve of Natural Patrimony (RPPN) on a 5,600 hectare area and supporting various research and species management projects carried out on the whole ranch. Important conservation projects focus on the stunning blue hyacinth macaws and Americas’ biggest predator, the elusive jaguar.

In addition, nature conservation values are applied in lodge operations, such as the Caiman Recycling project, which involves collection and separation of recyclable or dangerous waste on the whole property and educating employees on environmental responsibilities.

Miranda Estancia, a traditional cattle ranch founded in 1910 by English investors, was the precursor of the present Caiman Ranch. The ranch currently runs around 35,000 head of cattle on natural pasture, seeking harmonious integration of livestock with the wildlife. This operation is open to visitors and can be seen at first hand by anyone interested.

The permanent residents’ community for both lodge and ranch employees and their families, houses 180 people. In addition to having access to a school, medical and dental care and the necessary infrastructure, all employees are trained in and committed to the Caiman Ecological Refuge  social and environmental programme.