Founded at the beginning of the 20th century, Barranco Alto Lodge (formerly known as Barranco Branco Ranch) is considered to be one of the oldest in this region. The farming community there is probably not much different today than it was when established by the first settlers of the Rondon family.

Fulfilling a childhood dream, our father Jorge Schweizer acquired Barranco Alto Farm in the late 70ties and began directing all his efforts towards nature conservation. Among his many projects, Jorge co-founded the “Society for the Defense of the Pantanal” (Sodepan) and, after eight years of hard research, he wrote a book about the giant otters of the Pantanal (link).

Following Jorge Schweizer´s pioneering footsteps, we will continue to preserve the ecology of the area, whilst increasing regional development in a non-intrusive, eco-friendly manner.

The white cattle bred on the farm for organic meat production are called Nelore. Originally from India, they can be found all over Brazil, where they have adapted very well. They have kept local traditions of handling the cattle herds, such as using the horn to round up the cattle.

Traditionally, the people from the Pantanal are of a nomadic nature. They are constantly moving from one farm to another, staying no longer than one or two years in any one place. With the towns getting larger and farms growing, the indigenous people have found jobs and their living conditions have improved. Due to the better living conditions found on Barranco Alto Farm, a few families have settled down there, putting down roots and growing with the community.

On Barranco Alto Lodge you will have the rare opportunity to witness the morning fishing of a giant otter family as dawn breaks, observe the ritual of alligator mating and, with luck and patience, to look into the eyes of the biggest cat of the Americas: the jaguar. Besides this, you can live the day-to-day life of an authentic Pantanal cowboy, savour typical local dishes and sleep in a traditional house which offers all the necessary comforts for a cozy and unforgettable stay.

Understanding the mysteries of nature helps us develop a more ecologically correct – eco friendly attitude towards the environment and as such leads to a better conservation of it.

The Eco-lodge offers only 05 apartments and all are comfortable and equipped with private bathroom with hot shower and air conditioning. Due to the restricted number of rooms, we recommend that you make your reservations well in advance.

The programs and activities that we offer are guided by us in Portuguese, English, Spanish (under request in German and French) and will be adapted to suit the particular desires of each guest. During your stay you can: Birdwatching – Birds are just everywhere and we count over 400 species; Horseback riding – Get one of our working horses and enjoy a quiet ride through the pristine scenery of forest, fields and swamps (there are horses for all levels of experience); Game drives and Safari – Enjoy the scenery and spot wildlife from our comfortable vehicles. Stop and jump off whenever you wish; Hiking – Get really close to everything by hiking quietly through the open plains and forests; Canoeing – Enjoy an early morning canoeing tour on the most pristine river in the Pantanal; Boating – Enjoy a relaxing cruise of the rio Negro. Get close to birds, caimans and otters with our quiet electric and 4-stroke gas engines; Cattle roundup – If you’re interested in a real cowboy’s daily work, just join them; Fishing – Catch your own fish; Beach chill-out – Relax on white sand beaches, cool off in the dark waters of the Negro river and simply enjoy life; Photography – The Pantanal is probably one of the best places to practice photography.There’s so much to see !

On Fazenda Barranco Alto we do actively promote the environmental conservation by supporting research done by Brazilian and international universities and organizations like Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Universidade do Estado de São Paulo (UNESP), Stanford University, University of Bonn, University of Zurich, University of Wageningen and others. There is a “Researcher House” suitable for groups of up to 8 people, with ample working/studying space, Internet connection and all necessary field assistance. So far, research is being conducted in geology, entomology, ecology, ethology and more.

Take a look in Eco Adventures Travel customized tour packages to Barranco Alto Pantanal Lodge!