PANTANAL DISCOVERY

I had an amazing time at the Pantanal! Everything was organised really well. I got the 3 days /2 night package which was enough to experience the Southern Pantanal. I would definitely stay longer if I had more time though! I was welcomed by Gil the owner of the company at the airport. He has been doing these tours around the Pantanal for many years! You will know how professional Gil is from the first contact with him. The airport transfers were spot on. It takes around 5h from the airport to get to the farm where I stayed. Thats deep in the Pantanal and you spot a lot of wild life. There are many Arara parrots around the farm. The food in the farm was delicious and everyone was friendly. The tour guide (Elias) was very knowledgable and he walked an extra mile to show us the best experience of the Southern Pantanal. We did horse riding, pirana fishing, safari, walking tours. Absolutely loved it! There are many many mosquitoes, long sleeves and trousers/leggings &insect repellent highly recommended. I stayed in the shared dorm room which was decent and air-conditioned. I heard the other guests making comments about the hammocks being very comfortable. Its an experience I guess. Highly recommended!

We called Gil (Pantanal Discovery) to organize a tour in the Pantanal with our children at the beginning of August 2019. We made a transfer of reservation for 4 days on site, or after the 3rd day, the farm where we stayed did not want any more to allow us excursions or activities ... a little disappointed and angry we contacted Gil to explain and ask him to shorten our stay, which he accepted in the circumstances. He promised to refund us this day "not consumed" for 4 people (cf copy a part of WhatsApp exchanges)

today, October 1st, we have not received a refund. Gil explains to me that he is in dispute with the farm which does not want to refund it but that he will refund to me when he has been refunded himself. We find ourselves dependent on the goodwill of the farm, with whom we never treated to book our stay, to receive our refund ...

... After many reminders, and many promises of reimbursement from Gil, he simply blocked me from his contacts WhatsApp so impossible to contact him remotely ...

So having no hope of finding my money again, the only thing I can do is warn you: Gil is a good talker as long as you have not paid yet but is not someone an honest once the payment is cashed. I would have liked to read such comments before booking my stay via Pantanal Discovery. I also warned Lonely Planet who referenced it in their guide.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you have been the victim of the same kind of scam by Gil / Pantanal Discovery because I think that the main interest of Trip advisor, or other travel blogs, is to share information and experiences (good as bad)!

Michaël