The Rio Aquidauana is a major river in Mato Grosso do Sul, southwestern Brazil, stretching approximately 1,200 kilometers from its headwaters in the Maracaju Mountain Range to its confluence with the Rio Miranda, itself a tributary of the Paraguay River basin. From the city of Aquidauana, the river changes direction from an east-west orientation to a northwest course, carrying paddlers progressively deeper into the Pantanal wetlands.

The river's character shifts considerably along its length. In its upper and middle reaches near the city of Aquidauana and the Recreio area, kayak and canoe routes range from roughly 14 to 33 miles, with trips between landmarks such as Ponte do Nuara and Ponte de Palmeiras. Multi-day expeditions with camping are practiced in this stretch. Further downstream in the Pantanal section, the river broadens into a system of bays (baías) and meanders, where the pace of travel slows and the surrounding floodplain dominates the landscape. Pousada Aguapé, located in the Pantanal section, offers organized kayak tours through these bays as part of its ecotourism activities.

Wildlife is a significant draw along the Rio Aquidauana. The river supports populations of giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis), one of two otter species found here, with groups distributed across at least 120 kilometers of the river's Pantanal reach, including its bays and meanders. The broader Pantanal ecosystem surrounding the river is recognized for exceptional biodiversity.

Paddlers planning trips should be aware that the river passes through one of the world's largest tropical wetland systems, and conditions in the Pantanal section are strongly influenced by seasonal flooding cycles typical of the region. The river's extensive length and the remote nature of much of its Pantanal corridor mean that self-sufficiency and advance logistical planning are important considerations for multi-day trips.