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The basin of the world's largest river contains its oldest tropical forest and most diverse ecosystem, with at least 40,000 plant species. Mammals include the world's largest rodent, the capybara, plus tapir, jaguar, monkeys, deer and otter. The 1,300 or so bird species include many migrants, while macaws gather in thousand-strong flocks. The largest of its 380 reptiles is the anaconda, while the best known of the 3,000 fish species is the piranha.

There are different ways to experience the Amazon - jungle lodges of various levels of comfort offer two, three or four day programmes. These include outings on foot, by boat or canoe to explore the rainforest with local naturalist and native guides. Generally speaking, the more remote the lodge and the longer you stay, the more wildlife you are likely to see.

However near Manaus, the Amazon is several kilometres wide, and much of the forest is secondary growth, so it is only by getting into narrow creeks and channels that you have a realistic chance of seeing much wildlife. By taking a voyage on an Amazon riverboat, particularly on the Rio Negro, you can get even deeper into the rainforest, and have greater opportunity to see and understand it, with a naturalist guide. Why not consider our Voyage to the Heart of the Amazon?

The Amazon basin covers a huge area, so you can avoid the expense and time of flying to Manaus by visiting the southern fringe. The Alta Floresta area and Cristolino Lodge, can combine with the Pantanal enabling you to see two different and contrasting ecosystems in relative proximity.