Watch the best of Brazil's wildlife from three of the country's most prominent and varied habitats - Cerrado woodland and savannah, the Amazon Rainforest & the Northern Pantanal.
Travelling in the company of tour leader Helen Bryon and supported by expert local guides at each location, our first few days are spent enjoying arguably Brazil’s most famous habitat, the vast expanse of the Amazon Rainforest. Stunning blue-winged and red-bellied macaws, curl-crested aracaris and crimson bellied parakeets vie for our attention in the canopies whilst the calls of howler monkeys resonate through the morning. Brazilian tapir, both giant river and neotropical otter, white-cheeked spider monkey and the bizarre white-nosed saki monkey are all possible during our stay.
Next, we travel to the Cerrado, an extensive expanse of tropical savannah and woodland. Through a combination of vehicle and walking safaris, we go in search of the region’s key mammals and bird species, with a particular emphasis on trying to track and see the elusive maned wolf.
Whilst jaguar inhabit both these ecosystems, it is our third and final location where they are our focus. The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland and offers the best chance of seeing Brazil’s apex predator, alongside an impressive supporting cast comprising of giant anteater, thousands of Yacaré caiman, great herds of capybara (the world’s largest rodent), Brazilian tapir and a range of waterbirds and raptors to rival anywhere on the planet.
With spectacular wildlife, a profusion of birdlife, quality guiding and exceptional lodges, this itinerary is the ultimate way to experience the wildlife rich biomes of Brazil.
Typical Itinerary
-
Day 1:
Depart UK; fly to São Paulo
-
Day 2:
Fly to Alta Floresta Airport; transfer to Amazon
After arriving in São Paulo, we are met and transferred to Viracopos/Campinas International Airport, from which we fly to Alta Floresta Airport.
When we arrive in Alta Floresta we are met and transferred to Cristalino Lodge, where we spend our next five nights. After settling into our new surroundings, we have a chance to explore the forests during an evening walk.
Accommodation: Cristalino Lodge, 5-nights
-
Days 3-6
:
Discover the Amazon from Cristalino Private Reserve
There is plenty to keep us occupied during the next four full days. Typical of what many people picture when thinking of wild Brazil, Cristalino is a fantastic introduction to pristine Amazon Rainforest.
Stunning birds and insects are the most visible and diverse groups, with Cristalino supporting exceptional numbers, including over five hundred species of bird and over a thousand species of butterfly. We make use of the purpose-built observation towers to experience a macaw’s eye view of the canopy and walk through the network of trails to discover the fascinating life on the forest floor. Colourful macaws, parakeets, parrots, manakins, tanagers and cotingas, among many other birds, will be shown to us by our expert naturalist guide.
Cristalino is home to some wonderful primates including two local specialities, the white-whiskered spider monkey and the white-nosed saki monkey, which will entertain us as we watch and listen to them swinging expertly through the canopy. The river is also pristine and home to dwarf caiman, yellow-spotted river turtles and occasional impressive snakes like anaconda and tree boas.
-
Day 7:
Morning activity at Cristalino; fly to São Paulo
After breakfast, we may have time for one final early morning walk or boat trip in the Amazon, before we return to Alta Floresta.
We fly from Alta Floresta to Viracopos/Campinas International Airport, where we transfer to our nearby hotel.
Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham Campinas Viracopos, 1-night
-
Day 8:
Transfer to Trijuncao Private Reserve
After a morning flight from Viracopos/Campinas Airport, we land in Brasília and are transferred to our lodge near Mambaí.
Depending on our arrival time, we settle into our accommodation to refresh, and we may have time for an excursion before our welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Pousada Trijuncao, 4-nights
-
Days 9-11
:
Explore Trijuncao Private Reserve & search for maned wolf
We have three full days in which to discover the spectacular habitat and wildlife of the private reserve. Our activity options are varied and include both day and night excursions.
During the day we encounter a fabulous selection of birds as we explore the nature trails of the reserve on foot and by vehicle. However, our main target whilst we are here is the iconic maned wolf. The largest canine in South America, this endangered species is the focus of a local research project, in partnership with the Associação Onçafari, which promotes the conservation of these mammals and their environment.
Many animals are most active in the late afternoon and early evening when they find protection in darkness and greater thermal comfort, therefore much of our exploring will be during night drives. In addition to different species of nocturnal birds, including potoos, nightjars and owls; mammals such as maned wolf, hoary fox, skunks, armadillos, anteaters, tapir and even jaguar are among the animals that can cross our path.
Night drives to see the nocturnal wildlife also gives us the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular constellations as we are far away from any light pollution. On one evening we take a night kayak or boat ride on Lagoa das Araras, to search for the dwarf caiman – the world’s smallest species.
-
Day 12:
Transfer to Cuiabá
This morning, we may have time for a final early morning excursion, depending on the time of our flight. We then say goodbye to the team at the lodge and retrace our journey to Brasilia airport, from where we fly to Cuiabá.
Accommodation: Hotel Deville Prime, 1-night
-
Day 13:
Transfer to Northern Pantanal
This morning we begin our journey into the Pantanal with a transfer by road to Pocone (on the edge of the Pantanal) and then onward for 35 kilometres to Pousada Araras Eco Lodge, arriving for lunch.
There should be time in the afternoon for a short walk to begin exploring areas close to the lodge.
Accommodation: Pousada Araras Eco Lodge, 2-nights
-
Day 14:
Explore the Araras Reserve & surrounding area
The private reserve of the Pousada Araras Eco Lodge is a mosaic of grassland, marsh, open water and forest providing habitats for an impressive array of species. We explore the area by safari truck or on foot, and also enjoy a night drive which offers the chance to encounter nocturnal species such as crab-eating foxes, crab-eating raccoons, Brazilian tapir, giant anteater, southern tamandua and perhaps even ocelot.
We also have a chance to find a number of species around the lodge, including nests of hyacinth macaws, bare-face curassow, chestnut-eared araçaris and toco toucan. Yacaré caiman and capybara reside in nearby pools, and a small number of giant anteaters are also resident in the area.
-
Day 15:
Transfer to Porto Jofre; begin boat cruise of Northern Pantanal
After breakfast, we drive south down the Transpantaneira to Porto Jofre on the Cuiabá River. There is plenty of birdlife to enjoy along the way, with large aggregations of water birds often seen in pools close to the road.
On arrival at Porto Jofre we transfer by boat to our houseboat for lunch. After settling in, we set out on our first afternoon boat cruise along the Cuiabá River and in to the heart of prime jaguar viewing areas.
Accommodation: Mutum Expeditions Houseboat, 3-nights
-
Days 16-17
:
Explore Cuiabá River & smaller tributaries by boat
Over the next two full days we take morning and afternoon boat trips on the Cuiabá, Piquirí and Three Brothers Rivers looking for jaguars and other wildlife. There is a very healthy population of jaguar in the vicinity, that specialise in hunting capybara and caiman. The area supports the greatest density of jaguar in the world, and as a result offers excellent daytime sightings. Not only is the a high quantity of sightings, but they are also high quality with many habituated individuals, allowing close views and providing insights into their behaviour with opportunities to observe swimming, hunting, territory patrol and interactions with other species.
The area teems with other wildlife, too. Of particular note, the waterways here are one of the best places in South America to see giant otter, with a number of family groups often seen hunting and communicating at close range. There is also a chance of seeing Brazilian tapir and Neotropical otter and, with luck, yellow anaconda.
The birding is also excellent, with numerous large and colourful species like jabirú stork, roseatte spoonbill, capped heron, cocoi heron, toco toucan, chestnut-eared aracari, and several colourful species of parrots and parakeets often seen. As we explore the waterways, we will have great opportunities to observe all the resident kingfisher species and beauties such as the sunbittern and shy sungrebe too.
-
Day 18:
Depart Brazil
Our safari comes to an end today as we enjoy a final morning in the Pantanal before we transfer back to Cuiabá, before flying back to the UK via São Paulo.
-
Day 19:
Arrive UK
Please note: The from price is based on standard rooms. However, we have a limited number of standard rooms at Pousada Trijuncao and Cristallino Jungle Lodge. Please enquire about room type availability and upgrade costs.
