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 Southern 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 vehicle and walking safaris in Cerrado, an extensive expanse of tropical savannah and woodland. 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.
Next, we travel to 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.
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 of Brazil.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
Day2: Arrive Brasilia
Arriving in Brasilia we transfer directly to our hotel.
Accommodation: Windsor Plaza Brasilia Hotel, 1-night
Day3: Transfer to Trijuncao Private Reserve
This morning after breakfast we are collected from the hotel and transferred from Brasilia 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
Days4-6: Explore Trijuncao Private Reserve & search for maned wolf
We have four 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, by water 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 urutau, bacuraus and owls; mammals such as maned wolf, field 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.
Day7: Morning Activity at Trijuncao
This morning we hope to have time to enjoy the Trijuncao Reserve on a final excursion before we say our goodbyes to the team and the cerrado. We then retrace our journey to Brasilia for a late afternoon flight.
Accommodation: Gran Odara, 1-night
Day8: Transfer to the Amazon
This morning after breakfast we are collected and transferred back to the airport for our flight to the Amazon.
When we arrive in Alta Floresta in the early afternoon we are met and transferred to Cristalino Lodge, where we spend our next four nights. After settling into our new surroundings, we have a chance to explore the forests during an afternoon excursion.
Accommodation: Cristalino Lodge, 4-nights
Days9-11: Discover the Amazon from Cristalino Private Reserve
There is plenty to keep us occupied during the next three full days. In direct contrast to the vast tropical savannah of Trijuncao, we have the pristine Amazon Rainforest to explore. Birdwatching is the main focus whilst we make use of the purpose-built observation towers and walk through the network of trails along the forest floor. Macaws, parakeets, parrots, tanagers and cotingas, among many other birds, will be shown to us by our expert naturalist guide.
Monkey species including white-whiskered spider monkey and the white-nosed saki monkey will entertain us as we watch and listen to them swinging expertly through the canopy.
Day12: Transfer to Campo Grande
After breakfast, we wish farewell to the team at Cristalino and return to Alta Floresta. We are met on arrival in Campo Grande and transferred to our hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Gran Odara, 1-night
Day13: Transfer to Bonito & visit Buraco das Araras
Today we transfer to Campo Grande and have lunch in Bonito. After lunch, we visit Buraco das Araras, famous for its red-and-green macaws that visit the sinkhole.
Accommodation: Pousada Olho D’Agua, 1-night
Day14: Transfer to the Southern Pantanal & afternoon activity
We are collected from our hotel after breakfast and begin our journey three and half hour drive west to Caiman. As we arrive in the Southern Pantanal we experience our third distinct biome - a tropical wetland. Whilst some species overlap with the previous two, there will be a number of new species for us to keep our eyes open for during this transfer.
Caiman, like Trijuncao and Cristalino is an eco-tourism destination and has been at the forefront of innovative conservation initiatives for over 20 years. Again the habitat is a mixture of grasslands, forest patches and lagoons. In the afternoon we have a chance to explore the surroundings for the first time.
We have three full days to traverse this large area and will spend time with the researchers from Projecto Onçafari, tracking jaguars both during the day and after dark. There is an excellent chance of close encounters during both, with the opportunity of observing varied behaviour.
There is also ample time to enjoy all the other wildlife that flourishes in the area. In the grasslands and paddocks of the southern Pantanal, giant anteaters are regularly encountered while the lake margins are excellent locations to see capybara, caiman and a variety of water birds including herons, ibises, storks and kingfishers. The forests are home to toucans, araçaris, various parrots, as well as deer, peccaries and tapirs. Groups of hyacinth macaws are always present too, and night drives can be particularly productive with Brazilian tapirs and ocelots often seen.
Day18: Depart Brazil
Our safari comes to an end today as we enjoy a final morning in the Pantanal before we transfer back to Campo Grande.
Day19: 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.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 19 daysfrom £12,495 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 17 daysfrom £11,595 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
A member of the Wildlife Worldwide team, Helen is a qualified South African safari guide who following a trip to Baja California, discovered a passion for cetaceans.
Extending her marine mammal knowledge accordingly, she has also turned her attention to improving her ornithological knowledge throughout the different destinations she leads to, including South America and Europe. With her boundless energy, enthusiasm and eye for perfection, Helen will ensure you get the most from your time on her trips whilst sharing her passion for wildlife.
This private rainforest reserve on the Cristalino River occupies a region very important in terms of Amazon biodiversity. The high number of species and endemics makes it a great place to see birds, mammals, butterflies and orchids. It is easily reached from the northern Pantanal, avoiding a long flight to Manaus.
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Where: Mato Grosso
Ideal for viewing: agouti, harpy eagle, giant river otter, red-handed howler monkey, white-whiskered spider monkey
Conservation projects in the southern Pantanal focus on jaguar and the hyacinth macaw. From a comfortable lodge you can see wildlife by boat, vehicle and on foot. Bonito, on the southern fringe, is a mecca for ecotourism, where you will find grottos with blue lakes and walking trails surrounded by monkeys.
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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, and a variety of wildlife. The lodges offer outings on foot and by canoe to explore the rainforest. Alternatively a riverboat voyage can take you deeper into the rainforest.
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Where: Amazonas
Ideal for viewing: capybara, giant otter, red and blue macaw, tapir, yellow anaconda
Excellent for: River safaris, Jaguar watching, Birdwatching
Located in the heart of South America in Brazil, the cerrado of Trijuncao is considered the richest savannah in the world in terms of biodiversity and is home to more than 13,000 species of plants. The Trijuncao Private Reserve protects 33,000 hectares of pristine cerrado landscape.
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Ideal for viewing: maned wolf, giant anteater, dwarf caiman, red brocket deer, three-banded armadillo
Excellent for: Vehicle safaris, Wolf watching, Birdwatching
This ecological paradise is the world’s largest wetland, with 124 mammals (including the world’s largest jaguars), 177 reptiles, 1,100 species of butterfly, and a myriad of birds, brightly coloured flowers, and shoals of fish. There are significant differences between the north and south; we recommend visiting both.
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Where: Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul states
Ideal for viewing: capybara, giant anteater, giant river otter, jaguar, yacare caiman
Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Self-drive, River safaris, Jaguar watching, Birdwatching
Set on a 53,000 hectare ranch in the Southern Pantanal wetland, Caiman Lodge is one of three operations of Caiman – the other two being an important nature conservation programme and Caiman Ranch. Caiman Lodge comprises two independent lodges situated 22 kilometres from each other.
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Voted one of the best hotels in Brazil by National Geographic Traveller, Cristalino Lodge is an environmental award-winning lodge, located in a private reserve beside Cristalino State Park, accessible only by boat. It is a good option for birdwatchers due to its 50-metre high observation tower.
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Set within 33,000 hectares of protected cerrado ecosystem, nestles Pousada Trijuncao. Purpose-built, the lodge offers spacious and beautifully decorated rooms. Trijuncao has a stylish and environmentally conscious design, with much of the interior made from natural local materials in a sustainable way.
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