Pantanal wildlife in Brazil
There’s no chance you’ll come all the way to the Pantanal and not want to see a jaguar. These awesome predators, which sometimes kill their prey by biting through its skull – no hanging around waiting for it to suffocate like lions do – are the region’s most famous and charismatic species. Obviously, there are no guarantees, but sightings are more probable than possible, boosted by two factors: the Pantanal’s jaguars are semi-habituated, and don’t tend to scarper when humans appear; and the landscape here is open, with no huge trees of dense vegetation for them to hide in.
Our Brazil wildlife Holidays
Brazil wildlife tour, jaguars and waterfalls
Jaguar spotting 100% success rate, Iguacu waterfalls & Rio.
Pantanal wildlife holiday in Brazil
Wildlife Safari in Brazil's stunning Northern Pantanal.
Brazil wildlife holiday, Amazon and Pantanal
Thrilling wildlife safari combining Pantanal and the Amazon
Brazil wildlife holiday, tailor made
From the world’s largest jungle to wild empty beaches
Small group tour in Brazil
An in depth discovery tour of Brazil including the Amazon
Southern Brazil holidays
Soak up the sights and spot wildlife in Southern Brazil
Rio to Iguazu Falls tour in Brazil
Fully escorted group journey of natural southern Brazil
Pantanal tour in Brazil, Caiman EcoLodge
Explore Pantanal with a stay at the Caiman Ecological Refuge
Brazil small group holiday, Pantanal explorer
Explore the biodiverse Pantanal region of Brazil
Wildlife holidays in Brazil, tailormade
From macaws to jaguars in the Pantanal and Amazon, plus Rio
Brazil wildlife holiday, Pantanal & Rio
Wildlife & culture for couples or families, Private tour
Jaguar spotting holiday in Brazil
Jaguar spotting in the Pantanal of Brazil
Pantanal wildlife safari in Brazil
Two weeks exploring northern and southern Pantanal
Brazil 10 day tour, Pantanal & Amazon
Discover the wonders of natural Brazil with eco-lodge stays
Wildlife of Brazil holiday
Jaguars, capybara & caiman: Brazil's ultimate wildlife tour
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self-drive exploration in Argentina’s north-west
Brazilian Amazon by boat holiday
Explore the Brazilian Amazon, from Belem and Manaus
Argentina & Brazil holiday, 12 day itinerary
Travel to Argentina's newest and best hidden hotspot
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Explore Brazil and the Lençois Maranhenses National Park
Harpy Eagle birdwatching tour in Brazil
The only specialist Harpy Eagle tour worldwide
Amazon River Cruise, 7 days
This voyage visits some of the most untouched rainforest
Brazil jaguar safari
Come and search for jaguars and giant otters in the wild!
Brazil holiday, tailor made
Wildlife & culture roundtrip through Brazil, all tailormade
Jaguar watching safari of the Pantanal, Brazil
100% Record for Jaguars and we average 1.1 sightings per day
Amazon jaguar research expedition, Brazil
Help wildlife researchers track unique tree-dwelling jaguars
Pantanal, Southern Amazon & Costa Verde beaches holiday
A Brazil wildlife holiday, that's not all about the wildlife
Brazil tailor made holidays, wetlands & waterfalls
Discover the highlights of Brazil, from jaguars to beaches
Mammals of Brazil wildlife tour
Pantanal, Cerrado & Amazon in search of mammals
Amazon explorer small ship cruise
A 5 day Amazon cruise on the Rio Negro from Manaus
How to see wildlife in the Pantanal
Boat trips will also yield a smorgasbord of other amazing Pantanal wildlife sightings. Look out for the giant otters, another Pantanal superstar, that fish and splash in large groups, calling noisily to each other, and also the caiman that lurk in the shallows. Overhead, hyacinth macaws, a dazzling shade of International Klein Blue, swoop between the trees and herons wait to stab a fish.
Early morning and dusk is the best time for wildlife spotting and the Pantanal’s open landscapes mean there is more than one way to seek out wildlife. Walking safaris take place both by day and night, for a chance to see a host of creatures, from capybaras to tapir and caiman. In addition, some lodges have observation towers that give you a chance to look down on the riverbank or even directly into a nest of jabiru storks. It may also be possible to see wild ocelots up close, from the cover of a hide – a rare treat, since these small felines are incredibly elusive.
Night drives in safari trucks equipped with spotlights are also possible – watch out for the red eyes of a caiman. You might also get lucky and see elusive species like ocelot, puma, crab-eating fox, Brazilian tapir and raccoons. As well as classic river cruises, you can paddle around in a traditional canoe. This quiet mode of transport won’t scare away the wildlife and is a superb way to spot the Pantanal’s impressive birdlife. Horse riding is another great way to explore, with animals unfazed by the presence of horses, thanks to the cowboys who herd cattle on horseback here.
Our top Brazil wildlife Holiday
Brazil wildlife tour, jaguars and waterfalls
Jaguar spotting 100% success rate, Iguacu waterfalls & Rio.
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements