Into Brazil’s Wild Pantanal: An Invitation From Your Expert Guide
Dear Wilderness Traveler,
It is with great joy that I invite you on an unforgettable adventure with Wilderness Travel, Brazil: Jaguars & Wildlife of the Pantanal, to a place I consider one of the most magical and inspiring corners of the planet: the Pantanal, Brazil.
The Pantanal is a world apart. It is the largest tropical wetland on Earth, a paradise of water where flooded grasslands, palm forests, and winding rivers come alive with wildlife. Every moment here is a discovery: hundreds of birds in flight, caimans basking on riverbanks, families of capybaras grazing peacefully, and, of course, the majestic jaguar, the true king of this land.
As a researcher with a passion for travel and wildlife photography, I’ve had the privilege to introduce travelers to this exquisite region of Brazil for years. There is a unique rhythm here—the light, the sounds, the feeling of being immersed in pure, untouched nature. Sharing this with our guests and seeing the sparkle in their eyes when they first spot a jaguar, a giant river otter, or a hyacinth macaw is a thrill that never fades.
Our Brazil wildlife tour begins in the Porto Jofre region, where we will explore the Meeting of the Waters State Park by boat. This is the best place in the world to observe jaguars in their natural habitat along the Cuiabá River. We’ll navigate the rivers, allowing nature to reveal its secrets at its own pace. At a remote ecolodge in the heart of the Pantanal, our days are filled with safari-style outings in 4WD vehicles and canoe trips in search of giant anteaters, caimans, and Brazilian tapirs.
We’ll also have the opportunity to meet researchers from the Jaguar Identification Project, whose dedicated work helps us understand and protect these magnificent animals. Their insights will add even deeper meaning to our experience.
To conclude our journey, we’ll head north to Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, a stunning contrast of landscapes with waterfalls cascading over red cliffs and trails winding through the cerrado, a biome of endless horizons and dramatic beauty—it’s the perfect ending to our adventure.
For me, the Pantanal is not just a destination, it’s a feeling. It’s the quiet of the river at sunrise, the call of the macaws overhead, the warmth of the local people who welcome us so kindly. I can’t wait to share all of this with you.
If you have any questions about the trip, please contact our Latin America Specialists at latinamerica@wildernesstravel.com.
I hope to see you soon in the wild heart of Brazil.
Sincerely,
Sergio Freitas
Trip Leader, Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences
