Amazon and Pantanal: Wildlife in Brazil

Start Wildlife in Brazil in Rio, one of the world’s most splendid cities. Unwind at Emiliano Rio, blessed with a rooftop pool overlooking two crescent miles of Copacabana Beach. We’ve left this travel day joyfully unscheduled. Nap, then cross Avenida Atlântica to post up beneath an umbrella and drink in the scene: futbol, bathers, and a parade of sellers. Ask us for a churrascaria (barbecue) restaurant recommendation for your welcome dinner.

Alongside a private guide and driver, explore whatever niche interests you. We don’t need to tell you about Sugarloaf or Christ the Redeemer. But how about going behind-the-scenes Grande Rio Samba School to see Carnival magic in the making? Don sequined costumes and learn samba from a passista. Or, you might wander the revived port district where street art, Afro-Brazilian heritage, and the Museum of Tomorrow conspire to tell Rio’s evolving story.

Walk Rio’s wilder side in Tijuca National Park, the world’s largest urban park. With a naturalist guide, hike Atlantic Rainforest trails alive with birdsong, butterflies, and waterfalls. On Tijuca Peak, your efforts are rewarded with sweeping city views of Guanabara Bay. Back in the city, relax on Ipanema (our favorite sunset view) then savor an unhurried dinner at one of the neighborhood’s many trendy restaurants.

 Fly north to the southern Amazon and arrive at Cristalino Lodge by boat. Cradled within a private reserve blanketed with dense Alta Floresta wilderness and overlooking a river, make a luxury forest bungalow your Amazon sanctuary. Upon arrival, collaborate with a concierge to shape your stay. Whatever your focus—macaws, flora, or recreation—specialty birding and naturalist guides are at your disposal.  

Twice-daily activities anchor your days, and downtime unfurls on the floating river deck, in the reading room, and in al fresco dining spaces. Outings might include botanical forest walks and hilly hikes, canoeing flooded forests (seasonal), boating blackwater tributaries, and birdwatching atop an observation tower at dawn. Wildlife photography and hands-on citizen science are immersive add-ons. Each evening, multi-course dinners prepared with indigenous ingredients offer a taste of Amazon gastronomy. 

Fly to Brasília, Brazil’s modernist capital. Overnight at a design hotel situated near the city’s iconic monuments. Dine on the rooftop or ask your Brazil destination specialist to recommend nearby restaurants that showcase the city’s creative culinary scene.

This morning, a private Brasília city tour reveals how this purpose-built city drew Brazil’s population and political capital westward in the 1960s. With a guide, you’ll visit geometric marvels and landmarks bearing Oscar Niemeyer’s unmistakable signature. Later, fly charter to the Cerrado, the most biodiverse savannah in the world. A guest of Pousada Trijunção, you're just one of seven suites staying on this private reserve.

Upon arrival, you’ll work with a concierge to design the shape of your Cerrado safari around your pace and passions. You might rumble across dusty roads in search of elusive maned wolf, tapir, and giant anteaters; walk a forest trail alongside a biologist to learn about medicinal plant remedies; or venture out for a night safari in search of dwarf caiman and giant armadillo. 

Fill splendid days touring on fat bikes, day-tripping to Grande Sertão Veredas National Park, birdwatching for more than 270 brilliant species, stargazing, and taking pause in the spa. Reserve some time with Trijunção’s field biologists, engaging in citizen science. Help set camera traps, monitor caiman populations, and tour the breeding center and release area—hands-on experiences that transform your stay from observation to contribution.

Arrive at Caiman lodge in Brazil's southern Pantanal, home to more than 500 animal species—from capybara to hyacinth macaws. This private ranch-turned-reserve is a beacon of ecotourism and guests experience the Pantanal on rambling game drives, nocturnal spotlighting, canoe rides, horseback riding, and hikes. Your stay is a vote for the Pantanal’s fragile future, strengthening the relationship between agriculture, research, conservation, and ecotourism.

Rise for an early morning game drive with expert guides from Onçafari, Brazil’s leading jaguar conservation project. Track these magnificent predators through open savannah and forest edges. Later, visit the research base to learn how ecotourism aids species protection. Evening brings nocturnal spotlighting with hopes of spying ocelot, giant anteater and jaguar under a starry night sky.

A morning game drive is another thrilling opportunity to spy Pantanal jaguar. Return for a hearty lunch, relaxing in a hammock or swimming in the pool. In the afternoon, saddle up to ride horseback through shallow wetlands alive with birdlife. With luck, your guide points out roseate spoonbills, jabiru storks, and herons wading in mirrored water.

Greet the sunrise with coffee in hand, listening as the wetlands awaken in sound and color. Savor a final morning game drive with your Onçafari guides. In the afternoon, join a naturalist for a contemplative nature walk, deciphering subtle signs of animal life—tracks, feathers, and calls. Celebrate your journey tonight with a farewell dinner, later gathering at the fire pit beneath a spangle of southern stars.

Wildlife in Brazil comes to a close. A driver collects you for a private transfer to the airport for a flight to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. From there, continue your onward journey, or if this is tchau (farewell), board your international flight home.