Know Before You Go: Brazil Tours

Brazil’s Pantanal is home to one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in South America. This vast tropical wetland shelters big cats, large mammals, river predators and thousands of bird species in a landscape of open marsh, forested “islands” and winding rivers. For many travelers, the promise of seeing jaguars, giant anteaters and hyacinth macaws in one region is what sets a Brazil Pantanal safari apart. 

While no operator can guarantee specific sightings, the combination of habitat, water and protection means wildlife encounters are frequent and often prolonged. You are not just checking species off a list—you are watching animals behave naturally in one of Brazil’s richest ecosystems. 

How well do you really know the Pantanal—its jaguars, giant otters and flooded plains? Take our Brazil’s Pantanal Trivia Quiz and put your wild knowledge to the test! 

Why Is the Pantanal One of the Best Wildlife Destinations in South America? 

The Pantanal’s remarkable wildlife density comes from its seasonal rhythm of flooding and drying. When waters rise, animals spread out across the landscape. As waters recede, food and shelter concentrate around shrinking channels, lagoons and patches of higher ground. Wildlife follows these resources, gathering in open areas where they’re easier to see—one of the reasons the Pantanal offers such exceptional viewing. 

Brazil’s Pantanal offers: 

• High visibility, with many animals using open banks and wetland edges 

• Abundant prey, supporting apex predators such as jaguars and giant river otters 

• Diverse habitats—from gallery forests (narrow ribbons of forest lining seasonal streams) to savanna-like grasslands—that support a broad range of species 

This natural design makes the Pantanal one of the most productive wildlife-viewing destinations in Brazil and across South America. 

Will I See Jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal?   

The Pantanal is widely regarded as one of the best places in the world to look for wild jaguars. The rivers of the northern Pantanal, especially around Porto Jofre, hold a notably high density of these big cats. They patrol sandbanks, rest in riverside shade and sometimes hunt caimans and capybaras in full view of passing boats. 

On a Nat Hab Pantanal itinerary, your chances improve because: 

• Multiple skiff outings are scheduled in core jaguar territories 

• Local guides and Expedition Leaders know individual home ranges and favored haunts 

• Dry-season timing concentrates cats along exposed riverbanks 

Sightings are never guaranteed, but many travelers who come to Brazil’s Pantanal specifically to search for jaguars leave with memorable encounters and photographs. 

What Big Mammals Might I See in Brazil’s Pantanal? 

Beyond jaguars, Brazil’s Pantanal is famous for an impressive roster of large mammals. Depending on region and season, you may see: 

• Giant anteaters slowly foraging across open fields, using long claws and tongues to feed on ants and termites 

• Tapirs browsing along forest edges or near water, their flexible snouts pulling in leaves and fruit 

• Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, grazing in groups along riverbanks and lagoons 

• Giant river otters hunting fish together, communicating with a chorus of whistles and calls 

• Maned wolves and ocelots in select areas, especially near conservation-focused lodges and ranches 

Many of these mammals are easier to spot in the Pantanal than in other parts of their range, thanks to open habitats.  

What Primates and Smaller Mammals Live in Brazil’s Pantanal? 

Primates and smaller mammals add constant motion and sound to the Pantanal’s forests and river corridors. Common encounters include: 

• Howler monkeys, whose deep, resonant calls can carry for more than a mile at dawn and dusk 

• Capuchin monkeys, active and social primates that forage in groups through treetops and forest edges 

• South American coatis, curious “hog-nosed raccoons” that travel in bands, using their snouts and claws to dig for food 

You may also see smaller nocturnal mammals on evening drives and walks, including armadillos, crab-eating foxes and other secretive species that emerge once temperatures drop.  

What Birds Will I See in Brazil’s Pantanal? 

For birders and photographers, Brazil’s Pantanal is one of the finest birding regions in the Americas. More than 650 bird species have been recorded here, and many are conspicuous and approachable. Highlights may include: 

• Hyacinth macaws, the world’s largest parrot, with deep blue plumage and powerful beaks 

• Jabiru storks, towering waders with red throat pouches and broad wingspans 

• Egrets, herons and ibises feeding in shallow pools and along receding waterlines 

• Kingfishers and terns diving for fish along river channels 

• Toucans and parrots flying between forest patches and palm groves 

Because so many species are associated with open water and wetlands, you often see them in good light at relatively close range—ideal for photography and behavior watching.  

What Reptiles and Aquatic Wildlife Will I See in Brazil’s Pantanal? 

The waterways of Brazil’s Pantanal support a rich cast of reptiles and aquatic species. Among the most visible are: 

• Caimans, especially spectacled caimans, resting on mudbanks or cruising quietly along channel edges 

• Turtles basking on logs and sandbars 

• Fish-rich rivers, which sustain giant river otters, waterbirds and local communities alike 

Caimans are particularly abundant, with many estimates placing their population in the millions. Their presence is a defining feature of the Pantanal and a reminder of the wetland’s overall productivity. 

How Does Traveling With Nat Hab Improve My Wildlife Viewing? 

Traveling with Nat Hab in Brazil’s Pantanal means your days are structured around wildlife, not busy roads or crowded viewpoints. Itineraries are built to: 

• Spend more time in prime habitats, especially jaguar-rich rivers and private reserves 

• Use small groups, so everyone has good lines of sight and can move easily between vantage points 

• Leverage expert guiding, from seasoned Expedition Leaders to local guides who live and work in the Pantanal year-round 

By partnering with conservation-minded lodges, local researchers and ranchers, Nat Hab’s approach gives you a deeper window into the lives of the animals that make Brazil’s Pantanal such an extraordinary wildlife destination. 

Wildlife Highlights