Raised in Aquidauana, on the western edge of Brazil’s Pantanal, Lejania’s childhood love of exploration led her to a career as a naturalist guide. As a kid, she spent countless hours navigating forest trails, swimming in clear rivers and observing wildlife in their natural habitats—experiences that shaped her interest in conservation and deepened her appreciation for the natural world. These early adventures became the foundation for her commitment to environmental education through immersive, place-based tourism.

Lejania earned her degree in tourism in 2005 and complemented her academic background with a technical course tailored specifically for naturalist guides. In 2007, she spent a year living in the United States, an experience that broadened her perspective and strengthened her communication skills with international travelers. Upon returning to Brazil, she settled in Bonito—renowned for its crystalline waters and ecological preservation—where she refined her interpretive skills and developed a deeper understanding of Brazil’s diverse biomes.

After two years in Bonito, she returned to Aquidauana and began guiding professionally throughout the Pantanal in 2008. In addition to excelling in spotting elusive wildlife work, she loves to detail the complex relationships between species, habitats and human communities on her expeditions.

When she’s not working, Lejania continues to explore Brazil and beyond. She seeks out remote landscapes, engages with local communities and pursues her curiosity, always learning about the natural world, human nature and more.