Untamed Brazil

Experience the magic of Brazil’s Pantanal and Amazon region, where savannah, wetland, and rainforest seamlessly blend together and create one of the most ecologically significant and biodiverse regions on Earth—3,500 different plants, 400 kinds of fish, more than 100 mammal species, and hundreds of reptiles and amphibians, and more. Covering more than 75,000 square miles across Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, the Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland, and this workshop is designed around exploring the best of the north and south portions of this incredible wonderland.

This unique mosaic is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife, including jaguars—the largest cats in the Americas—prowling the riverbanks in search of prey, mostly caimans, but sometimes the capybara, too.

Giant river otters, playful yet fierce apex predators of the waterways, glide effortlessly through the tannin-rich waters, while tapirs and caimans thrive in the dynamic interplay of water and land. Over 650 species of birds, from vibrant toucans and hyacinth macaws to jabirus and the elusive Agami heron, fill the skies with their vibrant colors and songs, creating an unparalleled opportunity to witness and photograph the wonders of the natural world.

The Cerrado, often referred to as the “upside-down forest” due to its deep-rooted vegetation, is a vibrant combination of grasslands, savannas, and woodlands that sustains an extraordinary range of wildlife. It is home to iconic species like the maned wolf, known for its striking red coat and long legs, and the giant anteater, a unique mammal with a keen sense of smell and a tongue built for devouring ants and termites. These species share their habitat with armadillos, crab-eating foxes, colorful macaws, and countless reptiles and amphibians, including the green anaconda.

The Cerrado’s ecological importance extends beyond its biodiversity—it serves as a vital water reservoir for Brazil and sequesters significant amounts of carbon in its deep soil, acting as a natural defense against climate change. However, the relentless push for agriculture threatens to unravel this delicate ecosystem, putting its remarkable wildlife and critical environmental functions at risk.

Just beyond the Pantanal lies the Brazilian Amazon. The Amazon rainforest unfolds as the world’s largest tropical forest, a living tapestry of lush vegetation supporting 10% of all known species in the world, including many that have yet to be discovered. The forest reverberates with the calls of howler monkeys, joined by marmosets, capuchins, and a plethora of other primate species. Other species we’ll target here include white-lipped peccary, collared peccary, king vultures, tapir, Gould’s toucanet, white-throated toucan, myriad of tanagers, and more!

Recognizing its significance, efforts to protect the Amazon have ramped up through a combination of government policies, indigenous stewardship, and international conservation initiatives. Protected reserves now cover approximately half of the Brazilian Amazon, safeguarding critical habitats while empowering local and indigenous communities who depend on the forest for their way of life.

Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure as we explore this extraordinary convergence of ecosystems. Our responsible travel contributes directly to the local economies and supports initiatives that protect one of nature’s grandest masterpieces.