Best Brazil Wildlife Tours and Destinations

As a country with one of the richest faunas in the entire world, Brazil’s nature tours are dream-like experiences for wildlife enthusiasts 

Brazil hosts a higher number of terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates than any other country on the planet. This can be explained not only by the giant area of 8,510,000 km² but also by the biodiversity. The Amazon Rainforest, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Pantanal, Caatinga, and Pampas are the six biomes that occupy Brazilian territory—all of them very different from one another, but each with its own importance.

Consequently, the wildlife is just as generous. Naming just a few examples, the country has 139 species of primates, 775 mammals, and the world’s third-highest number of reptiles (848). By mixing adventure, animal watching, and sustainable tourism practices, Brazil wildlife tours are must-have experiences for every nature junkie out there.

To help you select the destination and experiences, PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil that works with the best local partners, has put together a comprehensive guide on the country’s best places to see wildlife. Check it out below!

Pantanal

In the west of Brazil, the Pantanal is the largest wetland on the planet, spanning over 200,000 km². Three different biomes share the same space: the Cerrado, the Atlantic Forest, and the Amazon Rainforest. This diversity gave the Pantanal Conservation Area the title of a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.

The Pantanal is the best place for wildlife watching in Brazil, as well as the best in the world to see jaguars. Other animals make special appearances, like capybaras, giant anteaters, jabiru storks, caimans, maned wolves, tapirs, etc.

👉 Read more: 15 Amazing Pantanal Animals and Wildlife

Pantanal Jaguar Safari in Porto Jofre

The Pantanal Jaguar Safari in Porto Jofre, Mato Grosso, explores the northern side of the biome, which is the region where jaguar sightings happen most frequently.

Alongside guides who know exactly where to look, you’ll be able to spot these beautiful felines in their natural habitat. The safaris are the highlights of this Brazil nature tour for the majority of guests, but you can also have memorable experiences while hiking and going on boat rides.

This tour includes round-trip transfers, comfortable accommodation, delicious Brazilian meals, and full-day guided tours for jaguar observation.

Pantanal Jaguar Photography Tour

Pantanal tours in Brazil are perfect for photographers (both amateur and professional) seeking gorgeous natural scenarios, rich fauna, and proper conditions for privileged sightings of numerous species.

Our Pantanal Jaguar Photography Tour takes place in the Northern Pantanal, so you can take the most beautiful shots of jaguars peacefully napping, swimming, nursing their cubs, and even hunting.

You’ll be guided by professional guides who not only can share the best photography tips, but also lead you to great areas to encounter jaguars, caimans, toucans, monkeys, snakes, etc.

This amazing trip includes round-trip transfers, accommodation at the Flotel or Berco Lodge, three meals a day, full-day boat safaris, and naturalist guides.

👉 Read more: Where to Stay in the Pantanal?

Pantanal Wildlife Trip from Campo Grande

Another option to experience the wildlife is the Pantanal Wildlife Trip from Campo Grande. In the city of Aquidauana, in the south, spotting jaguars doesn’t happen very often, but you can still see plenty of other animals.

In a photo safari, get your cameras ready to immortalize the images of anteaters, caimans, giant otters, capybaras, and the almighty jabiru stork—considered a symbol of the Pantanal.

This itinerary also includes night safaris, piranha fishing, horseback riding, boat tours, and hiking. Guests stay at cozy rooms with private bathrooms and enjoy delicious local cuisine at the restaurant, a refreshing swimming pool, and hammocks for a truly relaxing stay. 

Luxury Jaguar Safari in the Pantanal

Perfect for nature lovers, this wildlife tour in Brazil is the perfect mix of Pantaneiro authenticity and comfort. The itinerary includes many opportunities to spot animals, such as ecological walks, safaris, nocturnal observation excursions, and canoe trips. 

The safaris, however, are surely a favorite among visitors. Caiman’s facilities are the only place in the Southern Pantanal where it’s possible to see jaguars. With the support of the Onçafari Project, the hotel’s guests have many chances of spotting these animals in the wild.

As one of the highest-rated lodges in the area, Caiman offers a fantastic stay experience with the Luxury Jaguar Safari in the Pantanal. Aside from 18 air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and balconies, a swimming pool, decks, a sauna, a gym, fire pits, a restaurant, and a bar, this luxury accommodation has various activities for guests who can’t stay away from nature—including night tours, hiking, and canoeing.

Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world, spanning over 6.74 million km² in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela, and Suriname. The biggest share is actually located in Brazil, where it occupies parts of the states of Amazonas, Amapá, Acre, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, and Maranhão.

The Amazonian flora is impressive, but so is the fauna. Amid birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, scientists claim there are 30 million species of animals in the forest.

While it might be harder to spot animals here than in the Pantanal—due to the vastness of the forest and the density of the vegetation—Amazon wildlife tours in Brazil are still some of the best ecotourism options for nature lovers.

👉 Read more: Pantanal or the Amazon — Which One Should You Choose?

Cristalino Jungle Lodge

Considered one of the best jungle lodges in the world by National Geographic, Cristalino Jungle Lodge, in the state of Mato Grosso, is a haven of tranquility and luxury in the middle of the Amazon. Forest hikes, canoeing, boat trips, and climbing on the 50-meter-tall observation towers are wonderful activities for wildlife watching.

On the top of the trees, flying across the blue sky, roaming around the jungle, and swimming in the rivers, expect to see plenty of different animals, like monkeys, caimans, lizards, tapirs, and other Amazon animals.

Additionally, Cristalino is a five-star stay experience with air-conditioned suites, charming decor, bathtubs, outdoor showers, balconies with hammocks, private gardens,  a gourmet area, a floating deck, and a reading room. 

Cristalino Birdwatching

Birdwatching in the Amazon is a lifetime experience at Cristalino. The lodge has an entire itinerary for birdwatching, including hiking on special trails to look for birds.

With the help of expert guides, you’ll see fascinating species that only exist in this part of the forest, such as the rufous-capped nunlet, dusky-cheeked foliage-gleaner, dark-billed cuckoo, blue-winged and red-bellied macaws, and many more!

Activities also include canoeing, boat tours, and climbing on the observation towers—which allows for an even greater view of the birds and the forest as a whole. An unmissable experience for anyone seeking adventure in Brazil!

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is another sophisticated accommodation in the Amazon. Safely nestled in Anavilhanas National Park, the second-largest river archipelago in the world, this is the main choice for guests who want to immerse themselves in nature and explore Brazil’s wildlife.

Such an incredible location allows for sightings of the most fascinating creatures, including sloths, caimans, manatees, spider monkeys, and piranhas. The most awaited moment, however, is when travelers can interact with the friendly Amazon pink dolphins!

To make things better, Anavilhanas guests will definitely fall in love with the lodge’s gorgeous infrastructure: caboclo architecture, sophisticated rooms with private bathrooms and jaw-dropping views of the forest, a floating bar, a fine dining restaurant, a lounge, swimming pools, a gym, a massage room, and a gift shop.

Amazon Rainforest Ecolodge Trip in Brazil

Another perfect tour for tourists seeking wildlife activities is the Amazon Rainforest Ecolodge Trip in Brazil.

This Brazilian wildlife tour takes place at Uakari Lodge, named after the white uakari monkey (Cacajao calvus calvus), native to the area of the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, where the accommodation is located.

Built on stilts to adapt to seasonal floods, the lodge offers an unparalleled connection to the rainforest. Aside from the uakari monkeys, you can spot extraordinary local wildlife, including caimans, sloths, river dolphins, exotic birds, etc.

The experience is further enhanced by the amazing curated activities, such as jungle hiking, canoeing, night spotting, and fishing, making it an unforgettable journey for nature enthusiasts.

👉 Read more: When is the Best Time to Visit Brazil?

Cerrado

The Cerrado is Brazil’s savanna, covering around 25% of the country’s territory. It spans up to 2 million km² in the states of Goiás, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Maranhão, Piauí, São Paulo, and Brasília. 

Considered a highly biodiverse biome, it holds over 5% of the world’s animals and plants. This ecosystem is home to 860 species of birds, 180 reptiles, 200 mammals, 150 amphibians, 1,200 fish, and millions of insects. 

No wonder this is one of the best places to see wildlife in Brazil!

Pousada Trijunção

National Geographic includes the Cerrado as a great destination for wildlife activities, highlighting birdwatching and wolf tracking. The publication also mentions Pousada Trijunção—situated in the triple border of Bahia, Goiás, and Minas Gerais—as the best stay option for people visiting this enchanting destination.

Wildlife watching is, indeed, one of the inn’s main attractions. Night safaris, guided birdwatching, and visiting a conservation breeding and wild animal release area are amazing opportunities to see deer, tapirs, peccaries, hawks, macaws, etc. In partnership with Onçafari, spotting maned wolves is just as unforgettable.

Providing the utmost comfort, Pousada Trijunção has seven suites with king-size beds, air-conditioning, TVs, and mini fridges. In the common areas, there is a local cuisine restaurant (which serves all-day breakfast), a lounge, a swimming pool, and much more.

Abrolhos

Abrolhos is an archipelago situated in the Atlantic Ocean, about 65 km away from the south coast of Bahia. Its five islands are protected by Abrolhos Marine National Park, established in 1983.

Home to the largest reef complex and the richest marine biodiversity of the South Atlantic Ocean, Abrolhos is a true sanctuary for stingrays, hundreds of different species of fish, sea turtles, and seabirds.

However, the protagonist of Abrolhos is, without a doubt, the humpback whale. The archipelago is known as a destination where these gentle giants go every year—mostly between July and November—to breed, feed their calves, and rest. 

Diving Liveabord in Abrolhos

Abrolhos Liveaboard is definitely the perfect vacation option for people who want to see a different side of Brazil’s nature tours. Instead of immersing yourself in the jungle, you get to explore the beauty of Bahia’s sea and its riveting creatures.

Sailing through the crystal-blue waters of the islands, activities include guided dives (day and night), stand-up paddling, sunset contemplation, and, of course, humpback whale watching.

A lovely (and safe!) catamaran is the accommodation for guests joining the tour. Five ensuite cabins will comfortably welcome you on this aquatic adventure. Feeling hungry? Freshly made Brazilian food is served aboard every day!

👉 Read more: 10 facts about Abrolhos

Fernando de Noronha

A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001, Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago off the northeast coast of Brazil, in the state of Pernambuco. 

Aside from the breathtaking beaches—including Baía do Sancho, ranked #35 by The World’s 50 Best Beaches—travelers are lured to the island due to its vibrant marine life. Green turtles, spinner dolphins, barracudas, lemon sharks, and moray eels are just a few animals often seen in the area.

To see this beauty up close, Fernando de Noronha has the best diving spots in Brazil and all of South America.

Diving trips in Fernando de Noronha

If you truly want to experience everything Fernando de Noronha has to offer, then you can’t miss the opportunity of exploring its beautiful diving sites!

With the help of local, qualified guides, you’ll be amazed by the paradise this island hides underwater. Whether this is your first time diving or you’ve had your fair share of aquatic adventures before, Fernando de Noronha’s got your back.

The Fernando de Noronha Diving Trip includes diving sessions, accommodation, breakfast, round-trip transfers, and a full-day island tour. 

👉 Read more: 10 facts about Fernando de Noronha

Wildlife tours in Brazil with PlanetaEXO

See how fascinating the wildlife in Brazil is? From the jungle to the savanna, from wetlands to aquatic ecosystems, there is an option for every nature lover’s tastes and needs!

PlanetaEXO is an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil. By connecting you with the best local partners, we ensure a fulfilling, responsible travel experience in some of the country’s most incredible natural destinations. Contact us now!