Brazil luxury nature vacation

Planet

As an in depth specialist tour operator to Brazil responsible tourism is at the very heart of what we do. To us, this means much more than a simple donation to a charity for each client. We try to build long and constructive involvements with local guides, wildlife lodges, and hotels, in the course of which we, and our clients, can make lasting wide-ranging contributions to the wonderful places and people we engage with. In this itinerary we use several hotels and lodges that fit with this philosophy perfectly:

We have chosen Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio and Hotel das Cataratas in Igauzu which are both part of the Belmond Hotel Group. Belmond works with EarthCheck, the world’s leading certification, consulting, and advisory group for sustainable destinations and tourism organisations. EarthCheck is trusted by more than 1300 leading travel and tourism operators in over 84 countries and is considered world-leading due to the integrity of its standards, transparency of its systems and robustness of the science that it is founded on. This partnership gives Belmond the ability to measure, manage and improve further their environmental performance across their worldwide operations. Within this comprehensive framework, their properties undergo a stringent sustainability certification process rooted in scientific principles and centered on people. They are subject to rigorous audits to ensure their compliance with ambitious standards. Belmond's “Think Global, Act Local” approach values each property’s first-hand knowledge and recognises the specificities of every context. It allows each local team to develop initiatives and partnerships that have the most relevance to the spaces and the communities.

Caiman Lodge is an eco-tourism pioneer in the Pantanal and is at the forefront of some of Brazil's most respected conservation projects, notably the Onçafari NGO and its groundbreaking jaguar habituation project. This initiative helps wild jaguars acclimate to the presence of vehicles, allowing researchers to track and study them in their natural habitat. Caiman and Onçafari achieved a world first by successfully rewilding jaguars, a remarkable achievement documented in the BBC Natural World film narrated by Sir David Attenborough, which tells the touching story of two female cubs reintroduced to the wild.
Other notable conservation efforts include the highly successful breeding programme for the endangered Hyacinth macaw and ongoing protection of the vulnerable blue-fronted parrot. Caiman is also home to an RPPN (Private Natural Heritage Reserve), which is legally protected for perpetuity, and only accessible to scientists studying the unique and delicate ecosystem of the Pantanal. As a GER (Global Ecosphere Retreat) of The Long Run, Caiman has passed a rigorous certification process for its commitment to sustainable and responsible conservation practices.

People

In Brazil we use local ground handlers - this means that all the operational costs go directly into the local economy and helps to improve employment opportunities in remote regions. By incorporating locally owned hotels, restaurants and the services of guides and drivers into our itineraries, we ensure that money you spend on your trip goes directly into the local economy and local communities benefit from tourism

We use local guides in all of our destinations. It is our experience that with the right approach, local guides with their superior local knowledge are best qualified for the job, and are the best champions of their local communities. It is also a fantastic way of helping communities to survive and flourish when gifted people are able to work locally instead of having to leave for the cities to find work.

At Caiman Lodge, employing local people is a core part of its philosophy, creating meaningful income opportunities for the community. This approach offers guests an experience that goes beyond any textbook knowledge. Native Pantanal experts collaborate with English-speaking naturalist guides on every activity, transforming each outing into an immersive, real-time documentary experience, just like something out of National Geographic.

At Hotel Palácio Tangará in São Paulo true hospitality extends beyond its walls and into the heart of the local community. Through the hotel’s youth training program, hands-on experience and mentorship is provided to young talent from the local community, helping to shape the next generation of hospitality professionals. In partnership with not for profit organisation Amigos do Bem who focus on promoting social development, education, and sustainable solutions to improve the lives of communities in the Northeast region of Brazil, the hotel also supports broader social development projects that bring lasting impact to those in need.