Pantanal wildlife in Brazil
There’s no chance you’ll come all the way to the Pantanal and not want to see a jaguar. These awesome predators, which sometimes kill their prey by biting through its skull – no hanging around waiting for it to suffocate like lions do – are the region’s most famous and charismatic species. Obviously, there are no guarantees, but sightings are more probable than possible, boosted by two factors: the Pantanal’s jaguars are semi-habituated, and don’t tend to scarper when humans appear; and the landscape here is open, with no huge trees of dense vegetation for them to hide in.
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Pantanal wildlife vacation in Brazil
Wildlife Safari in Brazil's stunning Northern Pantanal.
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How to see wildlife in the Pantanal
Boat trips will also yield a smorgasbord of other amazing Pantanal wildlife sightings. Look out for the giant otters, another Pantanal superstar, that fish and splash in large groups, calling noisily to each other, and also the caiman that lurk in the shallows. Overhead, hyacinth macaws, a dazzling shade of International Klein Blue, swoop between the trees and herons wait to stab a fish.
Early morning and dusk is the best time for wildlife spotting and the Pantanal’s open landscapes mean there is more than one way to seek out wildlife. Walking safaris take place both by day and night, for a chance to see a host of creatures, from capybaras to tapir and caiman. In addition, some lodges have observation towers that give you a chance to look down on the riverbank or even directly into a nest of jabiru storks. It may also be possible to see wild ocelots up close, from the cover of a hide – a rare treat, since these small felines are incredibly elusive.
Night drives in safari trucks equipped with spotlights are also possible – watch out for the red eyes of a caiman. You might also get lucky and see elusive species like ocelot, puma, crab-eating fox, Brazilian tapir and raccoons. As well as classic river cruises, you can paddle around in a traditional canoe. This quiet mode of transport won’t scare away the wildlife and is a superb way to spot the Pantanal’s impressive birdlife. Horse riding is another great way to explore, with animals unfazed by the presence of horses, thanks to the cowboys who herd cattle on horseback here.
Our top Brazil wildlife Vacation
Pantanal wildlife vacation in Brazil
Wildlife Safari in Brazil's stunning Northern Pantanal.
2021: 10 Jun