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Go wildlife spotting in the Pantanal

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Head into the bush on a variety of excursions by boat, on horseback and on foot to spot wildlife in the Pantanal.

Covering an enormous area of barely populated wilderness, the Pantanal do Mato Grosso is perhaps the best place in South America to see wildlife. On a variety of land and river excursions, tailored to the season and the conditions, you’ll have the opportunity to track and observe animals in their undisturbed natural habitat, often easily visible thanks to the sparse foliage characteristic of these expansive grasslands.

While staying in the Pantanal, you are highly likely to see plenty of capybara, howler monkeys and caiman (particularly impressive on a night safari when a flash of the guide’s torch on a lake will light up countless pairs of glowing prehistoric eyes). Giant anteaters, jabiru storks, toucans, deer, peccaries, coatis and giant otters are also common, while ocelots and tapirs may be sighted. With luck, it’s even possible you might get a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse of a jaguar or an anaconda.

Holidays Go wildlife spotting in the Pantanal

From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.

Toucans sitting in a tree in the Amazon

Private Journeys

Brazil / The Amazon

Brazil Wildlife: Iguazu, Pantanal and Amazon Cruise

15 days from £7,700pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Pantanal

Group - Discovery

Brazil / Iguazú Falls

Trogon: Natural Brazil

12 days from £3,662pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

pantanal jaguar

Private Journeys

Brazil / Iguazú Falls

Wildlife Brazil: Jaguars of the Pantanal

11 days from £6,465pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Papagaio

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  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

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    Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

    During a career break, Rosie embarked on an unforgettable year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. Now back in the UK, she is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others, helping them discover her favourite place in the world.

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    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

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    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

  • Maggie
    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

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