Best of Brazilian Wildlife Holiday

Itinerary Highlights

Iconic Rio de Janeiro
Rich Amazon Rainforest
Pantanal Wetlands
Diverse Wildlife
Majestic Iguacu Falls

What's Included

Flights
Accommodation Throughout
Transfers

13 nights from £5,495 per person

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

0203 131 4707

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Delve deep into the natural wonders of Brazil on this Best of Brazilian Wildlife holiday.

Brazil is home to spectacular tropical forests, mountains, beaches and of course stunning cities. Whilst in Rio de Janeiro, visit Christ the Redeemer guarding the city upon Corcovado Mountain and ride the cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Sip a caipirinha on Copacabana Beach while listening to samba and watch the lively cariocas (Rio’s residents) try their hand at capoeira or perhaps just a game of beach football.

It is not however just Rio where you discover how much Brazil has to offer. On this itinerary you have the chance to explore some of the country's most productive wildlife hotspots. The almost impenetrable canopy of the Amazon rainforest is your first stop outside of Rio, and after a flight of just over 4 hours you arrive in the city of Manaus. The Amazon is home to over 40,000 plant, 427 mammal and 1300 bird species, and you have three nights based in a wildlife focused lodge deep in the forest to experience life within and below the canopy.

From the Amazon you fly back to the south and visit the vast tropical wetlands of the Pantanal. This region has an estimated 1000 bird species and 300 mammals. Eagle-eyed visitors will spot the iconic Jaribu and hyacinth macaw above, whilst on land caiman and capybaras roam. The Pantanal wetlands are also the best place in Brazil for spotting Jaguars, and this itinerary can be tailored for a focus on encountering one of the world's largest cats.

Following your experience in the wetlands you continue to the Iguacu Falls. Here you are back in the lush tropical rainforest that surrounds the waterfalls, and this is home to beautiful butterflies, colourful birds, a rich array of vegetation and the occasional mammal such as coatis. The falls themselves tumble over the rocks, creating a deafening cacophony of gushing water - a memorable end to your Brazilian holiday at one of the world's natural wonders.

Itinerary

Day 1 Flight to Rio de Janeiro

Depart the UK today on your chosen flights to Rio de Janeiro. Set on one of the most beautiful natural bays in the world, with its backdrop of rocky wooded mountains, stunning beaches and deep blue sea studded with islands, Rio offers a taste of Brazil’s natural wonders. Settle into your hotel and relax into the Carioca vibe.

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Day 2 Rio de Janeiro

Ride along Rio’s famous beaches on a tour of this wonderful city. From the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer perched on Corcovado Mountain, take in a bird’s eye view over the city below. Often shrouded in mist, or stood on top of the clouds, the Corcovado Mountain is a highlight and can be reached by cog railway. The Pão de Açúcar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) is a massive volcanic cone, 396m in height, at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. Catch a cable car to the summit and get a shot of the cityscape. As the sun sets over the horizon, sip a refreshing caipirinha and watch the samba dancers move to the pulsating beats.

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Day 3 Rio de Janeiro - Manaus

You have the morning at leisure in Rio de Janeiro before you head to the mighty Amazon rainforest. Covering almost half of Brazil, the world's largest tropical rainforest is home to 40,000 plant species, 427 mammals and 1,300 bird species, that's not including all the reptiles, fish and amphibians. You fly into the sprawling city of Manaus this evening and stay in a central hotel prior to your pick-up to travel to your Jungle lodge tomorrow.

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Day 4 Amazon Rainforest

Today you begin your adventure into the Amazon Rainforest. You are collected from your hotel in Manaus early this morning for a trip by speed boat, van and speed boat again. During your trip you might be lucky enough to encounter some pink dolphins before you stop to see the amazing Meeting of the Waters. Here the muddy flow of the Solimões River and the black waters of the Negro River run side by side, without mixing, to form the great Amazonas River. You continue to your lodge where you arrive in time for lunch, before you head out in the afternoon to explore the Amazonian creek's flooded forest in motorised canoes. You return for dinner before then heading out this evening for a night-time canoe ride in search of the nocturnal wildlife of the forest.

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Day 5 Amazon Rainforest

Awake to the alarm call of the howler monkeys, before joining a local guide for a trek through the jungle. Catch a glimpse of the paradise tanager or the curl crested aracari with their colourful plumage. Meander trails to spot mammals including the tapir, the largest mammals in South America, capybara, and monkeys such as endemic white-whiskered spider monkey. Look out for the rich variety of reptiles including lizards of different shapes and sizes, many types of amphibians, turtles and terrapins.

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Day 6 Amazon Rainforest

Early this morning you head out for a sunrise excursion for an experience listening to the sights and sounds of the waking jungle. You return to the lodge for breakfast before you then visit the house of a local family to learn more about their fascinating culture and way of life in the Amazon. Later you travel by paddle canoe through the dense vegetation in search of more wildlife, and a chance to learn more about the flora in this part of the forest.

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Day 7 Amazon - Cuiaba

This morning you begin your journey from your lodge back towards the city of Manaus, and depart the Amazon for the Pantanal, flying to Cuiaba. Cuiaba is the gateway to the Northern Pantanal, and you spend the night in the city before continuing tomorrow morning to your Pantanal lodge.

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Day 8 Pantanal

This morning transfer by road (approximately 3 hours) to your Pantanal Lodge, Rio Mutum. Surrounded by hills, lakes and grassy plains, the lodge is the ideal place to base yourself whilst discovering one of the largest wetlands in the world. The annual cycle of floods and droughts define life here. During the dry season, July – October, birds and animals congregate around the few remaining areas of water making it easy to spot a parade of wildlife. During the wet season, aquatic life flourishes. Discover this region of enormous biological diversity by nature walks, canoe trips, 4X4 safaris and by horseback.

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Day 9 Pantanal

Canoe along the waterways as dawn breaks and the vast plains come alive with bird calls and the high-pitched squeal of marmoset monkeys. Search for birdlife such as the iconic Jaribu with it swollen red neck and the hyacinth macaw, one of the largest in the world amidst tropical savannah plants. During the dry season, paddle up to the huge “Ninhais” (bird sanctuaries) where thousands of wood-storks, spoonbills, herons, and cormorants gather.

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Day 10 Pantanal

Birds are only part of the picture. Beat back the bush to find the largest concentration of wildlife in the Americas. Local inhabitants include alligators, capybaras, giant anteaters, giant river otters and various monkeys. Keen birders can spot herons, ibises, curassows, toucans, woodpeckers, tanagers and so much more. Head back in the afternoon to relax in your hammock, icy cold drink in hand until the sun sets to the idyllic sounds of nature.

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Day 11 Pantanal – Iguacu

Today transfer by road to Cuiaba and fly to Iguacu. Bordering Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, Iguacu Falls is a staggering 80 metres high and consists of 275 separate waterfalls. This colossal number of cascades produces vast sprays of water and deafening roars as they tumble over the edge of the rocks into the Parana River. Situated within subtropical Atlantic rainforest the area is home to an array of wildlife from tapirs to giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans.

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Day 12 Iguacu Falls

Today view the incredible Iguacu Falls on both the Brazilian and the Argentine side. Both merit a visit to take in these incredible falls from a variety of different viewpoints. Wind your way down a long-paved path through lush subtropical rainforest on the Brazilian side to take in the vistas of the Argentine side. Cross the border into Argentina to traverse a series of walkways at varying levels allowing you to take in the water from every angle and find that unforgettable photo opportunity. For those who are brave enough, you can stand just metres above the frenzied spray on a suspended platform overlooking the largest of the falls, the Devil’s Throat.

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Day 13 Iguacu Falls - UK

Today depart Iguacu for your return flight to the UK via Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paolo (subject to flight schedules).

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

0203 131 4707

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Pricing Information & Dates

13 nights from £5,495 per person

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

0203 131 4707

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Price Includes

Return International Flights as per the itinerary
All airport taxes and security charges
Accommodation and meals as specified
Transfers as specified
Activities and excursions as specified
All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified

This tours includes flights from the UK and within Brazil as well as all land arrangements, with excursions, transfers and accommodation. Meals are included where specified on a full board basis in the the Amazon and Pantanal Lodges, and with breakfast elsewhere.

Price Excludes

Travel Insurance
Any meals not specified in the itinerary
Tips and gratuities
Optional excursions

Why Choose Us?

Passionate travel experts

We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences

Personal & tailor-made

You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love

Responsible by nature

We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours