Conservation and Wildlife in Brazil

Self-appointed heart of modern Brazilian culture, the best cutting-edge music, fashion, restaurants and nightlife are all to be found here. Sao Paulo’s rich history of immigration provides a cosmopolitan, international edge that makes it one of the world’s great cities.

Your stat will include a private city tour of Sao Paulo’s highlights, where you visit will depend on your interests, but possible stops include the Liberdade neighbourhood, home to one of the largest Japanese populations outside Japan. You might also stop by the Sé Square, the city’s central square, Ibirapuera Park – the biggest green space in central São Paulo – and Patio do Colegio, the site where the city was founded in 1554.

The last great natural wilderness, the Amazon is a truly awesome location that needs to be experienced to be fully understood. Once you’ve settled into your lodge, your time here can be spent canoeing or heading out on various trails with expert guides through forests and hills. Climb the observation towers to better spot wildlife, and go birdwatching to spot endemic species and the famous mixed flocks, where several different species can be seen in the same place, often feeding on insects.

The activities usually begin early in the morning, particularly if you are to watch the sunrise from the top of an observation tower.

You’ll stay overnight close to Campo Grande International Airport and Parque das Nações Indígenas, before heading on to the Pantanal the next morning.

Made up of a variety of distinct terrains and ecosystems – wetlands, savannah and rainforest – the Pantanal remains of the most unspoiled and abundant habitats in the world, home to many endangered species including hyacinth macaws, toucans, tapir, giant anteaters, giant otters, the maned wolf, jaguar and capybara.

You’ll explore the Pantanal from Caiman Ecological Refuge, where activities include walking tours on trails through the forest, perhaps ending at Paizinho’s bridge, an excellent place to observe spectacled caimans. You can also set off on photographic safaris on specially adapted vehicles, take to the water on canoe trips and enjoy nighttime wildlife watching.

Stay for one night in Brasilia, the planned modernist city that superseded Rio de Janeiro as capital in 1960. Explore its purpose-built themed city blocks before you head on for more wildlife spotting in Cerrado.

The Cerrado, found in the centre of Brazil, is an expansive savannah region and the second largest – behind the better-known Amazon rainforest – of Brazil’s major habitat types. Hiding among the arid grasslands is the allusive jaguar, the less graceful giant anteater and the giant armadillo, plus one of the most emblematic animals in the region, the maned wolf. This curious creature has golden-red bat-shaped ears, long legs like a deer, the face of a fox and the body of a wolf.

Your trip draws to a close back in Sao Paulo where you can head out for a little more exploring or simply relax and reflect on your wildlife-rich adventure.