Conservation and Wildlife in Brazil

Price guide

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Conservation and Wildlife in Brazil

Duration14 days

Price guide

From

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Mist over the Amazon river with trees either side

Destinations

Days 1–2

Sao Paulo

On this thrilling 14-day adventure you’ll visit some of the country’s most stunning places, stay in luxurious accommodation and get an up-close look at how various projects and organisations are working to conserve Brazil’s remarkable wildlife and landscapes. Spot jaguars, venture into the vast Amazon and spend nights looking for rare nocturnal creatures.

Trip highlights

Go birdwatching in the lush Amazon rainforest
Track jaguars in the wild
Learn about the protection of the maned wolf
Explore the Pantanal from Caiman Ecological Refuge
Spot nocturnal creatures including the dwarf caiman
Join wildlife experts at Cristalino Jungle Lodge

Spotting jaguars in the Pantanal

Squirrel monkeys on the lookout in the Amazon

Exploring with expert guides from Cristalino Jungle Lodge

Birdlife at Caiman Ecological Refuge

A few days in the city in Sao Paulo

Our bespoke trips include

We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:

Luxury accommodation throughout
Privately guided tours
Private transfers
Meticulously selected experiences
Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge

Black and white illustration of two guides pointing to a building in the distance

Itinerary in detail

Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.

Days 1–2

A rich cultural welcome in Sao Paulo

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.

Where you could stay

Sao Paulo

Fasano Sao Paulo

The Fasano Sao Paulo is simply a world class hotel, with an understated style, complete luxury and impeccable service throughout. Located in Jardims, just off of the famous shopping street of Oscar Freire, there’s much to do in the immediate vicinity (an important consideration in a city of this scale). The Fasano’s facilities are all top class, with a spa, a bar and two restaurants which are among the very best in the Sao Paulo (the Fasano family, built their reputation on their restaurants before moving into hotels). All the rooms in the Fasano have been decorated with a real eye for quality; every item, fixture and fitting has been carefully sourced and the rooms are extremely comfortable and spacious. All in all, the Fasano Sao Paulo is a class act throughout.

Days 2–5

Remote wilderness in the Brazilian Amazon

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.

Where you could stay

Latin America

Cristalino Jungle Lodge

Truly one of the best lodges to explore the natural world of Brazil’s Amazon rainforest – as confirmed by the National Geographic Traveller, who named it one of the best hotels in all the country – the Cristalino is a spectacular, very comfortable and conscientiously designed jungle lodge for serious nature lovers. Set in its own 28,167-hectare private reserve and only reachable by boat, the lodge also manages to combine several different accommodation options for every type of traveller. Families will find the two-bedroom bungalows very comfortable, and couples looking for extra privacy will find the ‘special bungalows’ ideal. Things like solar-powered hot water and biological waste treatment keep the property sustainable with minimum impact on the precious environment around you. Private verandas and outdoor showers come as standard in all category of rooms, and upper-tier options feature private gardens and L’Occitane products. The staff here look after every individual guest beautifully, as do the lodge’s team of naturalist guides and wildlife experts who lead you on your daily expeditions. Choose from a scheduled programme of diverse activities depending on your length of stay, or pick and choose what you like, mixed in with the right balance of relaxation. Combining remoteness with an elegant style of comfort, expert nature activities and outdoors adventure, and fantastic facilities for its position, Cristalino is without a doubt one of our favorites.

Days 5–6

Transfer to the Pantanal via Campo Grande

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

Where you could stay

Latin America

Hotel Deville Prime Campo Grande

A neat hotel offering comfortable rooms and delicious local food.

Days 6–9

Discovering the Pantanal

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.

Where you could stay

Positive Impact

The Pantanal

Caiman Lodge

Rising from the Pantanal – Brazil’s enormous wetland, Casa Caiman beckons guests to discover a land of immense biodiversity. This former farmhouse has been renovated into 18 suites. A short distance away from Casa Caiman lies Baiazinha, a separate lodge with six bedrooms, operating as a private villa.

Wildlife highlights

Big cats

Birdwatching

A jaguar stood in water in the Pantanal wetlands, Brazil

Caiman Ecological Refuge jaguar experience

Spend a full day and evening with the Jaguar Habituation Team. In the morning you’ll get involved in their daily activities, searching for the ever elusive jaguar through tracks, satellite data and camera tracks.You may have a chance to experience tracking on foot with the trained trackers. You will also be given a full presentation on the project’s work and objectives at the base station.

The Hyacinth Macaw conservation project

Few tropical bird species are more striking than the endangered hyacinth macaw with its deep royal blue plumage and gold-rimmed eyes. Admire the bird up close, learn about the history of the species, how it has suffered from acquisition by humans who covet it for its exquisite plumage, and how existing pairs are now being monitored and encouraged to reproduce.

Days 9–10

Overnight in Brasilia

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.

Where you could stay

Latin America

B Hotel Brasilia

A comfortable hotel with minimalistic artistic design and signature furniture.

Days 10–13

The grasslands of the 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.

Where you could stay

Cerrado

Pousada Trijunção

Set on the border that divides the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Goias, Pousada Trijunção is highly regarded for its philosophy of supporting the rediscovery of the Cerrado ecoregion, as well as promoting its continual preservation. Located in an oasis which is a true miracle of nature, there’s a striking integration between Pousada Trijunção and its beautiful surroundings, wonderfully anchored by comfort and luxury. An area of rich flora and fauna, including 13,000 species of plant, 850 species of bird, over 250 mammals and almost 500 reptiles, a stay at Pousada Trijunção helps to stimulate conservation of this natural haven, and allows guests to experience a lush and scenic habitat that spreads across three states. There are seven suites, all charming, sophisticated and comfortable, decorated with features such as traditional handicrafts and photography. In keeping with the property’s focus on sustainability, the flooring of each suite has been constructed with demolition wood, while numerous other sustainable materials have been used throughout the building process. Other features, such as the use of native plants around the grounds, continues to help the promotion of local ecotourism. Brazilian literary works about the Cerrado area reference local culinary traditions, most notably the event of cooking outside and cooking inside. The former is embraced through the hosting of barbecues and picnics, while the latter is achieved through a charming on-site restaurant which is underpinned by traditional hospitality.

The wildlife of the Cerrado

The dwarf caiman

The maned wolf

Nocturnal dwarf caiman spotting

At Lagoa das Araras you’ll board an eco-friendly, silent, electric motorboat. As you near the shore, we’ll shut down the engine to get a closer peek at the star of the show, the dwarf caiman. This is the smallest species of the Crocodylia order, growing up to just 1.5 meters. They are nocturnal, travel great distances over land and are more tolerant to cold water than other alligators.

In search of the maned wolf

Seven monitored individuals of this species inhabit the borders of Fazenda Trijunção under the care of the NGO Onçafari. Your guided safari in open-air cars takes place in the early morning or at dusk. When we find the wolves, you’ll get to observe them up close in their natural habitat and learn more about this incredible species. It is also common to see tapirs, anteaters and deer.

Days 13–14

A final night in Sao Paulo

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.