Brazil Tours

Name: Brazil
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.6 (18 reviews)

Brazil is more than just Rio: discover mountainous plateaux, Amazonian scenery and apex predators

Brazil Holidays

Wild and remote, the Pantanal extends from the Amazon and is the world’s largest tropical wetland, straddling the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. Our Brazil tours take you among its vast plains and low scrubby forests, which are home to over 700 species of bird and 300 different mammals, such as tapirs, anteaters, jabiru storks, the striking hyacinth macaw and, of course, the jaguar.

The largest and most elusive feline in the Americas (and the third-biggest cat in the world after tigers and lions), it’s notoriously tricky to spot a jaguar in the wild. But since we’ve been running guided wildlife tours to the northern Pantanal, our groups have had 90% success rate in spotting these amazing cats. Jaguars are solitary predators, formidable opponents on land, and strong swimmers known to frequent the waterways we will explore on our Brazil holidays to the Pantanal. We divide our time here between a houseboat and a lodge, exploring deep into the region.

On our tours to Brazil, our expert leaders not only guide you to the best places to look for the jaguar, but they also impart their invaluable knowledge about the natural surroundings and other animals you’ll find here. You’ll learn all about the incredible ecosystems of the area as well as the wildlife. On our Land of the Jaguar tour you’ll enjoy seven boat trips which will greatly increase your chances of spotting the jaguar as you venture off the beaten track into the more remote parts of the Pantanal. Bird lovers will also be in their element as we head to the wetlands where a whole host of different species can be found.

Pantanal Iguassu Falls

Brazil Trips

9 Days from £ 5929

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Search for the largest predator in the Americas

Wildlife

10 Days from £ 9449

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Bring your camera to the Pantanal wetlands and try to snap the largest big cat in the Americas with expert help

Wildlife

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Top 5 Jaguar Facts

The Jaguar is the only big cat in the Americas: Although jaguars bear some resemblance to the leopard, owing to their distinctive spots, it’s very easy to tell them apart. As well as the jaguar having much more complex spots than the leopard, they both live in different continents. While leopards live in Africa and Asia, the jaguar can be found roaming the wetlands and rainforests of Central and Southern America, mainly inside the Amazon Basin. In over a century they have sadly lost over half of their original territory. Our wildlife tours to Brazil are centred around the Pantanal, the largest wetland in the world which lies in the heart of South America.

They were believed to gods in South America: In ancient South American cultures, the Aztecs, Mayans and Olmecs once worshipped the jaguar as they thought it to be a god. To these ancient civilisations, the fact that jaguars could see in the dark led them to believe that these curious creatures could move between the stars and the earth. In pre-Columbian cultures, the jaguar was often portrayed in ancient art and archaeology. During our Brazil tours, you’ll see just how mesmerising these majestic animals are and why they would be held in such great esteem.

They hunt both land and aquatic animals: One of the best aspects of our Brazil holidays that take you in search of the jaguar is that you get to see how they survive in their natural habitats. It may come as a surprise, but unlike most other feline species, the jaguar is not averse to dipping into the water to hunt their prey. In fact, they are actually excellent swimmers. They often head into the water to hunt for turtles and fish before returning to dry land for their main course of deer, tapirs, capybaras and peccaries.

The jaguar is a near-threatened species: Unfortunately, due to illegal poaching and deforestation in South and Central America, the jaguar has been classified by International Union for the Conservation of Nature as a near-threatened species. Over the decades, their habitats have also been destroyed for agricultural uses, meaning the forests where they roam have been broken up, so they are no longer able to travel in search of mates. This can have a devastating effect on the jaguar and can result in extinction. The leaders on our Brazil holidays to the Pantanal teach you about the threats the jaguars face and how corridors are being created to reconnect isolated populations.

They are the third biggest cat in the world: After the lion and the tiger, jaguars are the third largest big cats in the world. While the males can weigh up to an astonishing 120kg, the females tend to weigh a lot lighter at just 100kg. Spanning up to almost 2 metres in length, the jaguar is unsurprisingly the biggest cat in the Americas and their tails alone can measure 80cm. If you have the good fortune to see a jaguar in the wild on our Brazil tours, you’ll appreciate just how big and powerful they are.

Considering Brazil tours but new to small group travel? Check our trips to Brazil below.

In focus: Jaguar spotting in the Pantanal

Wild and remote, the Pantanal extends from the Amazon and is the world’s largest tropical wetland, straddling the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. Its plains and low scrubby forests are home to over 1000 species of bird and 300 different mammals, including tapirs, anteaters, jabiru storks, the striking hyacinth macaw and, of course, the jaguar.

The largest and most elusive feline in the Americas (and the third-biggest cat in the world after tigers and lions), it’s notoriously tricky to spot in the wild. But since we’ve been running tours to the northern Pantanal, our groups have had 100% success rate in spotting these amazing cats. Jaguars are solitary predators, formidable opponents on land, and strong swimmers known to frequent the waterways we will explore on our Brazil tours to the Pantanal. We divide our time here between a houseboat and a lodge, journeying deep into the region…

This trip delivered in bucket loads. There was wildlife everywhere we looked. Copious capybara and caiman. Three fantastic sightings of jaguar (a mother and two cubs and two solitary jaguar) and three amazing sightings of giant otter groups. Birds everywhere including imperious jabiru storks, kingfishers, herons, hawks and jacana. And it was great to be in a remote location on the Paraguay River. Apart from the odd fisherman in small boats, there was only our boat and one other from the lodge on the water. Most of the time we had the river to ourselves. The second lodge is a little busier and not quite so remote, but we still saw lots of wildlife including tapir, collared peccary, crab-eating foxes and a stunning southern tamandua.

Kevin Burt Land of the Jaguar

This was my first time taking a holiday with Exodus, perhaps it will not be my last. However, I must complain about the horrible 7 hour stopover at Sau Paulo airport. This is just far to long, and I think Exodus should think about using a different airline for the second leg of the journey. Once arrived on the second day at Hotel Baiazinha lodge, we all had an amazing time though, and I think this was exacerbated by the wonderful guide Tony, very eagle eyed and knowledgeable about all of the wildlife that the Pantanal has to offer. I like my wildlife photography, and this trip proved to be amazing. We did get to see a number of Jaguars, I will always remember my first sighting in the golden hour which made for some incredible photo’s. Memories that will last a lifetime is what I take back with myself.

Michael Brooks Land of the Jaguar

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