When most people dream of Brazil’s wild places the Amazon instantly comes to mind: endless rainforest, winding rivers, and a symphony of unseen life echoing from the canopy. But deep in the heart of South America lies another treasure – the Pantanal, the worlds largest tropical wetland. Here, life is not hidden, but on display, jaguars stretch across riverbanks, giant otters splash in the shallows and macaws pain the skies in brilliant red and blue.
Both are wild, both are iconic – but they offer two very different safari experiences.
The Amazon: Mysterious & Vast
- Ecosystem: Dense rainforest, much of the wildlife hidden in thick canopy.
- Wildlife Experience: You hear and sense more than you see – monkeys rustling leaves, birds calling overhead.
- Access: Travel is often by boat navigating winding tributaries.
The Pantanal: Open and Abundant
- Ecosystem: Wide-open wetlands, seasonal floodplains, savannas.
- Wildlife Experience: Arguably the best place in the world to see jaguars. Giant otters, capybaras, caimans, tapirs, and countless bird species are visible daily.
- Access: Safaris often by boat along rivers, or by vehicle across ranch lands and reserves.
- Who It’s For: Wildlife photographers, families, and travelers who want higher chances of sightings and easier access to animals.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Amazon | Pantanal | |
| Landscape | Dense rainforest | Open wetlands & savannas |
| Wildlife Visibility | Harder to spot, hidden | High visibility, daily sightings |
| Signature Species | Pink river dolphin, howler monkeys, macaws | Jaguars, giant otters, cabybara, hyacinth macaws |
| Accessibility | Remote, longer travel | More direct via Cuiaba/Porto Jofre |
| Best For | Adventurers, birders, those seeking mystique | Wildlife photographers, first-time safari travelers |
Our Choice: Why We Picked the Pantanal
After our time in Africa, we fell in love with the wild – the kind of travel that is unpredictable, raw, and unlike any other trip you can take. So when the opportunity came to experience Brazil’s wilderness, we knew we wanted to dive in.
The idea first sparked when I was in Brazil last year for work, sitting in all-day meetings while one of the Safari Photographers/Leaders in Kenya (Pareet Shah) was leading a trip of his own. I couldn’t help but day dream about where id rather be – out on the river, watching wildlife unfold, instead of under fluorescent lights. That thought never left me.
Now, Pareet is guiding us through the Pantanal. Just like before, he and his team have taken care of the hotels, the guides, and the details – leaving us free to immerse ourselves in the experience. Having trusted experts at the helm not only takes away the stress of planning, but it gives us confidence that this trip will be every bit as extraordinary as Africa – only this time, in Brazil’s wetlands.
Closing Note
Both the Amazon and the Pantanal hold a kind of magic. One whispers secrets from the treetops; the other reveals its treasures in the open. The choice depends on the adventure you seek.
For us, the Pantanal was the safari of a lifetime – and this post is just the beginning. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing our full Pantanal itinerary, the wildlife encounters that left us speechless, and everything you need to know to plan your own trip into Brazil’s wild heart.