Tailormade Holidays in Brazil

The Iguazú Falls are one of the world’s most impressive and beautiful sights – a series of cascading waterfalls which tumble over 90 metres, thundering through the lush forested slopes of an ‘Eden-like’ setting. They are located on Brazil’s border with Argentina and it is worth experiencing them from both countries. From Brazil the most spectacular panoramic views may be obtained, but from the Argentine side it is possible to get far closer to the falls themselves via various trails and catwalks, and it has the added advantage of easy access to the two wonderful national parks in the area. Here it’s possible to encounter a new set of species including many varieties of woodcreepers, flycatchers, tanagers and manakins. The falls area itself is not bereft of birdlife, with specialities such as Black-fronted Piping-guan and both Toco and Red-breasted Toucans among the possibilities. A highlight of the late afternoon are the thousands of Great Dusky Swifts which gather overhead before diving down to dash through the cascading water to their night-time roost.

Accommodation in Iguazú Falls

The Pantanal is a vast, seasonally inundated freshwater ecosystem that covers much of the western side of Brazil. It is a site of international importance and plays a significant role in regional climate stabilisation and groundwater purification; it extends southwards from the plateau of the Mato Grosso to Brazil’s borders with Paraguay and Bolivia. Roughly the size of France, the Pantanal is accessed from the north via the Transpantaneira road which passes through a sparsely populated land of cattle ranches and wetlands. The northern Pantanal is marked by low dry woodland, damp grasslands and gallery forest along the banks of a large system of meandering rivers, creating a mosaic of different habitats rich in all manner of wildlife. The central region, near Porto Jofre, is one of the best areas in South America to see Jaguar; indeed, to date, no Naturetrek tailormade client has returned from this area in the dry season without a Jaguar sighting – a record we are keen to uphold. Common species seen throughout the Pantanal include Capybara, Marsh Deer, Azara’s Agouti, Yacare Caiman and Green Iguana as well as a host of colourful lizards and, of course, plentiful birdlife.

Accommodation in The Pantanal

In stark contrast to the wilderness of the Pantanal, a visit to the city of Rio de Janeiro offers a cultural experience that is hard to rival. Often dubbed the ‘Marvellous City’, Rio acted as the capital of Brazil until 1960 and is home to some of Brazil’s most famous tourist attractions, including Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) and the statue of Christ the Redeemer (Corcovado). However, the cosmopolitan hustle and bustle belies a city that is enveloped by nature; nestled between the lush, green rolling mountains and the crystal depths of the Atlantic Ocean, a stay in Rio will allow you to capture the essence of Brazil as found nowhere else in the country.

The upmarket village of Praia do Forte provides the perfect opportunity for relaxation. Set along a palm-lined, white sand beach, restaurant options are plentiful, and there is much to explore in the local area. A sea turtle reserve can be found a short walk away, as well as picturesque churches and castle ruins. Opportunities to explore secondary Atlantic forest can be found at the nearby Sapiranga Forest Reserve, which offers a network of trails, as well as opportunities to canoe across a beautiful lake.   

Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, is known for its Portuguese colonial architecture, Afro-Brazilian culture and tropical coastline, and is a popular choice for relaxation at the end of a wildlife-filled Brazilian tour. The city is well known for its energetic and lively Carnival celebrations, amongst countless other open-air festivals; while it is often referred to as one of Brazil’s hotspots for dance and music, there is much more to experience besides. The colourful architecture of the city is reflective of its former status as the capital of Portugal’s New World Colony, and many a happy hour can be spent sightseeing around the vibrant neighbourhood plazas, sampling the delicious local cuisines along the way. The city has a hot, tropical climate, and the picturesque white sand beaches are the perfect place to relax and cool off in the turquoise waters. The beaches are also breeding sites for Green, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and Loggerhead Turtles between May and December. Those who venture inland are rewarded with countless trails that wind their way through the 1500 square kilometre Chapada Diamantina National Park, a paradise for naturalists.