Steve Winter Jaguar Photography Safari
Join renowned wildlife and travel photographer Steve Winter on an unforgettable safari through Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands to observe the elusive jaguar.
Menu
Cristalino Lodge
An Eco-Luxury Retreat in the Brazilian Amazon
Cristalino Lodge is an eco-luxury retreat in Brazil’s southern Amazon, where refined comfort meets one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Surrounded by more than 29,000 acres of private rainforest reserve, the lodge is designed to blend seamlessly with nature while offering stylish, sustainable accommodation.
Guests can swim from the floating deck in the crystal-clear Cristalino River and join expert-led activities that bring the rainforest to life. From guided hikes and canoe excursions to climbing canopy towers and observing tapirs at clay licks, every experience is designed to immerse you in the Amazon’s extraordinary wildlife and landscapes.
Lodge Details
Location
- Situated in a private reserve of over 29,652 acres in Brazil’s southern Amazon.
- Accessed via a 90-minute drive from Alta Floresta, followed by a motorised canoe and a 30-minute boat ride along the Cristalino River.
- Remote yet comfortable, ensuring an authentic Amazon experience far from the crowds.
- The surrounding rainforest is home to extraordinary wildlife, from tapirs and giant river otters to over 600 bird species.
Accommodation & Facilities
- A total of 18 eco-friendly rooms, blending comfort with rainforest surroundings.
- Choice of Standard Rooms, Superior Rooms, or Private Bungalows, each thoughtfully designed.
- Sustainable features include solar water heating, grey and black-water treatment systems, and natural roof venting.
- Facilities spread across two clearings, with a dining room, bar, lounge, library, and a floating deck perfect for swimming or riverside relaxation.
Activities
- Rainforest hikes with expert naturalist guides, exploring trails rich in flora and fauna.
- Tapir clay lick visits and a treehouse hide for observing wildlife such as peccaries and other mammals.
- Canoe excursions and canopy towers offering sweeping views across the forest.
- Specialist programmes tailored for birdwatching, photography, families, butterflies, and ecotourism enthusiasts.
Dining
- A warm and welcoming restaurant and bar, serving fresh regional cuisine and Amazon-inspired appetisers.
- The bar is known for its signature caipirinhas, the perfect way to end a day of adventure.
- On special evenings, enjoy candlelit dinners beneath a thatched roof patio, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.
- Flexible dining ensures guests can savour meals at leisure after activities.
Brazil Safaris
From 10500 per person
The Icons of Brazil Safari
From the beaches of Rio and the statue of Christ the Redeemer, to tracking the majestic jaguar through the wilds of the Pantanal Wetlands, and finally witnessing the awe-inspiring sight of the world’s largest waterfall system, this safari allows you to experience three of the most enduring symbols of Brazil.
Brazil's Big 3: Cerrado, Amazon & Pantanal
On this safari you will visit 3 different biomes: the vast Pantanal, mighty Amazon and little-known Cerrado and have a good chance to spot iconic wildlife such as jaguars, maned wolves, giant river otters, tapir and giant anteaters.
Short North Pantanal Jaguar Safari
Jaguars are perhaps the most elusive of all the big cats, with most favouring dense jungle as their habitat. But in the Pantanal – the world’s largest wetland – these majestic felines depend on the waterways for survival, just as the rest of the wildlife does here. This is what makes the Pantanal the best place to see jaguars in the wild, as the cats can often be seen on riverbanks hunting for prey, taking a drink or resting in the shade. Swimming jaguars are also not an uncommon sight here! On this safari you’ll go where the jaguar goes, travelling and even sleeping on the rivers as you search for sign of the largest cat in the Americas. Along the way you’ll receive first-hand knowledge from guides who are experts in the flora and fauna of the region, embark on night drives looking for nocturnal creatures, and get to know the other colourful creatures that share this land with the jaguar.On this safari you’ll go where the jaguar goes, travelling and even sleeping on the rivers as you search for sign of the largest cat in the Americas.
We love Cristalino Lodge for its rare combination of pristine wilderness and refined comfort, set within a vast private reserve that protects one of the most biodiverse corners of the Amazon. Its sustainable design ensures that every stay supports conservation, while still offering style and relaxation. Days here are filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters, from spotting tapirs and monkeys to gliding past giant otters and colourful birds. After adventures on foot, by canoe, or from the heights of a canopy tower, the floating deck on the Cristalino River provides the perfect place to swim, unwind, and soak up the sounds of the rainforest.