ClickCeaseBrazil's Big 3: Cerrado, Amazon & Pantanal - Natural World Safaris
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Location
brazil

Details
13 DAYS FROM 16000 PP

Best time to go
MAY - OCT

BRA Brazil Richard Denyer
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Brazil's Big 3 Safari

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. Discover Brazil's Big Five.

Cerrado is a tropical savannah in central Brazil, home to five percent of the world’s biodiversity, making it the richestsavannah on earth. Then you’ll head into the legendary Amazon rainforest, to stay at the finest jungle lodge in South America.  Here your focus is an integrated rainforest experience like no other.

The final stop on your ultimate Brazil wildlife adventure is Caiman Ecological Refuge where you’ll explore 17,300 acres of private reserve with your naturalist guide. Alongside your mission to observe Brazil’s Big Three also look out for capybaras, pampas deer, huge hyacinth macaws as well as armadillo. Combining these three stunning biomes is the best way to experience the incredible biodiversity of Brazil.

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BRA Sl Brazil Pie Aerts

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS TRIP


  • Search for Iconic Wildlife of Brazil: There’s nothing like the thrill of witnessing a Jaguar leaping on a caiman. Look out for maned wolves, tapirs, anteaters, macaws, toucans, and jabiru storks, in their natural habitats.
  • Stay in Brazil’s Best Wildlife Lodges: Explore Caiman Ecological Refuge - home to a key jaguar conservation project - for wildlife viewing on 4x4 safaris, guided walks, canoeing, and night safaris. Spend time at Pousada Trijunção which offers comfortable boutique accommodations in the remote Cerrado biome, while Cristalino Lodge offers stylish accommodation in a nature lover's paradise.

Your Example Day by Day

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Day 1, Arrive Brasilia

Upon arrival into Brasilia you’ll meet your driver where you’ll be transferred straight to Cerrado. This journey can take around five and a half hours – as you begin to enter the savannah there is a chance of sightings on the dirt road, including mammals such as tapir, coati, foxes, and even elusive wild cats. On arrival, settle down for dinner and enjoy your first evening in the Cerrado.

Accommodation: Pousada Trijuncao

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Days 2 - 3, Cerrado

Spend the next two days exploring the extraordinary biodiversity of Brazil’s great savannah. You'll be led on thrilling cyclingand 4x4 tours through the woodlands, traversing grasslands and streams to see wildlife in their natural habitat, such as jaguar, ocelot, armadillo, anteater and maned wolf, all under the threat of habitat loss in this area.

Accommodation: Pousada Trijuncao

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Day 4, Cerrado - Brasilia - Cuiaba

Enjoy your final early morning activity in Cerrado and another local lunch before your driver transfers you back to Brasilia for your flight to Cuiaba (domestic flights not included). Upon arrival your private transfer takes you to your hotel to rest for the night before your amazon adventure begins tomorrow.

Accommodation: Hotel Deville Prime

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Day 5, Cuiaba - Alta Floresta - Southern Amazon

After breakfast in your hotel, your driver will collect you for your short flight to Alta Floresta. You’ll be met upon arrival and join a shared transfer, first by car for an hour a half and then a further half an hour by boat, to Cristalino Lodge in the Southern Amazon. In the afternoon you’ll experience your first exciting activity in the rainforest.

Accommodation: Cristalino Lodge

Days 6 - 7, Exploring the Southern Amazon in Cristalino Reserve

Spend the next two days experiencing the sights and the sounds of jungle. You might wish to visit the 50-metre canopy tower, which gives you a bird’s eye view of this mighty rainforest. It is common to spot monkeys, macaws and several species of birds. There are many trails that snake through various forests and habitats and over 500 species of birds and over 1800 different types of butterfly. Boat rides, or canoeing along the Cristalino River give another opportunity to spot animals in the canopy and a floating deck above the river is great for swimming or resting when you’re not out looking for wildlife. The guides at Cristalino have a tremendous amount of knowledge and will ensure you make the most of all these wildlife opportunities.

Accommodation: Cristalino Lodge

BRA Brazil Emperor Tamarin Will Howe
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Day 8, Southern Amazon – Alta Floresta – Cuiaba – Campo Grande

After a final morning in the jungle, you'll be transferred by boat and road back to Alta Floresta's small airport, where you'll fly to Campo Grande with a change in Cuiaba. Arrive in the capital city of Mato Grosso do Sul and transfer to your hotel in town.

Accommodation: Hotel Grand Park

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Day 9, Campo Grande - Caiman Ecological Refuge

This morning you will be transferred to the lodge, a journey of approximately three and a half hours. You’ll arrive in time for lunch, before checking in, and going on your first exciting excursion into the south Pantanal.

Accommodation: Casa Caiman

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Days 10 - 12: Caiman Ecological Refuge

Over the next three days you will explore the Caiman Ecological Refuge. A well-respected jaguar conservation project is based here, and you will get the chance to see their work up-close. Other projects include research and conservation of theblue fronted parrot, anteater, and tapir. Other activities include photographic safaris, guided walks, canoeing, and night safaris.

Accommodation: Casa Caiman

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Day 13, Caiman Ecological Refuge – Campo Grande – Depart Sao Paulo

This morning, enjoy your final morning in the Pantanal. After breakfast you will be transferred back to Campo Grande Airport for your flight to Sao Paolo, in time to connect with your international flight home.

Your Accommodations

Cristalino Lodge

Cristalino Lodge is an eco-luxury retreat in Brazil’s southern Amazon, set within a private reserve of more than 29,000 acres of pristine rainforest. The lodge combines sustainable design with stylish comfort, offering guests the chance to explore one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. Activities include guided hikes, canoe excursions, birdwatching, and canopy tower climbs, while a floating deck on the Cristalino River provides the perfect place to relax. With expert naturalist guides and a strong focus on conservation, Cristalino Lodge offers an immersive Amazon experience where wildlife, adventure, and relaxation come together in harmony. Read more about Cristalino Lodge.

Pousada Trijunção

Pousada Trijunção is a boutique eco-lodge in Brazil’s Cerrado, located at the meeting point of Goiás, Bahia, and Minas Gerais. This remote hideaway blends luxury with conservation, offering elegant suites and unforgettable wildlife experiences. Guests can observe the endangered maned wolf with the Onçafari Project, explore birdwatching trails, or take night safaris by boat in search of caiman under starry skies. Dining reflects the rich culinary traditions of the Cerrado’s three states, enjoyed at your own pace. More than just a stay, Pousada Trijunção is a gateway to Brazil’s last great frontier, where culture, nature, and wilderness thrive together. Read more about Pousada Trijuncao.

Casa Caiman

Situated on the edge of a private nature reserve and working cattle farm, the lodge immerses guests in the natural splendor of the Pantanal. Here, wildlife observation reaches unparalleled heights, with the region being home to over 650 remarkable bird species. Discover the serenity of this pristine wilderness while indulging in the luxuries of a lodge that seamlessly melds with its picturesque surroundings. The lodge supports and works beside a number of conservation projects, namely Oncafari, the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, the Blue Fronted Parrot Project and the Tapirape Project. Read more about Casa Caiman.

Hotel De Ville Prime

Conveniently situated just 15 minutes from Cuiabá airport, this luxurious hotel is the perfect haven for recuperation after a long flight or an exhilarating safari adventure in the Pantanal. Offering a wide range of rooms and suites equipped with all the essential amenities, guests can enjoy a comfortable and restful stay. After a day of exploration or travel, returning to the hotel's outdoor pool for a relaxing sundowner while overlooking the city provides a wonderful way to unwind and conclude your day. Whether you're in Cuiabá for leisure or business, this hotel offers both comfort and convenience, ensuring a memorable stay in this vibrant city.

Hotel Grand Park

One of the best hotels in Campo Grande, rooms have air conditioning, a mini bar and complimentary wifi. The hotel features a 24 hour front desk, room service, and a concierge. There is a pool and an on-site restaurant, providing a pleasant respite from a long travel day.

Why Natural World Safaris?

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Wildlife Specialists

Wildlife remains our primary focus and we ensure accommodation is carefully selected as the very best places to stay for front-row wildlife spectacles for the time of the year you are travelling.

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Wealth of Experience

Our considerable wealth of experience and knowledge of Brazil has ensured a 100% jaguar sighting success rate over the last few years in each of our Brazil jaguar safaris.

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Tailored Safaris

Share your interests with our Destination Specialists and we will match you to the in-country experts, providing you with nothing but the best access and highly experienced wildlife trackers and guides.

Talk to a Brazil Specialist Today

Using first-hand knowledge to tailor your Brazil safari to steer clear of the mass market, our excellent range of personally and privately run camps, lodges and bespoke experiences, means you can tailor-make your own unique itinerary to meet your specific requirements.