The Pantanal

South America's premier wildlife destination, offering reliable jaguar sightings plus giant anteaters, capybaras, and exceptional birdwatching across vast tropical wetlands.

           The Amazon Basin

The world's largest rainforest, explored by boat from Manaus, home to lost cities, remote tribes, rare primates, and pink river dolphins.

          Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro's stunning location combines beach life with mountain scenery, offering both cultural immersion and outdoor adventure against an unforgettable backdrop.

          Iguaçu Falls

Iguaçu Falls ranks among the world's most spectacular waterfalls, with over 275 cascades stretching nearly 3km across the Brazil-Argentina border.

          Wildlife reserves

Lesser-known treasures like Nascentes do Parnaíba offer unique encounters with endangered maned wolves and tool-using capuchin monkeys away from the crowds.

         Atlantic Coast

Over 5,000 miles of coastline featuring everything from pristine hiking trails to sophisticated beach resorts and remote tropical islands.

            7-10 nights 

A focused trip of 7-10 nights allows you to explore one key region in depth. Most visitors choose either:

• Rio de Janeiro combined with Iguaçu Falls
• Rio de Janeiro with the Pantanal
• Amazon exploration from Manaus with Rio de Janeiro
  

           11-15 nights

Most of our guests opt for 11-15 nights, allowing time to combine two major regions effectively. Popular combinations include:

• Rio, Iguaçu Falls, and the Pantanal
• Rio, Amazon, and beach time in Buzios or Trancoso
• Rio, Salvador, and the tropical northeast coast
  

             16+ nights

Longer trips of 16+ nights enable full exploration of Brazil's diversity. These typically include:

• Multiple wildlife areas (Pantanal, Amazon, and Nascentes do Parnaíba)
• Extended beach time at multiple coastal locations
• Combinations with other South American countries via Iguaçu Falls

The cost of Brazil wildlife trips

Brazil offers a broad range of experiences and price points, typically ranging from USD 400 to 2,000 per person per night. Wildlife areas generally command higher prices than cultural or beach destinations.

High-end experiences
Premium wildlife lodges, particularly in the Pantanal and Amazon, can reach USD 1,000-2,000 per person per night. This typically includes:

• Expert naturalist guides
• Private vehicles and boats
• All-inclusive luxury accommodation
• Superior locations for wildlife viewing

Mid-range options
Quality experiences are available in the USD 600-1,000 per night range, offering:

• Comfortable lodges in good locations
• Shared activities with other guests
• Quality guiding
• Full-board accommodation

Value considerations
Several strategies can help manage costs:

• Combining wildlife areas with more affordable beach and cultural destinations
• Traveling in shoulder seasons
• Opting for longer stays at individual properties
• Focusing on fewer locations to minimize internal flights

When to visit Brazil

Brazil's wildlife areas and cultural destinations each have distinct seasonal patterns. Understanding these is crucial for planning a successful trip. When considering timing, you'll need to weigh four key factors: weather conditions, wildlife movements, visitor numbers, and costs.

Jun-Oct: Dry Season

• The Jun-Oct dry season is widely considered the optimal time for visiting Brazil's key wildlife areas.
• Weather conditions are generally excellent, with pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall. The Pantanal sees clear skies and cooling evening temperatures, while Rio enjoys mild days perfect for sightseeing.
• Wildlife viewing reaches its peak during this period. In the Pantanal, animals concentrate around permanent water sources as water levels recede, leading to exceptional jaguar sightings. Amazon wildlife viewing is also at its best.
• Visitor numbers peak during July-August, particularly at iconic sites like Christ the Redeemer and Iguaçu Falls. June and October offer similar conditions with significantly fewer crowds.
• Prices tend to be at their highest, especially during peak months of July-August. Shoulder months can offer better value.

Nov-Feb: Early Green Season

• The Nov-Feb period brings increasing heat and occasional rains, but still offers excellent travel opportunities.
• Weather becomes more variable, with occasional afternoon showers. Temperatures climb, particularly in Rio and coastal areas. Humidity increases in the Amazon and Pantanal.
• Wildlife viewing remains good but requires more patience. Animals become more dispersed in the Pantanal, while the Amazon sees increased bird activity.
• Visitor numbers drop significantly until mid-December, then peak again for the holiday period and Carnival season (February).
• Some excellent lodges offer significant discounts during November-December.

Mar-May: Late Rains

• The Mar-May period is generally considered challenging for wildlife viewing but can offer unique opportunities.
• Rainfall peaks across most regions. The Pantanal sees significant flooding, while the Amazon reaches high water levels. Rio experiences regular afternoon storms.
• Wildlife viewing becomes more challenging in most areas. However, this period offers exceptional birdwatching and unique Amazon experiences like kayaking in flooded forests.
• Visitor numbers are at their lowest, except during Easter period. Many wildlife lodges close during this season.
  Available properties often offer their most significant discounts during this period.

Expert

Our travel experts are uncommonly knowledgeable and experienced

765,000

The number of superb trips we have  so far created

Seamless

Arranging your trip should be almost as much fun as actually going!

Value

Your trip should cost you no more than if you booked all the components directly

Tailored

Your trip will be perfectly tuned to meet your requirements

What our guests say

“We’ve used many different travel organizers and agents, but one truly stands like a giraffe, head and shoulders above all others.”

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“ATR are the experts in their field and I wouldn’t trust anyone else.”

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“ATR are honest in their appraisal of individual lodges. You can trust their judgement.”

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1999

The year that we started to build great safaris

Rio de Janeiro

Set between mountains and ocean in southeast Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is one of South America's most iconic cities. Beyond its famous landmarks of Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain, the city offers a perfect gateway into Brazilian culture. 

Most visitors spend 3-4 nights here, combining cultural experiences with time on the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. The surrounding Atlantic rainforest provides excellent hiking opportunities, while the vibrant neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa offer authentic insights into Brazilian life. 

The best hotels are concentrated along the beach areas, offering easy access to both cultural sites and outdoor activities.

Iguaçu Falls

Straddling the Brazil-Argentina border, Iguaçu Falls is one of the world's greatest natural spectacles. With 275 individual cascades stretching across 3km, it offers an unforgettable experience through various viewing platforms and boat adventures. The surrounding rainforest hosts diverse wildlife, while excellent lodges provide comfortable bases for exploration. 

Most visitors spend 2-3 nights here, allowing time to explore both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the falls, each offering distinctly different perspectives. The area is also a crucial hub for combining Brazil with other South American destinations, particularly Argentina.

Pantanal

South America's premier wildlife destination, the Pantanal is one of the world's largest wetlands and offers the continent's finest wildlife viewing. Famous for its reliable jaguar sightings, the area also provides exceptional encounters with giant anteaters, giant otters, and capybaras. The range of intimate lodges and expert guides makes this a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. 

The best wildlife viewing occurs during the dry season (July-October), when animals concentrate around shrinking water sources. Different regions of the Pantanal offer varying experiences, from the jaguar-rich northern sector to the more remote southern region, where many of the most exclusive lodges are located. 

           Timing is everything

The Pantanal's dry season (July-October) offers the best wildlife viewing, while Rio's shoulder seasons (May-June, September-October) provide pleasant weather with fewer crowds. We'll help you find the perfect balance for your interests.

           Transport planning
 
Internal flights often require routing through São Paulo. We can help optimize your routing to minimize travel time and maximize experiences, especially when combining key wildlife areas.

           Beat the crowds

Popular sites like Christ the Redeemer can get extremely busy. We know the best times to visit and can arrange early access or alternative viewpoints to avoid peak crowds.

           Local expertise

From owner-operated lodges to specialist wildlife guides, we work with people who bring destinations to life through their deep local knowledge and passion.

           Remote locations

While most visitors stick to a handful of popular destinations, we can help you discover lesser-known gems like the tool-using monkeys of Nascentes do Parnaíba or the remote beaches of Fernando De Noronha.

          Seasonal opportunities 

Each season offers unique highlights - from Carnival to prime jaguar viewing. Timing choices significantly impact trip outcomes.

          Cultural heritage

Cities like Salvador showcase unique Portuguese colonial architecture and Africa's profound influence on Brazilian culture.

          Tropical ecosystems

From wetlands to rainforest, dry forest to coastal habitats, Brazil hosts an extraordinary variety of landscapes and wildlife.

          Indigenous lands

Home to dozens of indigenous peoples, including some of South America's last uncontacted tribes in the remote Amazon.

Manaus Amazon

The gateway to the world's largest rainforest, Manaus serves as the hub for boat expeditions into the Amazon. Here you'll discover lost cities, encounter pink river dolphins, and observe rare primates found nowhere else. 

Most exploration is done via comfortable river cruises, ranging from intimate private charters to larger vessels.

Trips typically range from 3-7 nights, with longer journeys reaching more remote areas where rare species and indigenous communities can be encountered. The best wildlife viewing occurs during the dry season, though the flooded forest during high water offers its own unique charm.

Nascentes do Parnaíba

This lesser-known gem in northcentral Brazil offers unique wildlife encounters in a dramatic landscape. The reserve is one of the best places globally to see endangered maned wolves and provides fascinating opportunities to observe tool-using capuchin monkeys. 

The area combines dry forest and cerrado habitat, creating a unique ecosystem that harbors species found nowhere else in Brazil.

 Visitors typically spend 3-4 nights here, staying in simple but comfortable lodges, with activities focused on early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing. The reserve also offers excellent opportunities for night drives to spot nocturnal species.