The vast area of wetlands, known as the Pantanal is the best place to see wildlife in Brazil. The Pantanal lies in the west of the country and extends beyond the borders of Bolivia and Paraguay. Animals that roam the area include anacondas, anteaters, cougars, crocodiles, deer, iguanas, jaguars and river otters, as well as countless bird species.
Only a few people live a nomadic life in the Pantanal, as there are no towns. During the rainy season, some 80% of the Pantanal gets flooded.
You can get to the area via the Transpantaneira road, which leads to the hamlet of Porto Jofre.
In the town of Rio Paraguai on the Bolivian border, boat trips on the Río Paraguay are available. The town has a bad reputation though, so be careful.
Heron ©David Waite
The Pantanal ©Stephanie Morcinek
The Pantanal ©Nathalia Segato
The Pantanal ©Nathalia Segato
Leopard ©Abraao Paes
Monkey ©Paula Sleiman
The Pantanal ©Agnieszka Stankiewicz
The Pantanal ©Filipe Sizilio
Blue and yellow macaws ©David Waite