Pantanal

Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

The Pantanal, sprawling across the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, is the largest tropical wetland in the world and one of Earth’s most vibrant natural sanctuaries. Covering over 150,000 square kilometers, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a seasonal floodplain teeming with life — a place where jaguars roam, capybaras wade, and hyacinth macaws soar above mirror-like lagoons.

Unlike the dense Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal’s open landscapes make wildlife viewing remarkably accessible. It boasts the highest concentration of wildlife in the Americas, including over 3,500 plant species, 124 mammals, 463 birds, and 325 fish species. The region’s ecological heartbeat is the annual flood cycle: during the rainy season (roughly November to March), rivers overflow and transform the plains into a vast aquatic world; in the dry season, the waters recede, revealing rich feeding grounds for countless animals.

At the heart of this biome lies the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park, established in 1981 and spanning over 135,000 hectares. It’s a haven for iconic species like the jaguar, giant otter, marsh deer, and giant anteater, and is recognized as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

Visitors can explore the Pantanal by boat, horseback, or safari vehicle, often staying at traditional fazendas (ranches) that double as eco-lodges. Birdwatching is world-class — the tuiuiú (jabiru stork), the region’s emblematic bird, is a common sight.