Pantanal The Pantanal is an immense landlocked river delta - one of our planet's most spectacular wetland systems and unmissable for any lover of wildlife or the natural world. This ecological paradise contains hundreds of species of birds, thousands of varieties of butterfl ies, a myriad of brightly coloured fl owers and shoals of fi sh. The ecosystems are different in the north and south, and a visit to both areas is recommended. South Pantanal This is a great place for spotting jaguar. Although no one can guarantee jaguar sightings in the wild, this is one place where your chances of seeing one are maximized. During the dry season you generally have a 25% success rating which in terms of jaguars is pretty high. This area is also home to the hyacinth macaw project and bird lovers should not miss the incredible Macaw's Crater, a huge depression in the ground, home to a large macaw population. Wildlife spotting is by a number of exciting activities - travel by boat through the Pantanal's watery channels, go horse riding or maybe fi sh for piranhas. One of the attractions of this area is the small town of Bonito, on the southern fringe of the Pantanal, and very good for nature. Here you can snorkel on the surface of the ' natural aquarium', said to have the most transparent water in the world. You can also see the Blue Lake Grotto, one of the world's largest fl ooded caves. Embiara Lodge HIGH This is a comfortable eco- lodge situated in the southern Pantanal. Family- owned and only recently opened to visitors, it prides itself on offering a peaceful, intimate experience, extremely close to nature; it has only three rooms. San Francisco Farm MID San Francisco Farm is a working rice farm which offers rustic accommodation, game- viewing and bird- watching by boat, foot or on horseback in the southern Pantanal. Pousada Olho D'Agua MID Just outside Bonito, Pousada Olho D'Agua is a simple lodge surrounded by woodland fi lled with native fl ora and fauna. It has rustic decoration in its 12 rooms each with a verandah and a hammock! North Pantanal The northern Pantanal is reached by regional fl ights to Cuiaba and then a drive into the pristine interior where the largest populations of wild animals and huge fl ocks of birds can be found. On exciting night safaris you may see owls, nightjars, armadillos, foxes and maybe even maned wolves. Rio Mutum HIGH A higher end lodge where you'll be accommodated in one of 16 comfortable rooms, all with private veranda. You can also take a dip in the lodge's swimming pool and enjoy the tropical gardens which surround the property. Jaguar Lodge MID Jaguar Lodge is located in the heart of the Pantanal, in the Jaguar Ecological Reserve. It offers comfortable air- conditioned accommodation and money from your stay will be reinvested into getting more land for the reserve, and thus protecting more of this delicate eco- system. THE AMERICAS | BRAZIL 151 Pantanal seasons The nature of the Pantanal varies depending on the season and cycle of the waters. There are four key periods. January to March: The Pantanal is fl ooding at this time and the mammals are seeking the higher ground. There is a stunning explosion of colours as fl owers bloom. April to June: The fl oodwaters recede at this time, migratory birds return from the north, reptiles tend to gather in number and the young caiman are born. July to September: This is the dry season, the time when there is the greatest concentration of birds and reptiles in and around the remaining pools. October to December: This is when the fl oodwaters are advancing. It coincides with the return of the rains; the migratory birds are preparing to depart. This is a good time for observing predators. Wildlife of the Pantanal Larger mammals here include capuchin and howler monkeys, capybaras, tapirs and over 160 species of reptiles including the infamous anacondas and caimans. Caimans are particularly abundant in the Pantanal, and it is thought the population is so high that it is home to the largest population of crocodilians anywhere. Capybara numbers are estimated at half a million and the Pantanal continues to be one of the best places to see jaguar, black howler monkeys, giant river otter, coatimundi, black- capped capuchin, yellow anaconda, crab- eating fox, both greater and lesser anteater, giant armadillos, the endangered maned wolf and marsh deer. There is also a huge diversity of bird species here as it is one of the three migratory paths, bringing ospreys from the Arctic latitudes to the north, wood storks from the pampas to the south and fl ycatchers from the Andes to the west. The result is one of the planet's most diverse avian communities, with 656 species of birds, belonging to 66 families identifi ed so far. Or visit us on the web www. wildlifeworldwide. com

Iguassu A two- hour fl ight from Rio takes you south to the border with Argentina and the mighty Iguassu Falls. Set amongst lush tropical forest there are 275 waterfalls, which stretch for a total of three kilometres. Higher than Niagara and more impressive than Victoria Falls, the surrounding national park is home to over 2,000 species of plants, 400 species of birds and an array of mammals. Visits to both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the Falls are highly recommended. Hotel Das Cataratas HIGH A colonial style hotel that overlooks Iguassu Falls. Facilities available at the hotel include tennis courts, and an outdoor pool bar and restaurant. Panoramic viewing walkways start in front of the hotel and zig- zag their way down to the end of Devil's Throat. This is the only hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls to offer such a high standard of service and an unrivalled location next to one of the true wonders of the natural world. San Martin Hotel and Resort MID Set in vast gardens, the San Martin Hotel and Resort offers a pleasant place to stay close to the falls. Rooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated, while facilities include a restaurant and swimming pool. A good base from which to explore the falls at a reasonable price. The Amazon The Amazon Basin is the world's largest river basin. It is believed to be the oldest tropical forest in the world and is made up of millions of species of plants and animals, also making it the most diverse ecosystem in the world. Its biodiversity is astounding: a single bush in the Amazon may have more species of ants than the entire British Isles, while a lone hectare of forest may have more than 480 species of trees. Mammals you'll fi nd include the world's largest rodent, the capybara. Other residents include tapir, jaguar, monkeys, deer and otters. Over 1,500 bird species are found in the Amazon Basin, of which many are migrants. Macaws gather in fl ocks of thousands and reptiles and fi sh species also number the thousands with famous residents being the anaconda and fearsome piranha. It is a unique chance to experience the lush foliage of the jungle. where the raucous calls of the creatures within and the bright colours of the fl owering plants and butterfl ies hint at more complexity than we can imagine. Cristalino Jungle Lodge HIGH Cristalino Jungle Lodge is nestled in a private forest reserve in the southern reaches of the Amazon. The lodge is only accessible by boat and borders the Cristalino State Park which contains many species found only in this part of the Amazon. It's a good option for birdwatchers and has a 50- metre high observation tower for spotting the many avian species found here. The lodge has won awards for its attention to the environment and so we're happy to recommend it. Uakari Lodge MID Uakari Lodge offers unique accommodation on seven fl oating wooden structures. Ten large, comfortable en- suite rooms with terraces overlook the rainforest beyond and fl oating walkways connect them with the central dining area. The lodge has been specially designed for minimum environmental impact. Activities include river trips, interpretative trails through the rainforest and an observation hide. 152 In 2010, the seventh annual Festival of Wildlife will take place in the Pantanal, Brazil. Join experts Mark Carwardine and Nick Garbutt for a wildlife experience like no other. Please ask us for the tour dossier. Talk to an expert 0845 130 6982 SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Depart UK for Cuiaba Day 2 Amazon Rainforest, 2- nights, Jardim da Amazonia Lodge. Boat trips and trail walks ( BLD - only dinner included on day two) Day 4 Savanna Tablelands, 2- nights, Park Eco Lodge. Hiking in the Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park ( BLD) Day 6 Pantanal, 3- nights, Araras Eco Lodge. Excellent area for wildlife sightings ( BLD) Day 9 Depart Cuiaba for UK Day 10 Arrive UK BRAZIL'S NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS We wanted to bring you a comprehensive wildlife experience in Brazil, staying in comfortable lodges, at a reasonable price. This is what we've found! It features three eco- systems, holding a huge diversity of species, and by avoiding unnecessary internal fl ights it's an affordable look at Brazil's natural highlights. TAILOR- MADE Departure dates Daily, throughout the year Cost per person From £ 3499 ( Jan - Mar), £ 3399 ( Apr - June, Sept - Nov), £ 3799 ( July - Aug) What's included Flights, transfers, meals as indicated, seven nights lodge accommodation, guided activities