Voted Travelers' Choice 2024
Find Your Next Photo Adventure
Trip Calendar Most Popular Photography Tours 2024 Photography Tours 2025 Photography Tours 2026 Photography Tours 2027 Photography Tours Spring Photography Tours Summer Photography Tours Fall Photography Tours Winter Photography Tours Landscape Photography Tours Wildlife Photography Tours International Photography Tours
Stay Up To Date On All Things
Backcountry Journeys
Backcountry Journeys
Our Photography Community
Our Blog
From articles on the latest camera gear, to trip reports from our latest expeditions, our blog is meant for all interested in travel photography.Our Webinars
Our regularly hosted webinars provide photography instruction from our own guides on a wide range of topics.Our Education Portal
Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.Community Testimonials
We're proud to foster an amazing group of photo travelers, and here you can find their stories from their past adventures.About Backcountry Journeys
Why Choose Backcountry Journeys
If you're considering a photography tour, hear why Backcountry Journeys delivers the best experience in the industry.Frequently Asked Questions
If you're new to photography tours, or new to BCJ, you can find our common travel questions here.Fitness Levels
Our trips vary on physical intensity, and by reviewing our fitness levels, you can find out which trips may be more challenging, or aligned more closely with your comfort level.Meet The Crew
We've built an amazing team of experienced guides, and dedicated office staff that elevate your travel experience. Get to know their backgrounds, and hear their stories.Travel Desk
You can review our various payment, and travel policies here, along with resources regarding international travel.Gift Certificates
Give the gift of photo adventure! We offer gift certificates that can be applied to any of our upcoming tours.Contact Us
If you need to get in touch with our office staff, or have additional business inquiries, you can find our information here.Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP - THE BCJ TRIBE
JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP - THE BCJ TRIBE
Brazil’s Best Kept Secret
Brazil’s Best Kept Secret
by Kenton Krueger
National Geographic refers to the Pantanal as “Brazil’s Best Kept Secret” due in large part to its relatively unknown bounty in terms of wildlife diversity.
This region in south-central Brazil covers roughly 75,000 square miles of sprawling wetland and is home to 3,500 known plant species, 9,000 invertebrate species, 325 fish species, 53 amphibian species, 98 reptile species, 656 bird species, and 159 mammal species.
The word ‘Pantanal’ translates in Portuguese (the language spoken in Brazil) to “wetland, bog, swamp or marsh” a perfect description for the seasonally flooded wetland that covers over 80,000 square miles. During each ‘wet’ season, waters from the neighboring central plateau fill the river systems of the Pantanal. The Cuiaba, Paraguay, Piquiri, and Taquari rivers and their tributaries spill their banks and flood the region. These floodwaters bring with them important nutrients as well as lots and lots of fish.
This region in south-central Brazil covers roughly 75,000 square miles of sprawling wetland and is home to 3,500 known plant species, 9,000 invertebrate species, 325 fish species, 53 amphibian species, 98 reptile species, 656 bird species, and 159 mammal species.
The word ‘Pantanal’ translates in Portuguese (the language spoken in Brazil) to “wetland, bog, swamp or marsh” a perfect description for the seasonally flooded wetland that covers over 80,000 square miles. During each ‘wet’ season, waters from the neighboring central plateau fill the river systems of the Pantanal. The Cuiaba, Paraguay, Piquiri, and Taquari rivers and their tributaries spill their banks and flood the region. These floodwaters bring with them important nutrients as well as lots and lots of fish.
While the area is flooded, waterbirds will disperse to find food. Yet, when these floodwaters recede, lagoons shrink and become isolated as small ponds. This creates rich concentrated locales for birds and other wildlife to focus their efforts on. Swamps are full of waterfowl like egret, cormorant, spoonbill, stork, five kinds of kingfisher, as well as the famous Jabiru, which has become one of the unofficial mascots of the region.
So, while the Amazon may have all of the notoriety, it is actually Brazil’s Pantanal region that just might be one of the best places in the world to see animals in their natural habitats. The Pantanal is perhaps a bit lesser-known but should be at the top of any list of what makes Brazil amazing. Often overshadowed by the Amazon, the Pantanal actually boasts a higher concentration of fauna, comparable to the densest animal populations in Africa.
During Backcountry Journeys’ 13-day Jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal photography tour, we’ll have a chance to see and photograph an enormous amount of wildlife. Much much more than we can outline here in a single article. But, let’s take some time here to highlight just a few of the amazing critters we’ll see.
So, while the Amazon may have all of the notoriety, it is actually Brazil’s Pantanal region that just might be one of the best places in the world to see animals in their natural habitats. The Pantanal is perhaps a bit lesser-known but should be at the top of any list of what makes Brazil amazing. Often overshadowed by the Amazon, the Pantanal actually boasts a higher concentration of fauna, comparable to the densest animal populations in Africa.
During Backcountry Journeys’ 13-day Jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal photography tour, we’ll have a chance to see and photograph an enormous amount of wildlife. Much much more than we can outline here in a single article. But, let’s take some time here to highlight just a few of the amazing critters we’ll see.
Jaguar
The world’s largest concentration of jaguars now exists in the Pantanal, where abundant prey and waterways offer an ideal habitat for these powerful, water-loving felines. Jaguars are, for the most part, solitary creatures, although their territories often overlap with other cats. They know to keep away through roars, scrapes, and urine markings. The jaguar, or ‘He Who Kills With One Leap,’ has very broad feet with distinctly stubby and splayed digits. These paws are perfect for navigating muddy ground and act as swimming paddles. They are the third largest of the world’s big cats – behind the Tiger and Lion – yet have the strongest bite force of them all. Hunting for photographs of this beautiful creature is the focal point of BCJ’s Jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal photography tour. Seeing a cat emerge from the darkness of the jungle into the light of the riverbank can be a thrill not matched by many other experiences.
The world’s largest concentration of jaguars now exists in the Pantanal, where abundant prey and waterways offer an ideal habitat for these powerful, water-loving felines. Jaguars are, for the most part, solitary creatures, although their territories often overlap with other cats. They know to keep away through roars, scrapes, and urine markings. The jaguar, or ‘He Who Kills With One Leap,’ has very broad feet with distinctly stubby and splayed digits. These paws are perfect for navigating muddy ground and act as swimming paddles. They are the third largest of the world’s big cats – behind the Tiger and Lion – yet have the strongest bite force of them all. Hunting for photographs of this beautiful creature is the focal point of BCJ’s Jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal photography tour. Seeing a cat emerge from the darkness of the jungle into the light of the riverbank can be a thrill not matched by many other experiences.
Jabiru Stork
The Jabiru stork’s name comes from a Tupi-Guaraní language and means “blown out by the wind,” referring to the bird’s swollen neck. The bird’s neck contains an inflatable pouch that swells during danger, anger, or courtship. These storks are the tallest flying birds of South and Central America. The Jabiru stork has become a symbol of the Pantanal region and is seen often during our travels up and down the Transpantaneira Highway.
The Jabiru stork’s name comes from a Tupi-Guaraní language and means “blown out by the wind,” referring to the bird’s swollen neck. The bird’s neck contains an inflatable pouch that swells during danger, anger, or courtship. These storks are the tallest flying birds of South and Central America. The Jabiru stork has become a symbol of the Pantanal region and is seen often during our travels up and down the Transpantaneira Highway.
Capybara
The Capybara is the world’s largest rodent, growing to about 175 pounds—which is about the size of a St. Bernard. An unusually social species, capybaras live in groups of 10 to 30 members with sometimes more than 100 members in the dry season. Being hunted is a way of life in the Pantanal.-Being the Jaguar’s preferred dish, they are constantly on the run and use webbed feet and an ability to hold their breath (for five minutes underwater) to escape. Watching from a boat as a jaguar stalks a capybara is one of the more thrilling moments you may have while in the Pantanal. It’s difficult to explain the adrenaline such an event produces, yet one way to find out!
The Capybara is the world’s largest rodent, growing to about 175 pounds—which is about the size of a St. Bernard. An unusually social species, capybaras live in groups of 10 to 30 members with sometimes more than 100 members in the dry season. Being hunted is a way of life in the Pantanal.-Being the Jaguar’s preferred dish, they are constantly on the run and use webbed feet and an ability to hold their breath (for five minutes underwater) to escape. Watching from a boat as a jaguar stalks a capybara is one of the more thrilling moments you may have while in the Pantanal. It’s difficult to explain the adrenaline such an event produces, yet one way to find out!
Jacare Caiman
About 10 million jacaré caimans—thought to be the largest single crocodilian population on Earth—exist within the Brazilian Pantanal. Although threatened by hunting, jacaré caimans reproduce quickly and are currently listed as Least Concern. Caiman is another favorite treat for Jaguars. For as many birds and jaguars, we’ll see and photograph on this tour, the Caiman is the critter we’ll encounter the most.
About 10 million jacaré caimans—thought to be the largest single crocodilian population on Earth—exist within the Brazilian Pantanal. Although threatened by hunting, jacaré caimans reproduce quickly and are currently listed as Least Concern. Caiman is another favorite treat for Jaguars. For as many birds and jaguars, we’ll see and photograph on this tour, the Caiman is the critter we’ll encounter the most.
Hyacinth Macaw
About 3,000 Hyacinth macaws—the world’s largest parrot—reside in the Pantanal, where they eat fruits and nuts and nest in naturally hollow manduvi trees. Also called Blue macaws, have been observed using pieces of wood or chewed leaf to prevent harder nuts from slipping while they open them, an example of tool use. The species is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ due to habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade. We will most certainly have opportunities to photograph these delightful birds during our travels up and down the Transpantaneira Highway.
About 3,000 Hyacinth macaws—the world’s largest parrot—reside in the Pantanal, where they eat fruits and nuts and nest in naturally hollow manduvi trees. Also called Blue macaws, have been observed using pieces of wood or chewed leaf to prevent harder nuts from slipping while they open them, an example of tool use. The species is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ due to habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade. We will most certainly have opportunities to photograph these delightful birds during our travels up and down the Transpantaneira Highway.
Roseate Spoonbill
The Roseate spoonbill is a large wading bird known for its pink plumage and distinctive spoon-shaped bill. Its upper neck and back are colored white, while the wings and feathers underneath display the more recognizable light shade of pink. The wings and tail coverts are deep red, along with the legs and the iris of the eyes. The Pantanal is a real paradise for birders and photographers, alike. Our trip is billed as ‘Jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal,’ but a great deal of time – during our travels between Cuiaba and Porto Jofre – is spent photographing birds! With over 600 species to see, you can be assured of variety. The dry season gatherings of wading birds, like the Roseate Spoonbill, as they feast on fish and crustaceans trapped in the shrinking water holes is an annual spectacular to see.
The Roseate spoonbill is a large wading bird known for its pink plumage and distinctive spoon-shaped bill. Its upper neck and back are colored white, while the wings and feathers underneath display the more recognizable light shade of pink. The wings and tail coverts are deep red, along with the legs and the iris of the eyes. The Pantanal is a real paradise for birders and photographers, alike. Our trip is billed as ‘Jaguars of Brazil’s Pantanal,’ but a great deal of time – during our travels between Cuiaba and Porto Jofre – is spent photographing birds! With over 600 species to see, you can be assured of variety. The dry season gatherings of wading birds, like the Roseate Spoonbill, as they feast on fish and crustaceans trapped in the shrinking water holes is an annual spectacular to see.
Toco Toucan
The Toco toucan is the largest and probably the best-known species in the toucan family. It has a striking plumage with a mainly black body, a white throat, chest and upper tail-coverts, and red under tail-coverts. What appears to be a blue iris is actually thin blue skin around the eye. This blue skin is surrounded by another ring of bare, orange skin. The most noticeable feature of this bird, however, is its huge bill, which measures up to 9 inches in length; it is yellow-orange in color and with a black base and large spot on the tip. It looks heavy, but as in other toucans, it is relatively light because the inside largely is hollow. The tongue is nearly as long as the bill and very flat. The male and the female are similar in appearance and juveniles are duller and shorter-billed than adults.
The Toco toucan is the largest and probably the best-known species in the toucan family. It has a striking plumage with a mainly black body, a white throat, chest and upper tail-coverts, and red under tail-coverts. What appears to be a blue iris is actually thin blue skin around the eye. This blue skin is surrounded by another ring of bare, orange skin. The most noticeable feature of this bird, however, is its huge bill, which measures up to 9 inches in length; it is yellow-orange in color and with a black base and large spot on the tip. It looks heavy, but as in other toucans, it is relatively light because the inside largely is hollow. The tongue is nearly as long as the bill and very flat. The male and the female are similar in appearance and juveniles are duller and shorter-billed than adults.
Yellow Anaconda
Like all boas and pythons, the Yellow anaconda is nonvenomous and uses constriction to kill its prey, including wading birds, fish, turtles, small caimans, lizards, bird eggs, and small mammals. Depending on the size of their last meal, yellow anacondas can go months without eating. While these aren’t a sure thing during our tour, there certainly remains a chance for a sighting!
Like all boas and pythons, the Yellow anaconda is nonvenomous and uses constriction to kill its prey, including wading birds, fish, turtles, small caimans, lizards, bird eggs, and small mammals. Depending on the size of their last meal, yellow anacondas can go months without eating. While these aren’t a sure thing during our tour, there certainly remains a chance for a sighting!
Giant Otter
Giant otters are an incredibly vocal species, using a system of perhaps 22 distinct sounds to communicate. The whole family is involved in rearing pups, as fathers and older siblings often lend a hand. The giant otter is listed as ‘Endangered,’ as deforestation, infrastructure development, and climate change reduce suitable habitat, and pollution and overfishing threaten their prey.
Come join us on the rivers and flooded plains of the Pantanal, and experience Brazil’s ‘best-kept secret.’
Giant otters are an incredibly vocal species, using a system of perhaps 22 distinct sounds to communicate. The whole family is involved in rearing pups, as fathers and older siblings often lend a hand. The giant otter is listed as ‘Endangered,’ as deforestation, infrastructure development, and climate change reduce suitable habitat, and pollution and overfishing threaten their prey.
Come join us on the rivers and flooded plains of the Pantanal, and experience Brazil’s ‘best-kept secret.’
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
AUTHOR
AUTHOR
SEARCH THE BLOG
clear
Join our free photo-travel community group on Facebook. A great place to swap stories & share images with fellow photographers!
Live events & webinars from the comfort of your own home. Free webinars on a variety of photography related topics – from photo editing to composition & more.
Check out the BCJ Trip Calendar for all of our upcoming Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris!
FEATURED TRIP:
Ultimate Botswana Wildlife Safari
Discover the ultimate African Wildlife Photography Safari and capture images to last a lifetime!
Ultimate Botswana Wildlife Safari
Discover the ultimate African Wildlife Photography Safari and capture images to last a lifetime!
UPCOMING TRIPS WITH AVAILABILITY
UPCOMING TRIPS WITH AVAILABILITY
[Block//Web Spots Left]
[Block//Trip//Trip Category (Destinations)]
[Block//Start Date %M d %+0]- [Block//End Date %M d, Y%+0]
From [Block//Current Price]
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
READ OUR NEWSLETTER FOR NEW TRIPS, ARTICLES, & PROMOS
READ OUR NEWSLETTER FOR NEW TRIPS, ARTICLES, & PROMOS
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.