The Next Great Safari Destination? Brazil.
Jaguars, Giant Anteaters, and the Rise of South America's Wild Frontier
By Michael Eiseman
A rustle in the tall grass. A blur of rosetted fur. A heartbeat caught in suspense. For Michael Eiseman, co-founder of luxury tour operator VIP Journeys, this wasn’t the Serengeti or Okavango Delta—it was the Pantanal of Brazil, and the jaguar was just getting started.
Late one morning in May, Eiseman watched from a safari truck as a sleek female jaguar stalked a group of unsuspecting capybaras near a watering hole. The moment could’ve been pulled straight from Planet Earth: a high-stakes chase, startled barks, a dive into water, and a reluctant retreat. The capybaras lived to see another day.
“Tailor-Made African Safari’s are getting very specific towards one or two of the big five, such as Giraffe preserves” said Eiseman, “but nothing prepared me for the wild, unfiltered energy of Brazil. It’s untamed, emerging—and electric.”
Welcome to Brazil’s Wetland Wilderness
Tucked away in Brazil’s interior, the Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetland—an immense, seasonally flooded ecosystem teeming with life. Spanning over 42 million acres and crossing into Bolivia and Paraguay, it’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that offers some of the highest densities of wildlife in the Americas.
And yet, it’s still flying under the radar.
“People think Brazil, and they think Rio, Carnival, or the Amazon,” said Eiseman. “But the Pantanal? It’s South America’s best-kept safari secret.”
On this trip, he based himself at the Caiman Ecological Refuge, a 131,000-acre private reserve that balances high-end hospitality with serious conservation. The lodge’s flagship accommodation, Casa Caiman, features 18 stylish suites, a tranquil pool, hammocks overlooking the bay, and daily visits from curious capybaras and bright blue hyacinth macaws.
Safari With a Purpose
But it’s what lies beyond the lodge gates that truly sets Caiman apart.
In partnership with Onçafari, a Brazilian NGO devoted to predator conservation, the refuge has become one of the most reliable places on Earth to spot wild jaguars. Onçafari’s decade-long work involves habituating jaguars—not taming them, but allowing them to become comfortable with safari vehicles—so guests can safely observe without disturbing their natural behaviors.
“These sightings aren’t just luck,” Eiseman explained. “They’re the result of patient, ethical conservation science. You’re seeing animals not only in the wild—but because of the wild being protected.”
Indeed, during his three-night stay, Eiseman witnessed six different jaguars, along with giant anteaters, caimans, marsh deer, peccaries, and more.
What struck him most? The people behind the scenes. “The Onçafari biologists are doing fieldwork that’s shaping conservation policy,” he said. “And they’re creating local jobs in places where opportunities, especially for women, have been scarce.”
A Blueprint for Ecotourism
Caiman's story began in the 1980s, when Brazilian environmentalist Roberto Klabin inherited a portion of his family’s Pantanal ranch. Inspired by ecotourism models in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve, he envisioned a place where jaguars could be worth more alive than hunted.
Today, Caiman is a model for sustainable tourism—a place where cattle ranching, wildlife preservation, and luxury travel coexist.
The success of the Pantanal has led Onçafari to expand into the Cerrado, Brazil’s lesser-known yet vital savanna biome. This mosaic of dry forests and grasslands is home to over 10,000 species, including the maned wolf—an elegant, long-legged canid known locally as a “fox on stilts.”
Yet the Cerrado is in crisis. Industrial agriculture has consumed more than 60% of its original expanse. Here, Onçafari is racing to study and protect the maned wolf before its habitat disappears.
“For travelers who want to be part of something real, Brazil is a frontier,” said Eiseman. “You’re not just checking off animals—you’re witnessing conservation in action.”
Why Now Is the Time
While Brazil’s safari scene may not yet rival the infrastructure of East or Southern Africa, its allure lies in the untamed. There are fewer crowds, fewer roads, and fewer guarantees—but more surprises, more intimacy, and a deeper sense of discovery.
“It’s still wild, still raw,” Eiseman said. “That’s the magic.”
With Brazil’s growing ecotourism momentum—and increased interest from luxury-minded travelers looking to do good while going deep—Eiseman believes this is just the beginning.
“I expect Brazil to be one of the world’s most talked-about safari destinations in the next five to ten years,” he predicted. “It has everything: rare wildlife, real conservation, and the chance to be part of something that matters.”
For those ready to trade the beaten path for a bold one, Brazil’s wild heart is calling.
Planning Your Brazil Safari:
Where to Go: The Pantanal (fly into Campo Grande) is ideal for jaguar sightings.
When to Visit: The dry season (June–October) offers the best wildlife viewing.
VIP Journeys, specializes in tailor-made, expedition and conservation-focused safaris in Brazil’s Pantanal and other unique experiences accross South America. Reach out to our team of Trip Designers today at (770)736-5909 or email us at mike@vipjourneys.com.