Searching for Jaguars in Brazil’s tropical wetlands (The Pantanal)

Welcome to the Pantanal – a 200,000 sq km tropical wetland in Brazil. It’s home to the greatest concentration of fauna in the Americas – I’ll be checking out the birds, the world’s largest rodent, and the more dangerous animals too. The Pantanal has the world’s most flourishing population of jaguars – but would I see one?

Here’s what The Ultimate Travelist said:

“Of all the natural wonders of South America, the Pantanal outdoes even the Amazon basin as the number one wildlife-watching locale. These twinkling blue-green tropical wetlands sprawl across 200,000-odd sq km: home to some 400 fish species, 1000-odd bird species, and an illustrious list of animal residents, including the capybara (the world’s largest rodent), giant river otters, caimans, maned wolves, pumas, tapirs, anteaters, armadillos and the world’s most flourishing jaguar population. In the dry season from July to November, a menagerie comprising all of the above descends upon the limited water resources in one of the most colourful concentrations of wildlife anywhere on the planet.”

Get your copy of Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travelist here.