Leonardo DiCaprio’s visit help promoting Brazilian Pantanal
Leonardo DiCaprio has traded Hollywood for the Brazilian wilderness, putting the spotlight on the Pantanal during a recent visit focused on conservation and biodiversity.
The actor, who founded environmental nonprofit Re, visited conservation projects in the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland and one of Brazil’s premier destinations for wildlife tourism.
The Pantanal stretches mainly across the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul in central-western Brazil. Its landscape changes dramatically with the seasons, as rivers and floodwaters spread across grasslands before receding and revealing trails, forests and open plains.
The UNESCO-listed Pantanal Conservation Area is recognized as a Natural World Heritage Site, while a larger territory forms part of the Pantanal Biosphere Reserve.
Wildlife is a major draw. In 2026, Britain’s Telegraph named seeing a jaguar in the Pantanal among 20 once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Brazil also ranked second in the 2025 Wanderlust Travel Awards for the most desirable countries for nature and wildlife travel.
Two gateways to the Pantanal
The Northern Pantanal, in Mato Grosso, is known for its rivers, channels and riparian forests. Poconé is a key gateway to the Transpantaneira road, while Porto Jofre provides access to boat trips along the Cuiabá, Piquiri and Três Irmãos rivers.
In the Southern Pantanal, travelers can reach the wetlands through Aquidauana, Miranda and Corumbá. The region offers ranch stays, nature lodges, horseback excursions, land safaris and river itineraries.
Jaguars are among the biggest attractions. From July through November, lower water levels can concentrate wildlife around rivers, increasing the chances of sightings in some areas.
Boat safaris typically move slowly along riverbanks while guides search for movement in the vegetation. Land-based safaris offer opportunities to see giant anteaters, tapirs, deer, peccaries and other species.
The Pantanal is also a major birdwatching destination, with more than 650 recorded species. Jabiru storks, hyacinth macaws, herons, kingfishers and spoonbills are among the species visitors may encounter.
Tourism meets conservation
Visitors can also experience conservation projects firsthand.
At Caiman Pantanal near Miranda, the Onçafari organization works on jaguar research, ecotourism, wildlife reintroduction, wildfire prevention and habitat protection. Founded in the Pantanal in 2011, the organization initially focused on jaguar conservation.
Guests can join guided safari drives and learn how researchers and guides track and monitor wildlife while minimizing disturbance.
The Hyacinth Macaw Project, founded in 1990, monitors nests and studies reproduction of the iconic species and other birds. Visitors can observe hyacinth macaws in the wild and learn about ongoing fieldwork.
In the Serra do Amolar, the Instituto Homem Pantaneiro works on conservation, community support and wildfire prevention. Its Amolar Experience offers prearranged boat trips, hikes, wildlife viewing and visits to local communities.
For travelers, the Pantanal offers more than wildlife encounters. Ranch life, horseback riding, local cuisine and river cruises provide insight into a culture shaped by seasonal flooding and life alongside the wetlands.
The result is a destination where conservation, tourism and local culture are increasingly intertwined.