Where The Wild Things Are | Plan South America

Tracking Jaguars in the Pantanal

The vast wetlands of Brazil’s Pantanal are home to a staggering variety of wildlife, from jaguars and alligators to the imperilled hyacinth macaw. Travelling between May and September (dry season) is best to observe the wildlife when the waters recede. From the base of a comfortable lodge you’ll navigate through marshlands on horseback or canoe with a local naturalist guide, seeing mammals moving in to graze on the fresh pastures and birds flocking in to feast on the remaining fish. This is the perfect place to track the elusive jaguar with an expert guide – eyes peeled!

Discover Pacific Marine Life from a Private Catamaran

Charter a catamaran off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast for a trip to Isla Catalina and Isla Murcielagos. Swim with dolphins, manta ray, turtles, humpbacks, sharks and schools of vibrant tropical fish. Spend a peaceful night on board, dine on fresh ceviche washed down with a Michelada, catch the sunrise with a Café Britt and relax on the top deck in glorious sunshine before sailing leisurely back to port.

Swim with Whale Sharks in Mexico

Isla Holbox just off the Caribbean coast of Mexico is a rustic beach paradise, perfectly located for swimming with whale-sharks from June – September. Why not head out on a private yacht to snorkel with whale sharks, guaranteeing maximum flexibility and proximity. Expect a delicious fish lunch on deck after your thrilling up-close encounter.

Penguin Patrol in Antarctica

The ecosytems of the South Pole and nearby islands are incredibly diverse, inhabited by penguins, seals, whales and abundant birdlife. There’s plenty of adventure in store on a trip to Antarctica; kayak around vast icebergs on the look out for seals or walk the peninsula shores that are covered with thousands of penguins. You can even try skiing across the white continent – where only penguins have gone before! January is the best time for exceptional wildlife viewing with long daylight hours and calm seas. We have hand-picked the very best small ships that sail Antarctic waters so that you can get the most personal and rewarding experience from your trip.

Visit a Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica

Take the kids to a sloth sanctuary to learn about the importance of wildlife conservation in Costa Rica. The baby sloths all cuddled up together and lazing in the sunshine are completely adorable! This is a great way to engage kids with nature, although you might struggle pulling them away from these extraordinary jungle creatures.

The Valdes Peninsula Nature Reserve

Binos at the ready! One of South America’s most spectacular nature reserves lies on the shores of Argentina’s Atlantic coast. Peninsula Valdes is colonised by penguins, sea lions, dolphins, orcas and elephant seals. But travel between June and December for the region’s wildlife highlight – a huge population of Southern Right whales migrates at this time of the year, gracing the shores with a true spectacle as they dive in and out of the ocean in great numbers. For an exhilarating up-close encounter, kayak with the whales out on the open seas, where you’ll get a real gauge of their size! Stay in our favourite rustic and cosy private cliff-top retreat for the most phenomenal views of the wild coastline.

Bird-watching in the Ibera Wetlands

Argentina’s Esteros del Ibera are the second largest wetlands in the world and home to a wonderful array of species. Paddle across lagoons populated by caiman, capybara, anteaters and otters, and horse ride through the wetlands taking in the patchwork of exotic birds as they swoop through the reeds performing a mesmerising chorus of birdsong. In the evening, relax into a peaceful way of life at a traditional lodge and enjoy sundowners around the swimming pool as the sun sets into the wetlands.