The only destination in the world where Jaguar is seen regularly is Southern Brazil, where this one was photographed by Paul St Pierre in the Pantanal.
SOUTH AMERICA and ANTARCTICA
Lists such as this one are of course highly subjective but the destinations listed and linked below are the ones we believe are the best in South America and Antarctica. They have been chosen very carefully and for a multitude of reasons, but mainly based on personal experience of some of them and on dreams of visiting the rest, dreams resulting from what we have heard, read or seen.
Top destinations that didn't quite make it include Southern Ecuador, Northern Peru, Central Peru, Bolivia, Southeastern Brazil and Northern Argentina. If there are any destinations you think should be on this list then please Email us.
For each destination there is a very brief summary. For more details click on the destination name.
For more information click on Top 100 Birds, Top 100 Other Wildlife and Top 50 Other Natural Wonders.
Destinations
Colombia
Birds, birds, birds, nearly 1900 species of them, more than any other country in the world, including American Flamingo, Scarlet Ibis, Andean
Cock-of-the-rock, toucans, quetzals, hummingbirds such as Bearded Helmetcrest, Oilbird, motmots and many colourful tanagers, as well as about 75
endemics which include Yellow-eared Parrot, hence it is possible to see over 600 species in three weeks, and even a few mammals, including
White-footed Tamarin. The best time to visit is between August and March, especially January-March.
Northern Ecuador
There are about 1600 bird species in this small country, more per square mile than any other country in the world, birds which include Andean Condor,
macaws, many cotingas such as Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Hoatzin, Oilbird, toucans, quetzals, numerous hummingbirds including Sword-billed, jacamars and
many colourful tanagers, hence it is possible to see over 400 species in ten days and perhaps as many as 800 in twenty days, including well over 50
hummingbirds. Mammals are much more elusive but may include Pygmy Marmoset, two tamarins, a few monkeys and even Spectacled Bear. The best times to go
are July to September and November to March.
Galapagos
Giant Tortoise, Marine Iguana, the chance to swim with sealions, penguins and coral reef fish, and tame nesting seabirds such as Waved Albatross,
Blue-footed Booby, Red-billed Tropicbird, frigatebirds and the beautiful Swallow-tailed Gull. The best time to visit is when the seabirds are
performing their courtship displays, mostly in June, although the peak time for turtles is January.
Northeastern Peru
Over 600 bird species in a small area, one of the richest places for birds in Amazonia and the world, including Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Sunbittern,
Hoatzin, Pavonine Quetzal, Nocturnal Curassow, toucans, motmots, jacamars, White-plumed Antbird, Black-necked Red Cotinga and Wire-tailed
Manakin, as well as Pygmy Marmoset and possibly Pink River Dolphin, all in some superb forests usually easiest to access in October.
Southern Peru
Several species of monkey including Saddleback and possibly Emperor Tamarins, Giant Otter, clay-licks which attract many macaws and parrots, and many
other birds such as Andean Condor, Sunbittern, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, toucans, quetzals, many hummingbirds and even a chance of Pale-winged Trumpeter.
Macaws and parrots visit the clay-licks between May and October and August-September is the best time to look for most of the other wildlife.
Western Venezuela
A chance of Giant Anteater, Giant Otter, Green Anaconda, Capybara, river dolphins, Three-toed Sloth and a longer list than most other destinations of
the world’s most spectacular birds, not least Scarlet Macaw, Scarlet Ibis, Sunbittern, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, American Flamingo, Yellow-knobbed
Curassow, Grey-winged Trumpeter, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Bearded Helmetcrest, toucans and quetzals, some in the amazing wetlands of the Llanos. All
best looked for in February-March.
Eastern Venezuela
The most reliable place in the world for Harpy Eagle, a cave with about 15,000 Oilbirds and one of the best selections of the best-looking cotingas
in the world, including Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Capuchinbird, Pompadour, Purple-breasted and Spangled Cotingas, and Handsome and Red-banded
Fruiteaters, as well as many other spectacular birds such as Red-and-green Macaw, American Flamingo, Scarlet Ibis, White-plumed Antbird, Crimson and
Ruby Topazes, Black-eared Fairy and jacamars, with Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, nearby. The falls are usually at their best between
May and September but the best birding period is November to March.
Guyana
A good chance of Giant Anteater and Giant Otter, several species of monkey including Red Howler and many spectacular birds such as macaws, Scarlet
Ibis, Sunbittern, toucans, Hoatzin, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Capuchinbird, Pompadour and Purple-breasted Cotingas, Crimson Topaz, White-plumed Antbird
and jacamars, with a chance of some great rarities including Harpy Eagle, Grey-winged Trumpeter and Crimson Fruitcrow. All in a sparsely populated
country with over 75% of its lowland rainforest still intact and Kaieteur Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The best times to
look for the wildlife are February-April and August-October but the falls are usually at their most impressive from May to July and November to January.
Amazon
The largest river in the world, flowing through the richest rainforest in the world, where it is possible to see several species of monkey including
Uakari and Golden-handed Tamarin, river dolphins, sloths and birds such as Scarlet, Blue-and-yellow and Red-and-green Macaws, toucans, Pavonine
Quetzal, White-plumed Antbird, Pompadour Cotinga and even Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock. All best looked for in September and October.
Southern Brazil
Jaguar, Giant Anteater, Giant Otter, Maned Wolf, Brazilian Tapir, Capybara, marmosets, monkeys and spectacular birds such as Harpy Eagle, Hyacinth,
Blue-and-yellow and Red-and-green Macaws, Toco Toucan, Rhea, Sunbittern, Red-legged Seriema and Rufous-tailed Jacamar, mostly in the wetlands of the
Pantanal, but also around Iguassu Falls, arguably the most spectacular waterfall in the world, make this A Top Ten Destination
in the world. The best time to look for Jaguar and birds is from June to October, especially August-September, but the falls are usually at their
best between November and March, especially December.
Chile
The best place in the world to look for Puma, a chance of Blue Whale and birds including penguins, flamingos, Rhea, Andean Condor and Magellanic
Woodpecker, all in some scenic settings, including the impressive granite towers in Torres del Paine NP. The best time to look for Puma is March when the
females have cubs, and Blue Whales are usually present at this time too.
Southern Argentina
Killer Whales intentionally stranding on beaches in pursuit of sealion pups, Southern Right Whale, Southern Elephant Seal, a million Magellanic Penguins
at their largest colony in the world, other birds such as Rhea, Andean Condor and Magellanic Woodpecker, and the Perito Moreno Glacier. The best time to
see Killer Whales stranding is usually the second half of March but Southern Right Whales are usually present only from September to November and
Magellanic Penguins are usually at their colony from September to mid-March, with young present from December.
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands
Fin, Sei, Humpback, Killer and a chance of Blue Whales, Southern Elephant Seal, Leopard Seal, huge colonies of King Penguins, other penguins including
Adelie, Chinstrap, Gentoo and Macaroni, nesting Wandering, Light-mantled and Black-browed Albatrosses, and a few other spectacular birds, not least
Snow and Antarctic Petrels, all in the Southern Ocean, on and around South Georgia, and on and around the Antarctic Peninsula, complete with snow fields,
glaciers and ice bergs, arguably the most spectacular settings on Earth. Cruises usually sail from mid-November to mid-February and the end of the season
is usually best for whales.
