Where water sculpts the landscapes and life flourishes as far as the eye can see, the Brazilian Pantanal is about to make headlines like never before. Embratur, in partnership with the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Sebrae Nacional, has joined forces with National Geographic CreativeWorks to spotlight this one-of-a-kind biome, listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and Biosphere Reserve.
A project at the crossroads of nature and storytelling
Called “Safari of the Senses,” the project aims to showcase the Pantanal through a fresh perspective: the five senses. Internationally renowned wildlife photographer Filipe DeAndrade is currently roaming its flooded plains, winding rivers, and historic fazendas to capture exclusive images. These contents—photo galleries, Instagram posts, immersive reels—will be shared on National Geographic platforms, giving this territory a global showcase.
“The Pantanal offers a sensory experience unlike anywhere else, where nature and culture intertwine in rare harmony. This collaboration with National Geographic CreativeWorks will reveal one of Brazil’s greatest treasures, strengthening its image as a destination of nature, culture, and sustainability,” explains Marcelo Freixo, president of Embratur.
For Nadine Heggie, Vice President of Media Partnerships at National Geographic, the goal is clear: “ Through the Safari of the Senses, this campaign will highlight Brazil’s natural wonders in a way that deeply resonates with our global audience. We are thrilled to collaborate with Embratur to spotlight one of the planet’s most remarkable ecosystems. . ”
A sanctuary of biodiversity
Covering 250,000 km², the Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland on Earth. It is home to more than 4,700 animal and plant species, including iconic ones such as the jaguar, the hyacinth macaw, the giant anteater, and the marsh deer. This exceptional biodiversity makes it one of the richest wildlife sanctuaries in the Americas.
But the Pantanal is more than just a natural inventory. Its shifting landscapes, alternating between floods and droughts, are also home to deeply rooted human lives: riverside communities, Indigenous peoples, traditional cattle ranchers. Together, they sustain a cultural mosaic where farming practices, craftsmanship, and hospitality blend with an intimate connection to the environment.
The photographer’s itinerary will highlight the main landmarks of the Northern Pantanal—the Transpantaneira, Barão de Melgaço, and Encontro das Águas State Park—before continuing south to the Serra do Amolar, community-led conservation initiatives, and local traditions.
An immersion through the senses
The project promises to reveal the Pantanal in a different way: through the golden light of flooded dawns, the call of macaws, the simple flavors of a fish grilled by the river, or the warmth of dusk on the skin. A reminder that this biome is not only seen, but experienced with all the senses.
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Beyond the images, the goal is clear: to place Brazil among the leaders of sustainable and experiential tourism. With National Geographic’s global reach, the Pantanal positions itself as a major ecotourism destination, while valuing its communities and raising awareness of the need to preserve a truly exceptional natural heritage.
Through this “Safari of the Senses,” the Pantanal seeks not just to be seen, but to be felt, understood, and protected.
Photos : Embratur | Sebrae
