Top Five Wildlife Experiences in South America

Alex Burridge – March 2026
MD South America Travel Centre

South America has so much to offer all travellers; Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, the Amazon Rainforest and the Galapagos Islands to name just a few.

This article takes a look at Five of the most amazing wildlife spectacles.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

#1 was an easy choice – the Galapagos Islands offer magnificent wildlife viewing opportunities, both on land and in the water (snorkelling).

Not only do the Islands offer many endemic animals they also afford watching wildlife up-close – many species are simply not afraid of us and they have the ‘right-of-way’.

The Islands have coined a ‘Top 15’ with #1 fairly obviously the iconic Galapagos Giant Tortoise (of which there are thought to be up to 15 sub-species).

Please book at the very least a 5 night Galapagos Cruise, ideally 7 nights.  This not only affords greater opportunity to view the archipelago’s wildlife – it also means you can relax and enjoy this amazing place (The first and last days are really arrival and departure days).

Click to go to dedicated Galapagos Cruise Travel Centre web site

Marine Iguana 

Magnificent Frigate 

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Galapagos Flightless Cormorant

Rays

The most northerly penguin –  The Galapagos Penguin

PANTANAL

The Pantanal (in Brazil’s Mato Grosso state) is a wetland area approximately 10 times larger than Florida’s Everglades.  It is home some of South America’s most iconic wildlife; Jaguars, Ocelot, Brazilian Tapir, Giant Anteaters, Giant Otters and Hyacinth macaws to name just six amazing animals.

Birdlife is amazing and just as varied from the slightly weird looking Potoo to the vibrant colours of the Agami heron – I’d suggest you don’t have to be a birdwatcher to enjoy the stunning colours of many of the species found here.

THE AMAZON (BRAZIL/PERU/ECUADOR)

Wildlife in the Amazon is as equally wonderful as in the Pantanal – it’s just sometimes harder to find or to see. Given the Amazon covers an enormous area and 9 countries it’s important to select the right country and style of travel.

Amazon River Cruises are offered in Ecuador, Peru and in Brazil.  Our recommendation is Peru or Ecuador.  With luck you will see many species of monkey, hundreds of bird species and, with luck, pink river dolphins.

Amazon Lodges are found throughout region.  Again, we would recommend either Ecuador or Peru as offering the best lodges, for location, facilities and wildlife viewing opportunities.

NOTE:  The chances of seeing Jaguar, or Ocelot, are quite small.  They are found here but the chances of seeing are limited.  The exception is likely Manu National Park in Peru and that’s quite a journey to get to (worth it, but not for everyone).

Southern Amazon
The above said, Cristalino Lodge and Southwild Amazon in the drier Southern Amazon offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities including: Woolly Monkeys, White-nosed Bearded Saki Monkeys, and Black Spider Monkeys, Harpy Eagle, Brazilian Tapir and several species of macaw.

ECUADOR’S CLOUD FOREST

Cloud Forest is basically Rainforest found at higher elevations.  Just three hours from Ecuador’s capital Quito you can access the Cloud Forest.  Don’t expect too many monkeys or macaws, however you will find many spectacular bird species, in particular hummingbirds (up to 30).  The star is perhaps the Andean cock-of-the-rock, and there are many other quite amazing birds here; like the long-wattled umbrella bird.

Butterflies, over 300 species have been identified here.  With the Giant Owl and the Morpho amongst the stand-outs.  Masphi Lodge has it’s own Butterfly House.

Mashpi Lodge is also a beautiful, luxury lodge, with excellent cuisine, sky-bikes and a Gondola (Small cable car), in addition to a network of footpaths through the reserve.

Owl Butterfly

Green Thorntail – Mashpi Lodge

Long wattled Umbrella bird

Trogon – Mashpi Lodge 

Cock-of-the-Rock – Cloud Forest Ecuador

Crimson rumped toucanet

PATAGONIA

I almost had southern Bolivia as #5 and couldn’t leave out the opportunity to see another of South America’s big cats, the Puma (or Mountain Lion as it is often referred to). It’s not only these beautiful big cats you can find here.  A trip into Patagonia Park & Torres del Paine in Chile or Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina will reward visitors with view of another iconic South American animal, the Andean Condor.

You also have the chance to see Guanaco, Rheas, Andean Fox and maybe even a skunk..