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"Nature & Photography Tours in South America"
+55 65 9 99754406 | +55 65 996097994
THE TEAM
About Pantanal Jaguar Safaris
At Pantanal Jaguar Safaris, we take pride in delivering exceptional service from your first inquiry to the end of your journey—and beyond. Our Office Team is highly skilled in managing the complex logistics that seamless travel demands. Every question is met with thorough, personalized responses, and booking with us is designed to be smooth, efficient, and enjoyable. We go above and beyond to ensure your needs are met before, during, and after your tour.
As market leaders in specialized ecotourism, we continuously strive to offer tours and experiences that not only meet—but exceed—your expectations.
Our Naturalist Guides are among the most knowledgeable and experienced in the field. Each guide is a seasoned wildlife expert, accomplished birder, and skilled tour coordinator. With extensive field experience and a deep understanding of Brazil’s diverse ecosystems, our team brings a unique blend of expertise in fauna, flora, and local culture to every tour.
For our Bird Tours, we employ only professional birding guides with profound knowledge of avian species and behaviors. Our team’s skills are unmatched, but what truly sets them apart is their commitment to providing an enriching and enjoyable guest experience. We believe that an outstanding guide is not only knowledgeable but also personable, professional, attentive, and passionate about delivering unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Pantanal Jaguar Safaris is a boutique travel company, focused on quality over quantity. We offer tailored wildlife experiences with an emphasis on personal service, in-depth local knowledge, and genuine care for our clients. Below, you'll find detailed profiles of our team members, including their travel backgrounds and roles within the company.
André Moratelli - General Director
André, co-founder of Pantanal Jaguar Safaris, discovered his passion for wildlife early in life while growing up in Mato Grosso. His deep connection to nature was further cultivated through years of guiding in both the Pantanal and the Amazon, where he gained extensive experience leading wildlife tours across Central Brazil. Over the years, André has emerged as one of Brazil’s most experienced and respected wildlife guides. He has led numerous expeditions for filmmakers, photographers, and researchers throughout the country, becoming a trusted name in the field of ecotourism and wildlife interpretation.
A trained wildlife biologist, André is co-author of the book “Discovering the Southern Amazon: Biodiversidade da Fazenda São Nicolau” (Peugeot), a comprehensive work on the biodiversity of the southern Amazon. He has also contributed to important scientific surveys, including mammal inventories in the Pantanal and Chapada dos Guimarães National Park.
André combines a solid scientific background with a sharp business acumen, meticulous attention to detail, and genuine commitment to guest satisfaction. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in establishing Pantanal Jaguar Safaris as one of Brazil’s premier wildlife tour companies.He currently lives with his wife and children near Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, and is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Leen Gillis - Managing Director
Leen Gillis is the co-founder of Pantanal Jaguar Safaris and an accomplished field biologist with a deep-rooted passion for wildlife. Originally from Belgium, Leen earned her degree in Bio-Science Engineering from the University of Leuven, followed by a Master’s in Ecology and Conservation of Biodiversity at Mato Grosso State University in Brazil. Her graduate research focused on avian ecology in Chapada dos Guimarães National Park.
After completing her studies, Leen made a decisive move—transforming her love for birding from a weekend passion into a full-time career. She has since guided extensively across the Pantanal and Amazon Rainforest, gaining hands-on experience and an exceptional understanding of Brazil’s diverse ecosystems.
Leen plays a key role in crafting and coordinating the company’s safari experiences. Her in-depth field knowledge, attention to detail, and strong logistical skills ensure that every tour is seamless and personalized. Guests often praise her for her warm communication, professionalism, and the exceptional support they receive before and during their trip.
Leen is fluent in English, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese, allowing her to connect with travelers from around the world.
Marcos Ardevino- Naturalist Guide
Marcos was born and raised in the city of Cáceres in the northern Pantanal, and spent all his spare time surrounded by nature. Influenced by a childhood immersed in nature, Marcos made a natural progression to a degree in biology at the Federal University of Mato Grosso. He also had the opportunity to conclude
a project about the biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians in the northern Pantanal. His interest in herpetology and understanding of natural systems was ever increasing until in 2010 he entered the post-graduate Management and Environmental Expertise Course, which allowed him to work with mitigation of impacts in an area of riparian vegetation. In 2011, Marcos was able to register for a Master's degree in Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, where he worked with environmental variables influencing the
biodiversity of amphibians. He concluded his tour guide course. His gentle nature and
exceptional knowledge of The Pantanal ecosystems make him an asset on any tour
Noam Salstein - Wildlife Guide
Noam Salstein is regarded as one of Brazil's finest naturalist guide . In the early 90's he packed up his scope, said goodbye to São Paulo, and headed out to Mato-Grosso Sate where he is been working as wildlife guide for more then 20 years.
Noam has a passion for wildlife that is surely met by only a few, he took part in the development of ecotourism in the Pantanal National Park, adding value to threatened species such as Jaguars and Giant Otters and benefiting local communities. This love inspired him to dedicate his life to Nature Conservation as well as spending every second of his spare time in the field. He is an excellent field guide and expertly leads many of our wildlife and bird tours. Noam speaks fluently French and English.
Fernando Frosini - Wildlife & Birding Guide
Fernando is a professional guide since 1998, he leads birdwatching and photography tours to several parts of Brazil, including the Pantanal, the Amazon, and the Savannas of Central Brazil. He started guiding hikers and photographers around Chapada dos Guimarães National Park, and about the same time he started birdwatching with his friends. His passion for wildlife made him one of the best guides and Tour coordinator of Central Brazil. Fernando speaks fluently English and Portuguese.
Eddy - Wildlife Guide
Eddy has extensive experience leading wildlife safaris throughout the Pantanal and Brazilian Savannas. He lives in Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso State. with his family where he grew up also.. Eddy is a knowledgeable and informative person and appreciated for his ability in wildlife spotting. Eddy is bilingual speaking fluent English and Spanish.
André Carcara - Wildlife Guide
Guiding since 1998, André (aka Zan) used to lead small ecotourism groups in Chapada dos Guimarães and Transpantaneira Road, mostly in his classic Bandeirante Land Cruiser, also supporting German and Finnish birdwatcher groups in Chapada dos Guimarães National Park and Pantanal. More recently, he started leading Jaguar Spotting Tours in Porto Jofre and Paraguay river. He loves sharing his passion for natural history, ecology, wildlife, and culture. His knowledge of Brazil economics, politics and history are remarkable.
All his experience, coupled with his friendly and charismatic personality, makes him a great tour leader and trip companion. André lives with his wife and 2 kids in Chapada dos Guimarães. Speaks fluenty English and Portuguese.
Tony Rodrigues - Naturalist Guide
Tony has extensive experience leading jaguar safaris and photography tours throughout Pantanal, he has an excellent understanding of neotropical wildlife and tropical plants. Besides being a keen wildlife photographer Tony is also blessed with a contagious sense of humor and a wonderful gift for sharing his knowledge in the field. All his experience and charismatic personality makes him a great tour leader. He lives in Cuiabá.
Marcos Félix- Naturalist guide & Wildlife ambassador
Born in Diamantino and raised in the heart of the Amazon in São José do Rio Claro, Marcos Félix has nurtured a lifelong bond with nature. His journey began in agriculture, but it was in ecotourism that he found his true calling. For over 20 years, Marcos has worked as a professional naturalist guide based in Cuiabá, sharing the wild wonders of Brazil with the world.Specializing in tours for English-speaking visitors Marcos leads immersive expeditions into the Pantanal, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. His tours focus on wildlife photography and jaguar conservation, using the captivating beauty of these elusive big cats to inspire a deeper appreciation for environmental preservation.Marcos’s expertise and passion have earned him collaborations with major international media, including the BBC, helping to bring global attention to the ecological treasures of the Pantanal. A devoted birdwatcher and jaguar enthusiast, he spends his days from sunrise to sunset in the wild, offering guests unforgettable encounters with Brazil's natural heritage.To Marcos, guiding is far more than a profession—it’s a privilege. Through his work, he not only highlights the extraordinary biodiversity of the region but also raises critical awareness about the need for conservation and sustainable tourism.
Alyson Melo - Birding & Wildlife Guide
Brazilian biologist with post-degree on Biogeography of Neotropical Bird. He has been working with conservation projects around Pantanal e Amazon and also as Naturalist Guide for over 18 years. As naturalist guide he loves to share his knowledge with people that appreciate nature. He is one of the pionner jaguar tracker, working on this activity since 2006. On the last 10 years he has been dedicating a lot on wildlife photography leading groups around Brazil. Despite of it, birds is his passion and even when he is on vacations he is birding somewhere, he had been learning a lot about the traditional knowledge with locals, which he believes are the best experts on nature. Nowadays, he mixes the traditional and scientific knowledge which makes a great differential on his skills. Besides, Pantanal and Amazon he also leads groups in Cerrado (Brazilian savannah), Atlantic Forest and Caatinga as well.Currently, he lives with his family in Bonito, a charming town established on the Cerrado area considering one of the best ecotourism areas in Brazil.
Lucas- Biologist, Naturalist Guide & Photographer
Lucas's lifelong fascination with animals led him to study Biology, where he always pursued the direct contact with Nature. His fieldwork experience and fluent English opened the doors to Ecotourism in his hometown Rio de Janeiro.
After completing his master's degree in Neotropical Biodiversity in 2016, he had the opportunity to bring together his skills to connect people with Nature working as a Naturalist Guide in Pantanal, and has continued on this path ever since; He picked up photography on the way as a hobby, but then understood its role in raising public awareness about Conservation.
Paul - Jaguar Researcher & Wildlife Guide
Paul is a wildlife veterinarian with a master’s degree from São Paulo State University (UNESP), where he specialized in wild animals and conducted research on native species. Passionate about the natural world, Paul has always been drawn to the field — from internships at zoos to coordinating a conservation project with the Jane Goodall Institute in 2020, and working with tapirs in 2021.
Since 2022, he has been based in the northern Pantanal, where he monitors jaguars and studies local wildlife. He is also the founder of Instituto Impacto, an initiative focused on promoting coexistence between people and wildlife through research, education, and fieldwork.
Beyond his scientific work, Paul is an avid wildlife spotter and birdwatcher who loves spending time in nature. He brings enthusiasm and deep ecological knowledge to every outing, sharing insights on animal behavior, ecology, and conservation. Whether identifying tracks, interpreting bird calls, or explaining the rhythms of the Pantanal, Paul helps guests connect meaningfully with this extraordinary ecosystem.
Arthur Keunecke - Wildlife Guide
Arthur Keunecke is undoubtedly one of Brazil's most experienced tour guide and wildlife photographer. He has been working as wildlife guide for more then 30 years throughout Pantanal and the Amazon.
Arthur lead our photography Tours, his passion for wildlife have led him to all corners of Brazil. His wildlife tracking skills are legendary and his sense of humor is a great asset. Artur lives in Chapada dos Guimarães with his wife and children, he speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Nathalie Foerster
Nathalie is a nature enthusiast and, since she was a child knew that her passion and vocation were to work with wildlife. She’s a biologist with a master degree in Zoology (Herpetologist) and an expert on amphibians of the Atlantic Forest. In 2014, she started working as a naturalist guide in the Pantanal, where she was enchanted by all the animals and plants. She developed a special passion for the giant otters and decided that she wanted to know more about these incredible animals. Currently, she is a PhD student and is developing research on the Giant otters’ behaviour and vocalization and mercury contamination in the Pantanal. She is also a member of the Giant Otter Project and collaborates in several actions, including environmental education and the development of guidelines to guide tourist activities for giant otter observation. Fluent in English and Portuguese, Nathalie works in different regions of the Pantanal, where she loves to share her knowledge and passion for nature. Currently, she lives in Campo Grande, one of the gateways to the Pantanal.
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Rafael Teixeira- Biologist and Wildlife Guide
Rafael Teixeira is one of the pioneer guides in jaguar observation in the Pantanal, having played a key role in the early research efforts to identify prime locations for sightings and in the development of the region’s first jaguar identification dossiers.
Originally from the Atlantic Forest and a long-time resident of the Brazilian Cerrado, Rafael is a biologist specializing in Ecology and Wildlife. His scientific training, combined with over 25 years of experience and a lifelong passion for nature, makes him an exceptional guide with deep expertise in Brazil’s diverse ecosystems.
Over the course of his career, Rafael has led numerous expeditions for professional photographers and wildlife enthusiasts across the Pantanal, Cerrado, and other iconic regions of Brazil. Known for his good humor and commitment to conservation, he is dedicated to creating authentic wildlife experiences with a strong focus on nature photography and environmental awareness.
Lejiana - Wildlife Guide
Lejiana is a Brazilian Naturalist based in Bonito, Mato Grosso State. Her great interest in nature and travel led her to get a first degree in Tourism Business then in Ecotourism and Biology. Her keen sense of observation and breath of experience has taken her to guide mammal, birding and photo tour groups with great reviews throughout Brazil.. She is a popular guide, a knowledgeable and informative person and appreciated for her ability in wildlife spotting. Lejiana is also bilingual speaking fluent English and Spanish.
Fabio- Wildlife Guide & biologist
Fábio Paschoal is a bilingual ecotourism guide, wildlife photographer, biologist, and journalist with over 15 years of experience exploring and interpreting the rich biodiversity of the Brazilian Pantanal and Amazon.
Fluent in both Portuguese and English, Fábio specializes in leading immersive wildlife observation tours that emphasize conservation and education. His deep knowledge of Brazil's ecosystems and charismatic storytelling style help create unforgettable nature experiences for travelers from around the world.
Fábio spent five years with National Geographic Brasil as an editor, social media manager, and reporter. During this time, he authored the award-winning blog Curiosidade Animal (Animal Curiosity), bringing scientific insights to a broad audience in a captivating and accessible way.
His photo "Mysteries of the Cristalino River" was recognized as one of the best wildlife images in the 2018 Brasília Photo Show.
Driven by a passion for the environment and the power of storytelling, Fábio connects people with nature in ways that inspire care, curiosity, and conservation.
Noah
Noah is our junior guide, and to be honest, he is a 24-hour job. He loves horse riding and boat trips. His favourite animals are Giant Otters which he can imitate quite well. We are looking foward to see him leading one of our Tours.
Luiza
Luiza is a new member to the Team. She loves taking care of animals and she is also a very keen painter. Her favourite animals are macaws and toucans.
Carla Verpoorten - Financial Advisor in the Acquisititons & Investments
Carla runs the accounts, manages operations and has a lot of knowledge and experience of travelling in South America, Africa and Asia. Always there for advice, help and support.