We are incredibly proud of our tour guides, all of whom live in or around Cuiaba, MT, Brazil. They are experienced biologists, wildlife experts, skilled naturalists, and ecologists dedicated to ensuring a safe and satisfying experience. Our team is dedicated to making your visit to the Pantanal truly memorable. Our guides are fluent in English, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm are an integral part of the Pantanal Ecoexplorer experience. It is the quality of our staff that truly sets us apart from the competition.

All guides employed by Pantanal Ecoexplorer or contracted through associates are qualified and accredited in their particular field. Furthermore, all of them are trained in first-aid. Guides bring along all the equipment necessary for an ideal expedition, including binoculars, spotlights for night viewing, and the appropriate bird, mammal, and reptile field guides. In addition, we offer each of our guests a personal checklist featuring the local Brazilian and common English and Latin names for the wildlife encountered during the trip. We intend to help participants not only enjoy and keep track of all they see, but also to become more fully informed about the animals and their behavior.

All of our team members at Pantanal Ecoexplorer, including our wonderful office staff in Cuiaba, are highly skilled and totally committed to giving you the best service possible. Their expertise, commitment and sensitivity to our travelers and to the environments we explore are the reasons we get such great feedback from past travelers as well as more than a few repeat customers.

We are very proud to introduce to you:

Carlos Grandez- Co-owner, Pantanal Ecoexplorer

Carlos grew up in the Peruvian Amazon surrounded by beautiful lakes, rivers and virgin rain forest in the process acquiring a healthy respect and admiration for his natural surroundings. His introduction to tourism was working with his parents as a young boy at the Amazon Jungle Lodge near Iquitos, Peru. Carlos’ heritage as a descendant of the Jibaro tribe and his multilingual talents made him indispensable in explaining the customs of his father’s tribe to tourists and scientists. Because of his multilingual abilities and particularly his ability to speak the language of the Jibaros Indians secured a place for him on a National Geographic Expedition in 1982.

Brazil and his wife Deborah captured his heart on a visit in 1990. Partnering with his wife in this venture he has been guiding and leading groups in the Amazon and Pantanal regions ever since. For the past 20 years he has been based in the Pantanal running tours throughout this area. In doing so he has acquired a thorough understanding of the region and its people. His fascination with and knowledge of the flora and fauna, combined with his energy and passion for his work, make him a highly sought after guide. He loves sharing his knowledge of Brazil’s local traditions, culture and natural history with visitors.

Carlos works with and supports several community and social projects in the Pantanal and Amazon regions. He is a staunch defender of the ecosystems in which he works. Carlos is completely involved in every tour he runs, guiding whenever possible and occasionally bringing his young son Matheus along on family trips to help him with the wildlife spotting. When he is not guiding tours Carlos enjoys taking his entire family out on nature exploration trips.

Helder Freitas ( Biologist )
Helder Freitas is originally from São Paulo, where he studied and gained a deep understanding of the history, culture, and local traditions of his native Brazil. He received his guide license in 1990 and has been working as a tour guide ever since. He started off his career in Florianopolis, on Brazil’s Atlantic coast, but after discovering the Pantanal he has spent the past 15 years working as a naturalist tour guide in this region. His love of nature and wildlife led him to study for a degree in Biology at UNIVAG (Centro Univeritario de Várzea Grande). He has extensive knowledge of the Pantanal's wildlife and is especially well versed in Brazil’s natural history. He also speaks three different languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese. When not leading expeditions, Helder enjoys spending time with his wife Rosie and daughter Doris. He loves to share his knowledge and experience with everyone with whom he travels. We are sure you will agree. (EMBRATUR License No. 1300267496-0).



Fernando (Bird and Wildlife Specialist)


A native of São Paulo, Fernando first came to Mato Grosso 12 years ago and after some years of formal training has been guiding here for the past 10 years. He was trained in natural history, birding and wildlife, and he takes great pleasure in being able to share his understanding of the native wildlife and the local customs of the Pantanal and Chapada dos Guimaraes. His familiarity with the behavior and habits of the local birds and mammals make him an incredible source of information and an ideal guide for locating some of the Pantanal’s more elusive creatures. He has been licensed guide for 12 years and currently makes his home in Chapada dos Guimarães, about 60 km from Cuiabá. Married with two children, Fernando is a bird lover who is fluent in English and Portuguese. When not leading tours in the Pantanal, he enjoys spending time with his family. (EMBRATUR License No. 14412929850). Fernando has been guiding for Pantanal Ecoexplorer for several years now and getting great reviews.

 

 

Andre Freire Moratelli (Birding Specialist)

Andre Freire Moratelli is the newest member of the Pantanal Ecoexplorer Team. He has been guiding since 2007 and comes to us with impeccable credentials as a biologist and guide. Andre has done extensive field work in acquiring his degree from the Federal University of Mato Grosso. In fact he has co-authored a book on the biodiversity of the southern Amazon entitled “Descobrindo a Amazonia Meridional: Biodiversidade da Fazenda Sao Nicolau (Peugeot). Andre’s field work on that and many other projects has given him expertise in identifying mammals and their foot prints. He has also acquired an extensive knowledge of tree species, herbs of the Pantanal, Cerrado, and Amazon Forest. His experiences with Professor Dr. Pinho collecting birds for the university collection, direct observation of birds on his own time, ability to identify birds by song or call and conducting bird watching tours has prepared him to guide the most ardent bird watchers. Andre speaks and writes excellently in English and Portuguese. He is currently living in Cuiba, Mato Grosso.