Secrets of the Amazon: Rivers, Rainforests, and Rare Wildlife - August 2026

This small-group, fully inclusive expedition — offered exclusively by Busanga Safaris and Fauna Quest Journeys — is designed for just four guests and created in close collaboration with our leading Amazon wildlife partners in Brazil. It’s an in-depth journey into three of the most remarkable and contrasting regions of the Brazilian Amazon: the intricate waterways of the Anavilhanas Archipelago on the Rio Negro, the wildlife-rich floodplains of the Janauacá River on the Solimões, and the upland terra firme forests of Presidente Figueiredo.

This is not a standard Amazon tour. Guided by expert biologists and local naturalists, you’ll explore on foot, by skiff, and aboard a privately chartered expedition houseboat — the most immersive and rewarding way to experience one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Encounters with Pink River Dolphins, Giant River Otters, sloths, primates, and hundreds of bird species are complemented by meaningful time spent with remote riverside communities whose lives are deeply connected to the forest and its rivers.

At Fauna Quest, we recognise that there are many Amazons within the Amazon. That’s why this expedition is designed to reveal its extraordinary ecological diversity — from nutrient-rich whitewater floodplains and blackwater archipelagos to upland rainforest — all within one seamless, expertly led journey.

And unlike conventional lodge-based itineraries, here your days end on the deck of your floating base, watching river dolphins glide past as you enjoy a cold beer, a fresh fruit juice, or a classic caipirinha.

Three Distinct Worlds – One Extraordinary Journey

Janauacá Lake, Solimões River

Fed by Andean sediments, the Solimões is a nutrient-rich whitewater river whose seasonally flooded forests support one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. Pink River Dolphins, Giant Otters, caimans, and a vast diversity of fish thrive in its waters, while capybaras, monkeys, and macaws crowd the fertile riverbanks.

Anavilhanas Archipelago, Rio Negro

Spanning more than 400 islands across 350,000 hectares, the Anavilhanas is the world’s second-largest river archipelago — a mosaic of channels, forests, and lagoons rich in biodiversity. By day, sightings may include Harpy Eagles, Giant Otters, and Sloths; after dark, the forest comes alive with Black Caimans, bats, and an extraordinary array of nocturnal species.

Highlands of Presidente Figueiredo

Rising above the floodplain, the upland terra firme forests, waterfalls, and cave systems of this region are home to a completely different wildlife community — including the spectacular Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, Tamanduas, Agoutis, and an exceptional diversity of amphibians and insects.

Together, these three ecosystems reveal the astonishing range of life that defines the Amazon — and form the foundation of a wildlife journey found nowhere else.