The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering 2.3 million square miles, with about 60% falling within Brazil’s borders. The Amazon River itself is the second longest in the world, and the largest in terms of water flow and drainage area. During the rainy season (in particular March and April) the river floods into the surrounding forest and there can be a 12 metre difference between rainy season and dry season river levels! The two principal cities in the Brazilian Amazon are Belem, at the mouth of the river, and Manaus where the Rio Negro and the Solimões join to form the Amazon. Here at the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ the dark water of the Rio Negro flows alongside the milky-coffee coloured water of the Solimões for miles without mixing. Manaus is the gateway for most Amazon visitors and it is worth spending at least half a day to visit the Baroque opera house, local market and Meeting of the Waters before setting off to the explore the rainforest. There are many lodges within a few hours boat ride of Manaus which offer comfortable accommodation and an interesting introduction to the rainforest, and some companies also offer cruises on liveaboard Amazon river boats. However, for a more authentic Amazon experience a visit to the Uakari Floating Lodge, a flight and boat ride from Manaus, is a very good option. This lodge is located in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve which is the largest protected area of flooded forest in the Amazon, and offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the Brazilian Amazon.
There is also some excellent wildlife viewing in the southern Amazon at Cristalino Jungle Lodge which can be reached via Cuiaba and the town of Alta Floresta and makes a good combination trip with a visit to the northern Pantantal.