OCTAVIO CAMPOS SALLES
Founder and guide
Born in São Paulo in 1979, Octavio now lives with Larissa at Ilhabela, on the coast of the state and amid the Atlantic Rainforest. Octavio has been guiding tours since 2001, first for fly fishing in the Amazon Rainforest. At 2008 he started to guide only photography and birdwatching tours, focusing on the Pantanal and the Atlantic Rainforest. He was among the first ones to guide specialized photo tours for Jaguars in the Pantanal. His photos have been published widely, including at National Geographic. In 2014 he published a book with text and photos about the Atlantic Rainforest most untouched areas.
Octavio’s deep-rooted fascination and dedication to the natural world has given him a diverse portfolio of photographic skills, and he uses his intimate knowledge of camera function to bring out the best in his guests photographs and experiences.
LARISSA PANTANAL
Partner and guide
Born and raised in North Pantanal in 1989, Larissa started guiding natural history tours at a very early age. As a teenager she was trained as a guide in one of the most famous lodges of the Pantanal, where she learned guiding skills and different languages: english, french and spanish. Later on she led tours all over Brazil and abroad, giving her a huge experience in the industry. Her professional skills and keen senses for locating Jaguars, allied with her deeply charismatic and high spirits essence, provides an unique experience for her guests.
GUILHERME GALLO ORTIZ
Guide and administration
Born in Campinas in 1985, Guilherme is a Biologist with Master degree in Zoology on bird behavior area, and specialized in environmental management. He is also fully experienced in wildlife and ancient art photography, with photos published in national and internacional publications and rewarded on local and national photography contests.
As a Octavio field partner since the beginning, he accompanied him in the first expeditions into the Brazilian remote spots, including on one of his most important project, a photographic book, made in untouchable areas of the Atlantic Rainforest.
He has been working on animal behavior research and wildlife management since 2010. As a professional guide, he can share his knowledge of natural history and photography, bringing to his guests the best possible experience.
RODOLFO PAZ
Guide
Rodolfo Paz is a Brazilian photographer specialized in wildlife, landscapes, and product photography. Passionate about nature and places where instinct meets beauty, he found in photography a way to unite art, adventure, and purpose.
Before dedicating himself fully to the world of images, he spent 15 years working in professional football, coaching youth teams at major Brazilian Série A clubs. During his travels and moments of rest, photography evolved from a simple curiosity into a true calling.
Today, photography is his life. Big cats are his greatest source of inspiration, but his fascination extends to all living beings. He travels the world seeking to capture not only the form, but the soul of wildlife.
He leads photographic workshops — especially in the Pantanal — shares knowledge and sensitivity, and collaborates with conservation projects and brands that value authenticity. Having explored over 40 countries, he remains in constant motion, turning each journey into a story told through the lens.
DANIELA SIFUENTES
Guide
Daniela is a biologist and natural history guide, an experienced field biologist whose lifelong passion for wildlife began in childhood, when she already knew she wanted to work with animals. With over twelve years of professional experience, she has built a solid career working closely with a wide range of species and ecosystems, always guided by curiosity, respect, and a strong conservation ethic.
Her work is deeply connected to the Pantanal and the Amazon, where she has extensive field experience observing and interpreting wildlife in one of the richest natural environments on the planet. While she has a background specializing in snakes, her expertise extends to general wildlife ecology, animal behavior, and the complex relationships that shape tropical ecosystems. She also collaborates on environmental education initiatives, helping to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and dispel common misconceptions about native species.
Fluent in both English and Portuguese, Daniela works as a guide across different regions of the Pantanal and the Amazon, where she enjoys sharing her scientific knowledge and passion for nature with travelers. Currently based near São Paulo, she continues to combine science, education, and guiding, offering meaningful and informative experiences in the wild.
LETICIA NEVES
Reservations and administration
Born and living in Cuiabá, near the Pantanal, Leticia, Larissa’s sister, works in the administration of the tours, responsible for hotel, transfers and other services reservations, among other things.
Contact us at info@pantanalphototours.com
