OCTAVIO CAMPOS SALLES
Founder and guide
Born in São Paulo in 1979, Octavio now lives with Larissa in Ilhabela, surrounded by the Atlantic Rainforest along Brazil’s southeastern coast. He founded his tourism company 21 years ago and has since built extensive experience leading specialized photography expeditions throughout Brazil’s wildest regions.
Octavio began guiding tours in 2001, initially leading fly-fishing expeditions in the Amazon Rainforest. By 2008, he shifted his full focus to photography and birdwatching tours, specializing in the Pantanal and the Atlantic Rainforest. He was among the pioneers of dedicated Jaguar photo tours in the Pantanal and Puma photo tours in Patagonia and has guided countless international groups in search of wildlife and nature photography opportunities across Brazil and Chile.
His photographs have been widely published, including by National Geographic. In 2014, he published a book featuring both text and photography about some of the most untouched areas of the Atlantic Rainforest.
Octavio’s lifelong passion and deep connection to the natural world have given him a broad and refined photographic skill set. Combined with his intimate understanding of camera systems and field techniques, this allows him to help guests consistently improve both their photography and their overall experience in the field.
LARISSA PANTANAL
Partner and guide
Born and raised in the North Pantanal in 1989, Larissa grew up immersed in one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife regions, developing a deep connection with the biome from an early age. She began guiding natural history tours as a teenager, training at one of the Pantanal’s most renowned lodges, where she developed her guiding skills and became fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
Today, Larissa is not only a partner in the company but also one of the Pantanal’s most respected and charismatic wildlife guides. Having led tours throughout Brazil and abroad, she combines extensive field experience with exceptional knowledge of animal behavior and the Pantanal ecosystem. Widely recognized for her remarkable ability to locate Jaguars and wildlife, Larissa is known for creating unforgettable experiences through her enthusiasm, warm personality, and deep passion for the natural world.
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 raised in Cuiabá, near the Pantanal, Leticia has been an essential part of the company’s operations for many years. Working in tour administration and logistics, she is responsible for hotel reservations, transfers, transportation coordination, scheduling, and a wide range of operational details necessary for the smooth execution of the tours.
With extensive experience operating in the Pantanal and other remote regions of Brazil, Leticia works closely with lodges, drivers, guides, and local partners to ensure that every trip runs efficiently and seamlessly. Her deep local knowledge, organizational skills, and attention to detail make her a fundamental part of the team and an important support for both guests and staff throughout the travel experience.
Contact us at info@pantanalphototours.com
