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The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
This Brazilian wildlife hotspot is cheaper than an African safari
With its elongated nose, 60cm-long tongue and wiry, feather-duster tail, it's hard to see a giant anteater as anything more than the fever dream of a desperate cartoonist. My guide Dai Scapini has bundled me out of our van in southwest Brazil, and we're watching as it swaggers across the dirt road, its white and black-banded body sashaying a bushy tail with each step. We can get so close because this creature's hearing and sight are sufficiently poor that it could do with a cane to get around. But its comedic nose makes up for these shortcomings; soon it smells us and flees into the bushes, leaving just one beady eye peering vexatiously through the undergrowth. Brazil's stunning coast hit our screens last year when it appeared in the second series of Celebrity Race Across the World. However, I've been lured to this South American country for an entirely different reason. Sometimes dubbed the Brazilian Serengeti, the Pantanal contains the highest concentration of wildlife in South America – even more so than the Amazon Jungle. And while Africa has become synonymous with safaris, more affordable Brazil has flown under the radar. Catching the Great Migration through Tanzania and Kenya or spotting the notorious 'Big Five' game animals comes with a sobering price tag: seven-day holidays rarely cost less than £3,000 per person. But Brazil has its own 'Big Five': the capybara, giant river otter, maned wolf, jaguar, and – tick – the giant anteater. With all-inclusive lodges costing from £120 per person per night, it promises an affordable alternative to a traditional safari. Much the same as the savanna of Tanzania's Serengeti, the Pantanal is a flat expanse of grassland, stippled by islands of lollypop-shaped carnauba palms and knobbly-trunked trumpet trees. And, much like Botswana's Okavango Delta, the land transforms with the seasons, flooding between May and October to become a glassy wetland twice the size of Iceland. Wildlife watching is centred around the region's farms; 95 per cent of the Pantanal lies within private land, which has been squeezed into regimented fields and planted with distinctive white zebu cattle, whose humps of muscle and fat on their necks are a local delicacy. My first stop, three and a half hours by mostly paved road from the regional airport, Campo Grande, and 20 minutes beyond our giant anteater encounter, is Pousada Pequi, a family-run lodge and working ranch. It offers homely simplicity, plus an introduction to the region's nature; burnt orange passion butterflies flutter on pink ixora bushes and blue and yellow macaws screech from the acai palms. In the early mornings and late afternoons, I hop into their jeep, whose tiered, open-air seating replicates those used for game drives in Africa, and we rattle along meandering tracks through the savannah. Giant anteaters are the lodge's main draw; however, its birdlife is legendary, too. Dai points out treetop boxes built to mimic the nests of the Pantanal's trademark bird, the hyacinth macaw. She tells me how thirty years ago, only 500 remained in the wild: 'more as a pet in the US than free in Brazil.' Macaws are particular to a fault about where they nest; deforestation of the manduvi tree meant human housebuilding was the only way to save the species. Since then, the population has exploded to 10,000; we don't have to go far before we spot these huge birds, inky blue like dusk, squabbling in the trees. I continue northwest to Fazenda San Francisco, where half of its 15,000 hectares of cattle land and rice paddies have been set aside for conservation. Dai drops a bombshell: giant river otters are possible but rare to see here, and there's no time to visit Fazenda Barranco Alto, a lodge further north where they're far easier. But I've high hopes for two more of Brazil's Big Five: the capybara and the jaguar. After all, conservationists estimate that the Pantanal contains the highest density of jaguars in the Americas — that's around 15 per cent of the world's population. I'm received by Roberta Coelho, one of the owners, who bears good news. She signals with her bamboo cane down the lodge's drive: 'Last night, a jaguar walked right down this road,' she informs me eagerly. A seven-year research project estimated that up to twenty individuals inhabit the area, attracted by easy access to their favourite foods: capybara, caiman and marsh deer. Visitors spot one nearly every night, and last night was no different. It also included two very special sightings: the normally hard-to-find ocelot, plus a maned wolf, so elusive that in 10 years of guiding, Dai has only seen one four times. There's plenty to do on the ranch while I wait. A boardwalk over a swollen river offers a stroll across a bewitching landscape of palm trees reflected in silvery water, while a sunset paddle by kayak on a small lake allows me to drift beside families of capybara, betting on a small island as a safe refuge from the night's predators. As dusk falls, we head out by jeep, using a powerful torch to scan the fields and trees marking the edges of the dirt road. Suddenly, it alights on a foxlike creature slumbering in tall grasses; it's only when it begins to unfold its great limbs that its distinctive dappled orange and black coat reveals it to be a jaguar. It pays us no heed and begins to stalk through the field, its movements fluid, almost serpentine. We hold our breath, captivated as it lifts its face towards us as if to dare us to follow, before slinking away into the gloom. Back at the ranch, I reflect on my trip. I didn't see the full five, but I'd been a whisker away from four of them. The Pantanal certainly isn't Africa, but for a wildlife experience as unique as it is affordable, few destinations can compare. Steph Dyson was hosted by Visit Pantanal. LATAM flies from London Heathrow to Campo Grande via São Paulo, from £550 return. Overnight stays at Pousada Pequi and Fazenda San Francisco start from £240 per night, all-inclusive for a double room. English-speaking guides and transfers cost extra. Wildlife watching is best between November and April during the dry season.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Freddy Brazier SPLITS from girlfriend amid bitter bust-ups over their shared dog and money in latest incident likely to alarm his father Jeff
Jade Goody 's son Freddy Brazier has split from his girlfriend Holly Swinburn following a furious bust-up, in the latest incident likely to alarm frustrated dad Jeff Brazier. Freddy, 20, who appeared alongside his famous father in 2024's Celebrity Race Across the World, had been living with glamorous Holly at her east London home, with the pair recently buying a pet dog together - an illegal Pocket Bully named Pablo. The couple even launched an Instagram profile for the puppy, where they listed themselves as parents in the bio. It was only last week that Freddy gushed over his romance with Holly, 21, sharing a black and white snap of the pair together on social media alongside the caption: 'Couldn't think of a caption, but the photos say it all. Life is good.' MailOnline understands the young couple, who got together following Freddy's breakup from OnlyFans model Tasha Newcombe, 22, had recently enjoyed a holiday together, further cementing their growing feelings for each other. But now sources say a bitter fallout over their dog and money has seen Freddy, whose mother is late reality star Jade Goody, move out of her home with the duo now wrapped in a bitter dispute. A source explained: 'Things got very intense very quickly and Freddy had been living with Holly and they had holidayed together, making plans for their future, but it has turned ugly pretty fast. 'There has been an almighty fall out and neither party believes they're in the wrong - it has become the latest saga in Freddy's life following a series of setbacks. 'No doubt their sudden and dramatic breakup is something else that will really concern Jeff. Nothing seems simple at the moment.' The couple's relationship was on the rocks earlier this month after Freddy, whose older brother is EastEnders actor and former Strictly star Bobby, confessed to upsetting Holly by staying out until the 'early hours with the boys', leaving her and their dog at home. Freddy shared his experience with Holly online, saying he had learned a valuable lesson and hoped to move forward from the 'miscommunication' in their romance. The model has recently been struggling with a number of relationships in his life including with his TV presenter father Jeff and brother Bobby. Freddy and Jeff have suffered a fiery relationship in recent months, amid his father's legal bid to block him from continuing to see his grandmother, Jade's mother Jackiey Budden - accusing her of allowing her grandson to smoke cannabis at her home. Jeff has long insisted she is a bad influence on the troubled youngster - with the pair enduring a series of very public disputes over the years. MailOnline has contacted Freddy and Holly for comment. But last month The Mail On Sunday revealed that Freddie was again spending time at Jackiey's Bermondsey flat despite his father filing court paperwork in an effort to keep his son away. Family friends say the duo remain 'extremely close,' explaining: 'Jeff was never going to keep Freddy away from his Nanny for very long - they've always had a strong bond, Jeff may hate her for all sorts of reasons going back many years, but Freddy loves her very much. 'They had a great time together, playing with her dog and catching up at her flat - where he has often stayed over the years. Whatever Jeff hoped to achieve with his legal efforts, it hasn't worked.' In June, Freddy announced on Instagram that he was going to a rehabilitation centre in Spain, admitting he had been addicted to smoking since he was 12 and was keen to seek treatment. He said: 'I've been smoking from the age of 12 and it's time to stop it was a bad coping mechanism that turned into an addiction something I relied on and something that made me feel sane and somewhat okay.' But days after the admission, Freddy posted again online saying he had changed his mind, writing: 'You know what I don't need rehab. I just need a holiday with a good group of boys or a retreat.' Freddy lost his mother, former Big Brother star Jade, to cervical cancer in 2009 when he was just four years old. During his appearance on BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World, Bobby spoke on the grief he has suffered following his mother's tragic passing. He said: 'I don't really remember being held by my mum… if I had more memories with her, it would have made it a whole lot harder for me, but I think I would rather that than not remembering the things I had done with my mum.'
Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Freddy Brazier snubs dad Jeff on Father's Day amid legal battle to stop him seeing nan Jackiey
It comes as brother Bobby shared a sweet post calling dad Jeff his 'rock' KEEPING QUIET Freddy Brazier snubs dad Jeff on Father's Day amid legal battle to stop him seeing nan Jackiey Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FREDDY Brazier snubbed dad Jeff on Father's Day amid the ongoing legal battle to stop him seeing his nan Jackiey Budden. Freddy, 20, and brother Bobby Brazier, 22, are both the sons of Jeff and the late Jade Goody. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Freddy Brazier failed to post about his dad Jeff Brazier on Father's Day Credit: Getty 6 Jeff and Freddy have recently suffered a strained relationship Credit: BBC 6 Jeff recently launched a legal bid to stop Freddy seeing grandma Jackiey Credit: Rex Features 6 Freddy (right) with his late mother Jade Goody (centre) and brother Bobby (left) Credit: PA:Press Association However, there has been tension in the family following Jeff's safety concerns surrounding Freddy seeing Jackiey. Although Jeff's youngest son recently talked about wanting to rebuild his relationship with his dad, he failed to share a Father's Day post yesterday. Instead he chose to keep quiet, and not post anything. While Freddy chose not commemorate the occasion, his brother Bobby did post about his dad on Father's Day. Taking to Instagram, the EastEnders star shared a photo of himself, Jeff and Freddy stood on a beach, looking out towards the ocean. With the three having their arms around each other in the snap, he captioned: "My dad's a rock." Freddy and Bobby's beloved mum Jade died on Mother's Day in 2009. Meanwhile, Freddy recently made a shock U-turn on plans to enter rehab – just days after admitting he's been hooked on smoking since the age of 12. The TV star - who appeared on Celebrity Race Across The World with his dad - shared his dramatic change of heart on Instagram last week. Posting a black and white throwback of himself as a child, Freddy wrote: 'You know what I don't need rehab! I just need a holiday with a good group of boys or a retreat.' Jade Goody's ex Jeff Brazier launches legal bid to stop son Freddy from seeing gran It came just days after Freddy stunned followers when he opened up about a long-standing smoking addiction and a desire to make peace with his dad after a tense family rift. He revealed he wanted to get help in Spain for cannabis, saying he 'wants a healthy relationship with his dad'. In a heartfelt post, he said: 'I want to be clean so I can life happily and have healthy relationships with people and be there for all of my family rather then feeling like I'm in the middle and have to choose a side.' Freddy also shared hopes of mending things with his famous father, saying: 'I want to play football and take up boxing. I want to be happy and be in a healthy relationship and have a healthy relationship with my Nana and my father.' The pair have suffered a strained relationship lately which saw Jeff attempt to block Freddy's contact with his grandmother Jackiey, amid safety concerns. At the beginning of the month, sources told The Sun that Freddy had moved in with Jackiey, who is Jade's mother, in Bermondsey for a week, in defiance of his dad's legal efforts to keep them apart. 6 Meanwhile. Freddy's brother Bobby called dad Jeff his 'rock' in a sweet Father's Day post Credit: Instagram
Scottish Sun
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Freddy Brazier makes U-turn on rehab and insists he just needs ‘a boys' holiday'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FREDDY Brazier has made a shock U-turn on plans to enter rehab – just days after admitting he's been hooked on smoking since the age of 12. The youngest son of TV presenter Jeff Brazier, 46, and the late Jade Goody, shared a dramatic change of heart on Instagram over the weekend. 7 Freddy says he doesn't need rehab now but just a boys' holiday Credit: Getty 7 Jade Goody (centre) with Bobby Jack Brazier (left) and Freddy (right) Credit: PA:Press Association 7 Freddy shared this Instagram post on Sunday Credit: Instagram 7 Freddy is very close to his grandmother, Jackiey Budden Credit: Tiktok 7 Things are believed to be tense beween Jeff and his youngest son Freddy due to his close relationship with his maternal grandmother Credit: Instagram/katebrazierpr But posting a black and white throwback of himself as a child, Freddy wrote: 'You know what I don't need rehab! I just need a holiday with a good group of boys or a retreat.' It comes just a week after the 20-year-old revealed he was preparing to check into a Marbella rehab facility in a bid to 'get clean', and open up a new chapter in his life. Freddy stunned followers when he opened up about a long-standing smoking addiction and a desire to make peace with his dad after a tense family rift. The 20-year-old, who starred with Jeff in the BBC's Celebrity Race Across The World, revealed he wanted to get help in Spain for cannabis, saying he 'wants a healthy relationship with his dad'. In a heartfelt post, he said: 'I want to be clean so I can life happily and have healthy relationships with people and be there for all of my family rather then feeling like I'm in the middle and have to choose a side.' Freddy also shared hopes of mending things with his famous father, saying: 'I want to play football and take up boxing. I want to be happy and be in a healthy relationship and have a healthy relationship with my Nana and my father.' Freddy was recently spotted puffing away with his grandmother Jackiey Budden, 68, near Tower Bridge, despite Jeff's attempts to block contact over safety concerns. Sources say Freddy moved in with Jackiey in Bermondsey for a week, in defiance of his dad's legal efforts to keep them apart. One family pal revealed: 'Jeff was never going to keep Freddy away from his Nanny for very long — they've always had a strong bond.' 'They had a great time together, playing with her dog and catching up at her flat – where he has often stayed over the years.' Freddy Brazier reunites with dad Jeff before heading to rehab in Spain amid concern over gran's 'harmful' influence TV presenter Jeff, 46, has a court date in his legal fight to stop Freddy from seeing Jackiey amid concerns over his welfare. A family friend said: 'Jeff and Freddy are in regular contact with each other - probably more than most dads and their adult children. 'They talk a lot and spend plenty of time together. Jeff just wants the best for his son and the door is always open for him. "Jackiey's influence over Freddy is harmful to his overall wellbeing. 'It's very sad that a grandmother continues to try and lead him astray.' The Sun approached reps for comment. 7 Jeff and Freddy starred in Race Across the World Credit: BBC
Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Freddy Brazier's real reason for 'moving in' with gran with dad Jeff 'livid'
As it has been reported that Freddy Brazier is living with his grandmother Jackiey Budden, a source has revealed the real reason for the alleged family feud as dad Jeff is 'livid'. Freddy Brazier is said to have felt as though he's 'fallen into the background' of his actor brother Bobby's success, says a source. The aspiring model is thought to have been living with his grandmother, Jackeiy, over the last week before he revealed he was checking himself into a rehab centre on Friday. Freddy was pictured with her maternal grandmother amid reports of a rift between the 20-year-old and his dad Jeff, with Freddy allegedly smoking a joint during the outing. And revealing that the relationship has left Jeff 'livid', a source told Mirror, "Jeff is livid over the whole thing. He feels that he has brought the kids up single-handedly and Jackiey is a bad influence. Drugs are not something Jeff wants the boys around and he's not happy with the whole situation.' Jeff has had a long-standing feud with Jade's mum. Previously he said that during his sons' childhoods, Jackiey would spoil them with 'unsuitable' gifts, claiming she once bought Freddy a hamster without checking with him, and supplied the boys with mobile phones during a visit. 'I just wish we could work together a little better,' he said in 2012. However, the relationship later broke down completely and Jackiey didn't see her grandsons for a period of time, before regular visits began again. 'As she settled in herself, the boys kept a lot of contact with her and at the moment she's very helpful and very prominent in their lives,' said Jeff in 2014. Revealing the alleged reason for Freddy's increased time with Jackiey, the source says that his brother Bobby's soaring success on TV hasn't been easy. 'It's difficult for Bobby and for Freddy as brothers, especially considering Bobby's success in recent years with Strictly and EastEnders – Freddy feels like he's fallen into the background. 'It's a case of him rebelling against it all. But they are really close as siblings and Bobby wants more than anything for his brother to come home and for the family to be back together again. He hates seeing his dad so anxious.' While Bobby has carved out a successful TV career, Freddy's profile is also on the rise. He describes himself as a 'model and TV personality' and appeared on Celebrity Race Across The World alongside Jeff. Last Friday, days after he was spotted smoking what appeared to be a joint with Jackiey, Freddy revealed he was checking into rehab. He wrote in his Instagram Stories that he was going to be 'cutting down' as he headed to a rehab centre in Marbella. 'I've been smoking from the age of 12 and it's time to stop,' he wrote. 'It was a bad coping mechanism that turned into an addiction – something I relied on and something that made me feel sane and somewhat OK.' Continuing that he had found a rehab centre where he could heal, Freddy added, 'I want to be clean so I can live life happily and have healthy relationships with people and be there for all of my family rather than feeling like I'm in the middle and have to choose a side. I haven't been able to feel love properly as I have never loved myself and it starts now. I want to play football and take up boxing. I want to be happy and be in a healthy relationship and have a healthy relationship with my Nana and my father.'
