In celebration of Women’s Month, PlanetaEXO shares the inspiring story of Kristina Wagner, a German biologist who embarked on an unforgettable solo adventure through Brazil
Initially visiting Rio de Janeiro for a scientific conference, Kristina Wagner, a 44-year-old biologist from Germany, decided to extend her stay to explore two Brazilian biomes: the Amazon and the Pantanal.
Driven by her passion for animals and nature, she chose to travel with PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil, due to our strong commitment to eco-travel and supporting of local communities.
“I chose a Brazilian company because it felt strange to go to Brazil and have a German operator organize my trip,” Kristina explained. “I also wanted to support local communities. It was essential for me to travel responsibly.”
Here’s a look into Kristina’s journey, her wildlife encounters, and her empowering experience as a solo female traveler in Brazil!
Discovering the Amazon magic
Kristina’s adventure began in the Amazon Rainforest, where she stayed at the welcoming Turtle Lodge, in the municipality of Careiro, Amazonas.
For her, the experience was brilliant from the very beginning, starting with a boat ride to witness the famous Meeting of Waters—a phenomenon where the rivers Negro and Solimões flow side by side but never mix. “It’s so beautiful. We don’t have anything that compares in Europe” Kristina marveled.
As a biologist, the region’s biodiversity left her in awe. Navigating the riverways by boat, she spotted river dolphins, howler monkeys, caimans, and other beautiful Amazon animals. Beyond the wildlife, Kristina deeply appreciated the cultural connections she made. “It felt really like staying with the local people. I learned a lot.”
She visited a local family that grew manioc and was moved by seeing multiple generations working together. She was especially impressed to see a well-respected woman as the head of the family, providing a beautiful contrast to the often-separated family dynamics back in Germany.
One of her most magical memories happened on an exclusive boat tour. While the rest of her group opted for overnight jungle camping (which she skipped due to a fear of spiders), Kristina was treated to a private boat ride where river dolphins jumped around the boat. “They were so close that I could almost touch them,” she recalled. “It was really amazing.”
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Wildlife wonders in the Pantanal
Following the Amazon, Kristina spent four days exploring the Pantanal, which she described as a “totally different but equally incredible experience.”
Her days were filled with horseback riding, jungle treks, and canoeing along the Miranda River. The wildlife sightings were spectacular—she encountered armadillos, capybaras, parrots, and caimans.
Throughout both tours, Kristina noted that the guides were exceptional. “It was really important to me to see that the guides were respecting the environment, were careful with the animals, and were not disturbing them” she emphasized as a crucial factor for her as an eco-conscious traveler.
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Navigating Brazil as a solo female traveler
Like many foreign travelers, Kristina had initial safety concerns before arriving in Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, due to the negative stories often portrayed abroad. However, her actual experience painted a very different picture.
“I felt safe all the time,” she reported. “People were always trying to help me and protect me all the time. Everyone was so friendly.” While she did experience one challenging moment when a man persistently tried to chat her up on a transport to the Pantanal, an older Brazilian passenger quickly intervened and told him to leave her alone, which quickly made her feel safe again.
Kristina acknowledged that general caution is necessary everywhere—even in her hometown of Munich—but concluded that Brazil’s negative safety reputation was inaccurate based on her journey.
👉 Read more:
- Ecotourism in Brazil boosts solo travel for women through planning and support networks
- Why Brazil’s remote outdoors are becoming a haven for foreign female travelers
A message for Women’s Month
For Kristina, traveling is a source of immense empowerment. “I feel the most free and powerful when I travel because I see that, yes, I can do this; I’m capable” she reflected. Navigating a massive country like Brazil without speaking Portuguese was a challenge she happily mastered, which served as proof of her own resilience.
As we celebrate Women’s Month, Kristina leaves a message for other women who might be hesitant to travel alone: “Even if you’re scared that it might be lonely or even if people say that it’s not okay to do this when you’re a woman on your own, you should still try it out. Take courage.”
She emphasizes that being a solo woman should never deter you from exploring the world, and if going alone feels too daunting, taking a friend along is always a great option.
Summing up her experience, she shared, “I booked The Amazon Jungle Lodge Tour with PlanetaEXO, and it was perfect. I learned so much about the Amazon, its people, and the wildlife and flora… I loved every minute of it!”
Kristina is already dreaming of her next trip to Brazil, with a potential river cruise in the Amazon on her radar. We cannot wait to welcome her back!
👉 Read more: Women over 50 break stereotypes and prove that adventure knows no age
Exploring Brazil’s wild nature with PlanetaEXO
By trusting PlanetaEXO to organize her trip to the Amazon and the Pantanal, Kristina was able to enjoy both comfort and total immersion with nature in some of the world’s most impressive destinations.
As an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil, not only do we provide unforgettable experiences that are engraved in our travelers’ hearts and souls, but we also support local communities and follow guidelines to protect the environment. Contact us now!
