Born with a deep passion for nature, Helder earned a biology degree from the University of São Paulo and moved to the wetlands of the Pantanal, a wildlife hotspot in Brazil to pursue guiding as a career. For the past 15 years, he has shared his love of the wilderness with travellers in wild areas across South America, including Chile, Argentina, Peru and Bolívia. Guiding for long stretches each year in the Pantanal and Patagonia, Helder has also worked leading trips in the Amazon and Cuba and across the Atlantic exploring national parks and reserves throughout South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique.

He continued his professional development guiding naturalists and birdwatchers, led a team of guides, worked as environmental manager and as a lodge manager. As part of a conservation project Helder captured, studied and monitored wild jaguars in the Pantanal. Today he focuses his work as a naturalist guide in journeys around the world, but also works as environmental and ecotourism consultant, developing guide training and first aid courses.