Tambopata National Reserve – Peru’s green jewel

The Tambopata National Reserve is located in southeast Peru, in the Amazon region. The fact that the area is protected and characterized by jungle, wet savannah, rivers and lakes, guarantees it a biodiversity that is rarely found. Originally the area was inhabited by the indigenous population, the Ese Ejja, but there are only a few groups left who have found a new home just outside the reserve.

Curiously, however, there is also a human settlement within the boundaries of the reserve: the Tambopata Research Center Lodge. Why? The lodge was founded before the area was declared a national park in 1996 and has remained so. The Tambopata National Park has its ecological importance from the large intact rainforest areas, which have become a rarity today. Despite its beauty, the Tambopata National Park is still largely unknown to tourists – a good opportunity to see something that not many people have seen.

The diversity of flora and fauna in the Tambopata National Reserve is generally breathtaking. However, there are a few things you should be aware of. From the town of Puerto Maldonado you can take a boat trip to the National Park.

These boat trips are very popular because visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery from the Sandoval River. At the river bank there are small huts that serve as accommodation. Not far away there is a lookout tower with a magnificent view over the surrounding countryside.

A special spectacle are the mineral leaks along the river, especially the Collpa Colorado, in the morning hours. It’s worth getting up early: between half past six and nine o’clock, macaws, parrots and falcons gather on the rocks to enjoy the clay – a colourful, noisy bustle.

The Rio de Madre Dios with its lodges is also a popular destination in the national park. From there, you can take walks through the palm trees, past lushly blooming flowers, and with a little luck you may see jaguars and monkeys. The park is known for its 632 bird and 169 mammal species. But also butterfly lovers will get their money’s worth there: 1200 species are listed. Who wouldn’t like to chase them with a camera? The wild pigs, umbilical pigs and tapirs, on the other hand, only come out of their hiding places in the evening hours. In this case, night walks are the best way to experience the wildlife in the jungle.

The area where the Tambopata National Park is located is roughly dominated by two seasons: the warm rainy season and the cool dry season. The latter is particularly noticeable in June and July, with cold winds and temperatures around 10°C.

But even the rainy season from December to March is not the best time to travel, as many roads are not passable. The Tambopata National Reserve is best visited before or after the rainy season, when it is still warm but the landscape is dry.

Accommodation can be found in the small communities around the park. You can reach the reserve by boat or off-road vehicle. Possible starting points are the municipalities Infierno and Infiernillo. And for the hikers among you: Of course, the area has several hiking trails that you can use.

The fastest way to get to Tambopata National Reserve is to fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado with the airline LATAM. The return flight costs about 100 USD.

If you want to see more of the country or make a stopover, or if you are already in the south of Peru, you can fly to Cuzco and from there take the bus to Puerto Maldonado.

The night bus ride takes about ten hours. It is considerably cheaper than the flight and of course more original. By the way, a little further away from Puerto Maldonado there is also the slightly larger Manu National Park, for which you should plan a little more time. The Tambopata National Reserve, on the other hand, is well worth a day trip.