Tambopata National Reserve
The Tambopata National Reserve is one of Peru’s and the world’s most important protected natural areas. Located in the department of Madre de Dios, in the southern Peruvian Amazon, it harbors a great diversity of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic and endangered species.
In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about this marvelous reserve, from its history and conservation objectives to its main tourist attractions and how to get there. If you are interested in learning more about this natural paradise, keep reading.
History and Creation of the Reserve
The Tambopata National Reserve was created on September 4, 2000, by Supreme Decree DS N.º 048-2000-AG, with the aim of protecting a representative sample of Peru’s southern Amazon rainforest and its ecological processes.
The reserve covers an area of 274,690 hectares and is located in the Tambopata Province, encompassing the Tambopata and Inambari districts. Its average elevation is 280 meters above sea level, ranging from 200 to 400 meters.
The reserve is part of the Vilcabamba-Amboró Biological Corridor, connecting the Andes with the Amazon, and the Tambopata-Candamo-Bahuaja Sonene Conservation Complex, which also includes the Bahuaja Sonene National Park and Madidi National Park in Bolivia.
Objectives of the Reserve
The Tambopata National Reserve has three main objectives:
- Protect the flora, fauna, and ecological processes of a representative portion of Peru’s southern Amazon rainforest, which hosts high biological diversity and unique ecosystems such as aguajales (swampy palm forests), wetlands, pacales (bamboo forests), and riparian forests.
- Promote conservation processes with the local population living within the reserve, encouraging sustainable use of natural resources such as Brazil nut groves and landscape-based recreation.
- Contribute to the sustainable development of the region and the country by fostering knowledge of biodiversity, sustainable management of renewable natural resources, promoting ecotourism, and environmental education.
Biodiversity of the Tambopata Reserve
The Tambopata National Reserve is one of the world’s most biodiverse places. Scientific studies have documented over 10,000 plant species, more than a thousand bird species, over 200 mammal species, over 100 reptile and amphibian species, and more than a thousand insect species.
Among the reserve’s emblematic species are the jaguar, giant otter or river wolf, harpy eagle, red-and-green macaw, giant anteater, Amazonian tapir, black spider monkey, and black caiman.
The reserve is also home to several native communities belonging to the Ese Eja and Pukineri ethnic groups. These communities maintain their ancestral culture and worldview based on respect for nature. Some of them offer tourist services for visitors interested in learning about their way of life.
Tourism in the Reserve
The Tambopata National Reserve is an ideal destination for nature and adventure lovers. Various tourist activities can be enjoyed, including guided hikes on interpretive trails, river and lake navigation, birdwatching, wildlife observation, visits to clay licks where hundreds of macaws and parrots gather, ascending observation towers to appreciate the forest canopy, and experiential activities with native communities.
One of the most visited attractions in the reserve is Lake Sandoval, a beautiful water mirror surrounded by lush vegetation where visitors can observe river wolves, caimans, turtles, and aquatic birds. To reach the lake, visitors must hike a 3 km trail from the Tambopata River and then navigate by boat on the lake.
Another must-see attraction is the Chuncho Clay Lick, one of the world’s largest macaw clay licks, where up to four different species of these colorful birds can be observed: red-and-green macaw, blue-and-yellow macaw, scarlet macaw, and red-headed macaw. To reach the clay lick, visitors must navigate the Tambopata River for about four hours from Puerto Maldonado and then walk a 500-meter trail to the observation point.
How to Get to Tambopata Reserve
- Lima – Puerto Maldonado -> Flight: approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
- Cusco – Puerto Maldonado -> Flight: approximately 4 hours
- Cusco – Puerto Maldonado -> Bus : approximately 10 to 12 hours or more
- Puerto Maldonado – RN Tambopata -> Boat: approximately 2 hours
To reach the Tambopata National Reserve from Lima or Cusco, you must take a flight to Puerto Maldonado, the capital of Madre de Dios. There are daily flights that take 90 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively. From Puerto Maldonado, you can take a taxi or bus to the community of Infierno, located 25 km away. There, you must pay a control fee of 30 soles, marking the entrance to the reserve. Afterward, you’ll need to take a boat along the Tambopata River to reach the tourist areas, which take between one and a half to four hours of navigation.
Alternatively, you can reach the reserve by land from Cusco, passing through the Manu National Park and Amarakaeri Communal Reserve. This journey takes about 12 hours and offers spectacular landscapes. However, you must obtain a special permit to enter the Manu National Park.
The Tambopata National Reserve is a place worth visiting and enjoying. It showcases Peru’s natural and cultural richness and serves as a remarkable example of conservation and sustainable development. If you decide to visit it, I assure you that you won’t regret the experience.