Peru is the best place to visit the rainforest
01 December 2023 (584 visits)In Tambopata, where at our comfortable Tambopata Ecolodge we offer Amazon rainforest ecotourism excursions, the National Reserve was created by the Peruvian government with the aim of protecting the wild flora and fauna and scenic beauty of a typical area of subtropical humid forest, through conservation processes that involve local people and offer sustainable and ecofriendly tourism experiences designed to benefit the economic development of the region as a whole, while protecting the natural world.
The forests we help to protect are situated to the south of the Madre de Dios River, a tributary of the Amazon River. Here, it is possible to observe many rare species, such as the giant otter, peccary, tapir, anaconda, ocelot and jaguar. And for birdwatchers Tambopata is a paradise: more than 600 bird species have been recorded within the territory of the National Reserve, which is more species than have been spotted within the entire continental United States! In Tambopata, studies have also identified 103 species of amphibians, 169 mammals, 103 reptiles and 205 species of fish, as well as huge numbers of invertebrates, including 112 species of diurnal butterflies and 151 species of dragonflies and damselflies.
The climate in Tambopata is typical of humid subtropical forest ecosystems, with an average annual temperature of 26ºC, ranging from 10ºC to 38ºC. The low temperatures experienced on occasion are associated with cold winds arriving all the way from the Antarctic, affecting much of South America for a few days at a time. Maximum temperatures of up to 38ºC occur frequently between September and October. Annual precipitation varies from 1600 to 2400 millimeters. The driest season runs from April to December, while the heaviest rains tend to fall in January and February, although of course in subtropical forests it can rain at any moment!
But rain or shine, there are countless reasons to visit the jungle at any time of year. The most important aspect to consider as you plan a trip to the forests of South America is the wildlife you hope to see. One advantage to visiting in the drier months is that it can be easier to spot some animals at lakes and riverbanks, as water sources deeper in the forest dry out. However, the rainy season is definitely the best time of year to see certain rainforest animals, including many species of monkeys and birds, as they feed on rainforest fruits.
