Tambopata National Reserve, Protected rainforest reserve in Madre de Dios, Peru
Tambopata National Reserve is a protected rainforest area in Madre de Dios Department in southeastern Peru, covering forested hills and floodplains. The terrain lies between 260 and 600 meters elevation and is crossed by winding rivers surrounded by dense rainforest.
The Peruvian government created the reserve in September 2000 to preserve the tropical rainforest and enable sustainable use by neighboring communities. The decision followed years of efforts by local and international organizations to secure the biodiversity of this region.
The name Tambopata comes from the river that winds through the region and reflects the Ese Ejja language's connection to rainforest waterways. Visitors today witness how communities fish and gather medicinal plants using methods passed down through generations.
The journey starts with a flight to Puerto Maldonado, followed by upstream boat trips on the Tambopata to reach the lodges. The river ride takes between two and five hours depending on the destination and already offers early glimpses of wildlife.
The Chuncho Clay Lick is a riverbank section where hundreds of macaws and parrots gather at dawn and dusk to eat mineral-rich clay. This natural meeting point forms through river erosion and helps birds neutralize toxins from their diet.
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