Humedales Chaco, Nature reserve and wetland in Chaco Province, Argentina
Humedales Chaco is a protected nature reserve in the northeastern Argentine province of Chaco, spread across the floodplains of the Paraná and Paraguay Rivers. The landscape alternates between open water, grassy flats, and gallery forests that grow in long strips along the riverbanks.
The area around Humedales Chaco was home to indigenous groups, including the Toba, long before it received any formal protection. In 2004, the site was officially recognized as a Ramsar wetland, placing it under international conservation guidelines.
Local communities have lived alongside these wetlands for generations, relying on fishing and cattle grazing as part of daily life. Walking through the area, visitors can still observe these practices taking place near the water's edge.
The area is easiest to visit during the dry season, when water levels drop and paths along the rivers become more accessible. Many access roads are unpaved, so a vehicle with good clearance makes the trip much smoother.
The waters of Humedales Chaco are home to the South American lungfish, locally called Lola, a creature that can breathe air and survive buried in mud during dry spells. It is found in only a few river systems on the continent, making a sighting here genuinely rare.
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