Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area

Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco is a large protected area in Bolivia's Santa Cruz Department that combines tropical forest with drier Chaco landscape. The terrain shifts between dense woodland and more open savanna, with rivers and seasonal waterways running through the landscape.

The protected area was established in 1995 through an agreement between Bolivia's government and the Izoceño-Guarani indigenous organization CABI. This partnership was designed to safeguard the region's natural resources for the future.

Guarani, Chiquitano, and Ayoreo peoples live throughout the park and shape its character. Their presence and traditional knowledge are woven into the daily life and land management of the region.

Visiting the park requires careful planning, especially during wet seasons when many routes become difficult to travel. The road from Santa Cruz through Bajo Izoso to Camiri remains the most reliable year-round access point.

The area is home to one of South America's rarest mammals, the Chacoan peccary, which was once thought to be extinct. This species and many others can be found living in their natural habitat here.

Location: Santa Cruz Department

Inception: 1995

Website: http://sernap.gob.bo/kaaiya

GPS coordinates: -19.06667,-61.25000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:43