Central Amazon Conservation Complex

The Central Amazon Conservation Complex is a group of protected reserves covering millions of hectares of rainforest with interconnected rivers, lakes, and seasonally flooded woodlands. Together these reserves form a continuous landscape where wildlife and water systems are preserved across a vast area.

The protected complex was established around 2000 in response to rising threats from commercial activities destroying the forest. This action became a key effort to halt industrial expansion in the region and safeguard its natural resources.

Local communities living along the rivers practice traditional methods of gathering food and materials from the forest for everyday life. This way of living shapes the character of the region and demonstrates long-standing ties between people and their natural surroundings.

Visitors reach the area by boat from the cities of Manaus or Tefe, with guided tours generally operating in the drier months. The best timing for a visit depends on water levels and rainfall patterns in the region.

The reserves are home to an extraordinary variety of freshwater fish species, including electric fish and giant arapaima living in dark water systems. This remarkable biological diversity makes the area of global significance for scientific study.