Parque Nacional Madidi

Introducing Parque Nacional Madidi

The Río Madidi watershed is one of South America’s most intact ecosystems. Most of it is protected by the 1.8 million–hectare Parque Nacional Madidi, which takes in a range of wildlife habitats, from the steaming lowland rainforests to 5500m Andean peaks. This ­little-­trodden utopia is home to an astonishing variety of Amazonian wildlife: 44% of all New World mammal species, 38% of tropical amphibian species, more than 10% of all bird species known to science and more protected species than any park in the world.

The populated portions of the park along the Río Tuichi have been accorded a special Unesco designation permitting indigenous inhabitants to utilize traditional forest resources, but the park has also been considered for oil exploration and as a site for a major hydroelectric scheme in the past. In addition, illicit logging has affected several areas around the park perimeter and there’s been talk of a new road between Apolo and Ixiamas that would effectively bisect the park. Though the hydroelectric scheme has been abandoned, the debate continues over whether road building and oil exploration will take place and many suspect that the illicit loggers will use the opportunity to benefit from these projects. It is very difficult, however, to distinguish facts from rumors, and the only thing to do is to watch this space and hope for the best.

The US$10 admission fee is payable via tour agencies or at the Sernap office in San Buenaventura. An excellent publication for visitors is A Field Guide to Chalalán, sold at the project’s office in Rurre.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009