Iwokrama Rain Forest

Lonely Planet review

Iwokrama, established in 1996, is a unique, living laboratory for tropical forest management and socio-economic development for Amerindians. Amidst 371,000 ha (916,760 acres) of virgin rainforest, this exceptional region is home to the highest recorded number of fish and bat species in the world.

Also calling this remarkable forest home are South America's largest cat (the jaguar), the world's largest scaled fresh water fish (the arapaima), and the world's largest otters, river turtles, anteaters, snakes, rodents, eagles and caimans.

Unlike a national park, Iwokrama is not funded by the government and must therefore take a very realistic approach of how to keep afloat without overexploiting resources. Amerindian peoples inhabit parts of the forest and are encouraged to work with ecotourism projects, to become park rangers, harvest tropical aquarium fish and create cottage industry. Don't miss the chance to visit the rainforest canopy walkway which takes you 30m (98ft) up into the leaves.