Anavilhanas National Park

Anavilhanas Overview

Anavilhanas National Park, known locally as Parque Nacional de Anavilhanas, is a protected area located in the state of Amazonas in northwestern Brazil.

The park spans approximately 1,973 square miles, or about 5,100 square kilometers, and is situated along the Rio Negro near the municipality of Novo Airão, roughly 100 kilometers upstream from the city of Manaus. It is one of the world’s largest freshwater archipelagos, home to more than 400 islands that extend for about 130 kilometers along the river.

This national park is part of the Central Amazon Conservation Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and plays a vital role in protecting the rich biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest.

The terrain of Anavilhanas National Park is dominated by the labyrinthine waterways of the Rio Negro, interwoven with countless islands, flooded forests, and sandy river beaches.

The landscape is a dynamic mixture of igapó (blackwater-flooded forests), dense tropical rainforest, and aquatic ecosystems, which change dramatically with the annual flood pulse of the Amazon Basin. During the rainy season, much of the forest is submerged, transforming the region into a vast aquatic expanse that can be explored by canoe.

The dry season exposes hidden sandbanks and allows for hiking and forest walks. The vegetation is incredibly diverse, featuring towering trees like the kapok and Brazil nut, aquatic plants such as giant water lilies, and orchids clinging to the branches in the canopy.

The park is a haven for wildlife, offering opportunities to see many of the Amazon’s most iconic species. Among the mammals that inhabit the area are jaguars, giant otters, tapirs, and the Amazon river dolphin, also known as the boto. The dark waters of the Rio Negro provide a striking contrast to the pink hue of these freshwater dolphins.

The park also supports a remarkable array of birds, including the colorful macaws, toucans, harpy eagles, and hoatzins. The intricate water channels and forests provide excellent habitat for both migratory and endemic bird species, making it a favorite destination for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Anavilhanas is celebrated for its natural beauty and offers a tranquil yet immersive Amazonian experience. Popular features include the island archipelago itself, boat excursions through narrow igarapés (creeks), nighttime wildlife spotting, and visits to riverine communities.

Floating lodges and eco-lodges in nearby areas offer accommodations that blend sustainability with comfort, allowing visitors to fully engage with the environment.

Visitors primarily experience the park through boat tours, kayaking trips, and guided hikes. River cruises provide the most comprehensive access, often organized from Manaus or Novo Airão. Canoeing through flooded forests or exploring remote islands gives travelers an intimate connection with the landscape.

The park’s calm and dark waters are also suitable for safe swimming in designated areas, and fishing for sport species like peacock bass is popular in adjacent, regulated zones.

Conservation in Anavilhanas faces challenges such as illegal fishing, logging, and the encroachment of human activities from expanding settlements. However, the park has seen significant successes in recent years, including stronger protections through federal oversight by ICMBio (the Brazilian Institute for Biodiversity Conservation) and its integration into the larger Central Amazon Conservation Complex.

Community engagement and sustainable tourism practices have also contributed to the park’s ongoing preservation and public appreciation.

Park Map

Anavilhanas National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Anavilhanas’ lush canopy and riverine environments are alive with birdlife, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. From brilliantly colored parrots to powerful raptors and stealthy forest dwellers, the park hosts a remarkable array of Amazonian bird species.

Harpy Eagle
This apex avian predator nests in tall trees and preys on monkeys and sloths. Its immense size and power make it one of the most iconic birds of the Amazon.

Scarlet Macaw
Easily identified by its brilliant red, yellow, and blue feathers, the scarlet macaw travels in pairs or flocks and is a vital seed disperser for forest regeneration.

Hoatzin
This quirky bird, also known as the “stinkbird,” feeds on leaves and has a digestive system more like a cow than a bird. Juveniles have claws on their wings for climbing.

Amazon Kingfisher
A common sight along the waterways, this kingfisher perches on branches above the river before diving to catch fish with its sharp beak.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Large and vocal, these parrots fly in pairs over the treetops and nest in tree cavities. They are key players in spreading the seeds of the fruits they consume.

Black-crowned Night Heron
A nocturnal hunter, this heron is often seen along riverbanks at dusk, stalking fish and frogs with stealthy precision.

Great Egret
This elegant white wader is often seen along Anavilhanas’ shores and floodplains. It stalks prey with slow, deliberate movements and strikes quickly with its bill.

Channel-billed Toucan
With its oversized, colorful bill and loud, croaking call, the toucan is a favorite of visitors. It eats fruit, insects, and occasionally small animals.

Rufescent Tiger Heron
Camouflaged among the reeds, this heron stands motionless while hunting fish and amphibians. Its striking stripes and slow movement make it a stealthy predator.

Green Ibis
A dark, iridescent bird often seen foraging in flooded areas, the green ibis uses its curved bill to probe the mud for invertebrates and small aquatic animals.

Anavilhanas National Park, located along the Rio Negro in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is a stunning river archipelago composed of hundreds of forested islands, channels, and flooded forests. This unique aquatic landscape supports an incredibly rich diversity of Amazonian wildlife, much of which depends on the park’s healthy river and forest ecosystems.

Amazon River Dolphin
Known locally as the boto, this freshwater dolphin is a key symbol of the Amazon. Its pink coloration and playful nature make it a popular sight in the park’s tranquil waters.

Giant Otter
These highly social and endangered mammals inhabit the park’s river systems. They live in close-knit families and hunt cooperatively, preying on fish and crustaceans.

Black Caiman
The largest predator in Anavilhanas’ waters, the black caiman can grow up to 5 meters long. It’s a top aquatic hunter, preying on fish, birds, and mammals.

South American Tapir
This large, solitary herbivore often forages along riverbanks and in the flooded forest. Tapirs are excellent swimmers and play a key role in seed dispersal.

Capybara
Found in herds near water, these giant rodents are highly social and feed on grasses and aquatic plants. They are a vital prey species for large predators.

Green Anaconda
The largest snake in the world by weight, the green anaconda inhabits the marshes and waterways of Anavilhanas. It’s a powerful ambush predator capable of taking large prey.

Puma
Although rarely seen, pumas roam the dense forest in search of deer, monkeys, and other mammals. They are adaptable hunters and help control herbivore populations.

Brown-throated Sloth
This slow-moving mammal spends nearly all its time in trees, where it feeds on leaves and avoids predators by blending into the forest canopy.

Howler Monkey
Famous for its deep, echoing calls, the howler monkey lives in family groups high in the trees. It feeds on leaves and fruit and is often heard before it is seen.

Ocelot
This small wild cat is a stealthy nocturnal hunter. Its beautifully spotted coat provides camouflage as it stalks birds, rodents, and reptiles in the undergrowth.