Rio Novo National Park

Rio Novo Overview

Rio Novo National Park, known in Portuguese as Parque Nacional do Rio Novo, is a protected area located in the state of Pará in northern Brazil. Covering approximately 538 square miles, or 1,394 square kilometers, the park lies within the Amazon biome, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

This national park was established to safeguard a unique mosaic of ecosystems, where dense tropical rainforests meet the Cerrado, Brazil’s vast tropical savanna. The park is situated near the municipality of Novo Progresso and is part of an essential ecological corridor that connects other protected regions in the Amazon.

The terrain of Rio Novo National Park is diverse and rugged, featuring rolling hills, sandstone plateaus, and deep valleys carved by clearwater rivers. One of the park’s most defining features is the Rio Novo itself, a transparent river with rapids and waterfalls that wind through the forest.

Cachoeira do Jatobá, a picturesque waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation, is among the park’s most photographed natural wonders. The landscapes here range from dense lowland rainforest to drier upland areas where the vegetation transitions into open savanna, with striking rock formations and sandy soil.

The park is home to an incredible array of wildlife, thanks to its location at the intersection of different ecological zones. Mammals such as jaguars, giant anteaters, tapirs, and howler monkeys inhabit its forests, while the elusive maned wolf may be found in the savanna-like areas.

Birdwatchers visiting Rio Novo can expect to see a variety of species, including the harpy eagle, blue-and-yellow macaw, and white-throated toucan. Endemic and endangered species thrive here, making it a crucial area for conservation and ecological research.

Popular among adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts, Rio Novo National Park offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, photography, and river-based activities such as canoeing and swimming in its crystal-clear waters.

While the park lacks extensive visitor infrastructure, its remote charm and unspoiled nature attract those looking for immersive experiences. Access typically requires coordination with local guides or environmental agencies, ensuring a more managed and low-impact visitation.

Visitors can explore the park through designated trails that wind through forested paths and along riverbanks. Guided excursions offer insight into the unique ecology of the area and highlight the importance of preserving its biodiversity.

Scientific research and environmental education also play significant roles in how the park is experienced, often supported by partnerships with universities and conservation groups.

Rio Novo National Park faces conservation challenges primarily due to illegal logging, land speculation, and deforestation in surrounding areas. However, its status as a protected area has led to notable successes in curbing habitat destruction within its borders.

Continued enforcement, monitoring, and engagement with local communities remain essential to the park’s future. Ongoing efforts aim to improve infrastructure for sustainable tourism while maintaining strict conservation standards.

As part of the Amazon biome, the park represents a critical stronghold in Brazil’s broader environmental strategy to protect this globally significant ecosystem.

Park Map

Rio Novo National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Rio Novo National Park, located in the state of Pará, Brazil, protects a vast stretch of transitional forest where the Amazon rainforest meets the Cerrado savanna. With its crystal-clear rivers, forested plateaus, and sandy soils, the park shelters a rich blend of species adapted to both humid and dry environments.

Jaguar
The largest feline in the Americas, the jaguar is a stealthy predator that roams the park’s forests and riverbanks. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of predator and prey.

Giant Anteater
This solitary, striking mammal with a long snout and bushy tail specializes in feeding on ants and termites. It is often found in more open savanna-like sections of the park.

South American Tapir
As a major seed disperser, the tapir is essential to the regeneration of the park’s forests. It is shy and usually found near rivers or mud wallows, especially during twilight hours.

Maned Wolf
This tall, fox-like canid roams the drier, open portions of the park. Despite its wolf-like appearance, it is a solitary forager that feeds on fruit and small animals.

White-lipped Peccary
These social animals travel in large, noisy herds, foraging through the underbrush. Their movements affect forest dynamics and make them a key prey species for large predators.

Ocelot
An agile and beautifully spotted wild cat, the ocelot hunts at night and favors dense vegetation. It preys on small mammals and reptiles and is a secretive but widespread presence.

Paca
Nocturnal and shy, the paca is a large rodent with white spots along its brown coat. It lives near water and plays a role in forest ecology by dispersing seeds.

Tayra
This curious, agile carnivore from the weasel family is active during the day. It climbs trees with ease and has a wide-ranging diet, including fruit, insects, and small mammals.

Azara’s Agouti
A fast, ground-dwelling rodent, the agouti helps regenerate the forest by burying seeds. It is active by day and frequently seen darting through clearings or foraging near fallen fruit.

Nine-banded Armadillo
Well-suited to the park’s mixed terrain, this armored mammal digs for insects and makes burrows in sandy soil. It is solitary and typically active at night.

Birds

Rio Novo National Park offers a spectacular mix of birdlife from both the Amazon and Cerrado regions. Its varied topography and forest cover provide nesting and feeding grounds for a wide variety of colorful and elusive species.

Harpy Eagle
This massive eagle is rarely seen but remains one of the park’s most iconic species. It hunts monkeys and sloths in the canopy and requires vast, undisturbed forest to survive.

Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Vivid and vocal, this large macaw is often seen flying over open areas or feeding in fruiting trees. It mates for life and nests in tree cavities high in the canopy.

White-throated Toucan
With a striking yellow and black bill and loud, barking call, this toucan is a vital fruit-eater and seed disperser, seen in the upper canopy of tall trees.

Scarlet Macaw
With its dramatic red, yellow, and blue feathers, the scarlet macaw is a highlight of the park. It flies in loud, bonded pairs and plays a key role in forest regeneration.

Crested Owl
A mysterious and nocturnal bird with striking “horns” and dark eyes, it roosts in dense forest by day and hunts at night for insects and small vertebrates.

Black-fronted Nunbird
Often found in small family groups, this black bird with a bright orange bill perches openly while hunting flying insects. It is active and social in forest clearings and edges.

Spix’s Guan
This turkey-sized frugivore lives in the canopy and is key to dispersing the seeds of native trees. It is often heard with deep, gruff calls as it glides from tree to tree.

Amazonian Motmot
A quiet, colorful bird known for its long racket-tipped tail, the motmot perches low in the forest and hunts insects and small lizards.

White-necked Puffbird
This thick-billed bird perches silently before launching short flights to snatch insects. Its stark white collar and slow movement make it easy to observe in the mid-canopy.

Razor-billed Curassow
A large, black ground-dwelling bird with a vivid red bill base, this species is typically seen walking along rivers or trails, feeding on fruit and seeds. Its presence indicates good forest health.