Sempre Vivas National Park

Sempre Vivas Overview

Sempre Vivas National Park, or Parque Nacional das Sempre Vivas in Portuguese, is located in the northern region of Minas Gerais state in Brazil.

Encompassing an area of approximately 455 square miles (1,178 square kilometers), the park lies within the Espinhaço Mountain Range, a unique geological formation that significantly shapes the region’s ecological richness and diversity. Its name pays homage to the “sempre-vivas” flowers, a type of everlasting bloom endemic to the region that has come to symbolize the park’s identity and resilience.

The terrain within Sempre Vivas National Park is strikingly varied, featuring high-altitude plateaus, rugged escarpments, quartzite ridges, and river valleys. The landscape includes a mix of cerrado (a type of tropical savanna), campos rupestres (rocky grasslands), and patches of gallery forest along watercourses.

Towering above these ecosystems are peaks such as Serra do Cabral and Serra do Espinhaço, both offering panoramic vistas and serving as watersheds for many rivers, including the important Jequitaí and São Francisco rivers. Waterfalls like Cachoeira das Pedras and several natural springs add visual drama and ecological value, providing hydration to both wildlife and plant life throughout the year.

Wildlife is abundant and varied in the park, shaped by the transitional ecosystems between cerrado and Atlantic Forest. Among the notable mammals are the maned wolf, the giant anteater, and the ocelot, all of which are either threatened or near-threatened species.

Birdlife is equally remarkable, with over 250 documented species. The hyacinth visorbearer hummingbird and the cock-tailed tyrant are among the endemic or rare birds sought by enthusiasts. Reptiles and amphibians are also well represented, with numerous species still being studied and catalogued, which speaks to the park’s ongoing contribution to biodiversity research.

One of the most popular features of Sempre Vivas National Park is the presence of its namesake flowers, which bloom across the highlands and attract visitors during the flowering season. Hiking trails, natural swimming pools, scenic overlooks, and cascading waterfalls offer immersive experiences for those interested in nature-based tourism.

The campos rupestres are particularly appealing for botanists and photographers due to their high rate of endemism and unique plant forms. Visitors often engage with the park through guided hikes, birdwatching excursions, and educational tours designed to highlight the ecological significance of the region.

Conservation within the park presents both challenges and victories. The expansion of agricultural frontiers and unregulated tourism pressure have at times threatened the integrity of local ecosystems.

However, successful initiatives led by ICMBio (the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation) have improved park infrastructure, expanded research, and heightened public awareness. The park plays a crucial role in the preservation of water sources and endemic species, and it stands as a critical node in the Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve, which has helped bolster protective measures and funding.

Continued collaboration between local communities, scientists, and government agencies remains vital to ensuring that Sempre Vivas retains its ecological richness for generations to come.

Park Map

Sempre Vivas National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Sempre Vivas National Park, located in the Espinhaço Mountain Range in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, protects a stunning landscape of high-altitude grasslands, rocky outcrops, and gallery forests. The park is part of the unique campos rupestres biome and is home to a blend of Cerrado and Atlantic Forest species, many of which are rare or endemic.

Maned Wolf
This tall, fox-like canid with long legs and a reddish coat is symbolic of the Cerrado. Solitary and crepuscular, the maned wolf feeds on a mix of fruit, insects, and small vertebrates across the park’s open grasslands.

Pampas Deer
This elegant deer is well adapted to the park’s grassy plateaus. It is active during the day and grazes on grasses and herbs, usually moving alone or in small groups.

Giant Anteater
With its elongated snout, powerful claws, and bushy tail, the giant anteater patrols the savanna in search of ant and termite mounds. It plays a crucial role in controlling insect populations.

Azara’s Agouti
This solitary rodent is commonly seen foraging near forest edges for fallen fruits and nuts. It buries seeds for later consumption, helping to regenerate plant life in the ecosystem.

Hoary Fox
Specialized for life in the Cerrado, this small, grey-furred fox feeds primarily on insects and fruit. It is mostly nocturnal and often seen along trails and open scrublands.

Ocelot
This beautifully patterned wild cat is elusive and mainly active at night. It preys on rodents, birds, and reptiles, using dense vegetation and rocky terrain for cover.

Tayra
An agile and curious mammal of the weasel family, the tayra is active during the day and has a diverse diet that includes small animals, insects, and fruits.

Nine-banded Armadillo
This small, armored mammal digs burrows and forages for insects in the sandy soils of the highlands. It is a common nocturnal presence in both open and forested parts of the park.

South American Coati
These social, ring-tailed mammals forage in groups during the day, searching for fruit, insects, and small animals across rocky fields and forest edges.

Collared Peccary
These pig-like mammals travel in small herds, rooting through the soil for tubers, roots, and insects. They are a common and vocal presence in both wooded and open areas.

Birds

Sempre Vivas is a haven for highland bird species, including many endemics found only in the rocky grasslands and gallery forests of Brazil’s Espinhaço Range. Its rugged terrain makes it a top destination for birdwatching.

Hyacinth Visorbearer
This dazzling, high-altitude hummingbird is endemic to the Espinhaço Mountains. Males feature a shimmering purple throat and perform territorial displays among rocky outcrops.

Cinereous Warbling Finch
A grey-and-yellow bird found in campos rupestres, it sings from low shrubs and rocky perches. It is often seen in pairs or small groups across open areas.

Gray-backed Tachuri
This tiny flycatcher prefers grassy highlands and shrublands. It perches low and flicks its tail while scanning for insects, often moving in mixed-species flocks.

White-vented Violetear
A sleek, iridescent hummingbird commonly seen hovering at flowering plants. It is highly territorial and contributes to pollination of endemic flora.

Collared Crescentchest
A striking bird with a bold black collar and rusty-orange chest, this elusive species prefers dry scrub and rocky meadows, where it skulks close to the ground.

Blue Finch
This vivid, electric-blue bird is a rare and localized species that inhabits rocky fields and shrub zones. It is a favorite among birdwatchers for its beauty and limited range.

Cipo Canastero
Endemic to the Espinhaço highlands, this streaky brown bird lives in rocky fields and nests in grassy tussocks. Its presence signals healthy, undisturbed campos rupestres.

Sharp-tailed Tyrant
A small, ground-loving flycatcher with a spiky tail and flitting flight. It hunts insects in the open grasslands and is active during early morning hours.

Campo Miner
This drab but charming ground-dwelling bird is well adapted to rocky, grassy slopes. It forages for insects and nests in cavities along the soil or stone ridges.

Helmeted Manakin
A small bird with a glossy black body and bright red cap. Males display acrobatically in shaded gallery forests, using wing-snaps and rapid jumps to attract females.