Serra das Lontras National Park

Serra das Lontras Overview

Serra das Lontras National Park, known locally as Parque Nacional da Serra das Lontras, is a protected area in the southern region of the state of Bahia, Brazil. The park spans approximately 43.2 square miles, or 111.8 square kilometers, and was established to safeguard a section of the Atlantic Forest biome.

Located inland from the coastal city of Ilhéus, the park lies within a mountainous region that includes parts of the municipalities of Arataca and Una. The park is part of a vital ecological corridor that connects other forest reserves in the region, contributing significantly to the preservation of Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world.

The terrain of Serra das Lontras is rugged and mountainous, with elevations that can reach up to 1,100 meters. The park’s landscape is a mosaic of steep slopes, deep valleys, and small rivers, many of which give rise to cascading waterfalls. Its name, meaning “Otter Mountains,” reflects both the wildlife and the dramatic topography.

The area is drenched in mist and moisture, fostering the growth of dense rainforest. Towering trees form a closed canopy, while the forest floor is rich with ferns, mosses, and orchids. Cloud forest characteristics are prominent at higher elevations, with cooler temperatures and increased humidity supporting unique plant assemblages.

Serra das Lontras is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including many species that are endemic or threatened. Among its key mammals are the golden-headed lion tamarin, the maned sloth, and the collared peccary. The park is also habitat for ocelots and the elusive jaguarundi.

Avian life is especially notable, with over 300 bird species recorded, including the Atlantic Forest woodpecker, the band-tailed manakin, and the white-throated piping guan. The park is a vital refuge for these creatures, many of which rely on continuous forest cover to thrive.

A popular feature of the park is its network of rivers and waterfalls, including Cachoeira da Lontra and the pristine headwaters that supply neighboring communities. Though not as heavily trafficked as some of Brazil’s larger parks, Serra das Lontras attracts ecotourists, birdwatchers, and researchers drawn to its high biodiversity.

Visitor access is typically coordinated with local guides or conservation organizations due to the park’s rugged terrain and limited infrastructure.

Visitors can experience the park through guided hikes, wildlife observation, and photography, often as part of community-based tourism initiatives that also support local livelihoods.

Access is generally arranged in partnership with environmental NGOs, which offer expertise on trail navigation and species identification. Educational tours and scientific expeditions are also a core component of how the park is experienced, as it is increasingly recognized for its research value.

One of the main conservation challenges the park faces is encroachment from agriculture and illegal logging in nearby areas. However, its designation as a national park and its inclusion in regional conservation corridors have led to increased protection and monitoring.

Partnerships between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities have strengthened conservation efforts, resulting in improved forest regeneration and wildlife protection. Long-term success depends on continued investment in sustainable tourism, enforcement, and community engagement to mitigate external pressures and ensure ecological integrity.

Park Map

Serra das Lontras National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Serra das Lontras National Park, located in the state of Bahia, Brazil, preserves one of the last untouched highland sections of the Atlantic Forest. This cloud forest ecosystem, rich in humidity, steep slopes, and diverse vegetation, provides critical habitat for a wide range of rare and endemic mammals.

Maned Sloth
Endemic to the Atlantic Forest and critically endangered, this slow-moving, tree-dwelling mammal is known for its shaggy fur and black mane. It lives high in the canopy and feeds on a narrow selection of forest leaves.

Ocelot
This small, nocturnal wild cat with a beautifully spotted coat stalks birds, reptiles, and rodents through the dense understory. It is a stealthy and solitary predator that thrives in mature forest environments.

South American Coati
Social and active during the day, the coati uses its ringed tail and flexible snout to forage through the forest floor for insects, eggs, and fruit. It’s often seen in small family groups.

Paca
This nocturnal, burrow-dwelling rodent has a spotted brown coat and forages near streams and forested ravines. It feeds on fallen fruit and is an important seed disperser.

Southern Woolly Spider Monkey (Muriqui)
One of the rarest and most peaceful primates in the world, the muriqui relies on continuous canopy cover and is endemic to Brazil’s Atlantic highlands. It travels in large groups and feeds on leaves and fruit.

Tayra
A curious and agile omnivore from the weasel family, the tayra moves with speed and confidence through both canopy and forest floor, feeding on small animals, insects, and fruit.

Nine-banded Armadillo
This small, armored mammal forages by night and digs for insects in the forest soil. It is solitary and often detected by its rustling through leaf litter.

Azara’s Agouti
This shy rodent is a critical agent of seed dispersal. It hoards nuts and fruits in the soil for future consumption, helping native tree species regenerate across the forest.

Collared Peccary
A pig-like mammal that roams in groups, the collared peccary roots through the undergrowth for tubers, insects, and fallen fruit. It is vocal and territorial, marking paths and water sources.

Atlantic Forest Climbing Rat
A small, agile rodent endemic to this biome, it nests in tree hollows and moves easily through vines and branches in search of fruit and seeds.

Birds

Serra das Lontras is a hotspot for Atlantic Forest avifauna, particularly highland endemics. Its steep, misty ridges and intact canopy shelter rare and localized bird species found nowhere else on Earth.

Banded Cotinga
A stunningly rare and colorful bird, the male has electric blue and black plumage. Endemic to the region, it forages on fruit in the upper canopy of mature forest.

White-winged Cotinga
Males are bright white with black wings and are easily spotted in treetop display perches. This Atlantic Forest endemic is highly localized and vulnerable to habitat loss.

Black-headed Berryeater
A secretive, frugivorous bird with a yellow belly and dark hood, it lives quietly in the mid-canopy, often heard before it’s seen with soft, rising whistles.

Pin-tailed Manakin
This tiny, vibrant bird performs acrobatic mating displays in the understory. Males have red caps and sharp, clicking wing-snaps that echo through the forest.

Maroon-faced Parakeet
Endemic to southeastern Bahia, this slender, long-tailed parakeet moves in small, noisy flocks through the canopy, feeding on fruit and blossoms.

Saffron Toucanet
A golden-yellow toucanet with a broad greenish bill, it plays a key role in dispersing the seeds of large native trees. It is most often seen at mid-elevation fruiting trees.

Atlantic Royal Flycatcher
This understated bird reveals a magnificent red-and-blue crest during courtship. It nests near streams and is rare, depending on moist forest habitat.

White-throated Hummingbird
Active and territorial, this small hummingbird with a bold white throat patch flits between forest flowers, acting as a key pollinator in the misty highlands.

Planalto Woodcreeper
A slim, brown bird that creeps up tree trunks, it uses its long, curved bill to extract insects from bark. It is often seen following mixed-species flocks.

Ferruginous Antbird
A secretive understory bird with rusty plumage and strong territorial behavior. It forages near the ground, often following army ant swarms to catch fleeing insects.