Serra do Divisor National Park

Serra do Divisor Overview

Serra do Divisor National Park, known in Portuguese as Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, is a vast protected area in the westernmost part of Brazil, within the state of Acre. Spanning approximately 3,843 square miles (9,530 square kilometers), the park is situated along the border with Peru and is part of the Amazon rainforest.

It is one of the most remote and biodiverse national parks in Brazil, featuring a unique combination of tropical lowland forests, rugged mountains, and river systems. The park derives its name from the Serra do Divisor mountain range, which forms a natural divide between watersheds and presents a striking contrast to the flat terrain commonly associated with the Amazon basin.

The landscape includes rolling hills, steep cliffs, and waterfalls such as the Cachoeira do Arco-Íris, which cascades down rocky outcrops surrounded by dense foliage. Rivers like the Moa and Juruá wind through the park, providing vital water sources for both wildlife and local communities.

The park is home to an incredible array of wildlife, with many species that are rare or endemic to the region. Large mammals such as jaguars, pumas, and giant anteaters roam the dense forests, while smaller primates, including the red-faced spider monkey and emperor tamarin, thrive in the treetops.

The park’s waterways support a variety of amphibians and reptiles, including the striking yellow-footed tortoise and several species of caiman. Birdwatchers can spot vibrant macaws, harpy eagles, and the elusive black-faced cotinga, a species that is seldom seen outside of this region. The park’s biodiversity is further enriched by its rich insect and plant life, including towering emergent trees and a remarkable variety of orchids and bromeliads.

Visitors to Serra do Divisor National Park can explore its wonders through river expeditions, hiking trails, and guided wildlife tours. The Moa River is a popular route for boat trips, allowing visitors to navigate deep into the heart of the forest while observing the region’s rich flora and fauna.

Hiking trails lead adventurers to viewpoints atop the Serra do Divisor mountains, where panoramic vistas extend over the seemingly endless rainforest canopy. Waterfalls and natural pools provide scenic spots for relaxation and swimming.

The park is also culturally significant, as it is home to Indigenous and traditional riverine communities, offering opportunities to experience their way of life through sustainable tourism initiatives.

One of the biggest challenges facing the park is deforestation, driven by illegal logging and agricultural expansion in surrounding areas. Despite its status as a protected area, enforcement remains difficult due to its remote location and vast size.

Conservation efforts have been focused on strengthening protections, supporting local communities in sustainable resource management, and promoting ecotourism as an alternative to destructive land use practices. The park’s isolation has helped preserve much of its ecosystem, but ongoing efforts are needed to ensure its long-term protection.

In recent years, collaborative conservation programs between environmental organizations, local residents, and government agencies have aimed to improve monitoring and sustainable development, offering hope for its continued survival.

Park Map

Serra do Divisor National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Serra do Divisor National Park, located in the far western region of Acre, Brazil, is one of the most remote and biodiverse areas of the Amazon rainforest. As a protected area along the border with Peru, this park features towering mountains, dense rainforests, and pristine rivers. It is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife, including many rare and endemic species that thrive in its undisturbed ecosystems.

Jaguar (Panthera onca)
The jaguar is the top predator of Serra do Divisor, silently patrolling the dense forests and riverbanks. This powerful big cat is an expert swimmer and often hunts near water, preying on capybaras, peccaries, and caimans.

Puma (Puma concolor)
Also known as the mountain lion, the puma is highly adaptable and inhabits both the lowland forests and the park’s higher elevations. It preys on deer, monkeys, and other small mammals, using its stealth and strength to hunt.

Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
A highly social and playful species, the giant otter thrives in the park’s rivers and oxbow lakes. It hunts fish, crustaceans, and small reptiles, often working in groups to catch prey.

Amazonian Manatee (Trichechus inunguis)
This gentle, slow-moving aquatic mammal is found in the calm waters of the park’s rivers. Feeding on aquatic vegetation, the Amazonian manatee plays an essential role in maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems.

South American Tapir (Tapirus terrestris)
The largest land mammal in the Amazon, the South American tapir is a crucial seed disperser in the park’s rainforests. It prefers areas near water sources, where it feeds on fruits, leaves, and aquatic plants.

Black-faced Spider Monkey (Ateles chamek)
One of the most agile primates in the Amazon, the black-faced spider monkey moves through the treetops with ease, using its prehensile tail as a fifth limb. It primarily feeds on fruits, playing an important role in seed dispersal.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
A beautifully patterned wild cat, the ocelot is a nocturnal hunter that preys on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It moves silently through the undergrowth, relying on its excellent night vision and agility to stalk prey.

Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger)
A dominant predator in the park’s waterways, the black caiman can grow to impressive sizes. It preys on fish, birds, and even large mammals, maintaining balance within the aquatic ecosystem.

Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
One of the largest snakes in the world, the green anaconda inhabits the swamps and slow-moving rivers of Serra do Divisor. It is an ambush predator, using its muscular body to constrict and subdue prey before swallowing them whole.

Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus)
A rare and nocturnal species, the giant armadillo is the largest of its kind. It uses its powerful claws to dig burrows and to forage for ants and termites, which make up the majority of its diet.

Birds

Serra do Divisor National Park is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with its vast rainforest and riverine habitats supporting an extraordinary diversity of avian life. From vibrant parrots to powerful birds of prey, the park is home to some of the Amazon’s most stunning bird species.

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)
One of the most powerful raptors in the world, the harpy eagle is a dominant predator in the rainforest canopy. It preys on monkeys, sloths, and large birds, using its massive talons to capture its prey.

Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola rupicola)
A visually striking bird with bright orange plumage, the Guianan cock-of-the-rock is famous for its elaborate courtship displays. Males gather in leks to perform dances and vocalizations to attract females.

White-throated Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus)
A large and colorful toucan, the white-throated toucan is a key seed disperser in the rainforest. It has a distinctive call that echoes through the dense jungle.

Amazonian Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus ornatus)
A rare and mysterious bird, the Amazonian umbrellabird is recognized by its large black crest and deep, resonant calls. It inhabits the park’s primary forests, feeding on fruits and insects.

Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)
This strikingly colorful parrot is a common sight in Serra do Divisor, where it flies in noisy pairs or flocks. It feeds on fruits and nuts, using its powerful beak to crack open hard seeds.

Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea)
A small but agile bird of prey, the plumbeous kite soars over the park’s rivers and clearings, hunting insects and small vertebrates in midair.

Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)
Known as the “stinkbird” due to its unusual digestive system, the hoatzin is a prehistoric-looking bird that lives in swampy areas. It feeds on leaves, using bacterial fermentation to break down plant matter.

Razor-billed Curassow (Mitu tuberosum)
A large and elusive bird, the razor-billed curassow is usually found walking on the forest floor, foraging for fruits and small invertebrates.

Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis)
A master of camouflage, the great potoo blends seamlessly with tree branches during the day. At night, it hunts insects and small vertebrates, using its large mouth and excellent night vision.

Amazonian Motmot (Momotus momota)
A striking bird with a long, racket-shaped tail, the Amazonian motmot is often found in the park’s dense forests. It perches motionless before darting out to capture insects and small vertebrates.

Serra do Divisor National Park is one of Brazil’s most untouched and biodiverse regions, offering visitors a chance to experience the true heart of the Amazon. With its remote landscapes, towering mountains, and pristine rainforests, this park is a sanctuary for some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife, making it a dream destination for nature lovers and conservationists alike.