Cerro Corá National Park

Cerro Corá Overview

Cerro Corá National Park, known as Parque Nacional Cerro Corá in Spanish, is the largest protected area in Paraguay, covering approximately 21.8 square miles (56.5 square kilometers).

It is located in the northeastern part of the country, near the border with Brazil, in the Amambay Department. The park is renowned for its rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and lush forests, which create a striking contrast with the surrounding grasslands.

The Amambay Hills dominate the landscape, featuring rugged terrain interspersed with small rivers, caves, and ancient rock formations. The park is also home to the Aquidabán River, which flows through its expanse, providing a vital water source for the region’s flora and fauna.

The diverse ecosystems within Cerro Corá National Park support a wide range of vegetation, including dense subtropical forests, open savannas, and gallery forests along the waterways. Towering trees such as lapacho, palo santo, and guatambú are common, while bromeliads, orchids, and ferns add splashes of color to the landscape.

The park is an important refuge for many wildlife species, including some that are rare and threatened in Paraguay. Visitors may encounter mammals like jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and tapirs, as well as smaller creatures such as armadillos, capybaras, and howler monkeys.

Birdwatchers can spot harpy eagles, toco toucans, and various species of parrots and woodpeckers, making the park a haven for avian biodiversity.

Cerro Corá is not only a natural sanctuary but also a site of historical significance. It was the location of the final battle of the Paraguayan War in 1870, where the country’s leader, Marshal Francisco Solano López, was killed. The park contains monuments and memorials dedicated to this event, drawing visitors interested in Paraguay’s history.

Additionally, the region is known for its prehistoric rock art, with ancient petroglyphs and cave paintings left behind by early indigenous inhabitants. These archaeological sites offer a glimpse into the cultural heritage of the area and attract researchers and history enthusiasts.

Visitors to Cerro Corá National Park can explore its landscapes through hiking trails that wind through forests, along rivers, and up hillsides with panoramic views. The park’s caves and rock formations provide opportunities for adventure and exploration, while guided tours offer insights into the area’s rich history and ecological importance.

Birdwatching, camping, and wildlife observation are also popular activities, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the park’s natural beauty. The Aquidabán River is a favored spot for relaxation and picnics, offering a peaceful setting amid the wilderness.

Cerro Corá faces conservation challenges, including deforestation, illegal hunting, and encroaching agricultural activities that threaten its biodiversity. However, ongoing efforts by conservation organizations and the Paraguayan government aim to protect the park’s unique environment.

Rangers monitor the park to prevent poaching and habitat destruction, while community engagement initiatives promote sustainable tourism and conservation awareness. Despite these challenges, Cerro Corá National Park remains a vital refuge for Paraguay’s wildlife and a significant cultural landmark.

Park Map

Cerro Corá National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Cerro Corá National Park is also a paradise for birdwatchers, hosting a variety of Cerrado and Chaco bird species that are well adapted to its dry forests and grasslands.

Popular Bird Species in Cerro Corá National Park

Red-legged Seriema
A tall, ground-dwelling bird, the red-legged seriema is known for its loud calls and its ability to hunt snakes and small rodents.

Toco Toucan
With its oversized orange bill, the toco toucan is a striking bird often seen feeding on fruits in the park’s forests.

Savanna Hawk
This large raptor is commonly seen soaring over the park’s grasslands, hunting small mammals, reptiles, and insects.

Blue-crowned Parakeet
A vibrant and social bird, the blue-crowned parakeet is often seen in noisy flocks, feeding on seeds and fruit.

Great Rufous Woodcreeper
This tree-climbing bird uses its strong bill to pry insects from tree bark, playing an important role in pest control.

White Woodpecker
A striking woodpecker with white plumage and black wings, this species is commonly found in open woodlands and savannas.

Chaco Chachalaca
A turkey-like bird often heard before it is seen, the Chaco chachalaca is a social species that forages for fruit and leaves in forested areas.

Helmeted Manakin
Known for its bright red head and black body, this small bird performs acrobatic displays during courtship.

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet
This energetic parakeet is frequently seen in flocks, feeding on seeds and fruits in the park’s trees.

Burrowing Owl
Unlike most owls, the burrowing owl is active during the day and nests in the ground, often using abandoned burrows of armadillos.

Cerro Corá National Park’s rich mix of savannas, forests, and historical significance make it one of Paraguay’s most important protected areas. With its diverse wildlife, unique landscapes, and cultural heritage, the park offers an exceptional opportunity to explore and conserve a vital part of South America’s Cerrado and Chaco ecosystems.

Cerro Corá National Park, located in northeastern Paraguay, is a historically and ecologically significant protected area covering approximately 12,000 hectares. The park is known for its rolling hills, dry forests, savannas, and the Aquidabán River, creating a unique mix of habitats for diverse wildlife. The park plays a vital role in conserving the delicate Cerrado and Chaco ecosystems, which are home to many rare and endemic species.

Jaguar
The park’s top predator, the jaguar thrives in its dry forests and savannas, preying on capybaras, peccaries, and deer.

Puma
This adaptable predator shares its range with the jaguar but primarily hunts smaller mammals such as armadillos and rodents.

Maned Wolf
A distinctive canid with long legs and a reddish coat, the maned wolf is a solitary omnivore that feeds on small mammals, birds, and fruit.

Giant Anteater
This fascinating mammal uses its powerful claws and long tongue to consume thousands of ants and termites each day, playing a crucial role in controlling insect populations.

Lowland Tapir
A key herbivore, the lowland tapir feeds on leaves, fruits, and aquatic plants, helping to disperse seeds and maintain forest regeneration.

Capybara
The world’s largest rodent, the capybara is a highly social and semi-aquatic species that thrives along the park’s rivers and wetlands.

Collared Peccary
A pig-like mammal that moves in small groups, the collared peccary forages for fruits, roots, and small invertebrates.

Crab-eating Fox
This omnivorous canid is well adapted to the park’s savannas, feeding on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.

Black-and-white Tegu
One of the largest lizard species in South America, the black-and-white tegu is a formidable predator of eggs, insects, and small animals.

Nine-banded Armadillo
A nocturnal burrower, the nine-banded armadillo is commonly found in the park’s forests, searching for insects and small vertebrates.