Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
1. Pantanal Wildlife Reserve
Largest tropical wetland in the world, home to diverse wildlife such as jaguars, anacondas, and caimans.
- Size: Covers over 150,000 square kilometers, providing ample space for wildlife.
- Biodiversity: Hosts thousands of bird species and the world's largest population of jaguars.
- Accessibility: Offers guided tours to ensure minimal impact on the ecosystem.
2. Serra da Canastra National Park
High-altitude park with unique Cerrado vegetation and diverse wildlife including giant anteaters.
- Altitude: Located at an altitude of around 1,000 meters, offering cooler temperatures.
- Cerrado Ecosystem: Unique ecosystem found only in Brazil's central-western region.
- Wildlife Observation Towers: Towers provide excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting.
3. Emas National Park
Protects the last remnants of the Cerrado savanna and its unique wildlife such as hyacinth macaws.
- Cerrado Savanna: Home to numerous endangered species, including the hyacinth macaw.
- Size: Covers an area of approximately 1,500 square kilometers.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of conservation.
4. Furnas National Park
Home to the world's largest concentration of fossilized dinosaur footprints.
- Dinosaur Footprints: Contains over 3,500 dinosaur footprint impressions.
- Geothermal Activity: Features geysers, hot springs, and mud volcanoes.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot capybaras, tapirs, and other wildlife.
5. Buraco das Araras
A natural rock formation where hundreds of hyacinth macaws nest.
- Hyacinth Macaws: Home to the largest concentration of hyacinth macaws in Brazil.
- Natural Rock Formation: A unique geological formation created by water erosion over millions of years.
- Educational Center: Includes an educational center to raise awareness about conservation.
6. Juqueri-Tapiracaba Ecological Reserve
Protects the Atlantic Forest and its rich wildlife, including jaguars and ocelots.
- Atlantic Forest: A biodiversity hotspot with numerous endemic species.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot jaguar, ocelot, and tapir.
- Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails for exploring the reserve.
7. Tres Picos National Park
Protects the Atlantic Forest and offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species.
- Atlantic Forest: A biodiversity hotspot with numerous endemic species.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot jaguar, ocelot, and tapir.
- Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails for exploring the park.
8. Bico do Papagaio Ecological Park
A protected area with a beautiful waterfall and opportunities to spot various wildlife.
- Waterfall: Features a stunning waterfall.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species, including monkeys and birds.
- Nature Trails: Provides nature trails for exploring the park.
9. Itambacuri National Park
Protects the Atlantic Forest and offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species.
- Atlantic Forest: A biodiversity hotspot with numerous endemic species.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species, including jaguar, ocelot, and tapir.
- Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails for exploring the park.
10. Serrania da Piedade Ecological Station
A protected area with a beautiful waterfall and opportunities to spot various wildlife.
- Waterfall: Features a stunning waterfall.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species, including monkeys and birds.
- Nature Trails: Provides nature trails for exploring the park.
11. Mantiqueira Mountains National Park
Protects the Mantiqueira Mountains and offers opportunities to spot various wildlife.
- Mountain Range: The highest mountain range in southeastern Brazil.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species, including pumas and deer.
- Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails for exploring the park.
12. Parque Estadual da Serra do Curral
A protected area with a beautiful waterfall and opportunities to spot various wildlife.
- Waterfall: Features a stunning waterfall.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species, including monkeys and birds.
- Nature Trails: Provides nature trails for exploring the park.
13. Parque Estadual do Rio Doce
A protected area with a beautiful river and opportunities to spot various wildlife.
- River: Features a stunning river ideal for canoeing.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species, including capybaras and caimans.
- Nature Trails: Provides nature trails for exploring the park.
14. Parque Nacional de Itatiaia
The first national park in Brazil, protecting the Atlantic Forest and offering wildlife spotting opportunities.
- Atlantic Forest: A biodiversity hotspot with numerous endemic species.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species, including jaguars, ocelots, and tapirs.
- Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails for exploring the park.
15. Parque Nacional de Itapiaçu
A national park protecting the Atlantic Forest and offering opportunities to spot various wildlife.
- Atlantic Forest: A biodiversity hotspot with numerous endemic species.
- Wildlife Spotting: Offers opportunities to spot various wildlife species, including jaguars, ocelots, and tapirs.
- Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails for exploring the park.