Iguazú & the Northeast Esteros del Iberá
Useful info
This natural paradise, far from the well-trodden tourist path, is home to numerous protected species such as yacaré crocodiles, capybara, marsh deer, carayá monkeys, foxes and hares, to name a few. It is also a haven for birdlife, with over 350 species, and thousands of multi-coloured butterflies.
The area’s extreme humidity makes it an ideal ecosystem for ombu, lapacho, ceibo and willow trees. Water plants (Irupé water lilies in particular) thrive and join together to form floating islands.
Visitors to the Esteros del Iberá can stay in estancias and country lodges in the neighbouring towns. Most of the area’s tourism infrastructure is based in Colonia Pellegrini. This best way to see the wetlands is from the water. Boat trips on the lagoons, as well as canoeing, horse riding, nature treks and photo safaris, can be arranged at your hotel.
Tips_
- Go prepared with sunhat, insect repellant, sunscreen and water.
- Iberá Nature Reserve is home to 350 bird, 60 mammal, 50 reptile, 35 amphibian and 110 fish species.
- The Esteros del Iberá ecosystem is twinned with the Pantanal in Brazil.
- When the government created the Iberá Nature Reserve in 1983, former hunters were recruited as park rangers to protect the park’s wildlife (minimizing the risk that they might turn to poaching).
In the press_
