Amazon in Brazil
The richest ecosystem in the world
With a surface area of 5.5 million km2, the Amazon rainforest is the largest interconnected rainforest in the world. The area stretches over 9 countries, but with 4 million km2, the Brazilian part is by far the largest. You have to imagine that this area is as large as half of Europe. The Amazon rainforest is the most biodiverse ecosystem in the world. There is no area in the world where so many plant and animal species are found, and new species are still being discovered! Not only is the Amazon the most important nature reserve of Brazil, but this immense rainforest is also of the utmost importance for the rest of the world.
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Sail the Amazon River
The second largest river in the world is the Amazon River. The Amazon region is known for this river, but the Amazon actually has an impressive system of several small and large rivers. During your trip through this area, several multi-day boat trips are possible on the Amazon and/or one of its tributaries.
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Giant water lily
The star of the flora in the Amazon region of Brazil is without a doubt the Vitória Régia! It floats on the dark water and its roots are stuck to the bottom of the river. The thorns on the stem protect the flower from fish. Its large round leaves, sometimes up to 1.8 meters in diameter, serve as a serving tray on which the flower can blossom.
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Cristalino lodge
For an ultimate experience in the Amazon rainforest, where you will learn a lot about the unique flora and fauna, the Cristalino lodge is an absolute must. The lodge has 16 guesthouses, is located directly on the crystal clear Cristalino river and can only be reached by boat. The lodge is located in the south of the Amazon rainforest in the transition area to the Pantanal. It is a unique region, where many plant and animal species live, which are found nowhere else. Cristalino is renowned for its highly skilled guides. Cristalino Lodge is considered a walhalla for ornithologists.
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The meeting of the waters
This is a special natural phenomenon where the Negro river meets the Solimões river over a length of more than 12 kilometers. The rivers, however, do not merge because of differences in temperature, density and the speed at which the rivers move.
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River dolphin
One of the special animals found in the rivers of the Amazon is the river dolphin, also known as the Orinoco dolphin. Unfortunately, these animals are threatened and the number is decreasing.
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Uakari lodge
This small floating lodge is located in the Mamirauá reserve, deep in the Amazon. It is the largest protected flooded forest in the world. Only 4% of the Brazilian Amazon consists of freshwater swamp forest and the Mamirauá reserve plays an important role in protecting this ecosystem. The lodge was built years ago as a base for researchers to explore the area.
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Ilha do Marajó
With 50,000 km2, this island is just a little bigger than Switzerland. The island lies at the mouth of the Amazon and the Tocantins rivers. A characteristic image of this island are the water buffaloes, which are used as a means of transport. During a visit to this island, a trip on a water buffalo should not be forgotten!
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Manaus
The city of Manaus is the gateway to the Amazon. During the rubber exploitation, the city was rapidly modernised, with many buildings being built using fine materials from Europe. Because of this, the city is also called the 'Paris of the tropics'. Many buildings in the city are European. The theatre has a coloured dome made of no less than 36 thousand enamelled ceramic pieces.
The Amazon region of Brazil
The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest and richest ecosystem in the world. This region has an impressive system of small and large rivers. The second largest river in the world, the Amazon River, is the best known for everyone. This river and its tributaries account for 20% of the total fresh water supply on earth. The tropical rainforest covers only 7% of the earth's surface, but is home to 60% of all life forms. Two million species (6 out of 10) live in the water and here in the Amazon.
Good to know: Most Amazon lodges and cruises are either located on, or sailing on, the so-called black waters; wide rivers and large lakes. There are few mosquitoes here, but also significantly less other animal life. If the main purpose of your visit to the Amazon is animal spotting, we believe it is better to change your itinerary and stay in the Pantanal. Unless you are willing to make more travel days and more budget available for your Amazon visit, so you can go deeper into the Amazon. We will be happy to advise you.
Travel through Brazil?
Would you like to make a trip through Brazil yourself, including a visit to the Amazon, and are you curious about the possibilities? Then take a look at the travel itineraries we have put together for inspiration. You can book these trips directly, but we are also happy to create a personal programme based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an e-mail to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We are happy to help.