Jaú National Park

Amazonas, Brazil

Jaú National Park, located in the state of Amazonas, is one of the largest and most pristine protected areas in the Amazon rainforest. Established in 1980 and covering over 2.3 million hectares, the park is a vital part of the Central Amazon Conservation Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It encompasses the entire basin of the Jaú River and is bordered by the Unini and Carabinani rivers, all of which flow into the Rio Negro. This vast expanse of tropical wilderness is about 220 kilometers northwest of Manaus and includes a mosaic of dense rainforests, seasonally flooded areas, and unique ecosystems like campinarana — a type of white-sand forest.

The park’s name comes from the jaú, a large Amazonian catfish, and its waters teem with aquatic life, including over 300 species of fish. Jaú is also a sanctuary for iconic and endangered wildlife such as jaguars, manatees, Amazon river dolphins, and giant otters. More than 400 plant species and 440 bird species have been cataloged, making it a hotspot for biodiversity and scientific research.

The terrain varies from low-lying floodplains to the elevated Negro-Solimões interfluvial plateau, creating a rich variety of habitats. Access to the park is limited and typically requires a long boat journey from Manaus or a chartered flight, preserving its remote and untouched character. Visitors can explore its rivers, observe wildlife, and even discover ancient petroglyphs and remnants from the rubber boom era.