6 wild travel destinations in South America

1. Colca Canyon in Peru

The Colca Canyon is a gorge on the Colca River in southern Peru, located about 160km northwest of Arequipa. It is one of Peru's most popular tourist destinations, attracting around 120,000 visitors annually. Standing atop one of the world's most majestic canyons, you can spot Andean condors, especially around the Cruz del Condor hotspot.

The Andean condor's habitat primarily consists of grasslands and mountains up to approximately 5,000 meters above sea level. It prefers relatively open areas, such as páramo or rocky, generally mountainous regions. Its distribution range extends from the lowlands of eastern Bolivia and southwestern Brazil, down to the lowland desert areas of Chile and Peru.

2. Madidi National Park, Bolivia

Established in 1995, Madidi National Park, located in the upper Amazon basin in Bolivia, is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. It is home to a wide variety of rare wildlife, including jaguars, sloths, wolves, bear-like animals, pink river dolphins, and Titi monkeys.

The park also boasts over 1,100 species of birds, representing approximately 11% of all species worldwide, including various red and green macaws. Visitors can explore the park by boat along the Tuichi River, observing numerous animals from the dense forest drinking water and foraging along the shore.

3. The Pantanal Reserve in Brazil

The Pantanal is considered a paradise for wildlife lovers, a panoramic panorama of rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, grasslands, and forests teeming with wildlife. From otters and giant ants to caimans, you'll see these species in very high densities.

The Pantanal Reserve is also one of the best places in South America to see the continent's top predator: the jaguar. Traveling to the Cuiabá River, visitors will have the opportunity to admire this magnificent feline wildlife.

4. Valdes Peninsula in Argentina

The Valdes Peninsula, part of the Patagonia nature reserve on the Argentinian coast, is renowned for its rich marine wildlife. It is recognized as one of the world's best whale-watching locations.

Exploring this still-unspoiled peninsula, visitors can also admire penguins, elephant seals, dolphins, and southern whales. Visiting in mid-May, you might even spot sea lions and seals.

5. Shell Beach in Guyana

Shell Beach in Guyana is the perfect nesting ground for sea turtles that return annually to lay their eggs. Whether you come to watch the mother turtles come ashore to lay their eggs or to witness the hatchlings emerge, it's an experience you'll never forget.

Reaching Shell Beach is no easy feat; you have to take a boat across the Essequibo River, a 48km journey along the coastal road to the town of Charity. Then comes a strenuous boat trip through a series of rivers and mangrove swamps. It's a real adventure for the most adventurous traveler.

6. The Amazon River in Brazil

The Amazon River is home to all sorts of species, from giant otters to piranhas and catfish. However, the most famous and rarest is the legendary Amazon river dolphin.

Considered the rarest and most endangered dolphins in the world, they are famous for their distinctive pink color, thanks to the presence of capillaries near the surface of their skin. This also means that dolphins turn pinker when they are agitated or surprised, much like humans blush when embarrassed.

One of the best places to see Amazon dolphins is Novo Airão, 200km northwest of Manaus. Many restaurants in the area often throw waste into the river to attract dolphins, but this is against the law and negatively impacts the health of these rare wildlife. Tourists can take boat tours on the river, but they must be mindful of environmental protection.

The Phong