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Cerrado boliviano sabanas Noel Kempff
lobo
— Ecosystem · Bolivian Cerrado200–900m

El Cerrado
of Bolivia.

Golden savannas of twisted trees. The maned wolf. Noel Kempff Mercado — twice UNESCO — where Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay meet at the continent's most isolated tepuis.

Explore ↓Noel Kempff →Gallery ↓
Region
Eastern Bolivia
Climate
Warm & seasonal
Best season
Apr–Sep
Key park
Noel Kempff
Altitude
200–900m
Border
Brazil
— The world's second largest tropical biome

The world\'s second largest tropical biome.

The Bolivian Cerrado is the northernmost extension of the Brazilian Cerrado — the world's second largest tropical biome. In Bolivia it occupies parts of eastern Santa Cruz, particularly the San Matías region and around Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. Open savannas of twisted, fire-adapted trees alternate with gallery forests along seasonal rivers.

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (1.5M ha) is the jewel of the Bolivian Cerrado — UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 for its exceptional biodiversity. Where Cerrado merges with Amazonia and Gran Chaco at the Bolivia-Brazil-Paraguay triple frontier, the Huanchaca Plateau tepuis rise vertically 600m above the plain.

Cerrado sabanas bolivianas
600+
Bird species
— Key destinations

Savannas, tepuis and maned wolf.

Santa Cruz

Noel Kempff Mercado NP

UNESCO 2000
1.5M ha — tepuis, otters & jaguars

One of the world's most pristine parks at the Bolivia-Brazil-Paraguay frontier. Cerrado savannas, flooded grasslands and Amazonian gallery forest converge at the base of the Huanchaca Plateau — a 600m vertical tepui with two spectacular waterfalls. 600+ bird species, giant otters, jaguars, black caimans, 4 monkey species.

Tip
Access only by small plane from Santa Cruz to Flor de Oro airstrip (2h). Book 3–4 months ahead with a specialist operator. Minimum 3-day visit. Waterfall views best in April (peak flow).
Full guide →
San Matías / San Ignacio

Cerrado Savannas

Biodiversity hotspot
The world's most biodiverse savanna

Bolivia's Cerrado forms part of the world's most biodiverse savanna ecosystem. Open savannas of twisted trees (quaresmeira, pequi, buriti palm) alternate with gallery forests. In the dry season flowering trees turn the savanna gold and violet — one of the most photogenic landscapes in eastern Bolivia. Home to maned wolf, giant anteater and 800+ plant species.

Tip
Dawn and dusk are best for maned wolf sightings — its characteristic long-legged silhouette on open savanna. The cerrado peaks in beauty May–July during the flowering season.
Santa Cruz

San Ignacio de Velasco

Cerrado gateway
Jesuit missions + cerrado wildlife

San Ignacio de Velasco is the commercial hub of eastern Santa Cruz and the most practical base for cerrado exploration. It also sits on the Jesuit Missions circuit (San Rafael and Santa Ana are nearby), making it a natural combination with the Chiquitanía. Local guides offer cerrado wildlife walks and birdwatching.

Tip
4–5 hours from Santa Cruz by bus or 1h by small plane. April–September for best conditions. The dry cerrado produces extraordinary birding — bring optics.
Full guide →
Santa Cruz

San Matías AMNI

2,918,000 ha
Bolivia's largest protected area

The San Matías Integrated Natural Area connects Pantanal, Amazon and Brazilian Cerrado in a single 2.9M hectare protected area. The highest jaguar density in Bolivia. Accessible by charter flight from Santa Cruz (1h) or road (8–10h). Combines cerrado wildlife with Pantanal wetland and gallery forest in one visit.

Tip
Remote — bring all supplies. Best accessed by small charter aircraft. Combines well with the El Jaguar route from Love Bolivia.
Full guide →
— Cerrado wildlife

The maned wolf. The giant otter.

🐺
Maned wolf
Canid exclusive to the cerrado
🦔
Giant anteater
Up to 2.1m snout to tail
🦦
Giant river otter
Up to 1.8m, in Noel Kempff
🐆
Jaguar
High density in San Matías
🦜
600+ birds
Including endemic species
🦌
Pampas deer
Present in savanna zones
🦡
Giant armadillo
Up to 60kg, threatened
🦉
Burrowing owl
Characteristic cerrado species
— When to visit

The dry season in full splendour.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
🌸May–Jul
Cerrado flowering season
The twisted cerrado trees flower in gold and violet. Unique landscape in the world. Concentrated wildlife. Comfortable temperatures. The best visual season for photography.
🌊Apr
Noel Kempff waterfalls at peak
April brings maximum waterfall flow at the Huanchaca Plateau — summer rains fall with full force. Spectacular but tracks may still have mud.
🐺Aug–Sep
Best season for wildlife
Water sources contract, concentrating mammals. Maned wolf, giant anteater and pampas deer are most visible. Ideal temperature for wildlife observation walks.
🌧️Nov–Feb
Wet season — difficult access
Rain turns tracks to mud. Noel Kempff can become inaccessible. Good for resident and breeding birds but field conditions are tough.
— Love Bolivia route

The route of the maned wolf.

El Lobo de Crin route
Route 11
El Lobo de Crin

Cerrado · San Ignacio · Noel Kempff · Jesuit Missions · San Matías. 8–11 private days from Santa Cruz.

8–11 days · From Santa Cruz
from $2,200 · €2,057 · Bs. 15,246
FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Get in touch →

Bolivia's Cerrado is the northernmost extension of the Brazilian Cerrado — the world's second largest tropical biome. In Bolivia it covers eastern Santa Cruz department. Open savannas of twisted, fire-adapted trees alternate with gallery forests. It holds the maned wolf, giant anteater, pampas deer and 600+ bird species.

One of the world's most pristine parks: 1.5 million hectares at the Bolivia-Brazil-Paraguay triple frontier. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. 600+ bird species, giant otters, jaguars, black caimans, 4 monkey species and the Huanchaca Plateau tepuis with two spectacular waterfalls. Access only by small plane from Santa Cruz.

Only by small plane from Santa Cruz to Flor de Oro or Los Fierros airstrips (2h). No roads reach the park interior. Book through a specialist Santa Cruz operator, 3–4 months in advance. Minimum 3-day visit. Advance SERNAP permits required.

April–September. The flowering season (May–July) is the most spectacular for photography. August–September for concentrated wildlife. April for maximum waterfall flow at Noel Kempff. Avoid December–February when rains flood access tracks.

— Plan your trip

The wolf appears
at dawn.

45 minutes. We design your Cerrado and Noel Kempff itinerary with specialist guides.

$90 · €85 · Bs. 623

Book a consultation → $90 · €85 · Bs. 623El Lobo de Crin →