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For adventurous nature lovers, the 1.8 million-acre Parnaíba Headwaters National Park, in Brazil, is an aspirational destination. The diverse habitat of this massive park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the endangered Maned Wolf, the Bearded Capuchin Monkey and the beautiful Hyacinth Macaw The park is on extended Jaguar safari itineraries that also take in the vast Brazilian Pantanal and, for those looking to see not just the spotted big cat, but also the rest of South America's so-called 'Big Five' (Giant Anteater, Giant River Otter, Maned Wolf and Brazilian Tapir) on their Jaguar safari, this is the best place from which to start. Getting There The park is situated in north-eastern Brazil, so after flying in to Sao Paulo visitors must take a domestic flight to the small airport at Barreiras de Bahia (north of Brasilia), then continue by road for around four hours. For those on a dedicated Jaguar safari, all the arrangements will be taken care of, making the journey relatively simple despite its length. The Landscape The area of the national park takes in four states of Brazil: Tocantins, Bahia, Maranhao and Piaui. The landscape comprises a mixture of pristine dry forests, wide, open valleys and rambling savannah grasslands, offset by the dusty-red sandstone mesas and cliffs, which soar up to 300 metres in places. This vast and hugely bio diverse area is the largest national park in South America outside of the Amazon. The Wildlife The most sought after species to see in the region is the beautiful and endangered Maned Wolf (not actually a wolf at all but the sole member of its own genus), and the park has the largest population in the country. Unusually tall and with long legs and a distinctive black mane, they are the largest of the canid family. Timid and secretive, they are most often sighted at night, although some habituated animals may appear in search of food in the early morning or afternoon. The vibrantly coloured Hyacinth Macaw can be seen in abundance throughout the park, often travelling in large, noisy flocks. The world's largest parrot, the Hyacinth Macaw presents a startling contrast against the red sandstone cliffs and makes for a wildlife photographer's dream. Other avian species that can be seen here include Jenday Parakeets, Blue and Gold Macaws, Burrowing Owls and the impressive King Vultures. The park is the only place to see the fascinating Bearded Capuchin Monkeys – also known as the Nutcracker Monkeys. These monkeys are highly evolved and are renowned for their habit of unearthing rocks and using them as tools to crack open palm nuts – which is the first documentation of a 'non-ape' primate using tools in their food sourcing. These monkeys have extremely strong back and leg muscles and are able to walk upright, as an adaptation to carrying large stones. As one of the lesser-developed touristic sites in the country it takes a little more effort to get to the Parnaíba Headwaters National Park. However, for those with a passion for wildlife, the rewards of embarking on a Jaguar safari that includes a visit to this magnificent region are, without doubt, more than worth the journey. Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer with a special interest in Jaguar watching. Being passionate about her subject, Marissa chooses the expert-led Jaguar safari itineraries organised by Naturetrek, which have brought her unforgettable sightings of a wide range of wildlife in some of the most spectacular regions on Earth.
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