Essential Iguassú Falls
Rain Forests, Wildlife & Spectacular Waterfalls
The Iguassú Falls are the fifth biggest waterfalls in the world and the waterfall system consists of 275 falls along 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) of the Iguazu River.
The most spectacular of all is the Devil's Throat, an 82-meter-high, 150-meter-wide and 700-meter-long cataract, and marks the border between Argentina and Brazil.
Two thirds of the falls are within Argentine territory.
The water of the lower Iguazu collects in a canyon that drains into the Paraná River in Argentina.
Upon seeing Iguazu, the United States' First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed "Poor Niagara!". In fact the water falling over Iguazu in peak flow has a surface area of about 40Ha, over 3 times bigger than the Niagara’s surface area and at Iguassú one reaches better views and walkways and its shape allows for spectacular vistas.
At one point a person can stand and be surrounded by 260 degrees of waterfalls.
The result is that the impressive series of falls rank as one of the most spectacular settings on the continent.
Thousands of people come here each year to see the spectacular falls, yet the national parks on both sides remain almost undiscovered as a wildlife-viewing destination.
The national parks on the Brazilian (Iguaçu) and Argentine (Iguazú) sides of the Iguazu River and falls total over 550,000 acres of sub-tropical rainforest, probably the largest remaining area of Atlantic forest.
With the added year-round humidity created by the crashing water at the falls, the forests are especially rich in vegetation and the accompanying fauna.
Their luxurious sub-tropical rain forests constitute one of South America's finest areas for seeing mammals. Little and Red Brocket Deer, South American Coati, White-eared Opossum, and a sub-species of the Brown Capuchin can be seen. Also occurring but harder to see are Jaguar, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Puma, Margay, White-lipped Peccary, Bush Dog and Southern River Otter.
The endangered Tegu Lizard is common.
The two parks are a top bird watching destination as well.
It’s amazing the great amount of butterflies that can be seen.
Walking through the trails on the Argentinean side is an exciting experience as they lead to the falls through the forest and bridges suspended over the falls.
The Brazilian side offers a straight access to the falls.
In any case we recommend this destination to those that are not afraid of getting wet!
Access into the parks is restricted and not allowed before 8.00am. This would compromise our ability to offer you birding tours here, but it is still worthwhile for birds seen outside of the park, and around the falls.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for our tour information!