Wondering what top attractions in Bolivia you need to visit? Think about paying a visit to Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. As one of the largest national parks in the Amazon Basin, a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site will undoubtedly reveal a wealth of experiences.
The Noel Kempff Mercado National Park is named after a well-known Bolivian biologist. Located about 600km from the city of Santa Cruz, the park borders Brazil and is one of the most beautiful and must-visit places for travelers visiting Bolivia. The park offers different habitats that are usually not found in other parts of the world.
From the Cerrado Savannah to the upland evergreen Amazonian forests, there are numerous habitats that can be observed in the park. The park has an evolutionary history that dates back to the Precambrian. The park has a large section of the Huanchaca Plateau that is surrounded by cliffs in the northern and southern ends. A number of rivers have their source in this plateau hence giving rise to numerous waterfalls. The Arcoiris Falls that falls from 88m and the Frederico Ahlfeld Falls that falls from 25-45m are among the most popular waterfalls that travelers can visit. The park was declared as a Natural Heritage of Humanity site by UNESCO in the year 2000.
The Noel Kempff Mercado National Park features exclusive plants and wildlife. Visitors can frequently spot large mammals and unique varieties of flora while hiking in the savannahs of the park or while traveling along the river system or lagoons. The remoteness of the park has been a great boon in protecting several endangered species and the area from encroachment.
The park can be accessed from a small community of La Florida at the edge of the park. There are two entrances to the park one from Flor de Oro on the Northern side and Los Fierros on the Southern side. From here you can hire guides who will take you around the entire park. Small accommodations are available at these camps where you can stay. You can also take a canoe and take a trip up the river to see freshwater dolphins before you start your journey into the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park.
Finding a masjid and Halal food around the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park can be difficult due to its seclusion. However, visitors can opt for vegetarian food while visiting the park.
