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Three Great Reasons To Visit Tambopata: Jaguar
Just this week we saw a record THREE jaguars on one boat ride on the Tambopata! Three great reasons to visit Tambopata!
The first thing you have to know, is where is Tambopata?
The Tambopata National Reserve is nestled in the southeastern region of Peru, deep within the heart of the Amazon rainforest. To reach this pristine and remote area, travelers typically start their journey by flying into the city of Puerto Maldonado, the capital of the Madre de Dios region. Puerto Maldonado is well-connected to the rest of Peru by domestic flights from Lima and Cusco.
From Puerto Maldonado, visitors embark on a river journey by boat, venturing deeper into the Amazon basin to access Tambopata National Reserve. Note there are 2 rivers in the region but only the Tambopata River is the one that crossed the national area.
The journey along the Tambopata River is not only an immersive experience in itself but also the gateway to exploring the breathtaking biodiversity and lush landscapes that define Tambopata’s unparalleled natural beauty.
Having said that, why should you visit Tambopata while you are in Peru?
Here are 3 reasons to visit Tambopata
1. Encounter the Elusive Apex Predator
Tambopata southeast of Peru, offers a rare but the best opportunity to witness one of the world’s most elusive apex predators, the jaguar, in its natural habitat. These magnificent big cats are notoriously difficult to spot due to their solitary and elusive nature. A visit to Tambopata presents a chance to catch a glimpse of this iconic creature in the wild, an experience that is both thrilling and awe-inspiring.
2. Immerse in Pristine Rainforests
Tambopata is home to lush, pristine rainforests teeming with biodiversity. While on the quest for jaguars, visitors are treated to a sensory feast of vibrant flora and fauna, from colorful birds to exotic plant species. Exploring Tambopata’s rainforests is an adventure in itself, and the opportunity to encounter jaguars only adds to the allure of this biodiverse paradise.
3. Support Conservation Efforts
Your visit to Tambopata contributes directly to the conservation of jaguars and their habitat. Tourism revenue supports vital conservation initiatives aimed at preserving these magnificent creatures and the delicate ecosystems they inhabit. By choosing to explore Tambopata, you actively participate in the efforts to protect this charismatic species and the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. Your visit becomes a meaningful contribution to the conservation of the jaguar and the entire ecosystem it represents.
Now our 3 reasons to visit this part of the Peruvian Amazon
During a photo tour, we saw these awesome jaguars, part of the Amazon rainforest wildlife. To not disappoint, the next day a big group of travelers saw two more jaguars along the shore. This is a record for the area, while two have been seen on one trip more often, three have only been seen once before years ago. Check out the images below:



Three great reasons to visit Tambopata
When traveling to Peru, come visit Tambopata to see these jaguars and experience the Amazon.
How to plan your Amazon travel to see this and other Amazon wildlife
- Go on a hike or on a boat journey along the Tambopata River in the rainforest with a trained guide: They have eagle eyes, at least, ours have.
By Phil Torres
NOW READ: 4 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Spotting a Jaguar in the Amazon: A Guide for Visiting Tambopata in Peru
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What our guest say
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- Valuation Excellent
- 5/5
Nancy Hodgson March 2026
Lesly Lagos March 2026
Batya K. February 2026
S. K. February 2026
Julian S January 2026
Flora Warfel January 2026
Julian Sack January 2026
Laura Franklin December 2025
Lee Wozencroft December 2025
Suraj Vijayan December 2025
Claudia A. January 2026
AMJNZ November 2025
This trip was the highlight of our travels through peru. The lodge was absolutely 5 stars for everything. The room, food, people. We had a private guide, Allen, who grew up locally and really had deep knowledge of the land, the history, and the variety of plant and animal species in the jungle. His knowledge and passion were invaluable to our experience. There are a variety of tour companies and lodges you can book to visit the Amazon, however, I would only recommend Rainforest Expeditions as they are truly connected to the community and offer high quality first class amazon experience! Read all
We had a truly wonderful stay with Rainforest Expeditions. Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming, and our guide was fantastic — very knowledgeable and passionate about the rainforest. We saw many animals, even from the boat, which made the experience unforgettable. Read all
I just spent 3 days here with my family. The research center surpassed all our expectations. I want to give a special shout out to Carlos who took such good care of us. He went above and beyond to make sure we werr comfortable. And he was always smiling. He made us feel so welcome. We had Erik as our guide who is so knowledgeable and experienced. We learned so much, saw so much wildlife. It really was a dream vacation. Thank you!! Read all
Chose this place to stay at the Amazon, as I heard it benefits the local indigenous community. Life changing experience. Oscar was an excellent guide! We saw so many wildlife! No 4th wall made it such an immersive jungle experience. Since they are eco friendly, there is no AC. It can get pretty hot depending on the season. So better to follow their guidance for clothing choices Read all
If you want to experience the Amazon in all its glory This is the place to come to Staff and guides were excellent Food was just incredible The forest walks were really interesting and informative Read all
If you are a birder, ask for Juan Carlos Yatto. He recognizes an astounding number of bird calls and can duplicate many of them. This place is magical, all I could have imagined. All the staff and scientists are incredible. The experience of a lifetime. Read all
This was the most amazing experience Very well organised The ground staff were so well organised The guides were excellent ( I’m looking at you Carlos!) Food was tasty and very varied Amazed that the chefs managed to get such variety in the middle of the Amazon Do not hesitate Book immediately you will not be disappointed. Highly recommended Read all
I can not say enough good things about my time at the Tambopata Research Center. Between the guides, the boat drivers, the chefs, the staff, the bartenders, the researchers, etc. Everyone was absolutely wonderful! If you are interested in viewing wildlife in the Amazon, this is the place for you! A special thank you to the maître d' Carlos who was so incredibly kind and hospitable and our guide Dino who was like a real life Indiana Jones. I can't wait to come back! Read all
An unforgettable, fully immersive jungle experience. Amazing how Tambopata Lodge delivers luxury touches in such a remote and rugged location. The food is fantastic, the staff incredible, and the wildlife sightings non-stop. The personalised itinerary and one-on-one guiding made the trip truly special—huge thanks to our guide Johan for sharing his passion and knowledge. The Macaw Project is inspiring, and it’s clear the lodge fully supports this important conservation work. Manager Brian was always kind, helpful. Well-done all involved. Read all
The most important fact we are grateful for is the true sense of understanding of the ecology of the Amazon the staff at Rainforest Expeditions (RFE) have shown us. RFE stands out for its stand against the pure, profit-motive initiatives many other tour operators do. We are very grateful to have had Carlos as our guide. Carlos is deeply dedicated, and is able to explain the nuances of the flora and fauna. The world today needs to act as one against the impact of climate change. RFE is one, bright shining light in this regard. Read all
We had a fabulous trip! The people were amazing, kind and very professional. The food was exceptionally good! The facilities are beautiful and well kept. We just loved our second time with Rainforest Expeditions and can't wait to go again!! Read all
Fantastic to be deep in the forest surrounded by incredible wildlife with our amazing guide Juan Carlos Yatto, who really knew his stuff! Also his photography skills meant that we could share our experience even better through his telescope using our phone cameras! We learned so much!! He went to extra lengths to find butterflies and moths for us along with so many different birds and monkeys. This was a travel highlight for us as experienced wildlife travellers. We loved our spacious room with no windows and open to more wildlife visitors but after 5 nights the bed could have been a little more comfortable. Luckily we had a second bed to use. Otherwise it was fantastic with hot water showers and fresh drinking water all the time. We were amazed at the variety of food on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner and couldn’t believe they could have such a wonderful food offering in such a remote location. Even the wine and cocktails were great. I highly recommend spending the extra money and time getting to this location. We stayed at another lodge later which was closer to Puerto Maldonado and there was far less wildlife. Read all
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