Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Reserva Nacional de Vida Silvestre Amazónica Manuripi
South of Cobija between the ríos Tahuamanu and Madre de Dios, almost 7500 square kilo-
metres of some of Bolivia's most pristine lowland Amazon rainforest are protected, at least
on paper, as the
Reserva Nacional de Vida Silvestre Amazónica Manuripi
. With finan-
cial help from Germany, the park's SERNAP-administered staff have, for several years, been
working with the reserve's scattered
campesino
communities to promote the sustainable ex-
traction of rubber and Brazil nuts, while improving social and working conditions. While
there are plans to develop ecotourism, there's no real infrastructure in the reserve as yet save
for some very basic
cabañas
(Bs40); you'll need to take all your own food and bedding.
There are plenty of trails used by the
castañeros
during the Brazil nut-collecting season
(Nov-Feb), however, and at least one specific walking route, a two-hour-plus trek from the
tiny community of Curichon to Lago Bay, from where you can continue to Arroyo Malecón,
near the Peruvian border. Lago Bay is also accessible via the motorized canoes (Bs300) with
which the guards patrol the river in search of illegal loggers. Before setting off you'll need to
give advance notice - ideally a couple of days - to the park office in Cobija.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: RESERVA MANURIPI
By truck/boat
Trucks depart for the small settlement (and main guard post) of San Silvestre
(2 daily; 3-4hr) from the offices of Transbioceánica on Av 9 de Febrero in Cobija.
CROSSING THE PERUVIAN BORDER
Via Chivé
From San Silvestre, irregular trucks continue south along the road through the re-
serve to Chivé on the Río Madre de Dios, where you may be able to catch a lift on a boat for
an even more adventurous backdoor route upstream into Peru, or downstream to Riberalta.
An exit stamp can usually be obtained from the Bolivian border post of Puerto Heath, though
you'll probably have to go as far as Puerto Maldonado to sort out your entry into Peru.
INFORMATION
Park office
Los Cedros 54, Barrio 11 de Octubre, Cobija 03 8423399.
The staff will let
the park guards know you're coming, and can arrange basic accommodation. Open Mon-Fri
8.30am-12.30pm & 2.30-6.30pm.
