Information
Landmark: Parque Natural ÑacundayCity: Chaco Region
Country: Paraguay
Continent: South America
Parque Natural Ñacunday, Chaco Region, Paraguay, South America
Overview
Parque Natural Ñacunday, a protected reserve in Paraguay’s Alto Paraná Department, sits close to the Argentine border, where the roar of the Ñacunday River echoes through the forest.Its claim to fame is Salto Ñacunday, a breathtaking waterfall framed by dense green forest, often likened to the mighty Iguazú Falls for its sheer beauty and wild surroundings.The park protects the Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest, one of Paraguay’s richest pockets of life, where bright toucans flash through the canopy.First.The park sits in the Ñacunday District of Alto Paraná, about 70 kilometers south of Ciudad del Este, where the road winds past fields of tall grass.You’ll get there by taking Route PY07, then bumping along a dusty dirt road until you reach the park gates.The park sits beside the Paraná River, its wide green waters tracing the border between Paraguay and Argentina.Mix short and medium-length sentences to keep the rhythm varied.The star of the park is Salto Ñacunday, a roaring waterfall that plunges about 40 meters-roughly the height of a thirteen-story building.It stretches about 110 meters-roughly 360 feet-across, a roaring curtain of water that ranks among Paraguay’s largest falls.The waterfall sits deep in the Atlantic Forest, where thick green canopies hide monkeys and bright tropical birds.From the viewing platform, you can stand just yards from the roaring falls and take in every drop.Three.Flora and Fauna Parque Natural Ñacunday safeguards a stretch of the Alto Paraná Atlantic Forest, where dense green canopies shelter one of Paraguay’s most threatened ecosystems.Flora: The lapacho tree (Handroanthus impetiginosus), crowned with bursts of pink blooms, is Paraguay’s national tree.Palmito (Euterpe edulis) is a palm tree that grows wild in the lush Atlantic Forest, its slender trunk rising toward the canopy.Cedro, or Cedrela fissilis, is a prized hardwood tree in the region, with warm, reddish-brown timber often used for fine furniture.Fauna: Jaguar (Panthera onca) – uncommon here, but you might still spot one slipping through the shadows.The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a small wild cat, about the size of a long-legged housecat, with sleek, spotted fur.Capuchin monkeys (Sapajus cay) dart through the treetops, their tails curling around sun-warmed branches.Toucans and parrots fill the forest, their bright feathers flashing like bits of sunrise between the trees.Number four stood alone, like a single chalk mark on a blackboard.Hiking and nature walks await visitors, with winding trails that lead through tall pines and offer chances to glimpse deer or hear a woodpecker’s sharp tap.Waterfall Viewing – Sturdy wooden walkways lead you to lookout points where you can safely take in Salto Ñacunday’s roar and mist.Birdwatching’s a favorite pastime here, thanks to the sheer variety of species-bright flashes of yellow warblers, soaring hawks, and tiny finches darting through the trees.Photography – A roaring waterfall framed by thick, green forest makes a perfect shot for anyone who loves capturing nature.Five.Just north of Ciudad del Este, you’ll find the Itaipú Dam-one of the largest hydroelectric giants on the planet, its vast walls holding back a shimmering expanse of water.Saltos del Monday is another waterfall in the area, tumbling near Presidente Franco with a steady roar you can hear down the road.Ciudad del Este, Paraguay’s second-largest city, buzzes with shoppers and tourists, its streets stacked high with colorful market stalls.Number six.SEAM, Paraguay’s environmental agency, manages the park to safeguard its rich biodiversity, from the chatter of bright parrots to the rustle of hidden monkeys in the trees.Deforestation and illegal hunting still threaten the land, but rangers and local groups work hard to keep the forest’s wildlife and trees safe.Seven.Parque Natural Ñacunday ranks among Paraguay’s most stunning landscapes, where you can wander through deep green forests, spot colorful birds darting overhead, and feel the cool mist rising from the thunderous Salto Ñacunday waterfall.Tucked away in the Alto Paraná region, it’s perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and eco-tourists craving an off-the-beaten-path adventure, where you might hear nothing but rustling leaves and distant bird calls.
