Introducing Reserva Provincial Esteros del Iberá

This stunning wetland reserve is home to an abundance of bird and animal life, and is one of the finest places to see wildlife in South America. Although tourism has been increasing substantially in recent years, Esteros del Iberá remains comparatively unspoiled. The main base for visiting the park is the sleepy village of Colonia Pellegrini, 120km northeast of Mercedes; it offers a variety of excellent accommodations and trips to the reserve. Another, less-visited place to base yourself is Galarza, 80km further north.

The lakes and esteros are shallow, fed only by rainwater, and thick with vegetation. Water plants and other vegetation accumulate to form embalsados (dense floating islands), and this fertile habitat is home to a stunning array of life. Sinister black caimans bask in the sun while busy capybaras feed around them. Other mammals include the beautiful orange-colored marsh deer, howler monkeys (officially the world’s noisiest animal), the rare maned wolf, coypu, otters and several species of bat.

There are some 350 species of bird present in the reserve, including colorful kingfishers, delicate hummingbirds, parrots, spoonbills, kites, vultures, several species of egret and heron (including the magnificent rufescent tiger-heron), cormorants, ducks, cardinals and the enormous southern screamer, which would really light up Big Uncle Bob’s eyes at a Christmas roast. Ibera: Vida y Color (AR$18), on sale at La Cabaña, among other places, has beautiful photos of most of the birds, plants and animals you may see.

It’s a delicate ecosystem, and environmentalists are understandably anxious that it not be harmed. To this end, US entrepreneur and environmentalist Doug Tompkins has been buying up large tracts of land around the reserve and proposes to donate them to the Argentine government if it guarantees national park status for the area.

Learn more on Lonely Planet.