Aguaro-Guariquito National Park is a vast protected area in eastern Venezuela known for its expansive savannas, diverse wildlife, and rich indigenous heritage, offering a unique experience of tropical Llanos ecosystems.
Established in 1974, Aguaro-Guariquito National Park spans over 5 million acres of the Venezuelan Llanos, one of the largest tropical grassland landscapes in South America. This park showcases an extraordinary mix of habitats including expansive flooded savannas, gallery forests along rivers, scattered palm groves, and scattered wetlands which are refuges for a diverse array of wildlife. Notably, the park is home to species such as the giant river otter, capybaras, anacondas, and a variety of birds including the king vulture and jabiru stork. The park also holds significant cultural importance for indigenous peoples who have historically inhabited the region. Visitors to Aguaro-Guariquito can explore its natural richness mostly through guided river tours and wildlife observation, especially during the dry season when animal activity is concentrated around water sources. Its vastness and limited infrastructure make it a remote and authentic destination, appealing to adventurous travelers interested in off-the-beaten-path ecotourism and birdwatching. The park's grasslands and waterways create spectacular landscapes that shift dramatically with the seasons, from submerged wetlands in the rainy season to open plains in the dry months. Access is generally by private or tour-operated boat, and visitors benefit from knowledgeable local guides. Aguaro-Guariquito offers solitude, biological diversity, and a glimpse into one of the world's great wilderness areas of tropical South America.
Vast tropical savannas and seasonal wetlands of the Venezuelan Llanos
Rich birdlife including rare species such as the giant snipe and crested eagle
River tours showcasing giant river otters, capybaras, and anacondas
Cultural heritage sites linked to indigenous Pemón communities
Expansive tropical grasslands that flood seasonally, supporting rich biodiversity and traditional cattle ranching.
A key waterway for river tours, home to giant river otters, capybaras, and abundant aquatic life.
The park overlaps regions historically inhabited and used by the Pemón people, with cultural sites and traditional knowledge present.