Biodiversity
The Amazon is the largest and most biodiverse rainforest on earth, covering an area of 5.5 million km2.
About half of Peru’s landmass is made up of the Amazon rainforest, spread over 3 departments,
of which Madre de Dios, where Anaconda Lodge lies, is one. The rainforest in this department is very special
because studies have found it to have the highest biodiversity in the world, registering a record number of
animal and plant-species per square metre. Puerto Maldonado is therefore often dubbed the world capital
of biodiversity.
This biodiversity is very important, for example when considering the medicinal value of many
of the plants in the Amazon, and that is only for the plants that have been studied! Researchers freely
admit that many species of plants and their medicinal uses have yet to be tested.
Apart from its biodiversity, the Amazon rainforest also plays a very important role in the world’s ecosystem,
absorbing gases that would otherwise contribute to global warming.
Some of the animals that inhabit the area are: A stunning variety of insects including butterflies,
bees, ants (up to 43 different species of ants have been found on a single tree!); reptiles such as
caimans, lizards; amphibians such as frogs and salamanders; an amazing array of birds such as macaws, toucans and
the endangered harpy eagle; fish such as paiches and pirañas; mammals including monkeys, tapirs
and the jaguar; and rodents including the giant riverotter.
Myths
The jungle is an incredibly intriguing piece of nature, and it isn’t devoid of its very own myths and mysteries. The
lost city of Paititi, a place that supposedly harbours unbelievable amounts of gold artifacts that the Incas
managed to save from the hands of the Spanish conquerors, is thought to be located in the department
of Madre de Dios. Expeditions to find Paititi have all been in vain so far, it seems this is a treasure that really
doesn’t want to be found yet...
Locals also have many stories of mysterious occurrences in the forest, which is said to house many
spirits that act as protectors of the jungle, not shy to give visitors with bad intentions a little scare!
Practicalities of your visit
These are some of the things you should take into account when planning your visit:
Climate
The climate is hot and humid, the average temperature year round being 25 degrees °C. The rainy
season runs from November until March, when humidity rises to its highest level (up to 100%).
For your excursions into the jungle, we suggest you bring long-sleeved tops and full-length trousers, to
protect you from insect bites, and rainproof jackets depending on the season you are visiting.
Insects
With humidity come mosquitoes, and there are a variety of them here in the rainforest. However,
the hustle and bustle in the city itself has made most of them retreat into the forest and are
hardly noticeable there. For your treks into the rainforest we find a good repellent, and acceptance
of the fact that some of them will sting you, helps. It is also important to start taking a daily
vitamine B complex supplement a month before arriving at the rainforest, it reduces the amount of
bites and reduces swelling of stings.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers with closed shoes when going for jungle hikes, since there are
also ants and other insects that live on the jungle floor that sting.
Vaccinations
There are no cases of malaria reported in the direct surroundings of Puerto Maldonado. Yellow fever however
is present, and it is obligatory to bring your international yellow fever vaccination card when
entering the area. Remember that it takes 10 days before the vaccination takes effect, so the best
option is to get vaccinated in your home country before entering Peru.
