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After a two-hour flight from Buenos Aires, followed by a few hours of driving, we arrived at Glamping Los Palmares and were warmly welcomed with dinner and drinks. Sol and Mariucha, our gracious hosts, led us through the lush forest to our safari-style tent. Nestled among the trees with a wooden deck overlooking the serene Bermejo River, the tent offered the perfect blend of comfort and nature. Inside, a warm bath and a plush bed awaited, providing a cosy retreat after our journey. As we settled in, the anticipation of exploring the untamed beauty of El Impenetrable made us eagerly await the adventures that tomorrow would bring.

Los Palmares Glamping sits on the northwest edge of El Impenetrable National Park, along the Bermejo River. Surrounded by gallery forests, caranday palm groves, and the Chaco Seco forest, it’s a wildlife haven, ideal for nature lovers.

Waking up here is probably one of the best early experiences we’ve ever had. The symphony of countless bird calls and the distant howls of monkeys across the river filled the air, while the first rays of sunlight touched our pillows inviting us to step out and explore. A few metres from our tent, we spotted a corzuela (a small deer), a herd of cute little wild boars called pecaríes, and one of the stars of the area: a tapir, the largest South American mammal, which is unfortunately at risk of extinction. And this was all before breakfast!

Over three days, we rowed down the Bermejo River, rode horses through lush landscapes, sailed on serene waters, and trekked through diverse eco-regions. We spotted all kinds of birds, jaguar footprints, caimans, capybaras, and more. Each day is complemented with delicious meals and exquisite Argentine wines.

El Chaco is one of South America’s most biodiverse regions, yet it’s also one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Over the past three decades, Argentina’s Gran Chaco has lost more than 8 million hectares (20 million acres) to deforestation for soy farms and cattle ranches.

This unique park boasts an incredible range of habitats—wetlands, grasslands, riparian forests, palm and cardón cactus forests, and quebracho woodlands. It’s a haven for wildlife, including tapirs, maned wolves, pumas, black howler monkeys, giant armadillos, giant anteaters, Chacoan peccaries, and capybaras to name a few.

The park also protects recovering populations of jaguars, giant otters, guanacos, Yaboti tortoises, pampas deer, and marsh deer. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting hundreds of species, such as the Chaco eagle, jabiru stork, turquoise-fronted Amazon parrot, black-bodied woodpecker, Chaco chachalaca, black skimmer, and Rufous-fronted thornbird.

Rewilding Argentina is leading conservation efforts in El Impenetrable, focusing on restoring key species and their habitats. Once teeming with diverse wildlife, this region suffered alarming declines, with jaguars nearing extinction and iconic species like guanacos, pampas deer, marsh deer, and giant otters disappearing. By reintroducing these species and managing threatened habitats, Rewilding Argentina is reviving El Impenetrable’s natural splendour. This effort is not just about bringing back these magnificent creatures; it’s about revitalizing an entire ecosystem and the essential roles these animals play.

Among the first animals reintroduced to El Impenetrable were 40 Yabotí Turtles from the Urutaú Rescue Center in Paraguay, starting the recovery of this species and its role in the Chaco ecosystem. At the end of 2022, Rewilding Argentina also launched a project to reintroduce the largest South American deer, the Marsh Deer. The arrival of the first two captive individuals marked the beginning of restoring their lost ecological role. In 2023, 30 guanacos were released outside the park boundaries.

The jaguar reintroduction began in 2019 with the discovery of a solitary male named Qaramta. Recently, two female jaguars, Keraná and Nalá, have been introduced to help establish a breeding population which is crucial for their survival and the overall health of the ecosystem.

Our gratitude goes out to the Rewilding Foundation for their phenomenal work in protecting and restoring local wildlife and ecosystems while supporting local communities through sustainable tourism and economic development.

Being aware of our travel footprint more than ever, now is the time to seek out destinations like El Impenetrable, where we can be part of the solution to issues like over-tourism and climate change. Through rewilding and community projects, we can create more meaningful travel experiences.

Thank you El Impenetrable for such an unforgettable experience. We look forward to returning and hope to inspire many more conscious travellers to explore this incredible destination.

Getting there: The closest airports to Parque Nacional El Impenetrable are in the regional capitals of Resistencia or Corrientes, each about five hours from the park by car. Both receive several daily flights from Buenos Aires. A charter plane can be arranged to the small landing strip at Misión Nueva Pompeya at the park’s southwest edge.

Where to stay: Glamping Los Palmares and Glamping El Bermejito in La Armonía are riverside glamping sites featuring fixed African-style tents with modern comforts- the perfect place to rest after a day of exploration. Each tent includes a private bathroom with a hot water shower, ensuring comfort and convenience. The cozy beds guarantee a good night’s sleep to fuel your next day’s adventures.

When to visit: The park is open year-round, but the glamping sites close during the rainy season (November to April), when muddy roads can become impassable.