Manu wildlife: what you can spot in Peru’s Amazon
Manu is not a zoo, and that is the point. This corner of the Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and what you see is wild and unscripted. Patience is rewarded with sights few travelers ever witness.
The headline species
| Wildlife | Where you might see it |
|---|---|
| Macaws and parrots | Clay licks at dawn |
| Monkeys | Riverbanks and canopy |
| Giant river otters | Oxbow lakes |
| Caimans and turtles | Rivers and lakes |
| Capybara, peccary, tapir | Forest trails and clay licks |
How to maximise your sightings
Move slowly and quietly, go out at dawn and dusk when animals are active, and trust your guide’s trained eyes and ears. Bring binoculars and a zoom lens. The deeper and longer your trip, the better your chances — see the Manu Amazon tours.
Into the Amazon
See the wildlife of Manu on a guided jungle expedition.
Frequently asked questions
Macaws, parrots, many monkey species, giant river otters, caimans, capybara and, with luck, tapir or even a jaguar. Manu is among the most biodiverse places on Earth.
No — jaguars are elusive and sightings are rare and lucky. Manu’s magic is in the sheer abundance of birds, monkeys and other wildlife you are very likely to see.