Formosa Nature Reserve

Information

It is a protected area situated in the west of the province of Formosa. It occupies 9005 hectares and is located some 55 km from the town of Ingeniero Juárez. On its southern border is the Teuco or Bermejo River. It belongs to the dry Chaco ecoregion. The climate is semi-arid, with little rainfall that occurs during the hot summer (December to March), which is why it is recommended to visit it during the winter (June to September).

Although it is possible to visit the place in one day, if you want to do wildlife watching activities, it is advisable to have more time. In the main area destined for visitors there is a campsite and toilets, with an enabled path and the possibility of accessing viewpoints over the Teuco River.

Many species of wildlife can be observed in this reserve. In particular, the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), an endangered species, is present and can be seen from time to time. Other more common mammals can also be found, such as the conejo del palo (Dolichotis salinicola) and a large number of birds.

To get there, from Ingeniero Juárez first take Provincial Route 39 heading south for 38 kilometres. You will reach a crossroads where you take Provincial Road 9 in an easterly direction. After 17 km you reach the operational area of the protected area, where you have to announce yourself at the ranger's office. The whole route is dirt, which can get complicated in rainy seasons. My recommendation is to take a GPS with the maps pre-loaded.

It is worth mentioning that there are no services at the reserve or all the way to it. For this reason, you should carry enough petrol in your vehicle and take everything you need (food, drinks, etc.) according to the time you decide to stay. On the other hand, you should ask the park rangers whether or not there is wifi and mobile phone signal (and if there is, where).