Manu Biosphere Reserve was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the incredible diversity of the plants and wildlife in the reserve. Manu protects more species of animals and plants than any other park on Earth. It has 1000 species of birds, 200 mammal species and 15,000 flowering plant species. There is a Lowland Tapir (South America's largest land mammal) clay lick, and macaw and parrot clay lick, Giant Otters, Jaguars, and 13 species of monkeys including the mustachioed Emperor Tamarin.
A trip here is a very special experience for anyone interested in rainforests, plus it is a delight for birdwatchers, and there is a very good chance of seeing large mammal fauna. There are still Amazonian tribes living within the reserve - some are still uncontacted - so the park protects indigenous people as well as wildlife and plantlife.
Our resident expert on Manu Biosphere Reserve is John Melton, who worked in Manu for over a year, and knows it extremely well.