The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering 2.3 million square miles, with about 60% falling within Brazil’s borders. The Amazon River itself is the second longest in the world, and the largest in terms of water flow and drainage area. During the rainy season (in particular March and April) the river floods into the surrounding forest and there can be a 12 metre difference between rainy season and dry season river levels! The Rio Negro and the Solimões join to form the Amazon close to the city of Manuas, and here at the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ the dark water of the Rio Negro flows alongside the milky-coffee coloured water of the Solimões for miles without mixing.
Manaus stands on the north bank of the Rio Negro and is the gateway for most Amazon visitors. Though many visitors pass through Manaus on the way to a jungle lodge without exploring the city, there are a number of interesting places to visit and this extension trip includes a guided visit to the opulent Baroque opera house (Teatro Amazonas) completed in 1896 at the height of the rubber boom, the local market (Mercado Municipal) and Meeting of the Waters (Encontro das Aguas), before setting off to the explore the rainforest. There are many lodges within a few hours boat ride of Manaus but one of the most authentic Amazon experiences is a visit to the Uakari Floating Lodge in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve – the largest protected area of flooded forest in the Amazon.
To get to the lodge it is a 1 hour flight to the town of Tefe followed by a 1½ hour boat ride in motorised canoe. The lodge has 10 double rooms and a central house with dining room, video room, library and deck. The excursions depend on the season, with canoe excursions in the wet season through the flooded forest, and dry season excursions by canoe to explore channels, creeks and lakes, as well as forest hikes. There are also visits to local villages, evening presentations about the Reserve, and night hikes/canoe trips.
The wildlife is abundant, and it is a strange experience to paddle through the flooded forest and observe species such as sloths, Red howler monkeys and the endemic scarlet-faced White Uakari monkey at close range, whilst pink river dolphins, manatees and caiman swim amongst the submerged trees.