Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks

The site is a serial UNESCO World Heritage property made up of two protected areas in the central Brazilian state of Goiás that conserve representative landscapes of the Cerrado biome. It is notable for protecting a high number of endemic plants and animals found only in this tropical savanna.

Hikers and nature observers explore sandstone plateaus, deep canyons, waterfalls and gallery forests in one park and wide open savanna and seasonal wetlands in the other. Trails range from short walks to multi-day routes that pass natural pools and viewing points for wildlife.

Both areas were established by the Brazilian federal protected-area system to conserve Cerrado ecosystems and the species that depend on them. Protection expanded over time as scientific study and conservation priorities highlighted the parks’ ecological importance.

The two parks lie in central Brazil within the state of Goiás, in inland plateau terrain that forms part of the Brazilian highlands. They are accessed from regional towns in Goiás and from the broader central Brazil transport network.

• Best time to visit: Dry-season access from May to September offers clearer roads and easier access to trails and waterfalls.
• Conservation status: Both parks form a UNESCO World Heritage serial property protecting high Cerrado biodiversity and many endemic species.

What to See #

• Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park: Comprises two separate national parks that protect representative areas of the Brazilian Cerrado biome, including plateaus, gallery forests, grasslands and waterfalls. Each park contains trails, scenic canyons and aquatic systems typical of central Brazil.
• Emas National Park: Contains large expanses of cerrado grasslands and savanna with sightings of characteristic wildlife such as maned wolf and giant anteater; features include open plains and seasonal wetlands used by migratory species.