Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks Nature Reserve
Savanna national parks protecting Cerrado biodiversity and landscapes
Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas protect Cerrado savanna, waterfalls and plateaus; visitors hike trails, watch for mammals and birds and photograph seasonal grasslands and sandstone formations.
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks at a Glance#
Address: Protected areas in Goiás state, Brazil (Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks)
Website: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1030
Admission: Entry fees for Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks vary (typically BRL 10-30 for foreigners); guided tours and transportation from Brasília or Goiás towns extra.
About 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.
How to Get to Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks#
Chapada dos Veadeiros: fly into Brasília and drive ~3-4 hours north to Alto Paraíso de Goiás or São Jorge (trailhead). Emas National Park: best accessed by road from Goiânia (approx. 4-5 hours).
Tips for Visiting Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks#
- Hire certified local guides for Chapada dos Veadeiros hikes - trails cross fragile cerrado and guides help interpret endemic flora.
- Visit Emas National Park in the dry season (June-September) for better wildlife visibility; the cerrado's open vistas are prime for spotting maned wolves and birds.
- Bring sun protection and plan for long distances between services; some trailheads are remote with limited facilities.
Best Time to Visit Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks#
Dry season is preferred for access and wildlife viewing; rainy season offers dramatic waterfalls but tougher logistics.
Weather & Climate near Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks#
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 15°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1577 mm/year), wettest in December with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 19° - 28° | 24° | 261 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.5 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
| February | Good | 19° - 28° | 24° | 246 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.5 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.5h |
| March | Very Good | 19° - 29° | 24° | 196 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.4 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Very Good | 18° - 29° | 24° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 1.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.7h |
| May | Ideal | 17° - 29° | 23° | 19 mm | mostly sunny | 68% | 1.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.3h |
| June | Ideal | 15° - 28° | 22° | 6 mm | clear | 57% | 1.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.2h |
| July | Ideal | 15° - 28° | 22° | 4 mm | clear | 46% | 1.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
| August | Ideal | 17° - 30° | 23° | 5 mm | clear | 40% | 1.8 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.5h |
| September | Ideal | 19° - 31° | 25° | 36 mm | mostly sunny | 39% | 1.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Very Good | 20° - 30° | 25° | 169 mm | partly cloudy | 54% | 1.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.3h |
| November | Good | 19° - 28° | 24° | 253 mm | overcast | 75% | 1.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.7h |
| December | Good | 19° - 29° | 24° | 273 mm | overcast | 78% | 1.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.8h |
