Reserva San Rafael Paraguay

Over our Thanksgiving break a group Asunción teachers traveled to San Rafael, a nature reserve in southern Paraguay. The reserve encompasses the largest remaining areas of Atlantic Forest in Paraguay, as well as incredibly beautiful grassland areas. 

The reserve is primarily a destination for scientists and birdwatchers, although they make their facilities available to anyone interested in a visit. Arrangements for visiting the reserve can be made through the Guyra office in Asunción.  

We were expecting to encounter lots of birds and possibly other wildlife, but saw very little of either.  The area is officially protected, but much of it is private land that is used in the typical way by ranchers and indigenous groups who existed there prior to the creation of the reserve. 

Just getting to the reserve was a bit of a trek.  We drove from the city to the small town of Alto Vera,  From there we followed the ranger down 40km of dirt roads which took about two hours.

At the reserve there are several hiking trails through the forest as well as observation towers that look out over the grassland. We also went on a sight seeing drive with the ranger a few km further into the reserve and to a swimming area where the road crosses a small stream.  One full day was plenty of time for us to see the area around the reserve.  Our group had planned to stay a second full day, but with the heat, bugs, and lack of further areas to explore we decided to move on one day early.  

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