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- Vast cerrado grasslands — miles of open savanna dotted with termite mounds and isolated gallery trees; the look and feel of the place is what defines Emas. Big sky, long views, and simple but dramatic plant patterns make it a great place to hike and just breathe.
- Seasonal pools and lagoons — during and after the rains the park fills with shallow wetlands that attract tons of birds, amphibians and mammals. The reflections and concentrated wildlife make short walks around these spots incredibly rewarding.
- Maned wolf (lobo-guará) sightings — the park is one of the best places in Brazil to try and see this iconic, long-legged canid. They’re shy and usually crepuscular, so dawn or dusk drives/walks give you the best shot. (Personal favorite — seeing one trot past a roadside pool felt unreal.
- Vast cerrado grasslands — miles of open savanna dotted with termite mounds and isolated gallery trees; the look and feel of the place is what defines Emas. Big sky, long views, and simple but dramatic plant patterns make it a great place to hike and just breathe.
- Seasonal pools and lagoons — during and after the rains the park fills with shallow wetlands that attract tons of birds, amphibians and mammals. The reflections and concentrated wildlife make short walks around these spots incredibly rewarding.
- Maned wolf (lobo-guará) sightings — the park is one of the best places in Brazil to try and see this iconic, long-legged canid. They’re shy and usually crepuscular, so dawn or dusk drives/walks give you the best shot. (Personal favorite — seeing one trot past a roadside pool felt unreal.)
- Giant anteater and pampas deer — big, unusual mammals that are surprisingly visible here compared with other parts of Brazil. Watch roadsides and waterholes, especially in the dry season when animals concentrate around fewer water sources.
- Birdwatching hotspots — a mix of cerrado specialists, raptors and waterbirds. You won’t get Amazon density, but species diversity and the chance to see rare cerrado endemics make any morning here worth it for birders.
- Hiking trails and wildlife drives — a handful of marked trails and park roads let you walk or drive through different habitats; guided walks or ranger-led drives are worth it if you want targeted wildlife viewing and local tips.
- Sunrise/sunset panoramas and night sky — because the landscape is so open, the light is spectacular at either end of the day and the stars are intense. Bring a headlamp for evening outings and stay up for star-gazing if you can.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.