Anavilhanas Archipelago, Rio Negro

One of the largest river archipelagos in the world, with around 400 forested islands in the dark waters of the Rio Negro, protected as a national park. In the rainy season, the forest floods and you can canoe among the treetops of the igapó (flooded forest).

The small town of Novo Airão, about 3 hours by road from Manaus, is the base. It's known for its tame pink river dolphins (botos), which you can see at a feeding platform, and for boat trips into the park. Jungle lodges along the river offer walks, fishing and wildlife spotting.