National park · Brazil
Emas National ParkParque Nacional das Emas
Visit Emas: pay entry fee (check current price on ICMBio site), drive to Bandeira gate early, hike the Jacuba trail in the dry season (June–September), avoid the hottest months of June–August if possible.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,328 km² (513 sq mi)513 sq mi (1,328 km²)
approximate
Established
1961
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 1,328 km² (513 sq mi)513 sq mi (1,328 km²)
- Figures vary by source: 132,788 ha (≈ 1,327.9 km²) is the official ICMBio area; some sources round to 1,320 km² (check).
- Established
- 1961
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Emas National Park protects one of the largest and best-preserved expanses of Cerrado savanna in central Brazil, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its open grasslands, termite mounds and gallery forests host giant anteaters, maned wolves, greater rheas and a small jaguar population. The park is almost completely surrounded by farmland, making its conservation role critical. Most visitors explore by private vehicle or guided safari; there is no public transport inside. Entry is R$30 per person at the Bandeira gate, and the best months for wildlife viewing are May–October.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2001Cerrado Protected Areas (with Chapada dos Veadeiros).
Size and age
1,328 km² (513 sq mi)513 sq mi (1,328 km²) · national park since 1961
Figures vary by source: 132,788 ha (≈ 1,327.9 km²) is the official ICMBio area; some sources round to 1,320 km² (check).
Why go
- Explore one of the largest intact Cerrado savannas in Brazil.
- Spot iconic wildlife such as greater rheas, maned wolves and giant anteaters.
- Drive or cycle across open grasslands with expansive horizon views.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy season; trails muddy, wildlife less visible.
- FebRainy season; high humidity, thunderstorms.
- MarTransition month; still wet, but drying.
- AprEnd of rains; trails improving, wildlife returning.
- MayDry season starts; good wildlife viewing, comfortable.
- JunDry, clear; peak wildlife activity.
- JulDry, clear; peak wildlife activity.
- AugDry, clear; peak wildlife activity.
- SepDry, clear; peak wildlife activity.
- OctTransition month; rains may begin, still good.
- NovRainy season returns; trails muddy.
- DecRainy season; high humidity, thunderstorms.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater rhea, maned wolf, giant anteater, pampas deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Jaguar, puma (rare sightings)May–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds of prey, grassland birdsMar–May, Oct–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Goiânia
Bus to Chapadão do Céu (≈ 4 h), then 25 km (16 mi) drive to Bandeira gate.Bus to Chapadão do Céu (≈ 4 h), then 16 mi (25 km) drive to Bandeira gate.
5–6 h
From Brasília
Bus to Mineiros (≈ 6 h), then 110 km (68 mi) road to the park gate.Bus to Mineiros (≈ 6 h), then 68 mi (110 km) road to the park gate.
7–8 h
Open the page →
From São Paulo
Fly to Goiânia, then follow bus route above.
≈ 3 h flight + road
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bandeira gate | Main entrance, visitor centre, parking, ticket office. | Open daily; vehicle access required. |
| Jacuba gate | Access point for Jacuba trail and Rio Formoso activities. | Open with guide accompaniment. |
| Observation tower area | Viewpoint over the Cerrado; requires guide. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points; use official maps for navigation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Bandeira gate) | BRL 30 (≈ US$6) | person | Check current price on ICMBio site. |
| Guided wildlife drive (full day) | BRL 200–300 (≈ US$40–60) | group | 2026 estimate; includes guide and vehicle; check operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Off‑road trail access permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R$30≈ US$6
- R$200–300≈ US$40–60
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Wikidata – Emas National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without explicit permission from park authorities.
- Guides
- Accredited guide required for any off‑road trail, rafting, night walks or camping.
- Camping
- Only in the designated camp area with prior booking; no wild camping.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves only.
- Feeding wildlife
- Strictly forbidden; may attract dangerous animals.
Where to stay
Near the park
Pousada do Glória (near Chapadão do Céu)
Simple rooms, restaurant, 30 min drive to Bandeira gate.
Near the park
Hotels in Mineiros
Larger selection, 110 km (68 mi) to park, good services.Larger selection, 68 mi (110 km) to park, good services.
In the park
Designated park campsite
Basic facilities; must be booked with an authorized guide.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wildfire high
Wild animal encounter medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Vehicle access to main gates; unpaved roads may be rough after rain.
- Trail sections are uneven and steep in places; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked roads and trails; avoid trampling vegetation.
- Use refillable water bottles; carry out all waste.
- Support local guides and accommodation that follow ICMBio guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Emas National Park?
Entry is R$30 per person at the Bandeira gate (check latest price on the ICMBio website).
What are the best hikes in Emas National Park?
The 12 km Jacuba trail (moderate) and the short loop from the Observation tower are the most popular; both need a guide.
When is the best time to visit Emas National Park?
May to October offers dry weather and good wildlife visibility; avoid the hottest months of June‑August if possible.
Can I camp inside the park without a guide?
No. Camping is only allowed in the designated area and must be booked with an authorized guide.
Is a 4×4 vehicle required?
A high‑clearance vehicle is recommended; a 4×4 may be needed after heavy rain on unpaved sections.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Emas National Park
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