Eco Reserva Mbatoví

The Eco-reserva Mbatoví is a protected area. It is private and preserved by its owner so as to protect the biological diversity and the natural process. It is the first Enviromental Service of Paraguay, which is inscribed in the General Direction of the Public Registrations.It is located in the Department of Paraguari, Paraguay, in the middle of the Cordillera de los Altos, between Paraguari and Piribebuy, in the Central Litoral.

History

In 1999, the couple Jacinto Santa María and Marta González Ayala –both nature lovers, started the search for a natural space in which they could rest on the weekends. They found a place in the middle of the Cordillera de los Altos, near Paraguari, with a beautiful view of the Hills and the valley of Pirayu. They fell in love with the beauty of the landscape and richness of the biological species.

They bought the property and they decided to keep that space conserved and to share it with the people. They began doing the necessary studies and legal work needed to start the Eco-reserva Mbatovi.

In 2003, everything regarding the legal work was finished with the constitution of the protected area and the inscription of Mbatovi in the General Direction of Public Registration, as the first Environmental Service of Paraguay. The work of the reservation continued thanks to the deep passion of the owners.

Jacinto and Marta went to different Latin-American countries (Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Brazil ) to investigate ways to combine tourism with nature conservation.The Eco Reserva Mbatovi opened to the public in January 2006.

Landscape

Its great value rest mainly in its beauty, accessibility and diversity of ecosystems in a small area and an excellent panoramic view. It`s possible to see the Cerro Santo Tomas, el Cerro Hu and the Cerro Pero, to the south, and towards the east you can see the Valley of Pirayu and the Cerro Mbatovi.

The vegetation includes natural communities which are covered from rock formation.

Native species

Streams with un-polluted waters, forming various dams, where you can find Chachi communities, a very rare species in danger of extinction, as well as many different types of plants such as fern, maiden’s hair and,lichens with small natural caves, making the environment extremely peaceful, inviting to the meditation and rest.

On the side of these streams you can find deep forests with mature trees and much natural regeneration, including more than a hundred native species.

There are many local bird species, as well as a variety not yet determined of reptiles and mammals, such as the agouti paca, acutí sayju, aguara'í, tapití and different species of armadillos, among others. In the eco reservation of Mbatoví is possible to find cactus and wild orchids, besides a great variety of fern, observe from a natural balcony the top of the trees and the beautiful landscape surrounding, climb steep ferny paths, find fresh footprints of wild animals, and walk around surprising routes among streams and falls.

So as to allow the tourist exploitation, Mbatovi was given an exclusive facility, conceived with a great respect for nature, with special care to the visitor’s security which has become a very special eco –adventure park, declared “ National Tourist Interest “by the SENATUR( National Tourism Secretary of Paraguay)

In this Ecoreserva, you can enjoy of a series of exclusive activities that are carried out using imported and certified security equipments, and with the permanent guidance of high qualified instructors, trained by foreign experts.

Mbatoví also offers different activities for management groups, designed to influence in the attitudes and values of the participants, using a lively focus. The objective of these activities is to develop focused competences in people, mainly related to the Emotional Intelligence, Change capacity, Group work and Leadership.

The ecoadventure circuit "Tapé Saingó"

It´s the principal attraction that the ecoreserva offers. It consists of a series of activities that are carried out in the top of trees and in some cases, above them.

After going to an explicative talk and receiving the security instructions, the adventure begins with a walk through the wavy and attractive Yvaropy path, with 1700mts long, mostly outlined following ancient paths used by the first inhabitants of the area, with some variants that allow to know beautifully and well preserved through time places, with the legends that gave this place the name “home of the dwarfs” (ybaropy).the path will surprise the visitors from time to time with the transparent creeks, charming waterfalls and beautiful views. Its journey demands a good physical condition.

After a ten minute walk, we will find the first challenge o fair suspended activities next to the canopy of the forest. a “falsa bahiana” will invite the people to prove their balance and connect their emotions, to make them go to a three-cabled bridge that will make them forget all their worries demanding total attention. Finishing this first stage, going through a hanging bridge over a defile of beauty ness, that makes the visitor calm its spirit, balance its emotions and complete the vertical ambient acclimatization.

The voyage continues with a interesting walk rich in natural attractions, such as water nascent, waterfalls, enjoying the lovely flight of the birds and butterflies that live in this place. After a little stop in the Salto Piro’y, the path takes us to the impressive natural balcony Itá Chororí.

The surprises of the Tapé Saingó are still not over. A mobile bridge goes to a Canopy platform from which you can throw yourself and “fly” 40 mts high, over the forest, rich in plants and big trees, enjoying a marvelous view and a unique sensation.

The ones who want to continue with the adventure, rappel down a 25 meter wall. For the rest, the Reserva offers delightful places to relax.

After a little break in the area of the caves, the way back is on, going upwards through a 700 mts long path. Before getting to the end of the path, there is a little stop in the terrace where you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the Mbatoví hills and de Pirayú Valleys.

Location

The access to the Reserva is in the km number 72 of the Paraguari-Piribebuy road, on top of the mountains, 10 km away from the center of Paraguarí.The Reserva is opened on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. All the activities are with a previous reservation. The telephone numbers are: 595 21 44 48 44; el 0971 299 250 and 0981 437 526.

External links

* [http://www.mbatovi.com.py Reserva Mbatovi]
* [http://www.senatur.gov.py/atract_tem_int_aventura.php?language=2# Secretaria Nacional de Turismo]
* EVP - Wikipedia
* [http://www.evp.edu.py/index.php?title=Portada Enciclopedia Virtual Paraguaya - Portal]