From the glaciated peaks of the Andes down to the vast Amazon lowlands, the Secret Forest stretches across a breathtaking range of altitudes. As the morning sun rises over the Madre de Dios river basin, warm mist rises above the canopy, catching the first light of day. Here, high-altitude cloud forests give way to a seemingly endless tropical wilderness, where ancient trees with massive buttress roots soar skywards along the winding river courses. Together with Manu and Tambopata, the Secret Forest unites two world-famous regions into a unique landscape where life flourishes at every altitude.
Our online map shows all the areas currently covered by the Secret Forest. Explore the permanently protected areas in high-resolution aerial photographs and discover where your donations are making a tangible difference.
Manu’s extraordinary biodiversity is closely linked to its geography. The region stretches from the eastern Andes at an altitude of around 4,000 metres down to the Amazon lowlands at a mere 200 metres. This dramatic change in altitude causes variations in temperature, rainfall and growing conditions, creating a remarkable diversity of habitats within a relatively small area. Cloud forests, mountain forests, lowland rainforests, floodplains and rivers each harbour their own communities of plants and animals.
The Río Alto Madre de Dios adds another unique feature. On its journey from the Andes to the lowlands, it carries sediment that forms new sandbanks and islands, constantly reshaping existing habitats. As the river changes course, new places where life can take root are continually emerging.
Manu National Park is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, whilst on the other side of the Río Alto Madre de Dios, the Amarakaeri Community Reserve is also protected. However, between these protected areas lie forests that remain under threat. Illegal logging and gold mining are already putting pressure on the region. At the same time, an existing state oil extraction concession could pave the way for further development activities.
Wilderness International has established the Secret Forest Manu to close this gap in the protected area system. Our new protected area currently covers 860 hectares and is being gradually expanded through further land purchases. By protecting this forest, we are laying the foundations for a wildlife corridor between Manu National Park and the Amarakaeri Community Reserve. This will preserve contiguous forest areas and create a natural barrier against future development.
In the Secret Forest Manu, another rare natural phenomenon can be observed by a stream: small quantities of oil seep out of the rock. Such natural oil seeps may indicate larger deposits beneath the earth’s surface, making these areas of interest to oil companies. Development could lead to road construction, deforestation and significant disruption to the surrounding ecosystems. The Secret Forest Manu – just like the territories of the indigenous communities in the region – lies within an existing state-issued oil production concession. This means there is a real possibility that international companies could drill for oil here.
The indigenous communities in the region have been fighting for decades against the exploitation of their homeland. Protecting this area therefore also means protecting the ecosystems and the communities whose daily lives are closely intertwined with the forest.
The Secret Forest Manu borders the territory of the Shintuya community, with whom Wilderness International has maintained friendly ties for many years. When this land was put up for sale, the Shintuya turned to us for support in protecting their territory and their forests.
Their connection to this land is deeply rooted in their culture, history and way of life. Together, we are committed to the restoration of damaged forest areas, the promotion of agroforestry and environmental education projects. In this way, we are working together to create opportunities to pass on knowledge about the forest and its wildlife from one generation to the next. We are proud to support the Shintuya’s work and to help their voice be heard internationally.
The Tambopata region is a vibrant landscape of pristine lowland rainforest, meandering rivers and tranquil oxbow lakes in Peru’s Amazon basin. Here, life revolves around water: lakes (cochas) such as Lake Sandoval are fringed by towering aguaje palm swamps and provide an ideal habitat for family groups of giant otters, black caimans and hoatzins. High above the canopy, harpy eagles circle, whilst monkeys move in groups through the dense layers of the forest.
Along the riverbanks, hundreds of macaws and parrots gather at the world-famous mineral-rich clay licks (colpas). They transform the steep riverbanks into a spectacular display of colour and sound.
The Tambopata region is a vibrant landscape of pristine lowland rainforest, meandering rivers and tranquil oxbow lakes in Peru’s Amazon basin. The source of this life lies, quite literally, in the water: lakes (cochas) such as Lake Sandoval are fringed by towering aguaje palm swamps and provide an ideal habitat for family groups of giant otters, black caimans and hoatzins. High up in the canopy, harpy eagles circle, whilst monkeys move in groups through the dense layers of the forest.
Along the riverbanks, hundreds of macaws and parrots gather at the famous mineral-rich clay licks (colpas). They transform the steep riverbanks into a spectacular display of colours and sounds.
The forests of Madre de Dios are under increasing pressure. Once a rainforest has been cleared, its highly complex, living ecosystem cannot simply be restored.
Across the region, forests are being cleared for agriculture and livestock farming, felled for timber, and cut through by roads and other infrastructure. Illegal gold mining also poses a major threat: it destroys forests, damages riverbanks and wetlands, and contaminates waterways with mercury.
These interventions mean far more than just the loss of trees. They fragment habitats, alter watercourses and jeopardise the ecological connections that hold this unique landscape together.
That is why we at Wilderness International have decided to protect the Secret Forest.
By keeping these forests intact, we can preserve ancient trees, rivers and wetlands – and the countless species that depend on them. Permanent protection gives this extraordinary wilderness the chance to remain wild, connected and vibrant for generations to come.
