The Best Time to Visit Peru's Amazon

Peru Amazon Wildlife in August

Tap animals to match tours below

Macaw claylick Likely Clear, settled clay-lick mornings near Tambopata National Reserve in August. A good choice if you would rather have a guaranteed outing than the biggest possible flock. Best seen at Tambopata National Reserve Pink river dolphin Peak Low water around Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in August squeezes fish into the main channels, and the dolphins follow. Sightings get more predictable as the water drops. Best seen at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Jaguar Peak Peak jaguar month near Tambopata National Reserve. Scan the exposed beaches from a quiet boat at first and last light. Best seen at Tambopata National Reserve Giant otter Peak Falling water near Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in August concentrates fish, and otter families work the shrinking channels in the open. Best seen at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Spider monkey Likely Spider monkeys near Tambopata National Reserve favour tall, undisturbed forest away from settlements. Fruiting trees are where to look. Best seen at Tambopata National Reserve Monkey diversity Peak Fourteen primate species have been recorded near Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve. Quiet trail walks in August usually turn up several in a morning. Best seen at Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve Black caiman Peak Low water near Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in August concentrates caiman along the remaining channels and lagoon edges. Best seen at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Green anaconda Peak Low water near Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in August is the best anaconda window of the year, with snakes pushed onto exposed banks and lagoon margins. Still a lucky find rather than a scheduled sighting. Best seen at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Grey river dolphin Likely Smaller and more social than the pink dolphin, and more likely to breach clear of the water. Common on the main channels around Pacaya Samiria and the Amazon near Iquitos. Best seen at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve · Main channels and confluences Howler monkey Likely Howlers near Tambopata National Reserve call at dawn and the sound carries for kilometres. Follow the roar to find the troop. Best seen at Tambopata National Reserve Squirrel monkey Likely Squirrel monkeys are the densest primate near Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve and move in large, noisy troops. Follow the sound. Best seen at Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve Tamarins Peak Tamarins are the primates guests see most near Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve. Small, fast, and usually low in the canopy in family groups. Best seen at Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve Hoatzin Likely Hoatzins perch on lake edges near Tambopata National Reserve in August. Slow canoe circuits are the classic approach. Best seen at Tambopata National Reserve Poison dart frogs Peak Poison dart frogs near Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve are active in daylight on damp forest floor. Look low and listen for the call. Best seen at Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve Frogs and toads Likely Frogs near Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve in August favour damp trails and night walks. Best seen at Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve Parrots and parakeets Likely Parrots and parakeets near Tambopata National Reserve in August arrive at the clay before the macaws and stream out to roost at dusk. Best seen at Tambopata National Reserve Toucans Likely Toucans near Tambopata National Reserve call from high bare branches at first light and feed in fruiting trees through the day. Best seen at Tambopata National Reserve River turtles Peak Turtles nest on the exposed sand beaches near Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in August. Several reserves run egg protection programmes worth asking about. Best seen at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Waterbirds Peak Exposed mud and sand near Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in August draw herons, egrets and storks, with migratory species adding to the count. Best seen at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve Cotingas Possible Cotingas sit high and still near Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve, so a canopy vantage or a fruiting tree is where to look in August. Best seen at Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve Smaller wild cats Possible Ocelot, margay and jaguarundi are present across all these reserves but rarely seen. Night walks and night drives give the best chance, with ocelot the most frequently encountered. Best seen at Tambopata National Reserve · Night walks

August Peru Amazon visit forecast

TourTheTropics Peru's Amazon

August: lowest water, jaguar peak, friaje risk

Expect Macaw claylick, Pink river dolphin, Jaguar & Giant otter , plus friaje risk continues; lowest water and peak jaguar odds.

Air

50–88°F (10–31°C)

Rain

Driest north; friaje still possible at Tambopata

Rivers

Low water

Recommended itineraries

Select wildlife on the leftabove to find tours that visit those animals

Want help planning your Peru Amazon trip?

Direct help from TourTheTropics — we’ll match you to the right lodge or cruise.

Your name Email Mobile (optional) Group size Just me 2 travelers 3–4 travelers 5–8 travelers 9+ travelers

What do you prioritise most?

Comfort Wildlife Shortest time getting to the lodge

How many days?

3–4 days 5–6 days 7–8 days 9+ days Not sure — need advice

Budget per person

Under ~$800 per person About $800–$1,550 per person About $1,550–$5,100+ per person

Flexible dates or notes (optional) Anything else? (optional) I agree to the terms and conditions. Read terms

Send my request to TourTheTropics

Peru's Amazon runs on two different clocks. In the north, around Tahuayo and Pacaya Samiria, the river level decides everything: high water opens the flooded forest to canoes, low water concentrates dolphins, otters and caiman into the remaining channels. In the south, around Tambopata, rainfall decides everything: the wet season brings breeding macaws and the busiest clay licks, the dry season brings exposed river beaches and the best jaguar odds. Tap a month to see what is happening at each.