Madidi National Park

Madidi National Park
Madidi National Park, Bolivia
LocationLa Paz, Bolivia
Nearest cityRurrenabaque, Beni
Coordinates13°48′0″S 67°38′0″W / 13.80000°S 67.63333°W / -13.80000; -67.63333
Area18,957.5 km2
EstablishedSeptember 21, 1995
Governing bodySERNAP Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas

Madidi (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈðiði]) is a national park in the upper Amazon river basin in Bolivia. It was established in 1995 with a total land area of 18,958 km2 (approximately 11,779 sq mi). Together with the nearby (though not all contiguous) protected areas Manuripi-Heath and Apolobamba and the Manu Biosphere Reserve (Peru), Madidi is part of one of the largest protected areas in the world.

Ranging from the Andes Mountains to the rainforests of the Tuichi River, Madidi was recognized in 2018 by the Wildlife Conservation Society as the world's most biologically diverse national park. Madidi extends to protect parts of the Bolivian Yungas and Bolivian montane dry forests ecoregions.

Madidi National Park is accessible from San Buenaventura by crossing the Beni River via passenger ferry from Rurrenabaque.

The local inhabitants many of whom migrated from the Andean highlands speak the Quechua language. The park is home to indigenous groups including the Tacanan-speaking Tacana and Ese Ejja, the closely related Tsimané and Mosetén, and the voluntarily isolated Toromona.

Ecolodges are found in and around the Madidi National Park, the oldest and most well known being Chalalan Ecolodge, situated in Chalalán on the Tuichi River, a community-based enterprise that generates economic benefits for indigenous communities.