FIELD REPORT

Unleashing the Wild: Impact Travel to Iberá, Argentina

Jemima Chesterfield

What is Impact Travel?

Impact travel focuses on the positive impact travellers have on the local communities, culture, and environment. It is pinned on the idea of consciously taking responsibility to travel with purpose and make a positive impact.

Photo credit: Rafael Aubín

In 2024, Argentina stands as a beacon for sustainable travel, offering a tapestry of ecological wonders and cultural richness. This is a nation focused on making substantial strides in eco-tourism, with a growing number of initiatives focused on conservation, reforestation, and wildlife protection. As a result, and with remarkable effort and perserverence, over the last 27 years, Tompkins Conservation have permanently protected nearly 15 million acres of temperate rainforest, Patagonain steppe grass lands, coastal areas, freshwater wetlands, and created 13 new national parks.

Duncan Grossart, founder of Journeys With Purpose, first visited Argentina in 1991 and promptly fell in love with the untamed diversity of the landscapes and the wild spirit of the southern cone. Considering the incredible steps in rewilding and conservation that the Tompkins’ had made in Argentina it was natural for Journeys With Purpose to create our founding experience with Tompkins Conservation to the iconic Iberá National Park in 2022.

Thirty years after his first visit, Duncan once again fell in love with the country, as this journey is the complete expression of how much Argentina has to offer and an encapsulation of Duncan’s love for the country and its people. Iberá National Park has now been recognised by National Geographic as one of 30 most exciting destinations to visit in 2024, and we couldn’t agree more!impact

Rewilding Iberá National Park

Situated within a narrow extension of Argentina, nestled between Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, the wetlands extend towards the sub-tropical marvel of Iguazu Falls. Originally dominated by cattle ranches, the heart of the Iberá region attained national park status in 2018.

Not too long ago, the prospect of encountering a giant anteater along Argentina’s northern border seemed improbable. However, a pivotal moment in the rewilding efforts within the Iberá wetlands has transformed this landscape and consequently, there are approximately 200 of these remarkable creatures thriving in the region.

Initiating with the reintroduction of giant anteaters, the area has swiftly witnessed a cascade of returning wildlife. Following the release of eight jaguars in 2021, their population has now reached a dozen. Additionally, preparations are underway for the reintroduction of a select number of giant river otters. Amidst the captivating landscape, where capybaras, caimans, and an array of 370 bird species thrive, Iberá has become Latin America’s greatest region for witnessing endemic species such as jaguar, macaw and armadillos.

Impact Travel to Iberá

The reason why Iberá National Park is a prime destination for impact travel is because it is an incredible example of what we can achieve if we make the decision to restore an ecosystem on a large scale.

However, the impact of rewilding extends far outside of Iberá National Park.

Founded in 2010 by Argentinian conservationists and activists, Rewilding Argentina is a non-profit organisation created to confront the extinction crisis by restoring healthy functioning ecosystems, and promoting the well-being of local communities. As an offspring of Tompkins Conservation, their work is making tremendous positive impact around the entire country for landscape protection and the rewilding of the natural flora and fauna.

Amongst many incredible achievements, they proudly shared in their 2022 annual report the birth of four jaguar cubs in Iberá National Park in complete freedom, and two cubs born in El Impenetrable National Park from a trailblazing breeding initiative between a captive-bred and wild jaguar.

Journey to the Iberá Wetlands

Between 29th September – 6th October 2024, we will be taking an exclusive group on an immersive experience in the Iberá Wetlands to engage with Rewilding Argentina’s restoration project firsthand. Guests will stay at Rincón del Socorro Lodge for three nights, one of the homes of Doug and Kristine Tompkins (respectively co-founder of The North Face and Esprit and CEO of Patagonia, and together founders of Tompkins Conservation) as they visit the reserve’s wildlife quarantine centre and learn about the history of the region from guests speakers and wildlife experts, including Rewilding Argentina’s leadership team, Sofía Heinonen and Sebastián di Martino.

Waking to the rush of resplendent birdsong, morning drinks will be enjoyed to sweeping views across the ancient wetlands, with days spent tracking wildlife alongside rangers and exploring the wild terrain by kayak, foot and on horseback.

This journey encapsulates higher purpose travel and offers unprecedented access to the inner workings of Rewilding Argentina’s rewilding programme and privileged insight into the journey of Tompkins Conservation, revered as the greatest conservationists of our era. With their stay, guests will contribute to confronting the twin crises of climate chaos and collapsing ecosystems, while learning about the potential for rebounding ecosystems and how they can support community livelihoods and the greater planet.

“Something valuable can be best understood not by its presence, but by its absence” Kris Tompkins

To join the Journey to Argentina and be involved in one of the most remarkable conservation projects of our time, apply via the link below.

This flagship journey impacts local communities who actively engage in sustainable practices, promoting responsible tourism that respects and supports their traditional ways of life. As travellers immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry of Argentine culture, they can do so with the assurance that their visit contributes to the preservation of this breathtaking landscape and the well-being of its inhabitants. Argentina, in 2024, emerges not only as a destination of unparalleled beauty but as a pioneer in sustainable and positively impactful travel practices.

Register for our upcoming Fireside Chat between Director of Rewilding Britain, Alastair Driver and Science Director of Rewilding Argentina, Sebastian di Martino on the 23rd January 2024.

Photo Credit: Matias Rebak

Dig a little deeper…

Read about the experience from our previous guests here.

Watch Kris Tompkins’ TED talk here.

Read more about Kris & Douglas Tompkins’ incredible story here.

View our 2024 Calendar of Flagship Journeys here.

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FIELD REPORT

Unleashing the Wild: Impact Travel to Iberá, Argentina

Jemima Chesterfield

Photo credit: Rafael Aubín

Rewilding Iberá National Park

Impact Travel to Iberá

Journey to the Iberá Wetlands

Register for our upcoming Fireside Chat between Director of Rewilding Britain, Alastair Driver and Science Director of Rewilding Argentina, Sebastian di Martino on the 23rd January 2024.

Dig a little deeper…

Annabel

JP

I had an absolute blast traversing the wilderness surrounding the Carpathian Mountains with a truly wonderful group of people. Thank you Journeys With Purpose for organising a wild adventure I'll remember for the rest of my days.

Tristan

Daniel

Journeys With Purpose provides unique bespoke experiences with great communication. This is our 2nd trip with JWP. We love the connections to the local community and our memories will last a lifetime.

Anne Marie

I have been lucky enough to visit conservation initiatives in many parts of the world - seeing the rewilding of the Iberá Wetlands first-hand through Journeys with Purpose has to rank as one of my most enjoyable and inspirational conservation experiences.

Dan

My trip with JWP was inspiring, moving, engaging, surprising, fun, challenging, uplifting and motivating. I’ve come away with new friends, business associates, insights, understanding and greater determination to help accelerate rewilding globally.

Cain

This was a fun, once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. Again, thank you for your attention to detail and the superb service.

Sherri

Transformative Journeys in Wild Nature

Our news from across the globe

At a Glance: Fundación Rewilding Argentina

1,850,000

…acres (or 750,000 hectares) of land protected.

264,000,000

…metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent sequestered.

370,658

…acres donated for new parkland creation.

OUR FOCUS - THE IBERÁ NATIONAL PARK:

At a Glance: Fundación
Rewilding Argentina