5 Outdoor Activities to Do in Ansenuza, the New National Park in Argentina

Ansenuza is the new national park of Argentina. Located in the province of Córdoba, it covers a large part of the Mar Chiquita Lake and the wetlands of Río Dulce. It is the third in the province and is home to three types of flamingos found in South America and to the fifth-largest salt lake in the world. Below, there are 5 unforgettable experiences you must have during a visit to this destination.

1. Bird watching

The favourite ones are the pink birds with slender legs. We’re talking about flamingos, of course. It goes without saying that its unmistakable gracefulness amazes every visitor and in Mar Chiquita (or Ansenuza) Lake, there are three of the six existing species in the world: the Chilean flamingo, the Andean flamingo, and James’s flamingo. The former has turned the park into its habitat, and today, there are more than 300,000 examples living in the area.

But wait! In addition to these beautiful pink animals, you can find more than 350 species of birds all over the lagoon, hills, and wetlands surrounding the park. In fact, in the Ansenuza region, you can find 36% of Argentina’s birds, and 66% of the migratory and shorebirds registered in the country. Both facts are reasons enough to postulate this National Park as one of the best destinations in Argentina to appreciate (regional and migratory) bird life in all its sizes and colours.

What other species can be watched? On the shores of the lake, there are aquatic birds, such as the coscoroba swan, the black-necked stilt, the brown-hooded gull, the neotropic cormorant, the great egret, and many more.

2. Hiking

Gaining an in-depth insight of the lands that form the park and getting amazed by its biodiversity is clearly a must for everyone visiting it. The landscapes include islets, wetlands, saline environments, high and low coasts, and the renowned Chaco forest.

Such an environmental diversity obviously implies the most varied fauna. The charms of this magnificent location can’t be limited to bird watching! Mammals, amphibians, and reptiles of all kinds coexist here. In fact, it is also inhabited by species at risk of extinction, such as the tortoise, the neotropical otter, and the maned wolf.

3. Navigating the Waters of Mar Ansenuza

The province of Córdoba does not have access to the ocean, but it has its own “sea-like” lake. In geographical terms, it is not exactly a sea: Mar Ansenuza is South America’s largest and the world’s fifth-largest salt lake. It has almost three times more salt concentration than an ocean! These waters even have medicinal properties. Navigating them, without a doubt, is a completely enjoyable experience. In addition, one of the most strategic panoramic points to enjoy the golden hour is from above the water —by the way, it can be enjoyed with a drink, toasting to the beautiful view.

4. Horse Riding in La Paquita

It’s nothing new that Córdoba’s territory is one of the most popular destinations chosen to enjoy our equestrian companions. The land of Córdoba, with its amazing hills, is perfect for this activity. And of course, Ansenuza is not the exception, especially to tour the wonderful village of La Paquita.

It is a rural ride of around one hour and a half that ends at the Mar Chiquita Lake’s coast and during which you can appreciate the wild landscapes, the fauna of the mountain, and the enormous bird diversity. A tip? Do it very early to enjoy the sunrise, or rather late to enjoy the sunset. Whatever the time, the sun’s rays on the horizon will depict an unforgettable view. In fact, it is said that one of the best sunsets in the world can be observed here.

5. Flying over the Area

Touring the land of Córdoba is always a captivating activity. Yet, seeing it from above is doubling down the bet and having an even more incredible experience. The route by plane, although it goes outside the limits of the National Park, covers the town of Miramar (the most developed tourist centre in the area), as well as the mouth of the rivers Primero (or Suquía) and Segundo (or Xanaes). Both rivers are part of the closed basin to which Mar Ansenuza belongs.

From above, the lake seems, in some way, endless. Even from the plane, the end can't be seen as it is 100km wide! And the best of all is that, by covering the area where many of the park’s birds feed, you can admire how some of them —which fly in flocks— display a completely coordinated and hypnotising dance in the sky.

Lastly, for history lovers, the air path flies over the ruins of the Gran Hotel Viena which, along with 100 other hotels, suffered the consequences of the lake’s flooding in 1997 and, to these days, is the symbol of a historical moment.