Ibiti Project

Ibiti Project is an experimental socio-environmental project sitting in the hills of Minas Gerais, right on the edge of Ibitipoca State Park, Brazil. It’s part of a long-running project that brings people, wildlife and landscape back into balance, with more than 6,000 hectares now under active rewilding. You’ll end up wandering quiet trails, learning how resident communities are shaping a regenerative future and seeing how organic farming and wildlife restoration sit at the heart of daily life. This is well-suited to couples, families and friends who enjoy nature, culture and purposeful travel.

Ibiti Village

Accommodation

Nestled in a small rural community of just 22 residents, Ibiti Village lets you stay in one of 12 cosy, individually decorated houses. There are 11 options, ranging from compact lofts to roomy suites, each designed for comfort. Most rooms feature generous beds and simple layouts, while many open onto views of rolling hills and restored farmland—a peaceful setting to relax.

Dining

Yucca Restaurant

Yucca Restaurant serves creative, healthy cuisine rooted in a garden-to-table philosophy. Organic ingredients from the gardens take centre stage, highlighting the land's regional flavours.

Gaia Café

Housed in a lovingly restored shop, Gaia Café is a rustic, welcoming space for coffee, local treats and light meals. Enjoy traditional “café da roça” alongside other products from the surrounding region.

Engenho Lodge

Accommodation

Engenho Lodge brings together the warmth of a traditional Minas Gerais farm with a gentle sense of refinement. You can choose from nine rooms across Engenho Lodge and Casa Carlinhos, each with a calm, restful feel. Most have simple layouts that keep everything practical and easy to settle into. Several rooms open onto views of the rolling hills and restored valleys: a peaceful spot to pause.

Dining

Engenho Restaurant

Engenho Restaurant celebrates the flavours of Minas Gerais in a rustic setting. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered, with self-service lunches and à la carte dinners crafted by skilled chefs. Traditional dishes are cooked on a wood-burning stove and avoid beef to reduce environmental impact. All other meats come from nearby producers and menus focus on seasonal, sustainable produce.

Remote

Accommodation

For complete privacy and immersion in nature, choose Ibiti’s remote houses. There are four options—Isgoné, Casa Spinoza, Casa Viradouro and Epicuro Loft. The houses open onto sweeping views of rewilded hills, forests and meadows, making them a quiet retreat for wildlife observation. With minimal distractions, these spaces allow you to connect fully with the environment.

Dining

Areião Restaurant

Tuck into home-made Minas Gerais cuisine in a bright, airy setting with views of the surrounding mountains. Meals can be served either at your house or the restaurant. Natural light fills the space, while a rustic wood stove adds warmth and character. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, with dishes prepared using freshly harvested ingredients from the project’s gardens.

Ibiti Activities

Ibiti Project offers a mix of wildlife, wellness and outdoor activities across its various lodges and remote houses. The project’s rewilded land is home to howler and capuchin monkeys, armadillos, agoutis and a wide variety of birds, including toucans and tanagers.

Guided hikes and the Water Circuits at Engenho Lodge and Ibiti Village lead you past waterfalls, natural pools and forested trails. Highlights include the “Big Family” sculptures by Karen Cusolito and Pamonã Lake, while longer treks offer a complete sense of the rewilded landscape. You can also visit the Muriqui House project to observe the daily routine of the largest primates in the Americas.

Wellness is also central to life at Ibiti. For instance, in Ibiti Village, the Spa Village utilises local plants and minerals in massages. Whereas at Engenho Lodge, you can start your day off right with yoga in the main hall or completely unwind in the open Jacuzzi or sauna.

Other activities

• Guided astronomical observation
• Stand-up paddleboarding
• Horseback riding
• Open-air cinema
• E-bikes