Sublimes Llanos

We’ll have an early breakfast and head out to the elfin forests of the Eastern Colombian Andes in our private vehicle (about a 2-hour drive). We’ll make several stops along the way to spot our first Colombian species before reaching the high-altitude Sumapaz paramo, where we have several endemic target species. These 154,000 hectares of Andean moorland are packed with nature, and we will spend the day exploring different ecosystems in the park. Sumapaz’s multiple lakes and vast colonies of frailejones (Espeletia sp.) make for stunning views. After birding in Sumapaz, we will drive to the eastern foothills of the Andes to reach Villavicencio, the gateway to the Eastern Plains. We should reach the city by late afternoon, where we’ll settle into our hotel before a group briefing about the rest of the trip. Dinner and overnight in a comfortable hotel in Villavicencio.

We’ll eat breakfast at dawn and depart early for the Guayabetal area. There, we’ll visit the Refugio del Tororoi to try to observe the Cundinamarca Antpitta, one of Colombia’s rarest endemic species. This elusive bird is visiting a feeding station at the reserve, and our visit will help support an inspiring family conservation project to protect the species and its threatened cloud forest home. These forests are also home to many rare and range-restricted species that we will hope to observe. After lunch, we will spend the afternoon exploring nearby Monteredondo, located at the lower edge of Chingaza National Park, which contains a large number of species typical of the eastern foothills of the Cordillera. We’ll return to our Villavicencio hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay in a comfortable hotel in Villavicencio.

Bosque Bavaria, just a few miles from our hotel, is one of the best birding locations in Colombia’s foothill forest ecosystem, containing more than 350 species in an altitudinal gradient of between 200 and 800 masl. This private conservation project contrasts drastically with the semi-arid savannah plains around Villavicencio. This will be an opportunity to look for barbets, trogons, manakins, tanagers, and toucans. We will also be able to observe many mammals: sloth, capuchin monkey, squirrel saimiri, coati, and tayra. We will return to Villavicencio in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay in a comfortable hotel in Villavicencio.

This morning, we will leave early and head north. After a 30-minute drive, we’ll arrive at the Camaná family reserve. Since 1993, Carlos, Martha, and Nathalia have transformed an old agricultural area into a nature reserve and an excellent birding location. Along the numerous trails, we will have a good chance to observe most of the 190 species recorded on the reserve. During dinner, the owners will explain more about their pioneering conservation project, and we will spend the night at the reserve as we move closer to the open plains in the following days. 

We’ll do some pre-breakfast birding around the lodge to look for new species and then continue north towards Yopal. Today, the landscape and climate will change completely, and the pleasant drive from Villavicencio will include many stops to spot new species, take some landscape shots, and admire the landscapes. En route, we should be able to observe and photograph some typical species of these savannah ecosystems, including herons, storks, waders, and even the superb Scarlet Ibis. The strange and surreal Hoatzin will be a big target. Dinner and overnight in a comfortable hotel in Yopal.

Today, we will explore the surrounding plains of the Colombian llanos. In this undervisited area, we will look for several range-restricted species and a plethora of waterfowl, including the majestic Jabiru, the prized Sunbittern, and the curious Horned Screamer. Stretching from the eastern Andean foothills towards the Venezuelan border, along the great drainage basin of the Orinoco River, the llanos ecosystems, similar to the Brazilian Pantanal, abound with wildlife that is particularly easy to observe. Dinner and overnight in Yopal.

Today, we will set out for the deep Llanos. From Yopal, we have a fairly long drive east to our new accommodation, which is far from the base of the Andes. Regular stops will be made along the dirt road to observe birds. As we enter the heart of this savannah ecosystem, we’ll see more and more species. In the afternoon, we will arrive at Hato La Aurora, where we’ll settle in before a short birding session around the lodge, where the late afternoon sun makes for some great photos. Dinner and night in a traditional llanera farmhouse.

From today, we will explore the different ecosystems near our accommodation by jeep and on foot to observe the most emblematic and rare species in the area. In total, almost 470 species of birds have been recorded in this area of the Colombian Llanos. We will explore the grassy savannahs, swamps, and gallery forests, where we’ll try for iconic birds like Hoatzin, Agami Heron, Limpkin, and Orinoco Goose. There are also plenty of mammals and reptiles to see here, including Puma, Jaguar, Capybara, Giant Anteater, and Orinoco Caiman. Before dinner, we will try to observe some nocturnal and crepuscular species around the lodge, such as nightjars, potoos, ocelots, crab-eating foxes, and tigrillos. Our dinner will be accompanied by the traditional "Arpa Llanera,” giving us a special insight into the local folklore through music, traditional poems, and legends. Night in a traditional llanera farmhouse.

We’ll eat breakfast at dawn, then explore our lodge, where many species of open areas and forest edges can be observed. Between large herds of cattle and horses, we will also have the opportunity to observe several large mammals such as Tapirs, Capybaras, White-tailed Deer, Nine-banded Armadillo, Giant Anteater, otters, and hopefully Jaguar. Our immersion in these magical places will not only be for nature. The "Llanero" culture of the Colombian cowboy is rich in gastronomy, legends, music, and tradition. The owners of the Hato will explain these traditions at dinner, accompanied by local drinks and grilled meats. Overnight at the same accommodation.

This last morning will be our final chance to add new species to our list around the lodge and then on the road back to Yopal. We’ll leave the Orinoquia region with many more birds, mammals, and special memories than before we came on this Colombian safari. We will arrive at Yopal airport in mid-afternoon to take our flights to Bogota or Medellin, depending on your tour extension.