The Crew

Andres Gonzalez - Management & Guide
Andrés's maternal family explored the Eastern Andes for generations before settling in the Yopal area as one of the first families. Though having lived and studied in Bogotá and across the UK, Andrés always remained true to his inner farm boy and, having met life and business partner Julia along the way, eventually returned to the Llanos in a quest to establish a sustainable tour operating business. For our clients he uncovers the region's finest wildlife habitats, ecosystems, wild trails and routes and always returns mesmerized by the natural treasures, amazing fauna and local people. He holds a BA in Aeronautical Engineering and an MA in Renewable Energy but now much rather pulls the strings of Wild Llanos and guides clients with an eye for detail and a wealth of knowledge. Andrés is a human dynamo and living proof that birdwatching, wildlife photography, tour guiding and cattle farming can somehow be executed all at the same time. 
Julia Buschmann - Management & Guide
Having grown up in the flatlands of Germany near the Dutch border where her grandfather took her to collect fungi and study the trees and birds, the leap towards becoming an eco-tour guide in the flatlands of Colombia doesn't seem too big. Following her interests in writing, travel and foreign cultures, Julia initially pursued a BA in English, Spanish and Economics and eventually an MA in Media and Public Relations in the UK. All was set for the obligatory climb up the career ladder and Julia worked as press spokesperson for the Scottish tourism board in Edinburgh. Seeking warmer climates and new adventures, the horse lover followed husband Andrés to his native Colombia, where she lost her heart to the Llanos region, its biodiversity, vast savannas and humble people. Julia is happiest when out in the prairies, watching birds and riding horses and jeeps with clients, when photographing and studying the flora and fauna, motorbiking across the plains and nurturing her inner wild child.
Seudiel Gualteros - Guide
Seudiel "Seco" is a bit of a local legend. Famous for having won the international Llanero competition "El Gran Llanerazo" not once but twice, he is your man to navigate the extensive prairies day and night, to stalk wildlife, to cross rivers on horseback, to ride wild bulls and horses, to catch piranhas... you name it! But most of all Seco is a passionate ambassador of his culture and dedicated to keeping it alive. He is a pioneer in tourism in the San Luis de Palenque area of Casanare and runs a lovingly constructed and decorated Llanos museum on his stunning little farm. Seco provides an infinite repertoire of songs, stories and insights. He loves to dance Joropo and to play the cuatro. He is one of those people that, once you have met, you will always remember!
Mafer Roa - Administration & Operations Assistant
Mafer is the busy bee behind the scenes at Wild Llanos. She tends to enquiries from national clients and assists with bookings and tour logistics. With a background in office administration and a certificate in accounting Mafer also keeps an eye on numbers and spread sheets and looks after the administrative part of the company including legal documentation and taxation. A born llanera, Mafer enjoys outings to the farm, horse riding and looking after animals from the office's dog to grooming the horses.
GeiLER Vargas - Guide
Geiler is a genuine cowboy. Participating in and supporting the organization of various events of Llano work and culture he has a passion for cattle work and breeding and training horses. Geiler particularly supports young people to work and live the customs and art of cattle work, and thus, to keep those alive. A warm, attentive and patient guide who enjoys answering questions about all things Llanos, looking for wildlife, horseback riding and providing insights into the region's culture, flora and fauna, Geiler is also at the forefront of bringing responsible tourism to the region as an alternative and sustainable way to generate income for local communities. A bright and diligent guy, Geiler is always on the lookout for possible improvements to provide clients with the best experience.
Rey Gualteros - Guide
Reymundo "Rey" Gualteros is Seudiel's younger brother and guides visitors with equal confidence across the Llanos savannahs and forests, stalking anteaters, armadillos, anacondas, howlers and birdlife. Rey ropes cattle with the same proficiency as he catches piranhas and catfish, milks cows, rides horses, spots wildlife and crosses the savannahs and lagoons - all of this barefoot and humming llanero tunes. Just like his brother Seudiel he has championed in the great Llanero competition of "El Gran Llanerazo" and is your man to explore the Llanos. He is a warm and caring guide who goes above and beyond himself for visitors to feel welcome, cared for and right at home in the Llanos.
And then there are plenty more lovely people that help make our tours amazing... a compilation of friendly and attentive chefs, hoteliers, more guides, drivers, local farmers and even musicians, dancers and storytellers. We are excited to meet you!

Traveling with us

​WE ARE SMALL AND ON-SITE - WITH A FOUNDER WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN YOPAL
This means...
  • - we know the region inside out including its fauna, flora, wildlife hotspots, towns and villages, culture and lifestyle.
  • - we go deeper: private farms, large cattle ranches, tucked away treks and nature reserves - it's our backyard!
  • - we engage with and support local communities, they are practically, and sometimes even literally, extended family.
  • - sharing is caring: we include local farmers and small businesses on many of our tours, making them proud ambassadors of the region and creating economic and social incentives for them - and interesting encounters for our guests!
  • - by traveling with us you support a small local tourism company run by two young people looking to make a difference for travelers, for locals, for the environment and for the positive development of ecotourism. 
LOCAL COMPANY, GLOBAL MINDSET - WE ARE RUN BY A LLANERO-GERMAN TEAM
This means...
  • - we understand the needs of international visitors - from food to security.
  • - we speak English fluently.
  • - that despite having lived/hailing from abroad, we have Llanero roots and are living and endorsing the local lifestyle.
WE ARE WILDLIFE AND NATURE LOVERS
This means...
  • - we spend a lot of time out and about stalking anteaters, monkeys and birds. We just love it. So with our clients we know where to go and what time of year is best. We always study nature - it is what we live for and it keeps us in shape for our tours.
  • - we refrain from disturbing or harassing any wildlife (nor domestic animals) on our tours.
  • - during the low seasons when we have more free time we tend to nature and thank her by planting trees and digging and widening waterholes for wildlife. Climate change is not going unnoticed in the Llanos, where every dry season tends to last a little longer. With new waterholes wildlife has it easier during the dry period.
  • - for our tours we source local produce and refrain from single plastic use
WE OPERATE ETHICAL AND JUST
We do not support or tolerate corruption. We do not build our success on the backs of local communities but with them. We refrain from price dumping; our local partners set their tariffs. For us personally and for the quality of our tours, the locals' benefits, their satisfaction, growth and motivation are crucial. We believe, we are all in this together. After all, we are locals, too.​

Our Story

Wild Llanos is the passion project of two nature lovers, wildlife and horse riding enthusiasts, native Andrés González and his German partner Julia Buschmann. In 2015 the outdoorsy couple initiated the sustainable tourism project "Aventur Eco Tours" in Casanare, a region rich in biodiversity, culture and natural sights, however, little known as a tourism destination.

As some of the early adopters of ecotourism in the region, we designed our tours to observe wildlife in true safari-fashion, to engage locals and to experience the Llanos' essence. We let ourselves be inspired by African safaris and Brazilian wildlife tours, and we also travelled and researched the Llanos extensively, all to create outstanding and novel tours and experiences. 

Having grown slowly and steadily over the years, Aventur Eco Tours became Wild Llanos in 2019 and is a fully licensed onsite travel specialist and eco-tour operator. We take nature lovers to the most rugged and biodiverse places in the Great Plains of Colombia, collaborating with communities, private natural reserves and local guides, and championing conservation efforts.