Hato La Aurora Natural Reserve​

overview

Our journey takes us from Yopal to one of Casanare’s most traditional hatos, La
Aurora, in the northeast of the department. The “Colombian Safari” at La Aurora Natural Reserve, Colombia’s biggest private natural reserve includes various activities to observe the Orinoco region’s wildlife and sceneries:

• Jeep & Horse Riding Safaris
• Boat Tours & Fishing
• Hikes & Bird-watching

Hato La Aurora is a 17,000 hectares ranch encompassing the natural reserve of about 10,000 hectares and Juan Solito Ecolodge, a rustic eco hotel to cater for visitors of the reserve. It’s a deep-into-the-wild, raw and earthy experience – getting close to the region’s culture, nature and exploring its essence!

The reserve is part of the ‘jaguar corridor’, a genetic corridor across 18 countries providing travel pathways for felines. La Aurora is home to about 42,000 capybaras, about 2500 deer and plenty of other mammals such as anteaters and monkeys and over 350 species of birds. This is also the place to go to see anacondas in the wild with a probability of 70-90%.
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Possible wildlife sightings: 
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​Burrowing owls, giant anteater, southern tamandua (small anteater), capybaras, white-tailed deer, maikongs, armadillos, jaguar, ocelot, puma, tyra, anaconda, various species of ibis such as scarlet ibises and buff-necked ibises, species of herons including whistling herons and night herons, various hawks such as savanna hawks, kites, falcons, parakeets, parrots, macaws, swallows, flycatchers including fork-tailed flycatchers, yellow-crowned parrots, various woodpeckers and wood creepers, jabirus, various hummingbirds, agoutis, spectacled caimans, red-footed tortoises, hoatzins, horned screamers, turtles, iguanas, Orinoco geese, roseate spoonbills and more. ​

itinerary

Day 1
In the morning transfer from Yopal to the natural reserve's lodge - 4-6 hours in a 4x4 vehicle, mostly off-road, depending on the season this journey might be partly operated by boat, too - especially from June-October in wet season
At the lodge we spend the afternoon hiking or/and on a boat trip to explore the river shore for wildlife.
incl. lunch, dinner

Day 2
The next day -or couple of days if you stay longer- we embark on a classic jeep safari to observe wildlife in the savannas
incl. breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3
After breakfast we can opt for a horseback ride to enjoy the sceneries, or for walks, before our return journey to Yopal  - 4-6 hrs depending on the season and road conditions
incl. breakfast

This tour can be of 2, 3 or more nights, allowing for extra days of tour activities - please ask us!

tour facts

Duration: from 2 nights
Departure: Daily (private transfer)
Availability: Year round
​Best time of year to spot anacondas, big cats and anteaters is January to March.
Location and sceneries: Large natural reserve about 5 hrs northeast of Yopal, encompassing savannas, wetlands, a river and waterholes. 
Tour includes: Transport and transfers, accommodation (3-4 nights), entrance fees, tours as outlined, local guide (additional English speaking guide if desired), meals full board, drinking water and refreshments, insurance. 

Not included: Flights, Extra accommodation and additional tours, alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, personal purchases, IVA tax (only applies to residents in Colombia) 

Note: Additional nights/days can be added to this itinerary, if desired.

Lodging

Juan Solito Ecolodge
• 4-5 hrs drive from Yopal, situated inside Colombia's largest private natural reserve
• Simple bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms
• Communal area with hammocks to lounge 
• Home-cooked meals & free Wifi in restaurant area

Please ask for your desired period in 
​CONTACT & QUOTATION.