Llanos Wildlife Expedition
overviewOur journey takes us from Yopal to one of the Llanos' most breathtakingly beautiful spots: the Altagracia natural reserve.
Located far out in the Llanos close to tributary rivers of the Orinoco River, this private natural reserve hosts some of the Llanos' finest wildlife: jabiru storks, giant otters, anacondas, scarlet ibises, jaguars and huge flocks of Orinoco geese and black skimmers before the extraordinary sceneries of towering moriche palm trees dotting extensive wetlands and lakes. This wildlife expedition is ideal for wildlife photographers and nature lovers looking to find both outstanding wildlife and the Llanos' characteristic sceneries. As the trip to the reserve takes 7 hours by car, we break the trip down in passages and stop off at a smaller reserve on the way, not least enchanting in terms of wildlife! Possible wildlife sightings: Burrowing owls, giant anteater, southern tamandua (small anteater), capybaras, white-tailed deer, maikongs, armadillos, jaguar (rare!), ocelot (rare!), puma, jaguarundi, giant otters, 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, Orinoco crocodile (rare!), red-footed tortoises, hoatzins, turtles, iguanas, roseate spoonbills, Orinoco geese and more. LodgingPosada El Diamante - 1st night
• Surrounded by nature and peaceful • Spacious bedrooms with A/C • Eco-trail with fabulous wildlife watching opportunities • Fresh fruit from the garden and home-cooked meals • Laundry service and free Wifi Altagracia Reserve - 2nd and 3rd night
• Simple bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms • Surroundings and views of outstanding natural beauty • Home-cooked meals • No Wifi GHL Style Hotel - 4th night • Comfortable modern hotel to have a good night's sleep before departure • Good restaurant in-house, Wifi, laundry service available • Only a 5 minute drive to Yopal airport |
tour factsDuration: 4 nights
Departure: Daily (private transfer) Availability: December-April Location and sceneries: Natural reserves northeast of Yopal, encompassing savannas, gallery forests, moriche palm groves, wetlands, rivers, lakes.
Tour includes: Transport and transfers, accommodation (4 nights), entrance fees, tours as outlined, local guide (additional English speaking guide if desired), meals as outlined (dinner on the last night is not included), drinking water and refreshments, insurance. Not included: Flights, Extra accommodation and additional tours, horseback riding, alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, personal purchases, IVA (only applies to residents in Colombia) Note: Additional nights/days can be added to this itinerary - either at Altagracia reserve or at other reserves en-route! itineraryDay 1 Welcome at Yopal airport in the morning and transfer. Our trip takes us to a natural reserve about 120 km northeast of Yopal, where we enjoy lunch at the farm before heading out on foot and, if the water level allows, by paddle canoe to observe groups of capybaras, caimans and colourful birdlife until the sun sets. In the evening we drive to nearby guesthouse Posada El Diamante (20 mins) on the shore of Rio Pauto. incl. lunch, dinner Day 2 After an early sunrise walk to stalk wildlife around the posada's eco-trail along the river shore, we pack up to continue the expedition towards the Altagracia natural reserve, a 5 hrs drive approximately. We will keep our eyes peeled for wildlife along the way. At the reserve we opt for a late afternoon walk to enjoy the sceneries and observe birds and other wildlife. incl. breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 3 We embark on a sunrise game drive and walks to search for giant otters and other wildlife. After breakfast back at the house we go on hikes to look wildlife such as anacondas until lunch. The afternoon we spend game driving and enjoying the sceneries. We finish with a spectacular view of the lake and moriche palm trees at sunset, as hundreds of birds arrive to roost. incl. breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 4 We embark on walks to observe wildlife, optional artesanal fishing. After lunch we return to Yopal, where we spend our last night in a hotel in the city to have good night's sleep before next day's departure. incl. breakfast, lunch Day 5 Airport transfer incl. breakfast This tour can be extended, spending an extra night or more at the Altagracia reserve for more wildlife watching or simply to enjoy the tranquility and beautiful sceneries for a little longer! |
