Colombia's Endemic Mammals

After a direct flight to Bogota, we begin our holiday by travelling 75 miles south-east of Colombia’s capital city to an area of threatened forest interspersed with open grassland and farmland, situated at a point where the mighty Andes give way to the eastern plains of the Llanos. We will be based here for one night whilst we look for our first endemic primate of the tour, the beautiful Ornate Titi, as well as Giant Anteater and Southern Tamandua. Another target here is the near-endemic Brumback’s Night Monkey which we will hope to see at an active nest hole. After a night back in Bogota, a flight to Putumayo in Colombia’s remote south takes us into a different habitat and to a completely different selection of both mammals and birds. During our 4-night stay here we will go in search of Colombian Black-handed Titi, Colombian Woolly Monkey and Caqueta Titi – all Colombian endemics and the latter two critically endangered. Ecotourism to this region generates a valuable income for the local community and, it is to be hoped, may be key to ensuring the future of these species.

Travelling north we will head into the endemic-rich Magdalena Valley for four nights. Well known as a birding destination, our mammal-watching forays into the valley will be enhanced by some exciting birding, with species such as White-mantled Barbet, Beautiful Woodpecker and Sooty Ant-tanager all possible. At the top of our list of mammal targets here are three more primate species – the charismatic and endemic Silvery-brown Bare-faced Tamarin, and the near-endemic Variegated Spider Monkey and Grey-handed Night Monkey. We will conclude our unique and spellbinding journey on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast. Here we will spend a night in Santa Marta, followed by two nights in a beautiful and relaxing boutique beach lodge from which we will search for one of Colombia’s most appealing endemic mammals, the fabulous Cotton-top Tamarin.