On Safari in Colombia - In Search of the Jaguar!

Colombia has undoubtedly been one of the most exciting emerging wildlife destinations over the last ten years, and this trend looks set to continue as new regions open up, revealing a wealth of new wildlife-watching opportunities. This new two-centre tour visits the Llanos region, a vast, tropical lowland savannah straddling Colombia and Venezuela, packed with a wealth of birds, mammals and other wildlife, topped by South America’s apex predator, the Jaguar! 

Over the last few years, Jaguar sightings have become very reliable during a specific date window, during which dry conditions allow us to access key territories which have been undisturbed by hunting pressure for at least forty years. Thankfully, there is a comfortable lodge in this wilderness, Hato la Aurora, and this is our base for six nights, allowing us convenient vehicular access to otherwise inaccessible locations and the abundant wildlife which they protect. Before we reach the Llanos, we’ll ease ourselves into the tour with a couple of nights in a wonderful little family-run guest house close to the village of Restrepo, which sits in the transition zone between the foothills of Colombia’s eastern Andes and the low-lying Llanos.

Here we’ll target three endemic primates in the form of Ornate Titi, Brumback’s Night Monkey (we know several nest holes for this species) and Colombian Squirrel Monkey. The area also produces regular Giant Anteater sightings, and our guides have even seen Jaguarundi here in the past. Of course, birds will be our constant companions, with a dazzling array of wetland and open country species possible, including Venezuelan Troupial, Pied Water Tyrant, a number of wintering North American warblers, a variety of hummingbirds and tanagers, seedeaters, flycatchers and raptors, along with herons, ibises, kingfishers and other wetland species.

Having enjoyed the wildlife delights of Restrepo, we’ll move into the heart of the Llanos region where we’ll start our quest to see South America’s apex terrestrial predator, the majestic Jaguar. Our days will be structured to maximise our time in the field, with a particular focus on being out early in the morning and in the late afternoon/evening, when Jaguars are most active. We’ll be in 4x4 vehicles with expert trackers, so our chances of finding a Jaguar are very good. Our local team have been working on this special project with the reserve since 2019, so we’re confident of finding and enjoying extended encounters with these big cats.

However, while Jaguars are our top target for the tour, we’ll be sure to enjoy a host of other special wildlife along the way, and that includes the potential for other cat species! We know Pumas are present here and our night drives on the ranch, an activity which is in its infancy, offer the tantalising possibility of a Puma, Ocelot or Jaguarundi (no promises!). Other mammals present include Lowland (Brazilian) Tapir, Giant Anteater, Southern Tamandua, both Neotropical and Giant River Otters, White-tailed Deer, Crab-eating Fox, Capybara, Crab-eating Racoon, Collared Peccary, Black Agouti, and several species of primates and armadillo. Birds will also be on the menu (the reserve has a bird list of over 380 species), especially during periods when mammal-spotting is quiet, and a selection of reptiles include Green Anaconda and Orinoco Crocodile. 

All of this evokes memories of the Venezuelan Llanos and Hato Pinero, a favourite Naturetrek destination back in the 1990s and early 2000s. With travel to Venezuela currently off-limits, we can’t wait to start sending groups to this equally exciting new destination in Colombia.

Consider joining us for an optional two-night pre-tour cultural extension in Bogotá. Post-tour extensions are available on request, targeting birds and/or mammals.