Colombia has unrivalled landscape and biological diversity. To show you its rarest and most spectacular wildlife we feature locations right across this extraordinary country, including the High Andes, the Magdalena Valley, the Caribbean coast and unique Santa Marta.
10 recommended locations.Please contact us for further suggestions.
Covering 77,000 hectares in the eastern range of the Colombian Andes, Chingaza ranges from 800 metres above sea level to over 4,000. It is consequently home to a wide range of Andean fauna and flora, including spectacled bear, mountain tapir and unique, mountain-adapted flora.
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Surrounded by coffee farms and the lush green slopes of the Andes, and boasting distinctive brightly coloured houses, this small mountain town has a relaxed laid-back air, and unique charm. This is authentic Colombia, popular with backpackers and one of the country’s must-visit destinations!
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Las Tangaras, on Colombia’s Pacific Slope, can be explored in 4WDs, from 1,800 to 1,250 metres in altitude, going in search of the reserve’s star species: black-and-gold tanager and gold-ringed tanager as well as other Choco specialities including black solitaire, and Choco trogon.
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Where: Western Cordillera
Ideal for viewing: black-and-gold tanager, gold-ringed tanager, black solitaire, bicoloured antvireo, toucan barbet
Nevado del Ruiz is one of numerous volcanoes which make up Los Nevados Natural National Park in the central Andes of Colombia. In addition to its volcanic and glacial history, this beautiful area is home to 1,200 species of vascular plants and a corresponding diversity of animals.
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Where: Central Colombian Andes
Ideal for viewing: mountain tapir, western mountain coati, plushcap, undulated antpitta, buffy helmetcrest
Otún Quimbaya Fauna and Flora Sanctuary lies in the headwaters of the Otún River in the Central Andes of Colombia. In addition to its great beauty, the reserve is famed for its many rare birds, including the exquisite red-ruffed fruitcrow. Several mammals are also found here.
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A colourful and remote rural town at the foot of the forested Serranía de La Macarena National Park in Colombia. The friendly town acts as a gateway to many wild regions, including some breathtaking forests and canyons, rich in birdlife including harpy eagle and Guianan cock-of-the-rock.
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Where: Meta department
Ideal for viewing: harpy eagle, Guianan cock-of-the-rock, military macaw, paradise tanager, king vulture
The Sierra de Santa Marta harbours some 20 Colombian endemic birds – the highest concentration of any location in the country. It is possible to view 15-18 during a three-night stay. The San Lorenzo ridge is one of the most exciting areas and ranks as one of the world’s top birding locations.
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Where: North Colombia
Ideal for viewing: Santa Marta antpitta, Santa Marta foliage-gleaner, Santa Marta mountain-tanager, Santa Marta parakeet, Santa Marta sabrewing
Situated in picturesque Northern Colombia, Tayrona National Park protects one of the most pristine and unique habitats in the country where the lush and forested foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta meet the shimmering, azure blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.
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Where: Caribbean Coast
Ideal for viewing: blue-headed parrot, cotton-top tamarin, mantled howler monkey, military macaw, rufous-tailed jacamar
Known as the gateway to the plains of the Llanos, the attractive city of Villavicencio is the capital of the department of Meta in Colombia and offers a transition from the mountains of the Cordillera Oriental and the grasslands to the east. A diverse range of birds and mammals can be found here.
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Where: Central Province
Ideal for viewing: giant anteater, ornate titi monkey, Colombian squirrel monkey, hoatzin, scarlet ibis
Bogotá is the diverse and thriving capital city of Colombia with a rich cultural life, and home to more than eight million people. It enjoys a cool, stable climate year round and is located in the centre of the country on a 2,600-metre-high plateau known as the Bogotá savannah, which is crossed by the Bogotá River.
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At the meeting place of Central and South America, the Pacific and Caribbean, the Andes, Amazon and Llanos, charming Colombia has a diversity of wildlife and landscape that is unmatched. The home of spectacled bears, endemic monkeys and countless dazzling birds, Colombia is a naturalist’s delight.
5 recommended trips.Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
The awe-inspiring harpy eagle is among the world’s most magnificent and elusive birds. This tour takes us off the trodden path in search of this legendary raptor to active nest sites. We also seek out many other charismatic birds and mammals on this two-centre adventure.
Find out more about Colombia’s Harpy Eagle Adventure
With over 1,900 species recorded, Colombia is the most bird-rich country on Earth. For some, the greatest joy to be had from birds is in recording their dazzling colours in photographs. With this in mind we have devised this ultimate photographic voyage in search of Colombia's spectacular birdlife.
Find out more about Colombia Bird Photography
Famed for its glorious birds, Colombia is also home to many charismatic mammals. Our superb tour goes in search of the elusive spectacled bear and mountain tapir, alongside a range of other South American mammals and birds including Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, olinguito, kinkajou and lemurine night monkey.
Find out more about Colombia’s Rare Mammals
Our unique birdwatching trip to Colombia visits key sites with an experienced local leader to discover the country’s most sought-after birds, including endemics and other gems like multicoloured, black-and-gold and gold-ringed tanagers, Cauca guan, red-ruffed fruitcrow and yellow-eared parrot.
Find out more about Colombia’s Birding Highlights
Discover the wildlife of Colombia on this small group trip to some of the country's most spectacular reserves and national parks. Mammals we're likely to see include cotton-top tamarin, giant anteater and mountain tapir, with bird species including buffy helmetcrest, Santa Marta endemics and hummingbirds.
Find out more about Wild Colombia’s Mammals & Birds
Price
(inc. flights): 17 days
from £6,995
Trip type:
Group Tour
When to go:
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When to go
Given its tremendous variety of altitude and landscape, and its proximity to the Equator, Colombia is outstanding for wildlife at any time of year.
Seasons
Dry season
Nov to Mar: Dry season in much of Colombia, including Santa Marta and the Andes, visit the Llanos and Amazonia now.
Wet season
Apr to Jun: Wetter in much of the country.
Dry season
Jul to Sep: Best time to visit southern Amazonia.
Wildlife events
Jul to Sep: Humpback whales congregate off Colombia’s Pacific coast.
