Search for Colombia's famed birds and mammals - some of which can only be found in this diverse country - in Colombia's mountains and coasts. Enjoying this variety of habitats gives us the best opportunity to encounter our target species.
Colombia is well known for its incredible number of bird species, which currently stands at more than 1,900! Of these, around 90 species are endemic to the country and many more share only a slither of their respective ranges with Colombia’s neighbouring countries. Throughout this itinerary, we spend time observing the birds of Colombia with a particular focus on some of the more iconic species, such as oilbird, hoatzin, scarlet ibis, Andean motmot, sword-billed hummingbird, golden-hooded tanager and grey-breasted mountain toucan.
What some people are not aware of is the abundance of mammals that can also be encountered in Colombia. The country is home to more than 450 mammal species. In fact, Colombia has the highest number of terrestrial mammals (those mammals that live predominantly or entirely on land) out of any nation in the world. In particular there are a wealth of primates and we aim to observe some of these during our tour such as cotton-top tamarin, red howler monkey, ornate titi and Brumback's night monkey. However, there's much more mammalian life to spot in Colombia and we may have sightings of mountain tapir, giant anteater, southern tamandua, olinguito, kinkajou, capybara and stump-tailed porcupine during our Colombian exploration.
This itinerary provides an excellent introduction to Colombia’s remarkably diverse habitats, showcasing many of its standout mammal and bird species. Along the way, you also experience the country’s rich culture while staying in comfortable accommodations.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Day 2:
Arrive Bogotá & Afternoon Excursion in Villavicencio
We arrive into Bogotá in the early morning where we're met on arrival and transfer through the Colombia Andes to the outskirts of Villavicencio. We check-in to our hotel for a 2-night stay and have some time to relax after our flight.
Later in the afternoon, we head out for a relaxed excursion as an introduction to this region's ecosystem and its wildlife. Hopefully, we encounter Brumback's night monkey as well as a variety of birds.
Accommodation: Rancho Camana, 2-nights
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Day 3:
Full Day Exploring Villavicencio & the Surrounding Area
We spend the full day out in the field in search of this region's mammals and birds. There are a fantastic range of mammals that we could observe during the course of the day including ornate titi, Brumback's night monkey, giant anteater and southern tamandua. Bird highlights could include hoatzin, scarlet ibis, scarlet and red-bellied macaws, chestnut-eared aracari, king vulture and much more.
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Day 4:
Morning Wildlife Watching Excursion & Optional Wetland Visit
We spend the morning searching for any species that we haven't seen so far during our time near Villavicencio. Afterwards, we transfer back to Bogotá where we spend the night. There's also the option of visiting a nearby wetland for some birding depending on how long the journey takes and the weather conditions.
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn, 1-night
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Day 5:
Transfer to Santa Rosa de Cabal
This morning, we make our way to Bogotá airport for a short flight to Pereira. After landing, we continue to our accommodation close to the Santa Rosa reserve. We reach the lodge in time for lunch, with the early afternoon free to rest or explore the surrounding trails in search of birds and Colombian red howler monkeys.
Following an early dinner, we set off in 4x4s for a night drive through the reserve’s beautiful cloud forest habitat. Over the next two to three nights, our primary focus is finding the elusive mountain tapir and a range of other nocturnal Andean mammals.
Accommodation: Termales de Santa Rosa, 3-nights
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Days 6-7
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Exploring the Termales de Santa Rosa forests
Over the next two days, our schedule follows a similar pattern, with relaxed mornings to recover from the late night excursions. Late mornings are spent enjoying the reserve’s vibrant birdlife and its resident Colombian red howler monkeys, while the afternoons offer time to unwind in the thermal pools.
Each evening, we venture out again in search of the remarkable mountain tapir. These night outings also give us opportunities to encounter other rare mammals, including the newly described olinguito, stump-tailed porcupine, and kinkajou. For the first two nights, we use 4x4s to reach the higher elevations where tapirs are most frequently seen. We search for these charismatic mammals along forest tracks and in more open clearings and edge habitats.
On the third evening, the focus shifts to a gentle walk along the lodge’s entrance track. The quiet and mostly flat road is lined with Cecropia trees, prime feeding sites for nocturnal mammals, making this an excellent area to explore. We expect to cover around 2–3 kilometres at a slow pace as we search for stump-tailed porcupine, olinguito, kinkajou, nine-banded armadillo, Olalla rat, mountain paca and other species.
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Day 8:
Transfer to Hacienda el Bosque with a stop at a Coffee Finca
After a relaxed breakfast, we begin our journey north toward the Andean city of Manizales. En route, we stop at a local coffee finca for a guided tour of the plantation, taking in the colourful and abundant birdlife that thrives in the area. The visit concludes with a coffee tasting and a delicious local lunch.
Later in the afternoon, we continue to our lodge for the night. After settling in, we head out on a short evening walk from the property. This area is known for Olalla rat, and we also listen for any owls calling nearby.
Accommodation: Hacienda el Bosque, 1-night
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Day 9:
Morning Birding at Hacienda del Bosque & Transfer to Rio Claro Reserve
We spend the morning birding in the cloud forest reserve of Hacienda del Bosque. This wonderful family-run wildlife lodge offers a wealth of highlights, and we enjoy species such as golden-headed quetzal, barred fruiteater, grey-breasted mountain toucan, Andean motmot, sword-billed hummingbird, and both crescent-faced and Equatorial antpittas. A dazzling mix of tanagers and trogons also occur here.
Many birds including toucans, white-throated quail doves, and numerous colourful tanagers and hummingbirds are remarkably accustomed to people, often allowing close views in the Hacienda’s garden, making this an especially rewarding stop.
Later we transfer to our accommodation near the Rio Claro Reserve.
Accommodation: Los Colores Hotel Campestre, 2-nights
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Day 10:
Explore Rio Claro Nature Reserve
Today, we explore the Rio Claro Nature Reserve which is a haven for wildlife and is home to numerous bird and mammal species. Some of the notable mammal highlights that we could encounter today are silvery-brown bare-faced tamarin, varied capuchin and neotropical otter if we're lucky. As for birds, we visit an oilbird cave and hopefully observe some of the endemic species of Magdalena Valley, such as white-mantled barbet, spectacled parrotlet, beautiful woodpecker and sooty ant-tanager.
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Day 11:
Birding Transfer to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
After catching our flight from Medellin to Santa Marta, we transfer to Mountain House in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta searching for some of the endemic bird species of this isolated mountain range along the way.
Accommodation: Mountain House, 3-nights
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Days 12-13
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Explore El Dorado & Surrounding Area
For the next two days, we explore the El Dorado Reserve and the surrounding area in search of the region's endemic species, including the Santa Marta antpitta and Santa Marta mountain-tanager, as well as taking in the stunning landscapes. This includes a visit to the San Lorenzo. We also hope to head out on some night walks to encounter some of the nocturnal mammals and birds, such as the Santa Marta screech owl.
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Day 14:
Tayrona National Park
We depart El Dorado Reserve in the morning and wind our way back down to sea level as we transfer to Tayrona National Park on Colombia's Caribbean coastline. We stop en route at a local finca for some coffee, cake and also the chance of observing some red howler monkeys. We continue to Tayrona and arrive at our lodge during the afternoon. The rest of the day is free to spend as we wish before dinner in the evening.
Accommodation: Senda Koguiwa, 2-nights
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Day 15:
Full day in Tayrona National Park
Today, we have a full day exploring Tayrona National Park. Whilst there are a number of intriguing mammals and birds to be seen in this beautiful national park, our main focus is encountering the characterful cotton-top tamarins that can only be found in Tayrona. There's also some time to enjoy one of the numerous beaches that the park is renowned for before returning to our lodge.
Other highlights may include encounters with white-fronted capuchins, military macaws, swallow and bay-headed tanagers, orange-crowned orioles, and reptiles such as green iguanas, basilisk and blue-tailed skinks.
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Day 16:
Relaxed Morning at Tayrona & Depart Colombia
Today, we have some free time to enjoy the surroundings of our lodge and perhaps enjoy further sightings of the cotton-top tamarins. After lunch it’s time to return to the airport and catch our flight to Bogotá and onward flight home.
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Day 17:
Arrive UK
