Colombia wildlife expedition. Incredible nature and photo tour to one of the world's most remote places. Wildlife photo and photographic safari.

Treasures of Los Llanos

From:

US$5.262 per person sharing

US$5.622 single room

Group size:

5 guests

Destinations:

Los Llanos & Orinoco basin, Colombia

Safari dates:

1-9. March 2027

Colombia’s eastern Los Llanos region is one of the world’s richest tropical grass plains. Located East of the Andes mountains and North of the Amazon rainforest, this hidden corner of South America is one of its most remote wilderness areas. The landscape, being characterized by savannas, wetlands, rivers and forests, houses some of the continent’s most iconic animal and bird species along the Orinoco river - the rumored road to El Dorado. Around 700 different bird species is found here, as well as over 100 mammals and reptiles.

Los Llanos is a paradise for wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts because of the high concentration av wildlife, hence its nickname the «Serengeti of South America». Especially the reserves Altagracia and Hato la Aurora are two prime locations for observing the regions flora and fauna. Giant anteaters and giant river otters are both high lights of this tour, but in none other parts of the region the chances are higher of seeing the mighty jaguar, South America’s largest feline. This is also the best place in the world to see the world’s heaviest snake, the Northern green anaconda, and one of the world’s rarest reptile, the Orinoco crocodile.

We’ll be staying at local accommodations and explore different habitats on foot, with jeep and in cano to focus on the best nature experiences and the best opportunities for wildlife photography. This is an expedition designed to give you a unique nature experience and to let you explore this remote region of Colombia. Colombia is one of the world’s most biodiverse places, and the country with most bird species, so this will be a nature expedition you’ll never forget.

Overview:

A large black snake resting on the ground, coiled with its head resting on its body, surrounded by dirt and small green plants.
Silhouettes of elephants and trees at sunset over a river with palm trees and a cloudy sky.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrival and Travel to Altagracia:

The adventure begins when we land at Yopal. From here we drive to the Altagracia Nature Reserves which takes between 5.5 and 7 hours. During the drive we take the time to stop whenever we spot wildlife and birds as we move into the Llanos wilderness. We will stay at the Buenaventura Eco-Lodge. Upon arrival we will be accommodated in our base for the next three nights before exploring on foot and on a sunset walk to observe birdlife and look for wildlife like armadillos, deers and foxes. The remote area enchants with a large natural lake and abundant wildlife and birds. We then return to our base to enjoy dinner at the lodge.

The Altagracia Nature Reserve is owned and managed by local ranchers with a focus on ecotourism. The reserve is located near tributaries of the Orinoco River and provides an important natural habitat for the wildlife of Los Llanos. This is remote and perfect for brave travelers looking to disconnect from civilization – and a haven for photographers looking to capture raw, natural Colombian beauty.

(Please keep in mind that the departure from Yopal happens in the morning. You should therefore need to arrive at the Yopal airport before 9AM)

Day 2 - Altagracia:

We wake up early to set off on a jeep tour at sunrise looking for species such as giant anteaters, giant otters, red howler monkeys and caimans. After a few hours we return to camp for breakfast where we decide which species we want to follow up on. Before our lunch break we will also explore different locations by jeep and/or on foot to look for large anacondas. Los Llanos is the best place in all of South America to find this iconic snake, and the period we have chosen for the trip should be the safest in terms of finding it.

A scenic canoe trip with opportunities to observe giant otters and colorful birdlife will be our special afternoon treat, as flocks of red ibises return to their roosting grounds. Around 700 bird species have been recorded in Los Llanos, and some of the species we can find are burrowing owl, scarlet macaw, American scimitar, agami heron, horned shepherd, crested caracara and the jabiru stork, the world's largest of its kind. We return after sunset and enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Day 3 - Altagracia:

We wake up early to catch another pre-dawn safari to look for the wildlife of Los Llanos. After breakfast, we will enjoy another canoe trip to look for giant otters along the rivers and canals. We will also go in search of green anacondas.

We will have lunch at the lodge before heading out on a long jeep ride in the afternoon, looking for armadillos and anteaters. Depending on the previous observations of the day, we will decide what we want to focus on. After sunset, we will return for dinner, which will be served at the lodge.

Day 4 - Departure to Villas de San Luis:

We wake up for our last drive or walk in the Altagracia Nature Reserve at sunrise. We return to the camp where we have breakfast and pack our bags before the journey towards Hato La Aurora Nature Reserve begins. After about 5 hours we arrive at Villas de San Luis, a rural hotel and stay overnight, to break up the trip. We’ll also take time to stop for sightings of animals and birds during our drive. Lunch, dinner and accommodation are also included this day.

Day 5 - Arrival at Hato la Aurora:

We wake up to embark on the last stretch of the drive. After a 4-6 hour drive we arrive at Hato La Aurora. This is a 17,000 hectare ranch that includes the nature reserve. Here we will stay at the Juan Solito Eco Lodge for the next three nights. It is a deep wilderness experience, raw and down to earth – getting up close to the region’s culture and nature and exploring its essence!

In addition of being an other place with a high probability of seeing the Northern green anacondas in the wild, the reserve is known for being part of a “jaguar corridor”. This part of the Llanos has good chances of finding jaguars, the world’s third largest cat. We have lunch and spend the afternoon hiking near the lodge to explore the riverbanks and gallery forest to see wildlife. Incl. lunch, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6 - Hato la Aurora:

We wake up to observe wildlife and birds at sunrise, when their activity is at its peak. We return to the lodge’s restaurant for breakfast before setting off on a canoe trip on the Ariporo River. Alternatively, we can go on a jeep safari to look for Northern green anacondas and Orinoco crocodiles. Hato La Aurora is perhaps the best place in all of Colombia to see the Orinoco crocodile, one of the world’s rarest crocodiles. These enormous reptiles are endemic to the Orinoco River in Colombia and Venezuela, but extremely rare due to decades of intense poaching. This reserve offer us an encounter with one of the planet’s most unique and rarest predators.

Back at the lodge, we enjoy a lunch break before an extensive afternoon 4WD tour where our main targets are Orinoco crocodiles, anacondas and jaguars. We will also frolic among the reserve’s approximately 350 species of birds. After sunset, we return for dinner at the lodge.

Day 7 - Hato la Aurora:

We will continue exploring Hato La Aurora. The day will be similar to our previous day in terms of activities. Our main targets are still Orinoco crocodiles, Northern green anacondas and jaguars. Depending on what the previous day resulted in, we may decide to follow up on our previous observations, or explore new parts of the reserve. We will return to the lodge in the evening for dinner.

Day 8 - Hato la Aurora to Yopal:

We wake up early for our last morning of exploring Hato La Aurora. After breakfast, we get ready for our 5-hour return journey to Yopal, where we spend our last night at Las Cumbres, a beautifully situated lodge at the foot of the Andes, overlooking plains and lush vegetation. A pool terrace invites you to relax, browse through photos and memories. We have the afternoon at leisure, and can choose to walk the trails or photograph birds and possibly tufted capuchins. Lunch, dinner and accommodation are included.

Day 9 - Departure from Yopal:

This morning we can set off on a sunrise walk to keep our eyes peeled for monkeys, birds and porcupines. We will have breakfast before being transferred to the airport. Once there, the adventure will be over and you will begin your journey home.

Colombia´s wild east

Los Llanos is a vast plain stretching over 1,000 kilometers, from the foothills of the Andes in the west to the Orinoco River in the east. Colombia’s enormous eastern grasslands remain as one of South America’s hidden treasures, a truly remote destination. From the mighty jaguar and characteristic anteater, to the rare Orinoco crocodile and legendary green anaconda. Here you’ll find some of the contents most iconic and elusive wildlife, as well as almost 700 bird species. This tropical savanna is also home to the llaneros, the traditional cowboys that have adapted to the life of Colombia’s wild east.

A leopard resting on a tree branch in a forested area.
A giant anteater with a baby on its back, walking on a grassy field.
A group of three owls standing on grass among dry and green plants, with large yellow eyes and brown and white feathers.

Accommodations

The accommodations are remote, authentic and with good quality. They’re located within the nature reserves where we’ll be exploring, and chosen with the purpose of exploring the cultures of the llaneros, the local cowboys of Llanos.

Aerial view of a rural landscape with water bodies, green fields, and trees, including a small building with a white roof.
Hotel room with a bed, mirror, window with curtains, and a small bathroom area in the background.
A covered outdoor dining area with a long green tablecloth covering a dining table set with plates, bowls of fruit, and glasses. Red chairs are around the table. In the background, there are hammocks hanging under the roof, and trees and greenery surround the area.

Buena Ventura, Altagracia

A traditional house with a thatched roof, brick walls, and green window frames, surrounded by green grass and trees, under a clear blue sky.
A room with two beds, colorful pillows, curtains, and large windows showing a sunny outdoor scene with trees and horses.
Open-air wooden lodge with bamboo and thatched roof, hammock, chairs, and trees visible outside

Juan Solito Eco-lodge, Hato la Aurora,

A house with a porch, surrounded by lush green trees and plants, including pink and purple foliage, with hammocks hanging on the porch.
A bedroom with a white bed and pillows, wooden headboard, two nightstands, and sliding glass doors leading to a balcony with a hammock. The room has minimal decor and a window showing greenery outside.
Outdoor patio with black wire chairs, a small table, a hammock, and a small pool surrounded by greenery and trees under a blue sky.

Las Cumbres

Signboard for Hotel Villas de San Luis attached to a pink and white building with a window, against a clear blue sky.
Hotel room with a bed, nightstand, lamp, wardrobe, desk with a chair, and a small furry rug on the floor. The room has a green accent wall and an air conditioning unit. There is a bathroom visible through an open door.

Villas de San Luis

Tour highlights

  • The best chances of seeing one of the world’s rarest reptiles, the critically endangered Orinoco crocodile.

  • Track through Colombia’s wetlands to encounter the northern green anaconda.

  • Chances of coming face to face with completely wild jaguars.

  • Exciting species like giant river otters, giant anteaters & capybaras.

  • Experiencing Colombia’s rich birdlife.

  • Traveling off the beaten track to remote locations that few people get to see.

  • Unique photographic opportunities of some of South America’s rarest wildlife.

  • Staying at local, authentic accommodations and experiencing the culture of the llaneros, Colombia’s cowboys.

Included

  • Transport to and from Yopal airport.

  • All accommodations listed in the itinerary.

  • All the meals listed for each day.

  • Coffee, portable water, home-made lemonade and fresh juices.

  • English speaking guide.

  • Tour leader.

  • All activities described in the itinerary.

  • Transport between destinations and during activities.

  • Rubber boots & rain ponchos if necessary.

  • Entrance to the reserves.

  • Wi-Fi is available.

Excluded

  • International flights befor and after the tour.

  • Snacks, soft drinks & alcohol.

  • Personal spending & purchases.

  • Tips for guides.

  • Anything not specifically outlined in the itinerary.

Close-up of a crocodile with its mouth open, lying on grass in a natural setting.
A crocodile lying on the muddy ground near water with green aquatic plants nearby.
A close-up of a snake with its tongue out, on dirt ground with some grass.
A group of buffalo gathered at a riverbank in a dry, open landscape with trees in the background.
A flock of birds flying over a lake with trees in the background.
A jaguar walking through tall grass and dense vegetation in a jungle or forest.
Sunset over a calm lake with silhouetted palm trees reflected in the water.
An owl perched on a tree branch surrounded by green leaves and branches.
A flock of bright pink flamingos flying over a tropical shoreline with tall palm trees and calm water.
A giant river otter in water holding a fish in its mouth.
Chestnut-eared array perched on a tree branch with a textured bark and a blue sky background.
Three men riding horses outdoors under a blue sky, wearing cowboy hats and casual clothing.

Join us to experience the magic of Los Llanos.

This expedition is a true adventure to one of the most remote and wildest corners of South America. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience the untouched wilderness of Colombia, and coming face to face with its rarely seen wildlife.