Birdwatching
Tours in Colombia
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Colombia is a birdwatchers dream - with over
1800 bird species, the country has the highest count of birds in the
world. The huge diversity of birdlife comes from the equally diverse
terrain. Sadly, many of Colombia's best birdwatching areas are the
remote parts of the country that are not safe to visit. Having said
this, there are many excellent birding areas that are safe to visit.
Always check current local safety conditions, then relax and go
birdwatching in Colombia...
Birdwatching on
Colombia's Carribean Coast
La
Guarija Peninsula - Riohacha, Musiche and Manaure offer
birdwatching in the dry Northern desert of Colombia. La Guarija is well
known for it's flamingoes.
Park
Tayrona & Santa
Marta - in addition to amazing beaches, Park Tayrona has many
migratory birds and endemic rainforest species. Some of the best
birdwatching is along the main entrance road to the park. There are
also some good private reserves close to nearby Santa Marta, such as
Park Diem. Quebrada Valencia is a reserve off the road between Santa
Marta and Riohacha. Cuchillo San Lorenzo in the mountains near Santa
Marta also has many endemic bird species.
Salamanca - near Barranquilla, there's a
visitor centre and boat tours are available.
Rio Sinu region in Cordoba district - well
known for numerous parrot species.
Birdwatching in the
Eastern Andes: North of Bogota
Humedales - marshes near Bogota.
Humedal La Florida - a small wetland near
Bogota airport, take a bus to Engativa.
La Conejera Park - near Compartir.
Laguna de Fuquene - a lake near
Chiquinquira, consider staying at Refugio el Santuario.
Laguna de Pedropalo - a lake just outside
for Bogota, well known for endemic bird species.
Paramo near Bogota - consider Paramo Santa
Ana, Chingaza National Park or La Laja Private Reserve (high Andean
forest and Paramo near near Hato Viejo).
Cachalu - A forest reserve owned by
Fundacion Natura, a few hours from San
Gil.
Rogitama - a small reserve in Boyaca
department, three hours from Bogota.
Chicaque National Park - birdwatching in
the cloudforest near Bogota.
Birdwatching in
Central Colombia
Ucumari National Park - one of Colombia's
best spots for birdwatching tours, the high variations in altitude make
thise a very biodiverse region. Dormitories and camping is available.
Nearby Los Nevados National Park
also has good birdwatching tours available.
Rio Blanco -a reserve close to Manizales in
Colombia's Coffee Country.
Reserva San Sebastian and La Romera - a
reserve close to Medellin.
Magdalena Valley - the Magdallena Valley,
between Medellin and Bogota, has few forests left but is a fertile area
rich in birdlife. There's numerous natural Reserves such as those at Rio Claro, El Paujil (visitor
centre and camping), Los Achiles (a cattle farm, good for activities in
addition to birdwatching tours), Cañon del Rio Alicante and El Garcero
(Isla de Mompos).
Cauca Valley - Buga is the best base for
birdwatching in the Cauca Valley, as the Laguna de Sonso (a wetland
reserve, accommodation in hacienda) and Bosque Yotoco (a forest
reserve, camping is possible) are both nearby.
Western Andes - high biodiversity and many
rare bird species are found at Pueblo Rico, with accommodation in
Karagabi or Finca Providencia. Check current safety conditions if
birdwatching in this part of Colombia.
Birdwatching in
Colombia's Pacific Coast
Colombia's Choco region has some of the
highest biodiversity in the world, and the birdwatching here is truely
excellent. The remote Anchicaya valley is one of the best places in the
world for birdwatching. More easily accessible is the rainforest backed
beach resort of Nuqui. To
the north, Los Katíos National Park, which borders Panama's Darien Gap
in Northern Colombia, has 450 species of bird have been recorded. There
are numerous other areas in Choco that offer fantastic birdwatching,
but many are not safe to visit.
Birdwatching in the
Southern Andes
El Pangan - close to the border with Equador in Narino district,
four hours from Pasto.
San Agustin - worth visiting for it's
archaeological ruins in addition to great birdwatching.
Purace National Park - the best option for
paramo (highland) birdwatching in Colombia.
Birdwatching in
Colombia's Amazon Rainforest
Leticia is the gateway to Colombia's Amazon region, and there are
many birdwatching sites near the town. Nearby Puerto Narino is an
equally good if not better birdwatching base - it's a three hour walk
to San Martin, which is on the edge of Amacayacu National Park, where
one can find a visitor centre and canopy tower. Over 400 species of
bird have been recorded in Amacayacu National Park. In addition, pop
over the border to Brazil for birdwatching around the town of Benjamin
Constant.
Birdwatching Tour
Operators
It's all about local knowledge when it comes
to birding in Colombia. Try Colombia
Wild, Colombia
Birding or Ecoturs,
all of whom are specialist birding tour operators in Colombia.
Alternatively, El
Chamicero offer birdwatching tours near Bogota.
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