Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Colombia's Casanare region with a wildlife safari like no other. During this 5-day Casanare Wildlife Safari, venture deeper into the rugged landscapes and keep your camera ready to capture glimpses of jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and tapirs as they roam freely in their natural habitat. Learn their traditions and traditional cowboy lifestyle with the Llaneros while riding horses, an exhilarating activity that connects you with the region's ranching traditions. Stay in comfortable lodges designed to engage you in the natural surroundings while providing a cozy retreat after a day of exploration. This awe-inspiring experience will leave you with lifelong memories and a deep appreciation for the incredible biodiversity of Colombia's Casanare region.
Highlights
Visit El Encanto de Guanapalo Nature Reserve in Casanare
Get ready for a horseback ride in the savannas and wetlands in the Reserve
Spy elusive wildlife like capybaras, giant anteaters, ocelots and jaguars
Learn about the Llanos' lifestyle, culture, and indigenous history
Spend a day with a local family learning about traditional ranch life
Taste home-grown foods, from cocoa to a delicious home-cooked lunch
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Your adventure begins with a flight from Bogota to Yopal. Upon arrival, you will be picked up at Yopal airport and get ready for a 2-hour drive to the lodge in El Encanto de Guanapalo Reserve, stopping to grab a quick breakfast along the way.
Your safari experience starts right away! Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as the transfer makes it way to your lodging. Upon arrival, enjoy refreshments and settle into a hammock to take in the scenery or, if feeling more active and ready to stretch your legs, explore the surroundings on foot until lunchtime. In the afternoon, once the hottest part of the day has subsided, witness how wildlife becomes more active and explore the savannah and forest on foot or by jeep until dusk. If lucky, you may encounter a rich array of wildlife, from elusive critters to the iconic giant anteaters of the region. Let the rhythm of life in Llanos ground you as you explore its diverse ecosystems, from the sprawling savannahs to lush forest edges.
Day 2: El Encanto de Guanapalo Wildlife Safari and Riding Tour
At dawn, when the sun begins to rise, take a walk to spot wildlife, which is most active during these early hours.
On an optional excursion, you can set off on a horseback adventure into the savannas and wetlands, keeping a lookout for diverse wildlife. The duration of this tour depends on your ability and interest, lasting up to four hours.
If horseback riding isn't appealing, opt for a jeep safari along the forest edges and waterholes. A 4WD vehicle lets you get close to a remarkable variety of wildlife in the expansive Llanos scenery, giving you a glimpse of the region's landscapes and culture.
Savor lunch at the farm's main house, then relax in a hammock, taking in the surroundings. In the late afternoon, continue the photo safari in a different part of the reserve, capturing the atmospheric golden hour. Experience a stunning prairie sunset before ending the day with a nocturnal drive back to the lodge, where you'll discover nocturnal species like maikongs, anteaters, and nighthawks.
Day 3: El Rancho del Llanerazo | Finca La Candelilla
Start the day with an early breakfast at the lodge before departing the nature reserve for the next destination: El Rancho del Llanerazo.
Experience a special treat with a private guided tour into the enchanting world of Seco Gualteros. Spend the day with an expert wildlife guide and master cowboy, gaining insights into the Llanos’ lifestyle, culture, and indigenous history. Enjoy home-grown foods, including a delicious home-cooked lunch with a view of the Pauto River, where howler monkeys frequent the treetops and iguanas bask on the shores. This tranquil paradise offers a genuine, off-the-beaten-path experience designed by the Gualteros family. Visiting this local family and their farm supports their livelihood and their dream of preserving and showcasing their region’s culture and history.
Travel to Finca La Candelilla takes about 50 minutes due to rough roads, but the scenic pastures, palm groves, and wetlands teeming with exotic birds make the journey worthwhile. Explore the most self-sustaining farm, shaded by mango trees, amidst banana plantations, cocoa trees, and citrus fruits. Discover flowers that attract hummingbirds and tropical vegetation, as well as a museum showcasing Llanos history and indigenous artifacts.
In the evening, arrive at Posada el Diamante for the night. Enjoy a memorable evening of Llanero music and dancing, an experience not to be missed.
In the morning prepare to be awakened by the howler monkey's dawn chorus. You can opt for an early morning walk to spot the howling noisemakers as well as other active wildlife.
After a delicious breakfast, take a 2-hour transfer to Casa Cumbres in Yopal. Your lunch will be served at the hotel. The property's pool terrace and gardens await for some relaxing time spent at leisure, photo swapping and reminiscing on the many great experiences in Los Llanos!
Day 5: Fly to Bogota | Return Home
1 Breakfast
On your last day, After bidding farewell, you will be transported back to Yopal Airport for your flight to Bogota, carrying unforgettable memories of your Casanare Wildlife Safari adventure.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 50%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 254 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
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1 day ago
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
1 day ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
1 day ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
6 days ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
1 week ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.