Llanos Classic Tour: Safari La Aurora
Our journey takes us to a
traditonal 17,000 hectares ranch, 10,000 of which are nature reserve. This hato is home to about 42,000 capybaras, 2500 deer and over 350 species of birds. A trip to the reserve has often been nicknamed as “the Colombian Safari”. Well out in the middle of nowhere, this is your most authentic, most rustic experience. Add some prairie romanticism, spectacular sunrises and swarms of scarlet ibises to the image. There’s little luxury and no Wifi – but you’ll probably find a better connection.
Duration: We recommend a minimum of 3 nights and two full days of activities in the reserve to make the trip worthwhile.
Location and sceneries: Situated about 5-6 hours drive north east of Yopal Hato La Aurora can be reached by 4×4 vehicle via bumpy dust roads in dry season and by boat in rain season. You’ll likely already spot various birds and wildlife along the way. Open savannas are interrupted by streams, rivers and gallery forests and dotted with savanna forests and the odd lagoon, that’s teeming with capybaras, spectacled caimans, spoonbills, ducks, geese and herons. The hato’s main house is a prairie house straight out of a western, surrounded by open savanna it features a paradisiacal garden and verandah with hammocks.
Possible wildlife sightings:
Armadillos, burrowing owls, capybaras, the great horned owl, giant anteater, southern tamandua (small anteater), red howlers, capuchins, various species of ibis such as scarlet ibises and buff-necked ibises, species of herons, of hawks, of falcons, of parakeets, cardinals, macaws, swallows, flycatchers, parrots, woodpeckers, wood storks, jabirus, horned screamers, and hummingbirds, the jaguar, agoutis, wild pigs, white-tailed deer, foxes, spectacled caimans, red-footed tortoises, hoatzins, turtles, boas such as their biggest family member, the anaconda, ocelots, puma, iguanas, Orinoco geese, roseate spoonbills, piranhas and many more.
Itinerary sample
Day 1
Approximately a six hour drive from Yopal, the first day is a travel day into the wide and open plains. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for bird and wildlife along the way. At the hato we are welcomed and receive an introduction to the reserve’s fauna.Day 2
After breakfast we can chose between a riding tour and a hike to explore wildlife in tropical forests, savannas and along the river.
We start our adventure by crossing the river in a canoe ferry to the starting point of our tour. In the afternoon we can opt for a boat trip on Rio Ariporo to spot wildlife and try our hand on artesanal fishing.
Day 3
Today we set out on a safari by horse or by 4×4 – you choose! We explore various locations within the reserve that are popular with spectacled caimans, capybaras, Orinoco geese, horned screamers, jabirus, anacondas, ibises, spoonbills and more. We discover why La Aurora is one of the great natural treasures of Colombia
Day 4
After breakfast we can opt for a last walk before our 6 hour return drive to Yopal.
It is possible to extend the itinerary by additional days, realizing various activities within the hato: hikes, ‘trabajo del llano’ (demonstration of cattle work), safari in different locations across the nature reserve, horse trekkings etc. Just let us know!
Includes: Accommodation (3-4 nights) at Juan Solito Ecolodge, activities and tours, meals full-board, local guide for activities (Spanish speaking only) in the hato, refreshments/drinks during tours, outdoor insurance.
*There are no English speaking staff at the lodge. We will communicate your needs prior to your trip and you can reach our office for advice throughout. If you want to be safe and max your time, we recommend to book a bilingual guide – especially if your Spanish skills are limited. Please understand that you’ll be travelling off the beaten path and going to find an authentic experience in nature rather than a perfect resort.