Safari across the Hatos of San LuisWe traverse two hatos, extensive cattle farms of savannas dotted with lagoons and streams. This is the ideal tour for a photo safari. Large groups of hardly shy capybaras, spectacled caimans, deer and wild pigs as well as Llanos birdlife and red-footed tortoises make for great photo opportunities. Throw in ranch life, cattle herds, wild horses, beautiful sunsets and fishing piranhas and you'll get the picture. If we are lucky we may also sight anteaters, the anaconda, armadillos and felines such as the puma.
Duration: The hatos of San Luis can be visited on a day tour starting around 7:30 am from Yopal and returning at around 7:30 pm. Or you may chose to stay overnight inside the hatos at their main farmhouse for a rustic experience of country life.
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Location and sceneries: Situated a smooth 1.5 hours drive northeast east of Yopal well out in the flatlands with distant views of the Eastern Andes range on clear days, the hatos of San Luis are your easiest option spot some of the Llanos most exotic wildlife. Over 4000ha of native savanna, dry and wet savanna, lagoons and streams are home to large numbers of capybaras and other wildlife. In parts these cattle farms have been declared nature reserves, with eco-tourism as their new income stream and measures to protect fauna and flora.
Possible wildlife sightings: Armadillos, burrowing owls, capybaras, the great horned owl, giant anteater, southern tamandua (small anteater), 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, 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.
Highlights and activities
At an additional cost we can arrange for horse rides across the wetlands - think riding with hundreds of capybaras and deer! Horseback or tractor rides are also recommended to reach "El Garcero", a fascinating but difficult to access nesting place of hundreds of herons and spoonbills.
- Ride on the back of a pick-up truck for a great photo safari
- Get close to hundreds of capybaras
- Sight wildlife that has become rare in other parts of the Llanos from a small distance: white-tailed deer, swarms of scarlet ibises, roseate spoonbills, red-footed tortoises, spectacled caimans and armadillos to name a few.
- Enjoy the sun's setting above the prairies with the Andes in the distance
- If you have more than a day in the hatos, you may want to set out to find an anaconda with your local guide and go on night walks to discover caimans and, with some luck, a puma, ocelot or jaguar.
- Fish your own piranhas for lunch - delish!
- Feed some caimans with piranhas, their natural diet
- Set out on walks along lagoons and into savanna forests to discover wildlife and birds with your local guide
At an additional cost we can arrange for horse rides across the wetlands - think riding with hundreds of capybaras and deer! Horseback or tractor rides are also recommended to reach "El Garcero", a fascinating but difficult to access nesting place of hundreds of herons and spoonbills.
Day Tour includes: Transport from/to Yopal and across the farms (4x4), entrance to hatos, local Spanish speaking guide (interpreter can be booked at an extra cost), drinking water, lunch, insurance.
Multi-day tours also include accommodation and meals full board.
Multi-day tours also include accommodation and meals full board.
