COLOMBIA WILD MAGIC | Allied Recognition Tour | Sophie

Bogotá, Colombia

OE
3 reviews
Nov 1 - 14, 2024
Group size: 1 - 4
COLOMBIA WILD MAGIC | Allied Recognition Tour | Sophie
Bogotá, Colombia

3 reviews

Nov 1 - 14, 2024
Group size: 1 - 4

About this trip

Imagine finding yourself in a bird paradise, where more than 1,900 species fill the skies with their colors and songs. From the rare tropical birds of the Pacific region, passing through the Eastern Plains and reaching the emblematic species of the majestic Andes, you will delight in the beauty of each feather and the natural spectacle that they display in their natural habitat.


But Colombia's fauna is not limited only to birds. On dry land, you will be surprised to come face to face with jaguars, majestic and powerful, walking elegantly in their territory. You will discover giant anteaters, with their peculiar appearance and behavior. Jumping marmosets will welcome you with their joy and curiosity, while giant river otters will captivate you with their elegant swimming in crystal clear waters.


If you are a lover of reptiles and amphibians, Colombia also offers you a unique spectacle. From the towering anacondas that slither through the vegetation, to the poisonous frogs that display their striking colors and patterns, you will be surrounded by astonishing biodiversity.


But it is not only the variety of species that makes Colombia an extraordinary destination. It is the opportunity to explore a diverse and fascinating geography, from the extensive Eastern Plains to the impressive high mountain paramos in the Andean Region. Each ecosystem is home to its own set of wildlife, giving you a unique experience in every corner of the country.


Come to Colombia and immerse yourself in the adventure of spotting wildlife in a country that is proud of its biodiversity. Discover unparalleled landscapes, unique species in the world and the passion of a people who value and protect their natural wealth. You will not regret living this unique and enriching experience in Colombia, paradise for wildlife lovers!

What’s included

  • Domestic flights
    Connecting flights. (Bogotá-Yopal) (Yopal-Santiago de Cali)
  • Transportation
    Transportation throughout the tour.
  • Accommodation
    Double accomodation.
  • Main meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner) as stipulated in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees
    Entrance fees to all reserves visited during the tour.
  • Travel insurance
    Travel insurance that keep you safe during the tour.
  • Professional guide
    Professional guide expert in birds.
  • Driver
    Our professional driver will take you to amazing sites to birding.

What’s not included

  • International flights
  • Laundry service
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Room service
  • Medical expenses
    Medical expenses that are not covered by the travel insurance granted by us.
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Activities
    Activities not included in the itinerary.
  • Extensions in the trip
    Extensions in the trip due to events of force majeure or fortuitous event.
  • Tips

Available Packages

TOUR PRICE (1 PAX)
Deposit:$3,900
Only 1 left
$13,000
Deposit:$3,900
TOUR PRICE (2 PAX)
Deposit:$2,520
Only 2 left
$8,400
Deposit:$2,520
TOUR PRICE (3 PAX)
Deposit:$1,950
Only 3 left
$6,500
Deposit:$1,950
TOUR PRICE (4 PAX)
Deposit:$1,710
4 left
$5,700
Deposit:$1,710

Available options

Field Guide - Miles McMullan
$80

 The national bird guide with the most illustrated species ever produced. 2,100 species of colombian birds. 



Itinerary

Day 01
Arrival in Bogotá, Colombia.

Once your plane has landed in the city of Bogotá, capital of Colombia, one of our specialized guides will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to the hotel we have chosen for you. Our guide will also give you a talk about the fauna and ecosystems that you can observe in the Eastern Llanos. That night you will spend the night in Bogotá and the next day you will travel to Yopal, Casanare.

Your Organizer


OE
Ocampo Expeditions Colombia Birding Tours
3 reviews
Ocampo Expeditions stands as a benchmark in the field of birdwatching tourism in Colombia, transcending the conventions of traditional tourism. More than just a travel option, our vision is to lead a revolution in the way birdwatching is approached, inspiring the industry to adopt sustainable and ethical practices. At the heart of our mission is the highlighting of the extraordinary bird biodiversity that Colombia hosts, aiming to transform perceptions not only about avifauna but also about the country itself.

Reviews

This is a company you should avoid. I had done a previous birding trip to Colombia with another company but they were fully booked for the dates I had available so I went with Ocampo Expeditions. It was expensive so I hoped for a premium service just to find out that a very small and old car picked me up at the airport. This car was not appropriate for the long distances we had to cover in this trip. I had sent a target list before the trip to be analized by Kevin, the owner of the company, who is supposely a birding expert in Colombia to understand what species I had high chance of seing in the trip . He came back with a 400 species llist. Upon arriving and talking to the assigned bird guide, I realized that he had not seen many of the species that were in the list I received from Kevin, and even joked about how impossible was to see some of the species that in the list. In a 10 day trip, after 2 days, I had seen just 17 species of the 400 list so I decided to abort my trip as I was losing my time and being taking just to very touristic places that I would have been able to go on my own without having to pay a very steep premium price through Ocampo. It is very clear that I was given not realistic information in order for them to get me in the trip. Do yourself a favor and pick another company if you want to bird in Colombia, there are plenty of good choices and it is very clear that I made a big mistake chosing this one.
By Mauricio G for Coffee Region, Valle del Cauca & Pacific Region on Oct 05, 2024
Dear Mr. Mauricio Garcia-Ramos. We deeply regret that your experience with Ocampo Expeditions did not meet your expectations. We value your feedback and take it very seriously to continually improve our services. We would like to clarify some important points regarding your observations. Firstly, the vehicle assigned to your tour did not present any mechanical issues that would have prevented the normal execution of the itinerary. While we understand that it may not have met your expectations, we considered that, as you were the only client on the tour, there was sufficient space for you, and the vehicle was in optimal condition to cover the planned distances. Additionally, it is difficult to assert that the vehicle was unsuitable for the tour when you decided to abandon it on the third day, even though the tour was originally scheduled for 11 days. Regarding the tour category, it is important to note that we initially offered you a luxury package. However, at your request, we adjusted the package to fit your budget, which implied certain changes in the level of accommodation and other logistical aspects, without compromising the quality of the experience. With respect to the species list, at no point did we guarantee the sighting of certain birds, as this largely depends on natural factors. During your tour, Colombia was experiencing an unusual weather phenomenon with hotter and sunnier conditions, particularly in ecosystems such as cloud forests or páramos, where cooler, wetter weather is typically expected. This affected bird activity, something beyond our control. Although you mention having seen only 17 species of interest, many more species were actually observed during the tour, but they likely did not match your specific target species, and therefore you did not count them as seen. Furthermore, regarding the bird list you sent us, which contained over 1000 species, we only marked the birds recorded at each location to be visited according to eBird, which is the most objective way to do it. If we rely on personal experiences, the results can vary significantly depending on who marks the list. That's why we used the eBird platform. We never promised specific bird sightings but merely provided the species recorded in the list. It's also important to mention that the list included birds from regions such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, La Guajira, Perijá, and the Amazon, which were obviously not marked since the tour focused on the Coffee Region and the Valle del Cauca. It is also important to clarify that you did not inform us about your recent visit to Ecuador until you were already at the hotel on the first night of the tour. Upon learning this, we realized that your trip to Ecuador and the regions you were about to visit in Colombia shared many species, which made the itinerary less appealing for you. As a result, you requested to change the itinerary to explore a new region, specifically the Caribbean Region. You also requested that this change be made at no additional cost, which was not possible since services in Valle del Cauca and the Coffee Region had already been paid for. Despite our efforts to accommodate your last-minute requests, you ultimately decided to abandon the main tour. As for the destinations visited, places like Río Blanco Reserve, which you visited on your second day, and others like San Cipriano, which you did not have the opportunity to visit, are internationally recognized for their biodiversity and are considered birdwatching hotspots in Colombia. These sites were clearly specified in the itinerary sent to you before the trip. If you had a preference for other destinations, we would have been happy to adjust the itinerary had you requested it in advance. We regret that you decided to end the tour after only three days, without completing the itinerary that included other renowned sites for their biodiversity. This significantly limited the opportunities to observe many other species we had planned. We appreciate your feedback and remain committed to offering high-quality birdwatching experiences tailored to the needs and expectations of our clients.
OE
JP
Kevin from Ocampo Expeditions facilitated an unforgettable and seamless experience during my group's tour of la Reserva La Aurora in Casanare, Colombia. He is a passionate naturalist, bird enthusiast, and cinematographer/photographer, and it was a pleasure to travel with someone which such a breadth of knowledge about the local fauna, culture and history. We stayed at Ecolodge Juan Solito on the Reserve, which was the perfect spot to view wildlife, embark on daily safaris and excursions, and enjoy great food, company and accommodation! The Ecolodge staff was amazing, and though we were only there for a few days, they felt like family by the end of our stay! Lastly, the excursions themselves were filled with immense biodiversity and each guide was a font of information and experience. We saw over 60 species of birds, anaconda, caiman, red howler monkeys, and many other megafauna, including the critically endangered Orinoco crocodile, plus many species of charismatic insects like butterflies and dragonflies! For anyone interested in exploring Los Llanos in Colombia, I highly recommend visiting this Reserve - you will not regret it! Better yet, travel with Ocampo Expeditions for a smooth and seamless experience!
By Jeffry P for Colombian Safari on Apr 09, 2024
Hello, Jeffry! Thank you very much for your words of support to our company. I'm glad you had a good time during the Colombian safari; it was a great experience to share unforgettable moments with you as well. I hope to see you soon again on another adventure! Sincerely, Kevin Ocampo
OE
JM
Wow what an incredible adventure! Everything about this trip exceeded my expectations! All the transportation and arrangements once we landed in Colombia went smoothly. Our host and guide, Kevin, was extremely knowledgeable and professional which made it easy to relax and fully enjoy our trip. Staying at Juan Solito in the reserve was incredible! We were welcomed with open arms and the food and excursions were top notch. The wildlife and nature were beautiful and I honestly can not wait to return!
By Jenna M for Colombian Safari on Apr 01, 2024
Hello Jenna! We're thrilled that you enjoyed your adventure with Ocampo Expeditions in Colombia so much! Our team works tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of your trip exceeds your expectations. We're glad to hear that the logistics and arrangements were flawless from the moment you arrived in Colombia. Juan Solito in Hato La Aurora Reserve is truly magical, isn't it? We're delighted to hear that you were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the excellent food and exciting excursions. Colombia's nature and wildlife are truly spectacular, and we're thrilled you got to experience it. We eagerly await your next visit. Thank you for choosing Ocampo Expeditions and for sharing your experiences with us! Greetings from Colombia! The Ocampo Expeditions Team
OE