BEST WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES IN BOLIVIA

 BEST WILDLIFE WATCHING ENCOUNTERS OF 2017

 Close up Jaguar sighting in August 2017.

As 2017 comes to an end we re -visit some of our best wildlife watching sightings during tours with Nicks Adventures Bolivia.

1 : Giant Anteater at the spectacular Blue throated Nature Reserve

This close encounter with a Giant Anteater was incredible, having travelled all over Bolivia this was by far the best sighting we have had of this iconic species. During our 5 days at the Blue throated Macaw Nature Reserve we had nearly daily encounters of this species.

2: MANED WOLF SIGHTING AGAIN AT THE BLUE THROATED MACAW NATURE RESERVE

Seeing a Maned Wolf in Bolivia was always a dream of mine, and this year it came true with this amazing encounter at the Blue throated Macaw Nature Reserve. One of the most amazing experiences of 2017

JAGUAR AND CUBS AT SAN CARLOS WILDIFE RESERVE IN BENI BOLIVIA

This rare sighting of a Jagaur and cubs was a major highlight, it was during a tour to our new Jaguar conservation project where though eco tourism we aim to cover all cattle losses on the Ranch. This female with cubs were seen during a morning hike along a remote river system. This was the 4th Jaguar sighting in my past two vists here.

SOLITARY OR CHACO PECCARY  SIGHTING

Seeing a Solitary Peccary in the wild is something most will never get to experience so its something to be treasured. In 2017 we were lucky to get multiple sightings of this rare and endemic species in the Bolivia Chaco.

FIRST EVER RECORDED GIANT OTTER IN THE SAN CARLOS WILDLIFE RESERVE

This brief but amazing sighting of the Giant Otter was confirmed as the first ever recording of this species in this region of Beni. We hope that their populations will grow and that this charasmatic species can once again repopulate areas and grow in numbers.

Photo credit : Jeremie Goulevitch

MATING PAIR OF JAGUARS IN THE BOLIVIAN CHACO

One of our best ever Jaguar encounters with an hour plus sighting of a Male and Female Jaguar. This sighting was during a extended Bolivian wildlife watching expedition which covered many different regions of Bolivia.

OCELOT HUNTING NEXT TO OUR 4WD

Another amazing experience in the Bolivia Chaco. This Ocelot literally walked right up to our 4WD and captured a bird next to our car. Amazing experience for all involved.

BLUE THROATED MACAW SIGHTING AT THE BLUE THROATED MACAW NATURE RESERVE

To see the worlds rarest Macaw species is always a privilage. These critically endangered and endemic Macaws number between 150-300 birds and are only found in tiny areas of the department of Beni in Bolivia. These Macaws were observed during a multiple day birding and wildlife tour of Boliva.

** ALL PHOTOS TAKEN DURING TOURS WITH NICKS ADVENTURES BOLIVIA

These are just some of hundreds of magic moments for 2017. For 2018 we aim to explore new and exciting regions and hope to have even more amazing experiences with the beautiful wildlife of Bolivia. For more information about our Bolivian wildlife,birding and jungle tours contact us today.

www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

WILDLIFE WATCHING IN SAN CARLOS RESERVE BENI BOLIVIA

Our newest Bolivian Jaguar Conservation Eco Tourism project

Jaguar with cubs recorded during our wildlife watching tours to San Carlos Reserve.

Located deep in the Beni Department is the spectacular San Carlos Wildlife Reserve. This property is ideally located between pristine savannahs, motacu palm islands and tropical forests, all of which are teeming with wildlife. The different ecosystems, no hunting policy and the remoteness of this property has provided a refuge for a huge variety of animals and as such could be the very best location in all of Bolivia to observe wildlife.

San Carlos Wildlife Reserve offers world class birdwatching.

In the wet season access to the Reserve is via a combination of 4WD and boat trips, this journey is incredible, Capybaras are seen from the road and the birdlife is astounding, occasionally the Green Anaconda can be seen as well.  The boat trip is equally exciting, here black caimans , Macaws and Pink Dolphins are frequently seen and keep your eyes open as Jaguars are often seen hunting or sleeping on the river banks. 

Looking for Pink Dolphins, Black Caimans and even Jaguars 

Activities during the tour include horseriding, boat trips, hiking, fishing, setting up and checking camera traps, birding and 4WD safaris of the reserve.

A Lesser Anteater, seen during a night excursion. PHOTO CREDIT JEREMIE GOULEVITCH

The aim of the conservation project

The aim of this project is to help compensate the landowners who are losing up to 30 cows per year, from Jagaur predation. This has a significant affect on the income of many and in turn Jaguars and other predators like Puma are shot on sight. This conservation project through eco tourism aims to cover these losses and in turn no Jaguars or other animals will be killed. 

 The San Carlos Wildife Reserve Conservation project will also provided employment and additional income, from local guides, cooks, drivers and more, we aim to show locals that native wildlife can really boost the economy and that its more benifical to preserve for the future.

Giant Anteater seen during a horseriding expedition in San Carlos Wildlife Reserve

Night spotlighting for Armadillos  , just another part of the adventure.

If you wish to learn more about this amazing new wildife eco tourism project then visit our webpage of www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com  

Though responsible Eco Tourism we will make a difference and help teach locals that wildlife especially the Jaguar is worth much more alive than dead.

*** ALL PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN DURING TOURS TO THE SAN CARLOS WILDLIFE RESERVE

EXTREMELY RARE JAGUAR AND CUBS SIGHTING IN BOLIVIA

RARE JAGUAR AND CUBS SIGHTING IN SAN CARLOS WILDLIFE RESERVE, BENI BOLIVIA.

A spectacular close up sighting of a Jaguar with her cub, this was taken during our recent wildlife watching conservation tour to San Carlos Reserve.

We just returned with VERY HAPPY tourists who got to see the extremely rare sighting of not 1 but 3 Jaguars, this incredible sighting of a female Jaguar and her cubs was taken during our San Carlos wildlife reserve tours, one of the most pristine areas in Bolivia. This close up sighting was at 0757am alone a stretch of a remote river system , one which has very healthy populations of Jaguars.

Tracks of the Jaguar Cubs.

In addition to the Jaguar sighting we also recorded , 9 Banded Armadillos, Howler Monkeys, Capybara, Black Caiman, Coatis, Night Monkeys, Squirrel Monkey, Capichun monkeys, Brocket Deer, 3 Toed Sloth, Toucans, Green and Red Macaws and more .. 

To find our information about this new and exciting wildlife watching destionation then visit us at www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

10 MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN BOLIVIA 

Often overlooked as a tourism destination in favor of more popular destinations, this small but diverse country showcases some of the most beautiful landscapes and ecosystems in South America. 

Here is a list of our favourite tourist destinations in Bolivia 

SALAR DE UYUNI SALT FLATS

 EDUARDO AVAROA NATIONAL PARK 

 SANTIAGO DE CHIQUITOS VALLEY DE TUCAVACA 

 ELBOW OF THE ANDES ( SAMAIPATA BOLIVIA )

AMBORO NATIONAL PARK (GIANT FERN TREK)

 MADIDI NATIONAL PARK 

 NOEL KEMPFF MERCADO NATIONAL PARK 

 JARDIN DE LAS DELICAS WATERFALLS 

 LOMAS DE ARENA - SANTA CRUZ BOLIVIA 

AMBORO NATIONAL PARK - REFUGIO LOS VOLCANES 

This is just a small sample of what Bolivia has to offer. For more information visit our webpage of www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

AMAZING JAGUAR SIGHTING IN SAN MIGUELITO JAGUAR RESERVE

22 September 2017

Our two lucky tourists had an incredible Jaguar Sighting at the San Miguelito Jaguar Reserve as part of there visit during our 20 DAY Bolivian Wildlife watching package. 

This amazing footage was taken by the Reserve owner Duston Larson during a boating excursion though the Reserve. This property has been previously studied by WCS and boasts some of the worlds highest densities of these big cats, in addition Ocelots, Puma , Tapirs, Giant Anteaters and many other species can be found here in healthy numbers.

Not only did these tours see a Jaguar at San Miguelito, they also observed the extremely rare Short eared Dog in Madidi National Park as well as Maned Wolf , Giant Anteaters in the Blue throated Macaw Reserve and a Jaguar, Tapirs and Chaco Peccaries in the Bolivian Gran Chaco.

For more information about our Bolivian Wildlife and Nature tours visit our webpage of WWW.NICKSADVENTURESBOLIVIA.COM

CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH MANED WOLF

AMAZING WILDLIFE WATCHING TRIP REPORT TO THE BLUE THROATED MACAW NATURE RESERVE

From the 16th-20th of September we visited the remote and spectacular Blue throated Macaw Nature Reserve. This former cattle ranch is one of the only places on earth where nature lovers can observe the critically endangered Blue throated Macaw, a species which is numbered at less than 300 in the wild.

Unlike the normal tourists our objective was not birdwatching, we were looking for one of the most elusive species on the planet, the strange and rarely seen Maned Wolf. 

To find the Maned Wolf which is no easy feat we had to combine very early mornings, late evening searches, also we were also aiming to photography the equally strange Giant Anteater in which this Reserve is a stronghold for the species. Our host Tjalle Boors who manages the reserve was instrumental at showing us the Reserve, however we knew what a task we had ahead of us when he informed us that in 4 years he personally had never had a sighting of the Maned Wolf.

The endemic and critically endangered Blue Throated Macaws.

With knowledge of proven Maned Wolf hotspots we were on constant elert, a few times in the night i heard the strange barking/scream of the Wolf, a positive sign that they were in the area. 

The first few days we had little signs, poor weather didnt help, however we were kept intriqued by huge flocks of Blue and Yellow Macaws, Capybara, Lesser Anteaters, Peccaries, Armadillos and many other species. 

Excellent Savannah habitat with forest islands, home to the Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater and Blue throated Macaw

The first main mammal sighting we had was a close up encounter with a Giant Anteater, these unique animals which can eat thousands of termites daily. Its claws are impressive and have been known to have even killed Jaguars and occasionally the odd hunter who has tried to attack these generally peaceful animals. 

 

As the days passed we ticked up our mammal species, also saw an impressive 3.5 metre Black Caiman as well, however the main species we came to look for was still playing hide and seek.

The 2nd last day again presented us with incredible views of the Blue throated Macaws and even better another close up sighting of the Giant Anteater, it literally walked 1 metre from us, an amazing experience given the hardship of seeing them in other locations.

One of 3 Giant Anteater sightings during this mammal watching trip

 

Our last morning we set off again, with still no Maned Wolf sighting. We were almost losing hope when literally out of nowhere the impressive shape of the Maned Wolf appeared out of nowhere, stunned we could barely take pictures as we were watching one of the strangest and most elusive species in South America. 

With the mission accompolished we left this incredible location , with cameras full of images and even more important memories which will last a lifetime. 

For more information about our wildlife watching trips in Bolivia, visit our website of www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

CAMERA TRAP IMAGES FROM AMBORO NATIONAL PARK BOLIVIA

At Nicks Adventures Bolivia we are commited to showing the amazing biodiversity this small but spectacular country has to offer. We purchased some camera traps and set them up in areas of the  Amboro National Park and here are some of the results.

PUMA

OCELOT 

This beautiful cat is relativly common however is rarely seen, it preys on birds, mammals, reptiles and is mostly active at night. Its the most common feline species in Bolivia.

JAGUAR

Sady this is the only image we have recorded in 4 years of surveys, this Jaguar was killed 3 weeks after this image was taken by Ranchers on the border of the park. Something we need to change.

SPECTACLED BEAR

Our only image of this shy and elusive species in Amboro. This is the only species of Bear in South America.

MARGAY

 

BUSH DOG 

An incredible capture of this rarely sighted cainine, this is potentially the first ever recording of this species in Amboro National Park.

 TAYRA

This member of the weasel family can be frequently seen running on trails or in trees hunting birds and reptiles.

These are just a few of thousands of images we have captured, for more information about our tours to Amboro National Park, follow us on facebook of Nicks Adventures Bolivia or visit our website of www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com