Amazing animals of Bolivia and where to see them in the wild !!

AMAZING ANIMALS OF BOLIVIA

The most underrated wildlife watching destination in South America 

Unknown to most, Bolivia offers wildlife watchers and nature lovers some of the best chances to see animals in South America. While Brazil , Ecuador and Peru usually get all of the publicity many visitors to Bolivia are pleasantly surpised at how diverse and wonderful wildlife watching in Bolivia is. 

Bolivia has some of the worlds most pristine Amazon Rainforest with Madidi National Park , Itenez Protected Area,Amboro National Park and Noel Kempff Mercado National Park being incredible locations. Kaa Iya National Park is part of the Gran Chaco and is the worlds 2nd largest forested area, its a haven for Jaguars,Pumas, Tapirs and remains one of the best destinations in the world for large mammal viewing. 

Here is a list of just some of the exciting wildlife species which are found in this amazing country.

 1  Three toed Sloth

The iconic 3 toed Sloth is one of the most interesting species you can find in Bolivia, the best places to see the Sloth in the wild is the Santa Cruz surroundings and Beni Wetlands.

2 Jaguar - Panthera Onca

The Jagaur or commonly called Tigre in Bolivia is the largest feline in the Western Hemisphere. Weighing up to 140 kg this amazing predator is capable of preying on over 81 different prey species including Caimans, Anacondas, Capybaras and more. Its taste for cows is sadly causing friction between Ranchers whom kill them for eating cattle.
The best places to see Jaguars in the wild include Kaa Iya National Park , Madidi National Park and the Beni Wetlands of Bolivia

Puma or Mountain Lion

The Puma or Mountain Lion is the 2nd largest Feline in South America, it is one of the most adaptable species on the planet and is capable of surviving in the Andes Mountains, Amazon Rainforests, harsh dry forests of the Chaco and the Wetlands of the Beni and Pantanal. Like the Jagaur its sadly often killed on sight for fear by Ranchers protecting their cattle and livestock.

LOWLAND TAPIR 

This secretive noctural mammal is South Americas largest land mammal. Usually found close to water this gentle giant roams where it is an extremely important seed disperser. The Tapir communicates by whistles and its also has one of the slowest gestatation periods of any mammal. Its frequently found in Kaa Iya National Park and Madidi National Park.

 

  MANED WOLF

One of the strangest animals in Bolivia, the Maned Wolf is an extremely rare and secretive animal. Found only in the most pristine and remote Savannah areas this strange animal is sadly slowly dissapearing. Fires and hunting from Ranchers for a range of reasons are pushing this inconic animal to extinction.

These are just a few of many incredible animal species found in Bolivia. For more information about the best wildlife watching destinations in Bolivia CONTACT US TODAY

The best Amazon Rainforest and Jungle trips Bolivia has to offer !!

AMAZON RAINFOREST/JUNGLE TRIPS IN BOLIVIA

Unknown to most, Bolivia offers travellers some of the most incredible Amazon Rainforest/Jungle Trips in South America. Bolivia`s low population density and lack of tourism publicity has meant less pressure on its National Parks which mean travellers to the Bolivian Amazon can often see more wildlife often at a fraction of the price.

The best Amazon Rainforest experiences in Bolivia are as follows:

MADIDI NATIONAL PARK 

This spectacular National Park hosts some of the highest levels of Biodiversity found anywhere on the planet, here Jaguars, Tapirs, Macaws and hundreds of other species can be seen with relative frequency and unlike the Peruvian or Brazilian Amazon which has been heavily exploited, Madidi National Park is still very much a pristine condition. Lodges range from very basic to luxury with our picks being the following.

A Jaguar spotted on the banks of Madidi National Park

Madidi Jungle Eco Lodge 

Berraco Del Madidi Eco Lodge

Chalalan Luxury Amazon RainforestLodge

AMBORO NATIONAL PARK

Situated just a few hours’ drive from the mega City of Santa Cruz Bolivia, this small yet incredibly diverse National Park is a must visit for any serious nature lover. The park offers incredible scenery and wildlife watching especially for birdwatchers, the park hosts over 840 species of birds including Military Macaws, Harpy Eagles and more.

There is a comfortable colonial style lodge here with limited spacing and it’s surrounded by giant sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and pristine Rainforests.

NOEL KEMPFF MERCADO NATIONAL PARK

 Described by biologists as the Lost World, Noel Kempff National Park is extremely remote, wild and could host some of the most pristine forests found anywhere on earth. Sadly due to a severe lack of funding the Park now receives less than 50 tourists per year, but those who visit are rewarded with arguably some of the best wildlife watching experience and scenery you can imagine. The parks major attractions include the 150km Huanchaca Plateau, Arco Iris Waterfalls and of course unrivalled Wildlife watching, mega Fauna of the Park includes healthy populations of Giant Otters, Harpy Eagles, Pink River Dolphins, Tapirs, Spider Monkeys and Jaguars which are often frequently seen by riverbeds.

CHUCHINI RESERVE 

This little known paradise is located just 15 km from the capital city of the Beni Department Trinidad, the beauty of this location is that it combines Amazon Rainforest with Pampas wetlands where you can see a huge variety of wildlife and contrasting scenery. Activities include trekking into the Amazon Rainforests, learning about medicinal plants, night spotlighting treks, bird watching, piranha fishing and Amazon River boat trips looking for Pink Dolphins and other species.

SAN MIGUELITO JAGUAR CONSERVATION RESERVE

 

Just three hours from Santa Cruz is this amazing private reserve, this forest is home to a staggering amount of wildife incuding some of the highest densities of Jagaurs found anywhere on earth. The property has an incredible river where canoe trip can be made, as well as treks 4WD trips around the property , night walks, start gazing, setting up and checking camera traps, piranah fishing and much more.

Admiring the spectacular views of the San Miguelito Jaguar Conservation Reserve

SAN CARLOS WILDLIFE RESERVE

Located in the Beni Department of Bolivia, San Carlos Wildlife Reserve is potentially one of the best places to observe a huge amount of species and different ecosystems. Our first ever scouting trip we saw everything from Jagaurs , hundreds of Macaws, 4 metre plus Black Caiman, Pink Dolphins, Anacondas and more. Lodging is basic but if you are after a remote and non touristic wildlife watching Paradise then San Carlos is the trip for you. 

 These are some of the best Amazon/Jungle trips you can do in Bolivia, so remember when you are visiting South America make sure to consider Bolivia as an excellent option for quality Wildlife/Jungle trips. For more information about visiting any of these incredible destinations contact us at nicksadventuresbolivia@gmail.com or visit our webpage of www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

 THE BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN BOLIVIA

The vast majority of travellers whom travel to Bolivia usually only stop and see Uyuni Salt Flats, La Paz before exiting the country via Lake Titicaca. We are here to show you that Bolivia has some of the most incredibly diverse National Parks and Protected Areas in South America where you can have some of the best wildlife watching experiences combined with some of the most breathtaking landscapes as well.

Here is a list of our favourite National Parks in Bolivia

MADIDI NATIONAL PARK  

Our overall favourite National Park in Boliva, the spectacular Madidi National Park is one of the most diverse areas found anywhere on earth and it has some of the most intact Amazon Rainforest which is teeming with Wildlife, an all too common mistake is for tourists to book the cheapest lodges where wildife sighings are hard so if you are going to visit pay the money and you will have a one in a lifetime experience. This park is home to a staggering amount of wildlife which ranges from Harpy Eagles though to Jaguars, Tapirs, Spider Monkeys, Giant Otters and Giant Anteaters.

KAA IYA NATIONAL PARK 

Situated in the Santa Cruz department is the giant Kaa Iya National Park , this park comprises of the last remaining Chaco forest which is part of the worlds 2nd largest forested area. Kaa Iya is internationally famous for its big cats, especially the elusive Jaguar and its literally one of the BEST places on the planet to observe the Jaguar. This park is a must of wildlife watchers and is also excellent for seeing smaller cats such as Ocelots , Geoffrys Cats and Jaguarundis as well as Giant Anteaters, Pumas and Tapirs. Due to its remoteness and restricted access this park can only be entered by using a reputable TOUR OPERATOR

EDUARDO AVAROA NATIONAL PARK 

Bordering the Uyuni Salt Flats this national park is one of the most amazing places on earth , over 40,000 tourists per year flock here to see the incredible landscapes, colorful lagoons, wildlife and geysers. This National Park borders with the Uyuni Salt Flats and is a MUST for any traveller visiting Bolivia.

AMBORO NATIONAL PARK 

Just a few hours drive from the City of Santa Cruz is the diverse and most accessable Amboro National Park , this park is known by its variety of ecosytems which include Yunga Cloud Forests and Amazon Rainforest. This park is famous for birdwatchers especially to see the Andean Condor, Military Macaw and Horned Currosow. All of the mega fauna can be seen here including the Jaguar, Spectacled Bear, Puma, Giant Anteater and more. 

TORO TORO NATIONAL PARK  

Situated in the Cochabamba department this National Park stands out because of its unique geology and dinosaur tracks. Attractions of the park include beautiful waterfalls, cave trekking , natural craters, fossil deposits, bird watching and incredible rock formations. 

OTUQUIS NATIONAL PARK

 Situated on the border of Brazil and Bolivia is the spectular yet rarely visited Otuquis National Park , this park is deep in the Bolivian Pantanal and offers birdwatchers and nature enthuists amazing opportunities to see a huge variety of wildlife. Capybaras are everywhere, as are Caimans and if you are lucky Yellow Anacondas, Giant Otters and Maned Wolves can be seen. Literally thousands of birds can be seen here and its one of the best birdwatching destinations in Bolivia.

NOEL KEMPFF MERCADO NATIONAL PARK

Perhaps one of the most remote and intact National Parks life of the planet, this park is famous for its diverse landscapes and wildife , here pristine Amazon Rainforests merge with Pampas swamplands and many other divese landscapes. The park is famous for its giant waterfalls and Maseta Caparuch which covers over 100km of mountain and grass Savannah. This park is home to thriving populations of Jagaurs, Tapirs, Harpy Eagles and even the Bush Dog and Giant Otters are found in good numbers. Access to this park currently is extremely difficult and we hope in the future it will be opened up to small yet sustainable tourism.

These are just a few of the stunning National Parks Bolivia has to offer, so we really advise travellers to Bolivia to research and you will find there is MUCH MORE TO BOLIVIA than just La Paz and the Uyuni Salt Flats. 

For more information about any of these amazing National Parks of Bolivia contact us today or visit our page of www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com