AMAZING WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS IN BOLIVIA

BEST WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS OF 2018

 2018 has been a busy year and very successful in terms of having amazing wildlife sightings.  See below our favorite wildlife encounters so far in 2018

1 Blue throated Macaw sighting in Barba Azul Nature Reserve

Its always a privilage seeing the endemic and critically endangered Blue throated Macaws in the wild. During this wildlife watching tour we also saw 2 Maned Wolf and a Giant Anteater. Our wildife watching tours here cater for birding or mammal watching tourists.

2  Benian Anaconda sighted during a San Carlos Wildlife Reserve tour

A memorable sighting of the endemic and newly described Beni Anaconda during a 4 day wildlife watching tour to San Carlos Reserve in Beni Bolivia. The San Carlos Wildlife Reserve is one of the best wildlife destination in Bolivia and our tours here take you by boat, 4wd, horseback and hiking to observe this amazing ecosystem.

3 Close up Puma sighting in Kaa Iya National Park.

Another incredible Puma sighting during our Kaa Iya Tour , we had this incredible 30 minute experience with this Puma. During the tour we also saw another Puma, 3 Tapirs and a Jaguar. Our wildlife tours to Kaa Iya National Park specialize in finding Jagaurs, Tapirs, Ocelots and more.

 Spectacular close up Jaguar sighting during a Kaa Iya National Park Tour

During our 6 day wildlife watching tour of Kaa Iya we had this incredible close up Jaguar sighting for over 1 hour. Our tour to Kaa Iya remains the best chance of seeing Jagaurs in Bolivia.

Giant Otter sightings in Madidi National Park ( Alto Madidi )

During this amazing 14 day expedition we saw this beautiful family of Giant Otters. We also observed 7 different species of monkeys as well as a pair of Jaguars. Alto Madidi is one of the best wildlife watching destinations of Bolivia and our tours to Alto Madidi take you to explore this rarely visited paradise.

These are just some of the amazing sightings we have had in 2018. If you are interested in the best wildlife and nature tours in Bolivia then contact us today.

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

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

WILDLIFE PHOTOSAFARI TRIPS IN BOLIVIA

The most underestimated wildlife watching destination in South America

 

Close up Jaguar sighting in Kaa Iya National Park Bolivia.

 

Often the forgotten country in terms of wildife watching , Bolivia offers photographers and wildife watchers alike some of the best wildife viewing opportunities in South America.

Bolivia has some of the most pristine and diverse eco systems in the world, from lush Amazon Rainforest, Dry harsh forests of the Bolivian Chaco, Wetlands of Beni and the Bolivian Pantanal , Yunga Cloud forests and Andean altiplano.

These ecosystems are unique and offer photographers a chance to photograph and film many species which cannot be found anywhere else on earth. 

Here is a list of our favourite destinations for Wildlife Photography Safaris in Bolivia.

 

 KAA IYA NATIONAL PARK

 

Kaa iya National Park is an incredible destination for photographing big mammals especially Jaguars, Tapirs and Pumas in the wild. This is one of the best wildlife tours in Bolivia you can visit. Kaa Iya National Park is an incredible destination in the heart of the Bolivia Chaco and the frequency you can see big cats and other large mammals rivals anywhere on earth. Our Kaa Iya National Park Tour remains an excellent and more affordable Jaguar watching tour than the ultra expensive North Pantanal.

 

MADIDI NATIONAL PARK 

No photographers trip to Bolivia is complete without visiting Madidi National Park , this park is one of the most bio diverse locations on earth and is a MUST VISIT destination for any nature lover or photographer alike. Madidi National Park offers excellent birdwatching as well as excellent chances to see anything from Giant Otters, Macaws, Jaguars and much more. If you are looking for quality Jungle tours in Bolivia then Madidi National Park has to be at the top of the list of places to visit. Our tours to Madidi National Park include luxury lodges or more wild indepth Amazon Tours.

OTUQUIS NATIONAL PARK , BOLIVIA

Consiting of the most pristine Pantanal wetlands on earth , this rarely visiting National Park offers some of the countries best wildlife watching opportunities. Here Anacondas, Marsh Deer, Caimans, Capybara and Giant Otters can be seen and filmed with some frequency as well as a huge variety of birds. Our photography Safaris to this Bolivian National Park take you to explore the best parts of the Bolivian Pantanal where you have the best chances to see and photograph these beautiful animals in their natural environment. This National Park is perfect to combine with our Kaa Iya National Park Tour.

BLUE THROATED MACAW BIRDWATCHING TOUR( GRAN MOJOS PROTECTED AREA )

Unknown to most, there is an extremely rare and beautiful Macaw species in Bolivia which is found nowhere else on earth, sadly its critically endangered and there are rumoured to be less than 300 of these magnificent Birds alive. The Blue throated Macaw can be seen in the famous yet very remote Blue Throated Macaw Reserve or for those who are looking for a more accessable and affordable location can visit the BLUE THROATED MACAW GRAN MOJOS PROTECTED AREA which is located just 40 km outside Trinidad Bolivia. Money raised from these tours go directly to ensuring the land owners do not clear the last Palm forests where the birds nest and also funds campaigns to stop the trade of these birds. Making Eco Tourism to this protected area is critical to their survial as a species. Another excellent option for this protected area is that photographers have the opportunity to take close up pictures of the nesting Blue Throated Macaws. In addition to the Blue throated Macaws over 120 species of Amazonian and Savannah bird species have been recorded here , making it a paradise for Birdwatchers and photographers alike.

 If you are a avid birdwatcher , this in is a must do birdwatching tour in Bolivia.

These are just a few of many amazing wildlife viewing destination in Bolivia, for more details about our wildlife tours in Bolivia or wildlife photographic Safaris contact us at nicksadventuresbolivia.com or visit our webpage of www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

Exploring Kaa iya National Park in Bolivia

2016 Kaa Iya National Park Best Wildlife Sightings

At Nicks Adventures Bolivia we are lucky to visit some of the most remote and pristine areas found on the planet, a prime example of this is the spectacular Kaa Iya National Park , which is the most pristine Chaco Forest on earth.

Its remoteness has protected it from the outside world and is now one of the BEST PLACES in the world to observe Jagaurs in the wild. In addition to Jaguars, its also common to see Pumas, Tapirs, Ocelots, Titi Monkeys, Rattle Snakes, Toucans and even Giant Anteaters.

Our tours to Kaa Iya National Park are aimed at giving our clients the best chance to see these animals in the wild, so please see some of this years amazing wildlife sighings in Kaa iya National Park.

This year we have been incredibly lucky to have seen a huge variety of wildife, here are a few of our favourite wildlife watching moments from our Kaa Iya National Park Tours.

My favourite moment of 2016 , with this 40 minute sighing of this large male Jaguar.

 

 

A spectacular close up sighting of a Tapir which we called up to us, with our specialized Tapir Whistle.

Another amazing close up encounter with a young Ocelot in Kaa Iya National Park

One of our best moments of 2016 , with the ultra rare sighting of a Chaco or Solitary Peccary.

A Giant Anteater which was seen by our tourists fighting against a Jagaur for over 40 minutes.

A small Female Puma which literally walked right up to us during our Kaa Iya National Park trip in July 2016

This is just a few of many of our incredible sighings from our tours to Kaa Iya National Park, if you are interested in our Jaguar Spotting and wildlife watching Tours in Bolivia then contact us today at nicksadventuresbolivia@gmail.com or visit our website of www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

KAA IYA NATIONAL PARK TOUR

6 JAGUARS IN 4 DAYS !! MAY 27TH-30TH 2016 

 

During our recent Kaa Iya National Park tour  we were incredibly lucky to see 6 different Jagaurs, 5 Tapirs, 4 Ocelots, 5 Three banded Armadillos and two Grey Brocket Deer.

Please see the below pictures of our latest Tour to Kaa Iya National Park.

The first of the six Jaguars we were lucky to see !

The 2nd of our 6 Jagaur Sightings

The 4th of our six Jagaur sightings

An amazing and rare mother and cub sighting

A beautiful and curious Lowland Tapir which literally walked right up to us

One of many 3 banded Armadillos we were lucky to see.

 

Ocelot we spotted by the road 

 Our trips to Kaa Iya National Park include visiting the most remote parts of the Bolivian Chaco , where our guides specialise in looking for big mammals, our track record of seeing Big Mammals is excellent and while we never promise the sightings of these species we are sure that this tour is the best chance to see these animals in not only Bolivia but South Amercia.

For more information about this incredible wildife tour in Bolivia contact us today !! 

CONTACT NICKS ADVENTURES BOLIVIA TODAY  

Where to see to see Jaguars in the Wild

Taken during our San Carlos Wildlife Tour in Bolivia

 

The Jaguar or Panthera Onca is the largest Cat in the Western Hemisphere and is one of the most elusive yet beautiful animals on the planet, tourists from all over the world flock to South and Central America hoping to get a glimpse of this big cat however the vast majority are lucky even to see tracks.

Its common knowledge that the North Pantanal in Brazil is the best place to observe them, with thousands of cashed up photographers flocking to the Pantanal yearly and are paying upwards of two to ten thousand dollars per person to film and observe Jaguars, Even though the sightings are amazing these trips are not for everyone and the thought of sitting on a boat filled with other passengers with other tour boats surrounding the Jaguars competing for the best photographic positions are not for everyone. These tours are also in the high budget range and not affordable for everyone.

November 2015 Jaguar sightings in Kaa Iya National Park Bolivia

This brings to question where are the best Jaguar viewing destinations apart from the North Pantanal ,so through constant travel and research we have devised a list of proven Jaguar viewing hotspots which even rival the Jaguar viewing success of the Pantanal.

KAA IYA NATIONAL PARK

MADIDI NATIONAL PARK

SAN CARLOS WILDLIFE RESERVE -BENI BOLIVIA

JAGUARLAND RESERVE -  SANTA CRUZ BOLIVIA

JAGUARLAND RESERVE IN SANTA CRUZ

Jagaurland Reserve is a private property just 5 hours from Santa Cruz. This is the best area by far in Bolivia for Jaguar observations. In 2019 we have had a 100 percent success rate at seeing Jaguars and have seen 22 Jaguars in just 6 Trips. In addition we have also observed Ocelots, Puma, Tapirs, Pink Dolphins, Sloth, Marsh deer and more. We rate Jaguarland as the best wildlife watching destination in Bolivia. 

KAA IYA NATIONAL PARK - SANTA CRUZ DEPARTMENT BOLIVIA

One of the best Jaguar viewing destinations is the rarely visited Kaa iya National Park, located in the Santa Cruz department of Bolivia and consisting of the world’s most pristine Chaco forests, this amazing National Park truly is an excellent area for frequent Jaguar sightings, in the dry season of July –November its common to have multiple big cat and Tapir sightings per trip. The Park itself is larger than Belgium and is part of the 2^nd largest forested area in the world.

Close up encounter with this large male Jaguar in Kaa Iya National Park 

 The area where Jaguars are seen the most is in a highly restricted part of the Park which is protected from the outside world, as well as having excellent Jaguar viewing opportunities Tapirs, Pumas , Ocelots and much more are seen frequently making it easily the best big mammal viewing destination in Bolivia. In 2006 WCS completed a camera trap study of the park which was aimed at Jaguar populations and they estimated over 1000 Jaguars to be living within the park. The Kaa Iya National Park was also chosen as the best destination to film Jaguars in Bolivia and it has featured in the new book National Parks of Bolivia by photographer Daniel Alarcon where he photographed a female Jaguar with its cubs daily for over a month. 

Sadly with a change in Park admin tourism does not seem to have much importance, park permits are extremely hard to obtain and are not able to be given in advance, toilets, suitable bathrooms and kitchen facilities have been deemed out of bound for tourists and now its only camping in unbearable and unhygenic conditions. A new environmental licence costing over US 4000-6000 dollars is being implemented for tour operators whom wish to operate inside the Park. 

Night encounter with this young female Jaguar which we watched for over 45 minutes in Kaa Iya National Park Bolivia

SAN CARLOS WILDLIFE RESERVE BENI BOLIVIA

This remote and spectacular private reserve holds very healthy populations of Jaguars. In our last two visits we have seen 4 different Jaguars as well as a huge variety of other impressive wildlife. Here Jagaurs can be seen with some frequency without another tourists in sight and also Black Caiman, Pink Dolphins,Marsh Deers, Anteaters and much more. 

This Reserve was developed to help recover losses caused by Jagaur and Puma Predation of Cattle, now thanks to eco tourism there is a no hunting policy and we expect great results in a growth of Jaguar sightings and growth in the future.

MADIDI NATIONAL PARK

The open rivers and sand banks of Madidi National Park make excellent Jaguar viewing in the dry season

The 3rd best place on our list of best places to see Jaguars is in the spectacular Madidi National Park, Located in the Beni Department of Bolivia this park is one of the most beautiful and bio diverse locations found anywhere on the planet, unlike other Amazon areas like Iquitos in Peru and Manus in Brazil which are now booming cities  the base town Rurrenrabaque is still small in population which means hunting , logging and settlements and entry into the park is minimal in comparison to other Amazonian Regions. To see Jaguars here you have to venture deep into the Amazon, there are numerous touristic lodges here however only the deepest ones have the most realistic chances of seeing Big Cats, there are certain parts of the rivers where Jaguars are still seen often,  as the peccary populations inside the park have boomed so have the populations of Jaguars. Other species of Wildlife which can be seen here include the vocal Giant Otters, Tapirs, White Lipped Peccaries, Giant Anteaters, Ocelots, Pumas and much more. 

Access to the Madidi National Park is easy, you can fly from La Paz or Santa Cruz to the town of Rurrenrabaque and here there are a huge variety of tour operators who offer Jungle Tours, the key is locations and as the majority of lodges are close to the Town or are over- run by tourists then picking the right lodge to visit is key to having the best chances for Jaguar viewing. The best lodges where you have the best chances to see Jaguars include Berraco del Madidi lodge, Chalalan Lodge and Madidi Jungle.

Jagaur tracks along the many Sandbanks of Madidi National Park

Jaguar sighting in the Madidi National Park along the Tuichi River

Other notable mentions of where to see Jaguars in the wild include

MANU NATIONAL PARK IN PERU

REWA HEADS GUYANA

SOUTHERN BRAZILLAN PANTANAL

BENI DEPARTMENT BOLIVIA