Most Scenic Destinations in Bolivia 

Bolivia is a landscape lovers paradise, from the heights of the Andes Mountains, Lush Amazonian Rainforests or the endless Uyuni Salt Flats which are surrounded by deserts and colorful Lakes , this small yet incredibly diverse country has it all.

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park , located in the Santa Cruz Department of Bolivia

Here are our favourite Landscape Viewing Destinations in Bolivia

 

UYUNI SALT FLATS 

When you first see the worlds largest Salt Flats it literally feels like you are on another planet. The best time to visit this magical destination is from December- March when rain covers the salt and creates a mirror like effect and you feel like you are literally walking on clouds.

 LOMAS DE ARENA, SANTA CRUZ BOLIVIA

Just 20 km outside of Santa Cruz , is the incredible natural desert of Lomas de Arena, here 3 thousand hectares of desert merges with lagoons and pristine forests and provides spectacular scenery and photographic opportunities. A must when visiting Santa Cruz Bolivia.

AMBORO NATIONAL PARK - REFUGIO LOS VOLCANES

Just 3 hours drive from Santa Cruz Bolivia, this spectacular location is a must visit for landscape lovers and nature photographers alike. Giant Sandstone cliffs, pristine forests, rivers and waterfalls are all part of the regions attractions.

SANTIAGO DE CHIQUITOS 

Literally one of the most spectacular regions in all of South America, this non touristic town is home to an amazing amount of attractions.  The main highlights include unique rock formations, thermal rivers, waterfalls and the Mirador of Santiago which comprises of giant rock formations overlooking the impressive protected area of Valley de Tucavaca. Simply a must visit location in Bolivia.

MADIDI NATIONAL PARK 

Madidi National Park is one of the true wonders of the world. Comprising of pristine Amazon Rainforest, it provides nature lovers some of the most incredible scenery and wildlife watching you can imagine. Star gazing the incredibly clear skies at night and watching the sunsets over the Amazon Rainforests are something you will remember for a lifetime.

 

 EDUARDO AVAROA NATIONAL PARK EDUARDO AVAROA NATIONAL PARK

Situated on the border of the incredible Uyuni Salt Flats is the incredibly popular Eduardo Avaroa National Park. Highlights for landscape lovers includes the colorful lakes of Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde and the Geysers. This is one of the best attraction for photographers found anywhere on the planet.

 SAN MIGUELITO JAGUAR RESERVE , SANTA CRUZ BOLIVIA

Just 3 hours drive from Santa Cruz Bolivia, is this beautiful private reserve which comprises of a number of different landscapes and Ecosystems. Hiking through the Reserve gives photographers the opportunity to see a huge variety of wildlife in many different forest types. Sunset Canoe trips along the remote river and star gazing are two of the best activities for this region. 

 

SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK 

Bolivias oldest National Park, this spectacular park is a photographers paradise, with beautiful mountains, geysers, wildlife and breathtaking Andean landscapes , this is a not to be missed destination in Bolivia.

These are just a few of many incredible and non touristic attractions in Bolivia and we urge tourists travelling to Bolivia to spend more time and really get to know this beautiful country.

For more information about the TOP TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN BOLIVIA visit www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

SLOTH WATCHING TRIPS IN BOLIVIA

SLOTH WATCHING TOUR IN SANTA CRUZ BOLIVIA 

The best Sloth watching destination in South America

 

Unknown to most Santa Cruz offers some of the best Sloth viewing in South America, here these iconic and seemingly ever smiling animals are often seen just a few kms from the City of Santa Cruz.

Here are a few of our best Sloth Shots in Santa Cruz !!

Baby Sloth we encountered during our Santa Cruz Wildlife Tour

Our expert guides know the best areas to find the Iconic Sloth

Taking a Sloth of the Road, Sadly every year many Sloths are killed by dogs and cars while crossing roads, they are often taken by people who think they make good pets as well.

If you are travelling to Bolivia and want to see the Iconic Sloth in the wild then look no further then the Santa Cruz Sloth and Wildlife Tour, here expert guides know the best areas of Santa Cruz to observe Sloths in their natural surroundings.

WILDLIFE WATCHING IN BOLIVIA 

SAN MIGUELITO JAGUAR CONSERVATION RESERVE 

Just 3 hours drive from the City of Santa Cruz is the newest Wildlife Watching destination in Bolivia called the San Miguelito Jaguar Conservation Reserve. This property is the only one in the area which has kept its forests intact and as a result has seen a huge variety of wildlife move into the area.

One of 9 different Jaguars recorded on the property.

The aim of Eco Tourism here is firstly to support Ranchers whom aid conservation and also to reduce and eventually stop Jaguars from being killed in the region, sadly many Jagaurs and other predators are killed by Ranchers who are protecting there cattle. The aim of the project is to compensate the owners through tourism, this in turn teaches locals that wildlife is worth more alive than dead.

Remote canoe trips which offer excellent wildlife watching opportunities

San Miguelito Jagaur Reserve is currently home to 9 different Jaguars which have been recorded by direct sightings from tourists and workers and from Camera traps. San Miguelito Jaguar Reserve has also been studied by bioligists from WCS whos data on the reserve places San Miguelito as having the highest density of Jaguars in Bolivia.
 In addition to Jaguars there are healthy populations of Pumas, Ocelots, Tapirs, Giant Anteaters,Capybara, Anaconda and more. Birdwatching in San Miguelito is excellent and most trips you can easilly record over 70-100 different species of birds.

A Giant Anteater , recorded during a recent visit to San Miguelito Jaguar Reserve

Although Wildlife Watching is amazing here its not the only thing to do , here you can go Piranah fishing in the river, go star gazing, canoe down pristine rivers, visit local communities , horse ride and also learn and experience the life of a cattle rancher as well.

Amazing Jaguar sighting in San Miguelito during a recent canoe trip through the property.

Please see the link to a 2 year Camera trap study on the San Miguelito Jaguar Reserve, we recorded a huge variety of Wildlife including the Jaguar, Puma, Giant Anteater, Tapir and more !!

San Miguelito Jaguar Conservation Reserve Camera Trap Video

Explore the pristine forests of the San Miguelito Jaguar Reserve 

If you are interested in visiting this spectacular new Eco Tourism/Wildife watching Destination in Bolivia CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

  BIRD WATCHING IN BOLIVIA

Unknown to many Bolivia is literally a Birders Paradise, not only does it host some of the highest recorded numbers of birds , it also has a large selection of unique and endemic birds which are found no where else on the Planet.

Here is a select list of some of our favourite birds of Bolivia which we frequently see during our Bird watching tours in Bolivia

RED FRONTED MACAW

Critically endangered a few years ago this spectacular Macaw species is endemic to Bolivia and is only found in just a few select locations on earth, thanks to increased conservation efforts the numbers of the Red Fronted Macaws are slowing increasing. These magnifient Macaws can be found in Toro Toro National Park, The Red Fronted Macaw Lodge and a small yet visable population also just outside Samaipata as well.

 ANDEAN CONDOR 

The spectacular Andean Condor is a must see for all nature lovers and birdwatchers. With a Wingspan of up to 3 metres its the worlds heaviest flying bird. The Andean Condor is best observed in Samaipata Bolivia where these is a location which nearly promises sightings and as such could be considered the very best  Andean Condor watching location on the planet.

BLUE THROATED MACAW  

 

With populations thought to be between 150-300 the Blue Throated Macaw is critically endangered and is the worlds rarest wild living Macaw. It survives in just a few areas in the Beni department. There are only a few places where these beautiful and endemic Macaws can be seen including the Blue Throated Macaw Lodge and  to a private ranch to do the BLUE THROATED MACAW DAY TOUR where Blue Throated Macaws can be seen frequently quite close to Trinidad.

HOATZIN 

 

The Hoatzin or Stink bird is a unique and strange looking bird which is found in tropical forests and the wetland areas, its distinguished by its strange crest on his head and the chicks have claws on their wing digits.

These are just a few of the hundreds of species of birds found in Bolivia, This country truly is a bird watchers paradise. If you are needing more information about Bird watching in Bolivia write to our email of  nicksadventuresbolivia@gmail.com or  visit us  at www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

Jaguar sighting in Kaa Iya National Park Bolivia

 JAGUAR SIGHTING IN KAA IYA NATIONAL PARK 

WILDLIFE TOURS IN BOLIVIA WITH NICKS ADVENTURES BOLIVIA

During our recent Kaa Iya National Park Jaguar Tour, we were lucky enough to have this incredible close encounter with this curious male Jaguar, we first saw him from a distance of over 300 metres so we stopped the 4WD and waited for the Jaguar to come to us, we watched this Jaguar for over 20 minutes and it was one of the best Jaguar sightings we have had inside the Kaa Iya National Park.

 Our tours to Kaa Iya National Park aim to educate the public that these majestic animals are worth more alive than dead as sadly literally hundreds of Jaguars are killed by Cattle Farmers, hunters and now for Chinese businesmen who are trading the teeth and bodyparts of Jaguars.

Our tours to Kaa Iya National Park include entering the most remote parts of the park , we have very long days/nights as we search the best and most proven areas to look for big cats. In additional to Jaguars we also search for Tapirs, Pumas, Ocelots, Giant Anteaters and a huge array of other species.

For more information about our tour to Kaa Iya National Park or any of our other Bolivian National Park expeditions contact us today at nicksadventuresbolivia@gmail.com or visit our webpage of www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

WILDLIFE OF BOLIVIA 

Unknown to most Bolivia actually has some of the most pristine Eco Systems and Forested areas in the world and living in these vast areas are some of the most incredible and rare wildlife species on the planet.

Here is a list of some of the more iconic Bolivian Wildlife Species which can be seen while visiting this amazing country and the Best Bolivian National Parks where you can find them.

JAGUAR - PANTHERA ONCA

 

The largest cat in the Western Hemisphere this bulkish Cat is the king of the South and Central American Jungle, its beautifully fur coat nearly pushed it to extinction during the 60,70s and 80s however thanks to protection measures its slowly recovering. This incredible big cat can be seen in many of Bolivias National Parks including Madidi National Park ,Otuquis National Park and especially Kaa Iya National Park.

ANACONDA

 

The worlds 2nd largest snake by length and the worlds heaviest snake is still found frequently in the Bolivian Wetlands and Amazon regions, sadly its usually killed on sight by villagers and fisherman due to its undeserved reputation for being a potential man eater. Best places to observe this incredible reptile in Bolivia include the Otuquis National Park , Bolivian Pantanal , Beni Wetlands and the Pampas de Yucuma region.

THREE TOED SLOTH

The iconic 3 toed Sloth is found frequently in Santa Cruz, and is one of the most weird and different animals you will encounter whilst travelling through South America. Its one of the worlds slowest moving mammals and literally spends most of its day sleeping in tree branches usually close to rivers. Santa Cruz Bolivia is one of the best places to see Sloths in the wild and its often called the unoffical Sloth capital of the world.

LOWLAND TAPIR 

The lowland Tapir is the largest land mammal in Bolivia and can grow up to 250kgs, this gentle giant is a very important seed dispercer and is vital to the health of forests. It is threatened with extinction due to over hunting for its meat and also for land clearing. The lowland Tapir communicates via whistles and also has one of the slowest gestation rates of any mammal( 14 months) The best place to observe Tapirs in the wild is Madidi National Park and Kaa Iya National Park.

GIANT OTTER

This endangered and highly vocal Giant Otters is one of the most amazing sights you can experience while exploring the forests of Bolivia. These otters grow to over 2 metres in length and live in highly social family groups. They can be seen only in certain areas of Bolivia which the best locations being Otuquis National Park , Madidi National Park , Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and the Beni Wetlands.

PUMA OR MOUNTAIN LION  

The 2nd largest cat of the Americas, the Puma or Mountain Lion is one of the world most adaptable animals on the planet, it survives in a huge variety of eco systems including the Amazon Rainforest, Yunga Cloud Forests, Andean Mountains, Pampas and Pantanal Wetlands and Chaco Forests of Kaa Iya National Park. The two best areas to observe the Puma in the wild are Torres Del Paine in Chile and Kaa Iya National Park in Bolivia

RED FRONTED MACAW 

This endemic and critically endangered Macaw species is only found in just a few locations in Bolivia, its threatened by extinction for the bird trade and from farmers who kill them for eating their crops. Bolivia is also home to another endemic Macaw called the Blue Throated Macaw as well which numbers are thought to be less than 150 in the wild.These endangered Macaws can be seen in just a few locations on the planet , including Toro Toro National Park , Red Fronted Macaw Lodge and a new location close to Samaipata Bolivia.

These are just a few of the incredible animals of Bolivia, if you are interested in visiting Bolivia to see its wildlife in their natural  settings then contact us today. Bolivia is often a better location to see animals in the wild as its less touristic and the ecosystems are still in much better shape than other South American Countries.

 *All photos are property of Nicks Adventures Bolivia and were taken during our Wildlife Tours in Bolivia

For more information please visit our webage 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