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

AMAZING NEW WILDLIFE WATCHING EXPERIENCE IN BOLIVIA

SAN MIGUELITO/PANTANAL ULTIMATE WILDLIFE WATCHING PACKAGE

Our latest Bolivian Wildlife watching package takes you to explore some of Bolivia`s most wild and pristine areas, including combing visits to the spectacular San Miguelito Jaguar Conservation Reserve, Valley de Tucacava  and the incredible yet rarely visited  Bolivian Pantanal. The aim is to explore these pristine ecosystems and photograph a huge variety of species, with luck even catch a glimpse of the king of the Jungle the majestic and elusive Jaguar.

 During this incredible 6 day/5 night journey we will be exploring these different ecosytems by a range of different methods, from hiking, night 4WD spotlighting Safari and canoe trips. 

The beautiful Yellow Anaconda is frequently seen during these tours

Wildlife watching potential during this package is extremley high ,we will be searching for a huge variety of species which include the Jaguar, Ocelot, Anaconda, Giant Otters, Marsh Deer, Macaws, Capybara, Caimans, many monkey and marmoset species and a huge assortment of birds as well.

Spectacular Jaguar sighting during a river trip of San Miguelito Jaguar Reserve

Just an example of some of the wildlife watching on offer here.

For birdwatchers this trip is a paradise, we combining visiting dry Chaco forests, Chiquitania and Pantanal Wetlands which presents a huge assortment of birds, some iconic species include the Toca Toucan , Red and Green Macaws, Trogons, Red legged Seriemas and the emblem of the Pantanal the impressive Jabribu

World class bird watching

Activities during the trip include setting up and checking camera traps, 4WD spotlighting, hiking, piranah fishing and boat trips in pristine rivers

Explore pristine river systems with not another tourist in sight

Try your luck at Piranah fishing

Lastly but not least is the scenery, this trip provides landscape lovers incredible photographic opportunities with some of the most memorable scenery in all of Bolivia.

The incredible Lookout of the Valley of Tucavaca

Some of the viewpoints in San Migelito Jaguar Conservation Reserve

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCREDIBLE BOLIVIAN  WILDLIFE WATCHING PACKAGE  THEN VISIT US AT WWW.NICKSADVENTURESBOLIVIA.COM

RECORD 5 JAGUARS SEEN DURING OUR KAA IYA NATIONAL PARK JAGUAR SAFARI

AMAZING 5 JAGUARS SEEN DURING OUR BOLIVIAN WILDLIFE WATCHING TOUR 

On the 19th of July we departed for our 5 day wildlife watching tour deep into the Bolivian Chaco, our tourist was an experienced traveller /photographer with over 20 years of expeditions to some of the worlds most wild and remote destinations. His previous trips to the Paraguay Chaco had been successful with a Jaguar and Puma sighting so we had our hard work cut out for us , if we wanted to impress.

The start of our trip was eventful, we saw a pair of rarely seen Huaron, a small weasel type species which was my 2nd only sighting of these mammals. We stopped into the Mission town of San Jose de Chiquitos where we had a buffet lunch before entering the vast forests of the Bolivian Chaco. 

Our first night drive yeilded almost immediate results with a close up sighting of Ocelots and Crab Eating Foxes, they were not in the mood for pictures so we returned to camp ate a freshly prepared meal and got some sleep before a LONG AND EVENTFULL DAY AHEAD.

One of many Ocelot Sightings of the trip.

Day two started with a 4am rise, it was freezing so after a quick coffee and breakfast we departed , focusing our search on a proven area where we have had excellent Jaguar sightings in the past. We had a quiet morning that produced another quick Ocelot sighting and an amazing sighting of an American Own Eating a Woodrail. Something you dont see everyday.

American Horned Owl with a freshly killed Woodrail.

This spectacular Jaguar was the first of our 5 Jaguar sighting. Photo credit Ronan le degac

 As we drove deeper into the vast Chaco we had the spectacular sighing of a huge female Jaguar which was trying to warm up in the suns morning rays ! This was my first ever sighting of this indivual Jaguar and we spent he next hour watching it metres from our 4WD basking in the sun. This was one of the most relaxed Jaguars we had ever seen.

Mating pair of Jaguars, close up sighting

Photo credit : Ronan le degac

 Overjoyed at this incredible sighting we didnt know how much better our day would get, we turned around and headed back for lunch only to be greeted with the incredible sighting of not 1 but two different Jaguars. The female was so small that we initally thought it was a female with its cub , but on close inspection it was male and female.

The male jaguar was very wary of our 4WD and didnt want to be seen , however the young female Jaguar was rolling around on the road just metres in front of our 4WD.

From past experiences we knew that when there is a female Jaguar on heat other Male Jaguars would soon be prowling the area, so after a short rest we ventured out looking for these majestic big cats. After less than 15 minutes and just a few kilometres from our camp we were rewarded with another amazing Jaguar sighting, a young male hot on the scent of the female. This Jaguar didnt like the attention and only stayed around for a few pictures before entering the thick Chaco shrub.

The last Jagaur sighting didnt provide us with any decent photos, but it was an amazing sighting none the less, this huge Male Jagaur was literally sprinting on its way to challenge the other male Jaguar for mating rights, it came again very close to our 4WD before dissapearing into the Jungle. 

Overjoyed with 5 Jaguars in one day we returned to the camp for cold beers , wine and celebration. 

The last few days were quiet in comparison, we had a rushed sighting of a Tapir, many 3 banded Armadillos, a huge troop of White lipped Peccaries, snakes, Monkeys and others. The most impressive sighting was that of two Solitary Peccaries which up until 1973 were declared extinct. This was an extremely rare sighting of this endangered and endemic Peccary.

The incredible sighting of the rarely seen Chaco or Solitary Peccary.

One of our favourites, the interesting 3 banded Armadillo.

With cameras full and memories of a lifetime , we departed the Bolivian Chaco and made our way back to Santa Cruz.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BOLIVIAN WILDLIFE WATCHING EXPEDITIONS CONTACT US TODAY

Wildlife watching in Bolivia, Close Ocelot encounter !!

AMAZING CLOSE UP OCELOT SIGHTING IN BOLIVIA 

During one of our recent Bolivian Wildlife watching expeditions , we were lucky enough to observe this beautiful Ocelot which came literally less than 1 metre from our 4WD. This was one of many Ocelots we observed during the trip as well as Tapirs, Armadillos, Titi Monkeys, Brocket Deer and more. 

For more information about our Bolivian Wildlife watching trips contact us at www.nicksadventuresbolivia.com

We offer specialized mammal and birdwatching tours to the Bolivian Amazon Rainforest, Beni Wetlands,Bolivian and Brazillan Pantanal and the Chaco.

Exploring the best attractions in Samaipata Bolivia

VISITING SAMAIPATA BOLIVIA  

Elbow of the Andes Trek

 

Located just 120 kilometres or a scenic 3 hour drive from Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the delightful bohemian town of Samaipata. Situated between the Andes Mountains and forests of Amboro National Park, this town has become the perfect escape for locals Santa Cruz and tourists who come to relax and enjoy its many attractions.

Samaipata has a little something for everyone, if you like relaxing there are beautiful waterfalls, if you like adventure then trekking into the Amboro National Park or Elbow of the Andes is must and if you are a cultural lover then look no further than the world heritage listed Pre Incan Ruins of El Fuerte.

 There are many local and international restaurants, hotels ranging from backpacker to boutique like El Pueblito Hotel as well as a lively nightlight scene, La Boeme Bar is perfectly location in the main plaza and offers locals and travellers alike the chance to meet and party the night way.

THE MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF SAMAIPATA AND SURROUNDINGS INCLUDE

Situated just 7 km from the town of Samaipata, the Pre Incan Fort of El Fuerte is a must visit destination, so impressive in fact that it’s been declared world heritage listed. El Fuerte Ruins have incredible history and only a small portion of the area has been excavated. These ruins are also a hotspot for seeing the Andean Condor, if you are lucky some can pass in very close proximity.

ELBOW OF THE ANDES TREK

One of the best trekking areas in Bolivia

One of the best kept secrets in Samaipata, the Elbow of the Andes trek is a must for any keen hiker. Situated between the Amazon and the Chaco forests this trek passes beautiful waterfalls, valleys, canyons with the opportunity of seeing some of the areas unique wildlife and stunning landscapes.

The views on some of these treks are world class, here one can do day tours up to 3 day treks to visit the regions many incredible attractions.

LAS CUEVAS WATERFALLS 

Located 20 km outside of Samaipata is the charming series of waterfalls called Las Cuevas. Here there are 3 beautiful waterfalls where you can spend the day swimming and also hiking around the area.

AMBORO NATIONAL PARK ( GIANT FERN TREK)

An absolute must when visiting Samaipata, this spectacular part of Amboro National Park is a forest area which is only found in very few parts of the world, the scenery is akin to being in the movie Avatar which Giant Ferns and forested valleys being the highlights. Keep an eye out for Armadillos, Toucans or even the odd Puma or Spectacled Bear which reside in this amazing National Park. Deeper treks into the park for multiple days can also be arranged.

THE CONDOR TREK

The Condor trek of Samaipata remains one of the worlds best Condor viewing destinations.

Bird lovers and hikers rejoice, this remote valley is perhaps the world’s best location for seeing these majestic South American icons soaring in the thermals of the Andes Mountains. The scenery is spectacular and while the hike is not easy, the rewards of seeing these 3 metre Condors soaring peacefully in the sky is something extremely special. The record for the number of Andean Condors in one day is 107 different Birds.

LA PAJCHA WATERFALLS 

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bolivia, La Pajcha waterfalls are set 2 hours away from Samaipata, they make the perfect day tour or overnight camping destination. These waterfalls are located close to the Condor Trek so it’s a good idea to combine them both.

1750 WINE VINEYARD 

Wine tasting the new 1750 Wine from Samaipata

REFUGIO LOS VOLCANES LODGE ( AMBORO NATIONAL PARK )

Aireal view of Refugio Los Volcanes - which is situated on the border of Amboro National Park.

Perhaps one of the world’s most beautifully locations. Refugio Los Volcanes is situated an hour’s drive from Samaipata and is a basic yet comfortable colonial style lodge which is surrounded by giant sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and pristine forests of Amboro National Park.

This location is a private property which merges with Amboro National Park, there are hiking trails suiting people of all ages to a wide variety of attractions. Refugio Los Volcanes is famous for bird watching and remains one of the best places in Bolivia to observe a wide huge variety including Andean Condors and Military Macaws.  Refugio Los Volcanes Lodge is also home to Jaguars, Monkeys, Pumas and much more.

Puma recorded with NICKS ADVENTURES BOLIVIA camera trap survey of Amboro National Park

For more information about visiting Samaipata and its incredible attractions  

CONTACT US TODAY