Yopal: Tailor-made safari in Los Llanos 4d

Where : Yopal

Tomplanmytrip connects you with a local expert for a personalized adventure in the nature reserve.

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4 Days
Spanish, English*, French*
50% deposit and the remaining 50% before departure.
With us, no overpay!

Fascinating landscapes and amazing animals

Embark on 4 days of exploration, observation, and wonder in the eastern plains of Colombia.

Imagine yourself far from everything, in an ecolodge surrounded by 18,000 hectares of natural reserves dedicated to environmental conservation for all the species that live there. It's an ideal place to observe stunning wildlife (anacondas, capybaras, giant anteaters) and numerous birds, take a boat ride on the Altagracia lagoon, enjoy spectacular sunsets, and share the daily life of a charming Llanero family.

Roadmap

4 Days

  • Day 1 Yopal > Buenaventura reserve
  • Day 2 Animal search and observation + breathtaking sunset
  • Day 3 Animal search and observation + surprise evening
  • Day 4 Buenaventura > Yopal

What to expect

Departure from Yopal at 7 AM in a 4x4 towards the Altagracia Natural Reserves. Expect about 6-7 hours of travel, during which you can admire the landscapes of the Llanos and the wildlife. A stop in San Luis de Palenque allows you to visit the malecón and break up the journey.

You'll arrive at the Buenaventura Reserve ecolodge by lunchtime. In the afternoon, a short walk around the eco-lodge lets you make your first wildlife observations and enjoy the sunset.
At 5:30 AM, have a coffee and a snack, then explore different areas of the Buenaventura Reserve on foot. You can choose to have breakfast at the ecolodge or in the field.
Have lunch at the lodge before heading to the El Lagunazo nature reserve. Your guide will invite you to sit in a canoe for a magical moment on the Altagracia lagoon. Observe numerous bird species and let yourself be enchanted by a memorable sunset over the water.
Around 7 PM, navigate peacefully back to the lodge for dinner and rest.
At dawn, take the opportunity to spot new bird species and animals that take advantage of the cool morning, like the tamandua.

After breakfast, head to the Laguna Valledupar, a new wetland where you will probably see giant otters.

Have lunch at the San Cristobal Nature Reserve before exploring a morichal, an ecosystem largely made up of palm trees typical of this area of Colombia, and discover the wildlife that inhabits it.

Your dinner awaits around a campfire around 7 PM. Enjoy a convivial moment with the Salazar family, your hosts, who will immerse you in Llanero culture with their anecdotes, stories, and songs.
A final bird-watching session early in the morning around the ecolodge marks the end of your stay in this little paradise.

On the way back, have lunch in the charming village of San Luis de Palenque on the banks of the Pauto River before heading back to Yopal, where you are expected to arrive around 2 PM.

Must know

  1. Click on the "contact this expert" button and complete our online form (1min).
  2. Tomplanmytrip will receive your answers and create a WhatsApp group to put you in touch with the agency.
  3. Once the group has been created, you can chat freely with the agency to get all the answers you need.
  4. Then it's up to you to decide whether or not to book your experience.
  • Buenaventura is one of the 15 reserves that make up Altagracia. It's an ideal place for wildlife observation.
  • This trip is an example of a safari you can experience in the Casanare department of Los Llanos. It follows the itinerary we tested with this expert.
  • This expert offers many other safaris and can create custom programs to meet specific requests: spotting specific animals, horseback excursions, visiting different hatos, Llanero culture, and more. To be discussed with your expert. 
  • This expert is also renowned for his extensive knowledge of birds and can satisfy even the most demanding birdwatchers.
  • Requesting an English or French translator for an additional cost is possible.
  • Accommodation is comfortable and pleasant. The facilities are quite basic but perfectly functional. There is no hot water and no air conditioning.
  • Your experience starts and ends in Yopal.
  • This trip is only possible from mid-November to April when the roads are still passable by land.
  • Logistics from Yopal until you return to Yopal.
  • A private room with a double bed, private bathroom, and solar energy for 3 nights.
  • Meals: 3 breakfasts (days 2, 3, and 4), 4 lunches, and 3 dinners, plus water and coffee.
  • A local guide who is available at all times.
  • Access to various reserves.
  • Emergency assistance insurance.
Prices:
  • Prices are indicative and have to be confirmed with your expert.
  • Rates depend on selected options, the number of people, and exchange rate fluctuations.
Choose your package:
  • Prices on the page correspond to a private 4-day/3-night stay without a translator.
Extras:
  • If you want an English or French translator, there is an additional cost per person for transportation, accommodation, and the translator's services.
  • If you're interested, this experience is also available as a 5-day/4-night trip with an extra day of observation, including an additional canoe excursion.
Why choose this option:
  • Your experience is customizable at no extra cost: you can focus your safari on bird watching or searching for a specific animal.
  • Adaptable to your physical condition: Boat rides, jeep tours, walking, or horseback riding—all are possible.
  • Flexible program: You can change the order of your activities based on weather conditions, physical conditions, and preferences.
  • Incredible wildlife: The conditions are ideal as you are far from any cities in an 18,000-hectare nature reserve. The quantity and diversity of animals are amazing, especially from December to March when water sources become scarce.
  • Bird watching: Altagracia's main attraction is bird observation. It is focused on the conservation of all shorebird species.
  • Located in one of the best departments in Colombia for wildlife observation.
  • Stay with a Llanero family: Victor and his family have a strong Llanero culture and are happy to share it with you. You live with them during your stay. They are always there, available, and smiling to answer all your questions.
  • Top-notch adventure and service: Details matter in this type of adventure, and the organization is perfectly streamlined. After each excursion, I received a cold towel to clean my face. Each group member was provided with binoculars and boots.
  • Laura, Victor, and his family devote all their resources to improving the rooms and facilities, which are already top-notch!
What may disappoint:
  • Access to the ecolodge can be challenging for some. Expect a 6-7 hour journey by jeep, with 4-5 hours on rough roads. This trip is only possible from mid-November to April. Other options are available for the remaining months.
  • The cost can be a significant drawback, depending on your budget. Due to the presence of oil companies in the area, transportation services are very expensive. Combined with the isolated nature of the location, prices are higher than in other parts of the country.
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Yopal : Safari in los Llanos from a nature reserve 4d

Colombia

4 Days

3 places

Gallop at full speed across the vast plains of the Llanos, discovering an admirable natural habitat.

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