The 9 Wildlife Experiences in Colombia That Earn Their Price

1.UTV Thrills & Horseback Ride at Wildlife Paradise Near Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $169Our pick

A half-day near Cartagena at Fundación Loros, with parrot rehab, horseback riding, monkeys, farm visits, and thrilling UTV rides.

“What an incredible experience! Alejandro, Alex + the rest of the team were amazing to work with! We were able to ride horses through the Colombian mountains with the option of the UTV, learned about parrot/bird conservation, was treated with a wonderful breakfast, and learned Colombian agriculture. Incredibly safe and everyone was welcoming and professional. Additionally- they have bilingual guides as well. 100% would recommend.”

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2.UTV Safari in a Wildlife-Filled Nature Reserve Near Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $141

UTV safari at Fundación Loros near Cartagena, with bird rehab talks, hands-on food prep, wildlife spotting, and native tree planting.

“Overall we loved the entire experience. I visited Fundacion Loros Bird Sanctuary with my wife and two teenage daughters. We were provided comfortable, private transportation from our hotel to the location. Upon arrival we were greeted by Paulina who would guide us and explain the goings on. She is a biologist and has a love for birds. We were offered a delicious breakfast including omelet, plantain and fruit and coffee. We also met the other guides and drivers that would accompany us. After breakfast we visited the many birds being lovingly rehabilitated. The birds were incredible, one of them landed on my daughter’s head. That was magical. Then we took…”

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3.Amazon Conscious Adventure: 5-Day Trek, Kayak & Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $1,233

Private 5-day Amazon trek and kayak from Leticia with Ticuna culture, Peru sloth tracking, Amacayacu hike, and Tarapoto night safari.

“We had a great trip! Made so many amazing memories!!traveled with three adult kids and us parents. The guides always made us feel safe”

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4.Chingaza Wildlife Páramo Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $180

Chingaza páramo wildlife hike from Bogotá with bilingual guide Hector, 4x4 ride, admission and insurance included, 10 to 11 hours.

“A visit to this rare ecosystem wasn't complete without Hector. We were told we could see bears, eagles, deers and much more, but no promises. Well....... I guess we got the whole package. Within 10 minutes of entering the park we saw a young deer and an Andean bear right in front of us. It didn't stop there, Eagles, hummingbirds, plants, the view, the drive but especially Hector's keen eye and encyclopedia size brain that completed the day. 10 out of 10 would go again.”

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5.Guatapé Canyoning Adventure: Crystal Waters and Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 12 reviews · 4h 30m · from $90Best value

Guatapé canyoning with 8 water jumps, Cascada del Indio rappels, 80-m zip line, lunch, cocoa massage, and pro photo video.

“Amazing day with Fernando!! We had a great hike, cliff jumping into the river, rappelling and floating through rapids. He has an amazing energy and joy for life that is contagious. Highly recommended if you want some adventure!!”

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6.Parrot & Macaw Volunteering in a Wildlife Reserve Near Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $132

Volunteer at Fundación Loros near Cartagena to help rehabilitate parrots and macaws, harvest cassava and papaya, and plant a native tree.

“Donated a little time to the Fundación Loros, Parrot Rehabilitation center (they also assist other animals including Monkeys - have a few pics). They can release most back into the wild. Small effort on our part to help prepare food - showing one table here but there were many others. The last picture is a released parrot hanging out in a tree near the last aviary they stay in before being released. The pre-release cage is closer to the mountains and helps them and the wild birds to get to know one another so hopefully they are accepted into a community. Thank you Fundacion Loros for the tremendous work you…”

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7.Horseback Ride Near Cartagena With Mountains, Wildlife and Forest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $159

Horseback near Cartagena at Fundación Loros: breakfast by a lake, parrot care prep, a 15 km ride, wildlife spotting, and tree planting.

“Nous avons adoré notre visite à Loros. Tout est vraiment beau, bien organisé et les employés sont sympathiques et bien organisés. Nous avons adoré nourrir les oiseaux, voir les singes, faire de l'équitation ainsi que le retour en véhicule tout terrain. Le déjeuné était simple mais suffisant et bon. Le seul problème que nous avons eu a été avec les étriers des chevaux qui sont très différents de ce nous avons l'habitude. Ah oui, et le cheval blanc qui ne voulait pas avancer, mais cela relève de l'animal et non des guides. Nous avons quand même adoré notre expérience et la recommandons à tous.”

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8.ATV Thrill Ride Near Cartagena Through Wildlife Trails and Nature

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $169

ATV wildlife ride near Cartagena through Colombia dry forest, bird rehab conservation, and native tree planting with Fundación Loros.

“This was a beautiful experience. It includes great food, feeding the birds while getting their history and back story of the preserve, and atving through the preserve and seeing all the beauty of forest. Even got to plant a tree to add to the forest. It gives a purpose to the work. I can't forget. Corina was a beauty. An amazing tour guide and great singer. I had fun in our carpool karaoke lol.”

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9.Monkey Volunteer Work in Wildlife Reserve Near Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $149

Volunteer at Fundación Loros near Cartagena, with breakfast, a 4x4 forest ride, sustainable farming tasks, and guided monkey reintroduction work.

“Our day at the Nature Reserve of Foundation Loros was the highlight of our trip to Colombia. The staff was very friendly and informed and taught us a lot about animal rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild. It was great to actively participate as well, feeding the birds and monkeys. I would highly recommend going to Foundation Loros to anyone visiting the Cartagena area.”

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