At the end of last year, we went on an unforgettable trip of several days to the Tambopata Reserve, using a couple of the best eco Lodges in the area as our base. We were picked up at Puerto Maldonado and taken by private bus to the Tambopata river port at the native community of Infierno, where we had a delicious packed lunch of Juanes (banana leaves stuffed with cooked vegetable rice).
A short river journey took us to our first lodge, a short distance behind the entrance of the Reserve. On the way, we saw a number of Green-and-red Macaws high up in the trees, a Capybara, Red Howler Monkeys and Horned Screamers, and further on some more Howler Monkeys taking up mineral from a clay lick.
At the comfortable Lodge, built of wood and palm thatch we watched parakeets feeding in the trees opposite and an agouti crossing the gardens. Early in the morning, we watched a family of Dusky Titi monkeys just outside the Lodge before visiting the nearby watchtower from where we could enjoy a bird’s eye perspective of the canopy.
But most amazing was the Harpy Eagle’s nest that we were able to appreciate both through the telescope as well as live on a film screen. We were lucky to watch the mother landing in the nest to feed her chick – what a treat!
Back at the Lodge, we fortified ourselves with a hearty breakfast before we continued our journey upriver to our Lodge deep inside the Reserve. The river journey rewarded us with perfect views of a Jaguar that lasted for about ten minutes. Nearby we spotted a family of Capybara – it seems the Jaguar had been trying to sneak up on them! I have seen a number of Jaguars in the rainforest over the years, but this was my best sighting yet!
We also visited a Macaw and Parrot clay lick where we had great sightings of Scarlet Macaws and Blue-and-yellow Macaws. Later we saw a family of Orinoco Geese on the beach.
After lunch in at our extremely comfortable Lodge which yet retained a close connection with nature with the rooms having open views of the forest for maximum enjoyment of wildlife, we went on a nature trail with our highly skilled local guide, Jair, a member of the Ese Eja indigenous community and an excellent birder.
The afternoon rewarded us with close up views of a Piping Guan and a Peccary as well as Black Spider Monkeys. I am always so pleased when I see Spider Monkeys as they are one of the positive status indicators of an Amazonian rainforest. Another species being the Razor-billed Curassow which we also saw at a clay lick the next day.
On a visit to a small almost dried up river meander we were able to watch the extremely shy Agami Heron, a Black Caiman, Side-neck Turtles and the legendary Hoatzins.
What a magical trip we had! We were able to appreciate such rich and amazing wildlife almost effortlessly, whilst all our needs were looked after in the well – equipped lodges by the accommodating and efficient staff members! In fact, we had such a good time that we have included trips to the Tambopata Reserve in our offer of tours now. For more information please consult our Tambopata Deluxe Adventure
