Exploring The Wildlife Diversity In Bolivia's Amazon Jungle

The Amazon Jungle in Bolivia is a great destination for those looking for an authentic and budget-friendly rainforest experience. The Bolivian Amazon is part of the world's largest rainforest, which spans across nine countries in South America. While most people tend to associate the Amazon with Brazil, Bolivia offers a more affordable and less crowded alternative. The town of Rurrenabaque serves as the main gateway for tours into the Amazon, with options to explore either the Pampas or the Rainforest.

The Pampas tours are ideal for those seeking a classic Amazon experience, as they offer the chance to spot a variety of wildlife, including alligators, squirrel monkeys, and capybaras. These tours are also more affordable, with prices starting at around \$75 USD for a three-day trip. On the other hand, the Rainforest tours provide a more challenging and adventurous option, allowing visitors to trek through the dense jungle of Madidi National Park and learn about natural medicines and jungle survival skills.

The Amazon in Bolivia is teeming with diverse wildlife, offering visitors the opportunity to spot rare and exotic species. Whether it's the giant otters of Madidi National Park or the pink river dolphins of the Pampas, Bolivia's Amazon Jungle is a nature lover's paradise.

Pampas Region

The Pampas Region in Bolivia is a wetland savannah bordering the Amazon basin. It is not a typical Amazon experience, but it is much easier to spot wildlife due to the lack of trees. The Pampas is home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, capybaras, turtles, squirrel monkeys, dolphins, herons, kingfishers, roseate spoonbills, and giant storks.

The Pampas tour usually starts with a bumpy jeep ride to Santa Rosa, where you will have lunch before boarding the canoes. The canoe ride takes about three hours to reach the camp, and it offers an excellent opportunity to see wildlife, including alligators, capybaras, turtles, and monkeys. The river is narrow, so you get very close to the animals on the banks.

The accommodation in the Pampas is basic, with most people staying in dorm rooms. There is usually no electricity, WiFi, or hot water in the lodges. The tour includes activities such as piranha fishing, swimming with pink dolphins, and searching for anacondas in the marshlands.

The Pampas Region is an excellent choice for those who want to see a wide variety of wildlife in the Bolivian Amazon. It offers a different experience from the dense jungle, and the tours are very affordable. However, it can feel more touristy, and some activities, like swimming with pink dolphins, may be crowded.

Madidi National Park

The park encompasses a diverse range of ecosystems, from the glacier-covered peaks of the Andes Mountains to the lush rainforests of the Tuichi River. The elevation varies from 1,968 to 19,685 feet (200 to 6,000 meters) above sea level, resulting in a variety of climates. The northern lowlands have a tropical climate, while the alpine regions are cold and blustery. The park experiences two distinct seasons: the rainy season from November to March and the dry season from April to October.

Birdwatchers will be delighted by the more than 1,250 species of birds that call Madidi home, representing about 14% of the world's total bird species. The park is a birder's paradise, with colourful macaws, orinoco geese, pied lapwings, and black skimmers among the residents. The best way to experience the park's wildlife is by boat, cruising along the muddy riverbanks of the Tuichi River, or on a night walk through the jungle, where you can spot the park's nocturnal creatures.

In addition to its natural wonders, Madidi National Park is also home to indigenous communities. Around 46 indigenous communities from six different tribes inhabit the park, including the voluntarily isolated Toromona people. These communities have blended their ancient customs with modern life, and many have embraced eco-tourism as a means of preserving the fragile environment they depend on. The park offers a unique opportunity to interact with Amazonian natives and learn about their traditional ways of life.

Rurrenabaque

Attractions and Activities

From Rurrenabaque, visitors can take tours to the jungle, rainforest, and pampas. The Madidi National Park is a particularly popular destination, known for its biodiversity and the opportunity to spot rare animals. The Pampas Region is also a common tourist attraction, where visitors can see capybaras, caimans, monkeys, and pink dolphins.

Weather and Climate

Travel Tips

When travelling to Rurrenabaque, it is recommended to book a tour in advance, especially if you want to venture deeper into the Amazon Jungle. It is also important to come prepared with the right clothing and gear, including light and breathable clothes, hiking boots, rain gear, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

Amazon River Basin

The Amazon River Basin is the largest drainage basin in the world, covering roughly 7,000,000 square kilometres (or about 2,700,000 square miles). It is located in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and the territory of French Guiana. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by discharge volume of water and is the longest or second-longest river system in the world, a title disputed with the Nile.

The Amazon River Basin is home to an incredibly diverse array of flora and fauna. It is estimated that roughly 1 out of every 10 known animal species can be found in the Amazon rainforest, and for birds, that figure rises to 1 out of every 5. The Amazon is known to be home to 427 mammals, 78 reptiles, over 400 amphibians, and about 1,300 bird species.

Jaguar

The jaguar is the largest cat in the Americas and can weigh up to 100 kg. It is an apex predator and a solitary, ambush-style hunter with the most proportionately strong bite in the animal kingdom. Jaguars are very hard to spot, but you may be lucky enough to glimpse one in remote parts of Madidi National Park in Bolivia.

Poison Dart Frog

With vibrant and complex colours that correlate to their level of toxicity, poison dart frogs are fairly easy to spot on your Amazon journey. Out of 170 species tested, only 3 have been proven lethal, with the golden poison dart frog being the most toxic.

Giant River Otter

The giant river otter, endemic to the Amazon basin, is the largest member of the weasel family. Adult males can grow up to 5 feet in length, with a 3-foot-long tail, and weigh up to 55 lbs. They are highly social and live in families of up to 8 otters. With a distinct repertoire of vocalizations, you are more likely to hear these otters before you see them.

Amazon River Dolphin

Also known as the pink river dolphin, boto, or bufeo, this unique species of pink-toothed whale is native to the Amazon basin. They are highly intelligent and social, often navigating the waters through biosonar.

Macaw

With their vivid, striking plumage, macaws are one of the most charismatic residents of the Amazon. Their ability to mimic human speech has made them popular pets. Macaws are highly social, living in flocks of up to 30 birds, and mating for life, with an average lifespan of 60 years.

Capybara

The capybara is the largest rodent in the world, reaching up to 4 feet in length and weighing around 140 lbs. They are highly social, typically moving in groups of 20-30 members. Capybaras are herbivores, often found near bodies of water, feeding on shrubs and aquatic plants.

Green Anaconda

The green anaconda is the world's largest, heaviest, and most powerful snake. In the water, they are agile hunters, floating with their snout above the surface and striking when prey comes close. They can grow to immense sizes, with some specimens in the wild reaching 18 feet in length and weighing up to 170 lbs.

Jungle Treks

The Bolivian Amazon is a budget-friendly option for exploring the rainforest. It's cheaper than Brazil, and the tours are less crowded. The town of Rurrenabaque is the starting point for trips into the Bolivian Amazon. It's easy to sign up for tours here, and it's cheaper than booking in La Paz.

There are two ways to visit the Amazon from Rurrenabaque: the pampas tours and the jungle tours.

Pampas Tours

The pampas tours are the cheapest option, and you'll see the most wildlife, including alligators, squirrel monkeys, and capybaras. However, it may not be the classic Amazon jungle experience, as the pampas are a wetland savannah rather than deep jungle. The lack of trees means it's easier to spot wildlife.

Tours operate three-day/two-night trips for around $75 plus a $20 park entrance fee. Tours include transportation, food, and a guide. You get what you pay for, so expect basic accommodations and meals. Your guide may not be very knowledgeable if you go with a cheap operator, so make sure you ask around for a company with good guides.

After a bumpy jeep ride to the edge of the jungle, you'll transfer to a motorized canoe and travel along the river to your lodge. The river trip is the highlight, as you'll get up close to an array of wildlife.

The riverside camp is peaceful, with plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities. The accommodations are shared wooden huts on stilts. A generator provides power until 10 pm, so you can enjoy cold beers in a hammock while watching the sunset.

Jungle Tours

For a more classic Amazon experience, opt for a jungle tour, where you can stay at an eco-lodge and do activities. This can be pricey. For example, a three-day/two-night tour with Madidi Travel to its Serere Lodge costs $207 per person. However, you get a large, comfortable bungalow, great food, and a professionally run trip.

Serere Lodge is reached by a three-hour canoe ride and a short trek through the jungle. You can choose from activities like canoe trips on the lake, day and night treks in the jungle, piranha fishing, and making jewellery.

There are cheaper jungle tours available, with more basic accommodation, for prices similar to pampas trips. You can also hire a guide independently and trek and camp out in the jungle, but conditions in the jungle are hard, so don't undertake these treks lightly.

Practical Information

• The best time to visit the Bolivian Amazon is the dry season, from May to October, when there is more wildlife and fewer mosquitoes.
• The jungle trek is more physically demanding than the pampas tour, so be sure to have good footwear and proper hiking clothing.
• Wear light trekking clothes, but also cover up to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Bring bug spray.
• You can get to Rurrenabaque from La Paz by a 30-hour bus ride or a 35-minute flight. The bus costs $10, and the flight costs around $75.
• There is no reliable ATM in Rurrenabaque, so bring plenty of cash.
• Don't go on anaconda hunts where you can pose with the snakes. Wild animals should be viewed from a distance.
• Don't pay less than around $90-100 for your jungle tour. Anything below that price point will likely be less than ideal.

Frequently asked questions