Overview
This expedition was designed for travellers whose dream is to encounter rare and elusive wildlife in some of the most pristine and least-visited protected areas in Bolivia. Over seven days, the route links three spectacular ecosystems — Kaa Iya National Park, the highlands around Santiago de Chiquitos and the Bolivian Pantanal — in search of the Jaguar, Yellow Anaconda, Tapir, Puma and a long list of other species found across this remote stretch of the Bolivian Chaco and wetlands.
The journey opens in Kaa Iya National Park, internationally recognised as one of the best places on the planet to search for Jaguar in the wild, often without another visitor in sight. Days here are built around night spotlighting drives, treks along old pipeline corridors, staking out lagoons, and setting and checking camera traps — alongside excellent birding, with well over 100 species typically recorded across the trip. From Kaa Iya, the route continues to Santiago de Chiquitos, a striking landscape of giant rock formations overlooking the Tucavaca protected area, where flocks of macaws are a regular highlight.
The final stage takes travellers into the Bolivian Pantanal, part of the largest wetland system on Earth and home to Maned Wolf, Giant Otter, Marsh Deer, Capybara, Spectacled Caiman and Yellow Anaconda. This is a wildlife-focused expedition for nature lovers, photographers and birdwatchers comfortable with rustic camp accommodation and long days in the field; it is not recommended for young children.
Hotel pickup and an early departure from Santa Cruz for the drive to San Jose de Chiquitos, with a stop to photograph the historic Jesuit Mission church. From here it’s a further off-road drive to enter Kaa Iya National Park, where wildlife sightings along the access road are common. After signing in with park rangers and setting up camp, the late afternoon brings the first trek along the pipeline corridor in search of Jaguar and other cat species, followed by dinner and an optional night drive or walk.
An early start for a peak-hour drive or walk around the Tucavaca area, setting a camera trap along the way. After breakfast, a trek to one of the area’s few water sources offers excellent chances to find Tapir tracks and Bolivian Titi Monkeys, with lunch served in the field. The afternoon and evening bring a night drive across the Tucavaca area, scanning with spotlights for nocturnal mammals.
A long, slow drive along the pipeline toward the Izozog Pumping Station — an area famous within the park for Jaguar activity — with breakfast taken en route to maximise wildlife viewing along the way. After lunch and check-in with park rangers, an afternoon trek through prime habitat allows time to check and set additional camera traps, followed by an evening wildlife drive back to camp for dinner.
An early breakfast and departure from Kaa Iya National Park toward Santiago de Chiquitos and the protected Tucavaca Valley. After lunch, a short trek leads to a spectacular lookout over the valley, with a good chance of seeing large flocks of macaws. The afternoon continues with a drive toward the base town for the Pantanal stage of the trip, arriving in the evening.
After breakfast, a drive to the entrance of Utuquis National Park, passing through the surrounding mining region before meeting park rangers and presenting permits. The drive into the park offers a steady stream of photographic opportunities as wildlife density increases. Camp is set up around midday, with a freshly prepared lunch followed by an evening wildlife drive focused on Giant Otter, Yellow Anaconda and the wetland’s resident Jaguars — keeping an eye out for the elusive Maned Wolf.
An early wildlife drive or walk with a focus on Yellow Anaconda, returning to camp for breakfast. The morning includes time for piranha fishing or exploring the surrounding area before packing up camp and departing the park after lunch — the long drive out often produces some of the trip’s best wildlife sightings. Return to your hotel in Puerto Suárez in the evening.
Breakfast followed by the long return drive to Santa Cruz, with stops along the way at scenic towns for lunch and to explore additional sights, arriving back in Santa Cruz in the evening.
Our team replies within a few hours. We also speak Spanish and English.
