Colombia Birdwatch offers more than just a birding or nature tour, we offer an immersion into Colombian lifestyle, not only showcasing the wealth of bird species but also highlighting the culinary specialities and way of life of each region they visit. Based in Cali, one of Colombia’s most strategically situated cities for access to the most fascinating and diverse birding locales on the planet, Colombia Birdwatch seeks to provide an unsurpassed birdwatching experience for birders and naturalists from around the world.
Colombia Birdwatch stands out as a specialist birdwatching tour operator because, as locals, we provide exceptional value, we know Colombia, its birds, birding areas, customs, culture, and gastronomy while our privileged local access will make your experience exclusive and unforgettable.
Colombia Birdwatch tours are accompanied by one or more professional tour leaders to ensure a successful trip and only employ local guides at every destination we visit. As a specialist local birding operator, we offer set-departure dates throughout the year, concentrating on the most productive and unique birding destinations in this mega-diverse country. The group size is the lowest in the industry, with a maximum of 8 birders per group. This allows for a more personal experience and allows Colombia Birdwatch fulfilling their goal of getting every person on every bird!
Birdwatch Colombia also offers custom tours to ANY destination in Colombia and we will design and quote your dream birding holiday free of charge with no commitment necessary!
Multicolored Tanager
Undoubtedly Colombia’s most prized endemic, this globally threatened species can be seen only 30 minutes from Cali coming to feeders, a delight for birders and photographers. It is one of three Chlorochrysa tanagers found in the world.
Gold-ringed Tanager
Known from just three localities in Colombia, this beautiful and elusive Bangsia is seen easily at the Montezuma Lodge in Tatama National Park.
Bicolored Antpitta
This globally threatened species can be observed at the Rio Blanco lodge, coming to feeders to pose for birders and photographers that come to see this endemic from around the globe.
Black-fronted Wood-quail
This species is restricted to northeast Colombia, and can be observed visiting the compost pile at the infamous El Dorado Lodge.
Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer
Known to occur in less than 5 localities in Colombia, this awe-inspiring Flowerpiercer is observed at 2,600 meters in the Tatama National Park, which is easily accessed form the Montezuma Lodge.
Munchique Wood-wren
This critically endangered endemic was discovered in 2008 and is restricted to very small patches of forest in the western Andes of Colombia, Lees than 300 pairs are estimated to exist, but this species can be seen easily in the Tatama National Park.
Yellow-eared Parrot
An extremely rare parrot of the western Andes of Colombia, this endemic species is known to be recuperating throughout its range and can be seen in the mountains above Jardin, Antioquia.
Santa Marta Screech-owl
This recently discovered owl is set to become another one of the Santa Marta endemics as soon as it is described!
Buffy Helmetcrest
The habitat for this endemic is only found in the vicinity of the Nevado del Ruiz, in the paramo
ecosystem of Los Nevados National Park. The total population of this species is perhaps one thousand individuals.
Black-and-gold Tanager
A very rare tanager found in the western Andes of Colombia. This endemic can be found in the vicinity of Montezuma National Park.
At Colombia Birdwatch, they realise that conservation and stewardship of Colombia’s biodiversity depends largely on the participation of local communities, so community involvement is emphasised throughout their tours.
They work closely with non-profit organizations throughout Colombia whose mission is to promote conservation, environmental education, and responsible ecotourism to benefit the local communities visited.
Short stay but brilliant!
Araucana Lodge & Anchicaya Nature Camp
Helen and I were only at Araucana Lodge for 3 days but it was a brilliant experience, not just for the birding which was excellent, but to see what Chris, Vivian and their whole team are doing to enhance the amazing potential that Colombia has to offer. We were one of the first couples to stay at their new lodge, which when it's finished very soon, will be spectacular. It's already looking terrific and has been designed with such care and attention to the their environment. The rooms are huge and spacious, very comfortable with fabulous views over the property. All the staff are great and our guide Giancarlo Ventolini was the best - having not only sharp eyes and hearing - but the knowledge to answer any question we had on, not just the local area, but all of Colombia. Helen did a lot of research beforehand regarding the best place to bird, and it certainly paid off. It is such a relaxed atmosphere at Araucana, and everyone has a really professional attitude but with good humour and friendliness.
Fantastic Trip!
Araucana Lodge & Anchicaya Nature Camp
My wife and I joined a small group led by Chris Calonje, along with Jose Luna, to the southwest of Colombia in 2014. We explored areas around Cali, Anchicaya, Sonso Lagoon, Otun Quimbaya, Rio Blanco, and Nevado de Ruiz. The trip was excellent, and all of our needs were amply taken care of. Both Chris and Jose are great birders, helping us find many species at each location. They knew several local property owners, who were very welcoming in having the group explore areas that we would otherwise not have been able to see, including a Cock-of-the-Rock lek. In addition to birding, we got to visit some intriguing gardens and nature reserves, and to appreciate the great strides being made in Colombia towards promoting eco-tourism and protection of the country's fabulous biodiversity. We also attended a street dance in Cali, the likes of which I had not seen before, as well as walking tours in Manizales and Cali. If you have never been to Colombia before, like us, or want to see more of the wildlife there, I highly recommend Chris as your guide.
Birding with Colombia Birdwatch
Araucana Lodge & Anchicaya Nature Camp
We had a great time birding with the guides at Colombia Birdwatch. We visited Km18, Rio Blanco and Santa Marta. We are returning with two more Audubon Society Groups in March 2018.
Western Andes, Santa Marta
Santa Marta Mountains and Caribbean
Many, many species of birds encountered over two weeks, with several rare and unexpected finds. The locations were varied, comfortable, and in the heart of good birding and other wildlife habitat. Good job!
Repeat customer
Santa Marta Mountains and Caribbean
Chris, the guides and drivers are top notch and most welcoming.
Family birding Central and Western Andes and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Santa Marta Mountains and Caribbean
From June 25 to July 04, 2018 we went on a customized birding tour in the Central and the Western Andes and in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia and we ended up the trip with 406 species. First the exchange of emails with Chris to prepare this trip has been very fluid and efficient and the price quoted for the desired trip was fair. Chris was of great advice on where to go and how long to spend in each location. In Pereira airport our guide Giancarlo Ventolini picked us up. Giancarlo was an excellent bird guide, a very good driver, a gentleman with a great sense of humor and great knowledge of his country. His English was just perfect. We birded in Termales del Ruiz, Los Nevados National Park, Rio Blanco Reserve and Motezuma/Tatama National Park. The birding was exceptional and we did not miss many target species. Fernando, the local guide in Montezuma was excellent and got us a few sulkers. Then we went to Santa Marta where a second guide, Angel Ortiz, met us. With Angel we went to Tayrona National Park, Minca, and El Dorado in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Angel birding skills were excellent too and got us one target species after the other. His English was perfect. He was assisted by a driver who was skilled and cautious. All accommodations booked matched our standards and we have rarely seen people so welcoming in the lodges, the villages, but also in large cities such as Bogota or Cartagena. Not only Colombia is a prime birding destination, but also a country where visitors interested in history, food and landscapes will enjoy travelling. We will certainly go back to Colombia for another birding trip and no doubt that we will ask Colombia Birdwatch to organize it.
Excellent experience with Chris and company
Santa Marta Mountains and Caribbean
Our 12 day trip was a wonderful mixture of birding with some visits to cultural attractions. Pace was ideal. Chris is active in encouraging and using local birders and in promoting conservation efforts in Colombia.
Colombia Birdwatch
Santa Marta Mountains and Caribbean
Colombia Birdwatch are an excellent company with fantastic local guides who are brilliant at finding the birds as well as looking after guests. And Colombia is of course an amazing destination. I have done two private tours with them and both were superb, can't recommend too highly.
Amazing Bird Adventure
Araucana Lodge Tour
Two weeks exploring many different areas of Colombia including the wetlands, the mountains, and the valleys. Very birdy and very diverse surroundings. Transportation excellent, lodging was mixed with some fabulous and other not so memorable. Guides very expert.
Professional & comprehensive
Where Birds Dance
We've have done several trips with Chris and his guides, and are very pleased with the guides, lodging, meals and transport. The small groups are very helpful when seeking shy species & taking photos. The trips are fun and net many new species each trip.
Birding the West Andes/Choco
Where Birds Dance
Excellent guiding, well-organized, attentive. Will use them again!
Alex Mills' Trip
Peace Destinations
Exceeded all expectations. All connections and arrangements were flawless, guides were excellent. Included local communities and local food. Much more than a birding trip, but the birding was fantastic
Peace Destinations and Bogota Extension, November/December 2018
Peace Destinations
Chris and Colombia Birdwatch put together a birding trip that exceeded my expectations! I will not hesitate to use them again in the future. Itinerary and accommodations were excellent! Allowances for personalized meals was very generous. Guides and drivers were knowledgeable, accommodating, helpful, and hard working. I felt safe the entire trip. Our trip covered a lot of ground, and we identified over 550 species on the Peace Destinations Tour and Bogota extension. Wow!
Total 5 Star Experience
Endemic Colombia
This was a total 5 star experience from the first day. My birding partner and I arrive two days before the "official" start of the tour. Christopher arranged for us to take a tour of Cali and then took us on another full day of birding. The accommodations were excellent wherever we stayed, although a number of the locations were far off the beaten path. Our guide, Giancarlo was excellent. He was great at finding the birds and the local guides who joined us added a great dimension to the experience. Finding the birds in some locations is hard work, but totally rewarding. Fortunately, it is interspersed with easy birding at feeder spots to give you a welcome break. If you are a serious birder, want to see hundreds of birds (our count was 376) and have a totally great experience, this is the tour for you!
Endemics Tour Is a Winner!
Endemic Colombia
My husband and I have birded in Peru in the past. Now that it is safe to bird in Colombia, we knew we wanted to go birding there, too. We like to use a local company on international trips so I went shopping online. Eventually, I found Colombia BirdWatch and we were intrigued by the 22-day Endemics Tour. Before deciding, I contacted multiple references provided by Chris Calonje, owner of Colombia Birdwatch. The glowing responses we received made the decision for us. Once we had signed on for the trip, Chris was always quick to respond to any questions we had. Giancarlo Ventolini and Juan Lopez were our guides and drivers for the first two weeks of the tour which took us to a number of Colombia's premier birding areas: The Anchicaya Valley, Western and Central Andes and the Cauca Valley. Both of them have amazingly sharp ears and eyes, really know the birds and the areas, and were dedicated to having all of us see the birds. But, more than that, they were friendly and delightful companions. We also appreciated how well they speak English, since we do not speak Spanish, and thoroughly enjoyed talking to them and learning about Colombia as we traveled between destinations. We saw virtually all of the target species and so many more. When we flew north to the Santa Marta area, the excellent Angel Ortiz guided the last six days of the tour that took us to El Dorado in the Santa Marta Mountains, Los Flamencos National Park, Isla Salamanca, and Tayrona National Park. It takes a lot of hours each day to see as many birds as we did -- on the trip as a whole, more than 535 species! Our guides organized the time well and always put our needs and comfort first. Our accommodations were clean and comfortable, interesting, and occasionally even luxurious given the remote areas we were traveling in. The 4x4 vehicles did a good job of tackling the rough roads. In sum, we are so glad we signed on for Colombia BirdWatch's Endemics Tour and loved the whole experience: the knowledgeable and caring guides; the beautiful birds; the exquisite forests and varied ecosystems; and the friendly people. We can confidently recommend the Colombia BirdWatch team to anyone who wants a first-rate birding experience and appreciates value for money spent.
Adventure
Endemic Colombia
My trip to Colombia, organized and guided by Colombia Bird Watch, was a magical, perfect experience. We experienced the beauty of Colombia, in the countryside as well as in its vibrant cities. Accommodations were consistently aesthetically appealing, comfortable, clean, and safe. The transport was flawless and our guides were personable and professional. The guides went above and beyond anything I had expected. I could not have asked for a more fulfilling trip. Thanks, Dan Torlone
A Wonderful Introduction to Guided Birding
Endemic Colombia
This was the first long, guided trip I had done with a commercial company and I couldn't have picked better folks. The trip was comfortable, well-managed, productive, educational and, I think, well worth the cost. I'd do it again...if there weren't so many other places to visit. P.S. I was in Colombia in early January, 2017.
Colombia Birwatch: Western Andes, Santa Marta
Complete Colombia
We appreciate the explicit investment in natural and rural Colombia that this company is making. Towards that end everything about the tour made it a great experience. Guides, drivers, lodges and restaurants were all first rate. Well done Chris!
A Fabulous Month in Columbia
Complete Colombia
lt was an amazing month of birding. Chris worked with us to organize a trip that met our desires including just enough culture and beach walks to add to the birding. We had three local guides and Chris on various parts of the tour. Everyone was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and accommodating. Our next trip to Colombia definitely will be done with Colombia Birdwatch. We recommend them to all.
A brilliant introduction to South America
Colombia Birdwatch Custom Tours
When we reached out to Chris we knew we wanted a trip that would orient us to the birds of South America. Coming from India, the neotropical bird journey was something we were looking forward to. Not only did Chris guide us towards choosing the best regions to bird during the trip month, he also put together a custom plan that helped cover a good deal of ground. The variations in habitats and elevations helped us see a great many species. The trip also stands out as we saw each and every bird extremely well, and had time to savour their plumage and song. Jose Luna who led our trip was extremely knowledgeable of calls and songs and was a superb guide.
We look forward to being in Colombia again!
Amazing Tour of Northern Colombia
Colombia Birdwatch Custom Tours
Enjoyed a six-day custom tour of Northern Colombia led by a fantastic guide Jaruen who is local to the coast. Choosing an operator can be a daunting task but Chris Calonje of Colombia Birdwatcher put together a beautiful trip full of mountain/ocean scenery, birds and fantastic food! We stayed at El Dorado which no birder should miss, where else can you see Blackburnian warblers picking moths off a glass dining wall while you eat? We requested stops too at Tayrona Park and La Victoria Coffee Farm (see for yourself the colorful birds who benefit from sustainable, organic coffee farming) in addition to hotspots the company offered. Our guide Jaruen was even a former ranger at Tayrona! At La Guajira we met an additional local guide, just one of the extra touches that made this trip special. It was a joy to see local indigenous folk on this journey too, members of kogi and wayuu tribes. Each stop added new habitats! Come for the birds and stay for the food, fresh fish from the coast was incredible, these guys know best the places to find birds AND to eat! Cannot thank enough Chris, Jaruen and all the people who made this a very special tour! We'll be back!
Tour Colombia Summer 2017
Colombia Birdwatch Custom Tours
This was an excellent private tour for my wife and me. We saw well over 300 bird species, which is a lot more than we saw on any of our other travels (including Brazil, Peru, Ecuador). Our guides, Jose Luna in the Cali region, and Angel Ortiz in Santa Marta, were knowledgeable, keen-eyed, and extremely helpful. The food was good, and so were the lodges. All in all this was a first-rate birdwatching tour.
Colombia Birdwatch small group tour January-February \'18
Colombia Birdwatch Custom Tours
The group of 4 friends from UK and Canada were escorted around the some of the principle birding sites over 3 weeks on a private tour organised by Chris Colonje- Bogota/La Florida/Chingaza, Cali/Km18/San Antonio/Sonso Lagoon/Tatama NPk/Rio Blanco/Los Nevados, Baranquilla/Minca/El Dorado Lodge/Tayrona NPk area/Los Flamencos NPk.. Our 3 guides, Juan Carlos,Jose and Angel were excellent birders and were very attentive and considerate to our individual needs. The accommodations were good to excellent, much better than anticipated and meals very good throughout. We saw almost 500 species including over 50 endemics/near endemics and over 60 hummingbirds. Apart from the essential early starts each day, the birding was relaxed and leisurely to suit our particular group, the organisation was superb and the guides adapted the itinerary to our needs; had we wanted a more intense experience and our guides were capable of finding us many more species. Colombia is a fantastic country for birding, the infrastructure was much better than anticipated and the scenery wonderful.
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