El Tuparro National Natural Park
El Tuparro National Natural Park is a protected natural area of vast savannas and patchy forests in the eastern plains of Orinoquía, Colombia. Criss-crossed by several rivers, but lacking roads, it is best explored by boat. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Understand
History
The park was incorporated into the Colombian national parks system in September 1980.
Landscape
The park is very large, encompassing an area of 557,000 hectares. Most of the land is savanna (vast, flat grasslands), that can be either dry or wet. Rivers crossing through the park include Rio Tomo to the north and Rio Tuparro, Tio Tuparrito and Rio Caño Maipurés to the south.
Flora and fauna
The savanna is an area of open grassland with scattered (widely spaced) trees, with riparian forests near the rivers.
The park is home to 74 species of mammals, including white-tail deer, two species of armadillo, five species of monkeys, and tapirs. Jungle cats (pumas and jaguars) inhabit the river forests where they frequently dine on peccaries. More than 320 bird species have been identified in the park (including aquatic birds). 17 reptiles, and 26 fish species round out a list of the park's denizens.
Climate
Get in
The easiest way to visit this remote park is to book a guided trip with one of the local travel companies in Bogota. They will handle flight scheduling, have guides and transportation ready for you (English speaking guides are commonly available), handle lodging, meals, and other logistics.
From Bogota, you will need to fly to Puerto Carreño (PCR IATA). Satena is the only airline that flies this route and flights are not available every day. Round-trip tickets will cost about US$230. Once you arrive in Puerto Carreño, you can find local lodging and arrange transportation and guides to the park.
Fees and permits
The park entrance fee is COP$15,500 for foreign travelers and COP$10,000 for Colombian citizens.
Get around
See
- Lapa Canyon - with waterfalls and crystal clear pools for swimming
- Maipures Rapids
- remote indigenous villages of the Sikuani people
Do
- hike the Attalea Trail along the Maipures Rapids
- hike the Anaconda Trail along the Tomo River
- climb Guahino Hill for a panoramic vista of the park
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Backcountry
Backcountry camping in the park is allowed.