Grand Bolivia: Part I

Bolivia is a landlocked treasure of South America—wild, colorful, and brimming with biodiversity. Long overlooked by travelers, it offers birders a rare chance to explore vast, unspoiled habitats alive with endemics and regional specialties. This first section of our Grand Bolivia journey focuses on the eastern lowlands, inter-Andean valleys, and Beni grasslands, revealing an astonishing range of ecosystems and birds.

From the tropical foothills of the Yungas to the dry cactus valleys of the Andes, we’ll encounter dazzling species diversity—perhaps 450 in all. In Amboró National Park, we’ll explore lush forest alive with toucans, tanagers, and manakins, and watch Military Macaws and Andean Condors soar above dramatic red cliffs. In the inter-Andean valleys, we’ll enjoy close encounters with the striking, endemic Red-fronted Macaw and Cliff Parakeet amid breathtaking scenery. Hummingbird gardens and forest trails add gems such as White-throated Antpitta, Rufous-faced Antpitta, and Giant Antshrike.

Our journey culminates in the lowlands of Trinidad, where the Beni wetlands—Bolivia’s answer to the Pantanal—host the exquisite endemic Blue-throated Macaw, Greater Rhea, Jabiru, Scarlet-headed Blackbird, and even Pink River Dolphins. Boat excursions on the Río Mamoré offer a chance to see the rare Orinoco Goose and a wealth of waterbirds and mammals.

With improved roads, comfortable lodges, and rich cultural traditions still vibrant in everyday life, Bolivia offers both comfort and adventure. Exceptional birding, spectacular scenery, and warm hospitality make this one of the most rewarding and little-known experiences in all of South America.

Bolivia’s eastern lowlands and Andean foothills form one of the richest ecological mosaics in the world. Here, tropical forests, dry inter-Andean valleys, chaco scrub, cloud forests, and Pantanal-like wetlands meet in dramatic succession. Towering red cliffs, palm-dotted savannas, and blackwater rivers sustain an extraordinary diversity of wildlife—nearly 1,450 bird species nationwide, with 25 endemics and close to 100 near-endemics. The combination of rugged topography and intact habitats makes Bolivia a final frontier for birding exploration in South America.