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Cali: the best destination for
birdwatching in Colombia
Birdwatching in Colombia has earned global acclaim as one of the premier tourist activities, all thanks to our nation's abundant biodiversity. Particularly noteworthy is the vibrant community of birdwatchers, renowned for their dedication to conservation and ecotourism. Leading the charge in this endeavor is our very own Valle del Cauca region, with Cali proudly hosting the annual international event, Colombia Birdfair, each February.
In this article, we'll delve into some of the common queries we receive regarding birdwatching in Colombia, aiming to facilitate any birdwatching excursion in the country. From offering practical advice to highlighting the best birdwatching spots in Colombia, our objective is to furnish valuable insights for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike.
Photo by Mauricio Ossa.
When does birdwatching season in Colombia start?
Although some publications indicate that the best periods for bird watching in Colombia are from January to April and from September to December, there is no specific season for this activity.
Due to Colombia's geographical position and its topographic and climatic characteristics, our country is home to a wide range of endemic bird species that can be sighted throughout the year.
It is important to note that there are also multiple seasons for migratory birds in Colombia, and the types of birds that can be observed depend on the time of year, the thermal floor, and the ecosystem of the region you wish to visit.
To help identify the species of birds that visit Colombia, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have published this guide that includes information about arrival periods, residence times, concentration sites, and conservation status.
If you are new to bird watching and want to start at a good time for observation, we recommend paying attention to the various activities organized on the occasion of World Migratory Bird Day in May and October. During these months, various organizations linked to the Cornell University Ornithology Laboratory call on people from all over the world to participate in expeditions organized by their communities of followers.
Where to go birdwatching in Colombia?
All parts of our national geography are perfect for bird watching... And despite the fact that there are many recommendations you can find on the Internet about the best places to see birds in Colombia, Valle del Cauca is one of the departments that concentrates the largest number of species in the country, making it one of the most interesting places to visit for this reason.
Due to its various wetlands and river basins, Cali is home to nearly 600 species of birds in the region, which explains the devotion that both our universities and citizens have for the issue of Colombian birds and their conservation.
Within the urban perimeter, there are many places in Cali for bird watching such as the Las Garzas Ecopark, the Cañasgordas Hacienda, the Babilla Wetland, the Aqueduct Park, the La Bandera and Cristo Rey hills, and the Cali Botanical Garden, to name a few.
Por fuera de la ciudad existen parajes espectaculares para lo mismo, como el Parque Nacional Natural Farallones, las reservas Anahuac and Bachué, el Bosque de Niebla San Antonio junto al Kilómetro 18, la Finca Alejandría, la Reserva Natural Nirvana y los alrededores del Lago Calima.
For more information on where to observe birds in Cali, you can download the Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Santiago de Cali and learn how to identify our bird species.
If you prefer to consult a broader selection of places, we recommend you visit the collaborative platform BioModelos of the Humboldt Institute. This tool provides access to 1890 digital maps with information on the location and distribution of our national birds.
We also recommend you follow the social media accounts of Colombia Birdfair, as they organize many bird watching tours in Valle del Cauca that we are sure you will enjoy.
a few minutes from Cali.
Photo: Luis Carlos Mora.
Photo: Mauricio Ossa.
How to organize a birdwatching trip in Colombia?
Many experts in ornithological tourism agree that any trip for this purpose depends on the experience of the person involved, as this defines the strategy that must be followed to meet the expectations of the bird watcher.
If the traveler is an expert on the subject, it is likely that he or she is aware of the best time of year to travel with the goal of sighting several specific species in advance. They will have good technology and bibliography to record their encounters, and will have a well-assimilated protocol regarding their behavior when going out to spot specimens.
On the other hand, if the traveler knows little about the subject, they probably do not have demanding requirements regarding the types of specimens to be seen, and their enjoyment is derived equally from the mere contact with nature.
Regardless of these profiles, many agree that hiring a guide can facilitate the success of the experience. In this sense, we suggest some agencies with bird watching packages in Cali that may be of interest:
Valley Adventours
Ecolombia
Viajes CHE
Picoloro
Rtrack
Oliverio Tours
Manakin Nature Tours
Awake Travel
In case you do not want to depend on a group, it is always advisable to do a lot of research about the destination you want to reach. Additionally, it is very important to adhere to the manual of good practices for bird watching in Colombia, especially with regard to avoiding environmental impacts that may affect the birdlife.
Regarding flights, Cali is well connected with Bogotá, some of the main cities of our country, and several international ports. Therefore, it should not be difficult to arrive in our city for any bird season in Colombia.
Finally, if you are a beginner and want to make your bird watching experience in Cali an enjoyable and memorable one, we recommend that you follow the advice given by various bird-watching friends on sites such as Don Viajes, El Tiempo, and the Cali Mayor's Office.
Without further ado, we hope you enjoy all the interesting birdwatching that our city has to offer.
Welcome to the Colombia Birdfair!
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462 rooms, two swimming pools, restaurant, gym and access to all the basic and entertainment services you require: banking area, supermarket, pharmacies, shops, cinema, casino and much more.
We are the largest hotel complex in Valle del Cauca!
