Boat ride in the Llanos
On a boat trip in the Llanos, you can spot caimans, capybaras and turtles and fish for piranhas.
We were walking to a clearing by the river, when Jeremiah said very quietly; “look ‘n next to you.” A few feet away there was a caiman in the water. We saw two more, lying motionless in the water for a very long time, ready to strike for passing prey!
Walk
Before the hike with Jeremiah began, we crossed the river by boat so we could hike on the other side of the river. Because the water is low in the dry season, they don’t motor the boat then. Jeremiah pushed sticks into the water to move forward. Later I learned that the water is as much as 2-3 meters higher in the rainy season.
Caimans
We were hiking to a vantage point by the river, when Jeremiah said very quietly; “look next to you.” A few feet away there was a caiman in the water. We saw two more, lying motionless in the water for a very long time, ready to pounce on passing prey!
Natural Selection
I told Jeremiah that the landscape was even drier than I had imagined. He said this was the end of the dry season, hence the huge drought. There is then a “natural selection,” where the older and weaker animals die, in the harsh conditions. Other animals we saw on the hike included capybaras, turtles and a beautiful macaw.
Boat trip
Together with Dutch couple Ted and Anneke and their translator Gabriela, we took a boat trip down the river in the afternoon.
It was very relaxing to quietly observe the animals from the boat, such as agoutis (look like small capybaras), howler monkeys, many birds and wild pigs. A caiman was beautifully “posing” on a small beach. Because the river is quite narrow, we were able to observe the animals from up close.
Capybara family
We saw a family of capybaras whose little ones were drinking with the mother. Earlier we saw the babies running through the sand, soo cute! Because it is so dry and hot, the capybaras stay close to the river to cool off.
Fishing for piranhas
At a sandbar we went fishing for piranhas. I did not have much luck and fed the fish rather than catching them. So the piranha that was caught afterwards -with a very fat belly- was named after me -:)
Travel date: February 2020.
Check out our travel guide Casanare -the Colombian safari– for more info. Need a hotel in Yopal prior to your trip? Then check here the options.