My trip to the Llanos Orientales, began with a car ride from Yopal to Hato la Aurora Nature Reserve, a drive of about 5 hours through vast plains, to “the middle of nowhere.”
We got closer to the nature reserve and saw beautiful birds, a caiman and capybaras. According to Nelson, Reserva la Aurora has the largest number of wildlife after the nature reserves in South Africa.
Upon arrival at the airport in Yopal, driver Alex, Nelson and Jennifer from Juan Solito Ecolodge were already waiting for me. Nelson, owner of the lodge, had been shopping in Yopal and together with him I would drive to the lodge.
Colombian cowboy hat
Before the drive of about 5 hours began, I bought some snacks at the airport. I also went with Jennifer to a store, where I bought an original Llanero Sombrero. While trying on the different hats, I was immediately given a “mini course” on hat use and maintenance. What a fun first experience in the Llanos, the land of the Llaneros and Llaneras!
Indian cows
For the first few hours, the ride was on an asphalt road. When we arrived at a bridge outside the city, there was a traffic jam. It turned out that only 1 car was allowed to cross the bridge at a time.
The landscape was hilly and we saw many grazing “Indian cows,” recognisable by a hump on their backs. After this, the vast -desert-like- plains began. There were also barren stretches of land that had been cut down to -illegally- grow rice, Nelson told us.
Paz de Ariporo
On the way, we stopped at a little restaurant in the village of Paz de Ariporo, for a lunch of grilled chicken. The heat in the village was exhausting and it was a relief to get back into the air-conditioned Toyota Hilux.
Montañas del Totumo
After an endless dirt road, we approached the village of Montañasas del Totumo. To my surprise, there was suddenly a stretch of asphalt road, which stopped again as we drove out of the village. Nelson explained that the petroleum company had donated the paved road to the residents of the village.
After the smooth asphalt, the road turned back into a dirt road with big rocks. After this, the road only got worse and I was shaken up considerably.
Reserva la Aurora
Closer to Reserva la Aurora we saw beautiful birds, a caiman and capybaras. According to Nelson, Reserva la Aurora has the largest number of wildlife in the world after the nature reserves in South Africa. This, of course, made my curiosity even bigger!
Juan Solito ecolodge
By now the sun was beginning to set and this was a beautiful sight on the endless plain. In the dark we arrived at Juan Solito ecolodge, where hostess Marysol was waiting for me with a lemonade. Jeremiah showed me my room and in the bathroom I got my first “surprise”: A giant frog was staring at me with his big eyes!
“You’re in Los Llanos,” I told myself, you’ll see more than a frog in the room!” Still, I sweetly asked Jeremiah to catch the frog and bring it outside, and he did so with a smile from ear to ear.
House deer Pippa
After the long trip, I enjoyed an ice-cold Poker beer in the restaurant and got my second surprise: “house deer” Pippa looked curiously into the kitchen with her big eyes -:)
After dinner, Jeremiah came to discuss with me what the rest of the week would look like. We decided that my first activity would be a morning walk with himself.
Back in my room, the frog was back in “its” spot on the sink. Aaaah!!!
Written by Jeanette
Travel date: February 2020.
Check our travel guide Casanare -the Colombian safari- for more info on the Llanos Orientales. Need a hotel in Yopal prior to your trip, check here the options.