El Tuparro National Park

El Tuparro Overview

El Tuparro National Park, known locally as Parque Nacional Natural El Tuparro, is a vast protected area located in the eastern plains of Colombia, within the department of Vichada.

Spanning approximately 2,117 square miles (5,690 square kilometers), the park lies along the Orinoco River Basin, near the border with Venezuela. The landscape is characterized by an impressive mix of savannas, gallery forests, rocky outcrops, and winding rivers, creating a unique environment that blends tropical forest and open plains.

One of its most striking natural features is the Raudal de Maipures, a breathtaking set of rapids once described by naturalist Alexander von Humboldt as one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. The park’s terrain is also interspersed with granitic rock formations, forming hills and plateaus that contrast with the surrounding grasslands. The Tuparro and Tomo Rivers further enhance the park’s scenic beauty, offering clear waters that weave through the dense vegetation and rocky outcroppings.

El Tuparro National Park is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, reflecting the ecological wealth of the Orinoco region. Large mammals such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, tapirs, and giant anteaters roam through the park’s forests and savannas. The rivers and wetlands provide habitat for species like capybaras, giant otters, and Orinoco crocodiles, while various species of monkeys, including howler monkeys and capuchins, can be spotted in the tree canopies.

The birdlife is equally impressive, with over 320 recorded species, making the park a paradise for birdwatchers. Visitors may encounter scarlet macaws, hoatzins, harpy eagles, and Orinoco geese, alongside many other colorful and rare species that thrive in this remote ecosystem.

One of the park’s most famous features is the Raudal de Maipures, a massive and powerful set of rapids where the Orinoco River crashes against ancient granite formations, creating a spectacle of whitewater and mist. This site is a major draw for visitors and has been recognized as a natural wonder of Colombia.

The park’s rivers and waterways offer opportunities for exploration by canoe or kayak, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the pristine landscapes and observe wildlife along the shores. Hiking through the savannas and rocky outcrops provides a chance to witness panoramic views of the park’s rugged beauty, while guided tours led by indigenous communities offer insights into the region’s rich cultural and ecological heritage.

Despite its remoteness, El Tuparro faces conservation challenges, particularly from illegal mining, deforestation, and poaching, which threaten its delicate ecosystems. However, efforts by Colombia’s National Parks authority, along with conservation organizations, have helped mitigate some of these threats.

Strict regulations on tourism and resource extraction have contributed to the park’s preservation, and ongoing conservation programs aim to protect its biodiversity while involving local communities in sustainable initiatives.

The park remains one of Colombia’s most untouched and pristine wilderness areas, offering visitors an unparalleled experience in one of South America’s most ecologically significant landscapes.

Park Map

El Tuparro National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

El Tuparro National Park is an incredible birdwatching destination, with over 300 recorded species, including large raptors, colorful parrots, and water birds.

Orinoco Goose
This striking waterfowl species is commonly seen along the riverbanks. It nests in tree cavities and feeds on grasses and aquatic plants.

Scarlet Macaw
A brilliant red, blue, and yellow parrot, the scarlet macaw is highly social and intelligent. Its loud calls echo through the park’s forests, and it plays a key role in seed dispersal.

Harpy Eagle
One of the most powerful raptors in the world, the harpy eagle preys on monkeys, sloths, and large birds. It nests in the tallest trees of the park’s forests.

Sunbittern
A unique wading bird with elaborate wing patterns, the sunbittern is found along the park’s rivers and wetlands, where it hunts for fish and invertebrates.

Black Skimmer
Recognizable by its long, orange beak and unique feeding technique, the black skimmer flies low over the water’s surface, dragging its lower mandible to catch fish.

Yellow-knobbed Curassow
An impressive game bird, the yellow-knobbed curassow is often found in the park’s forests. It is recognizable by its black plumage, white belly, and yellow knob on its beak.

Horned Screamer
This large, bizarre-looking bird has a loud, echoing call that can be heard across the savannas. It is often found near wetlands and feeds on aquatic vegetation.

Amazon Kingfisher
One of the park’s many kingfisher species, the Amazon kingfisher is commonly seen perched near rivers, where it dives to catch fish.

Great Potoo
A master of camouflage, the great potoo resembles a tree stump during the day. At night, it becomes active, hunting for insects and small vertebrates.

Jabiru Stork
One of the tallest flying birds in the Americas, the jabiru stork is a striking sight in the park’s wetlands, where it hunts for fish and amphibians.

El Tuparro National Park’s incredible biodiversity, vast open landscapes, and winding river systems make it one of Colombia’s most unique protected areas. Whether exploring its expansive savannas, navigating its powerful rapids, or spotting wildlife along its riverbanks, visitors to El Tuparro will experience one of the most untouched and extraordinary natural regions in South America.

El Tuparro National Park, located in eastern Colombia in the Orinoquía region, is a vast and pristine protected area characterized by sweeping savannas, dense gallery forests, and powerful rivers, including the Orinoco River. Covering over 548,000 hectares, the park is famous for its stunning Raudal de Maypures, a breathtaking set of rapids described by Alexander von Humboldt as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The park’s diverse ecosystems provide a crucial habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including many species adapted to its tropical grasslands and wetlands.

Popular Wildlife in El Tuparro National Park

Jaguar
As the apex predator of El Tuparro, the jaguar thrives in the park’s dense forests and along riverbanks, hunting capybaras, deer, and caimans. Its elusive nature makes sightings rare but highly rewarding.

Orinoco Crocodile
One of the most critically endangered reptiles in the world, the Orinoco crocodile is native to the park’s river systems. Growing up to six meters long, it is an apex predator that preys on fish, birds, and mammals.

Giant Otter
A highly social and intelligent aquatic mammal, the giant otter forms family groups and is often seen playing and hunting for fish in the park’s rivers and oxbow lakes.

Capybara
The world’s largest rodent, the capybara is a highly social and semi-aquatic species that grazes on grasses and aquatic plants along the park’s rivers. It serves as an important prey species for jaguars and caimans.

Puma
This adaptable predator shares its range with the jaguar but typically preys on smaller mammals such as deer and rodents. It is rarely seen but plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance.

Giant Anteater
With its long snout and powerful claws, the giant anteater is a specialist feeder that consumes thousands of ants and termites daily. It is well adapted to the open savanna habitats of El Tuparro.

Lowland Tapir
An essential seed disperser, the lowland tapir inhabits the park’s forests and wetlands. This large herbivore primarily feeds on leaves, fruits, and aquatic plants.

Green Anaconda
One of the largest snakes in the world, the green anaconda is a formidable predator that thrives in the park’s swamps and slow-moving rivers. It hunts fish, birds, and mammals using its powerful constriction.

White-tailed Deer
This common herbivore is well adapted to the park’s open grasslands and gallery forests, where it feeds on shrubs, grasses, and tree shoots.

Giant Armadillo
A nocturnal and elusive species, the giant armadillo is one of the park’s more secretive mammals. It digs burrows and feeds primarily on ants and termites.