Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Once in town onward transport to Los Lagos or the Barba Azul reserve needs to be nego-
tiated locally or arranged in advance.
Barba Azul Reserve
Thanks to the efforts of the conservation NGO Armonía, the squawkily endangered blue-
throated macaw or
barba azul
has become something of a regional celebrity in the Bolivi-
an Amazon. Endemic to the unique Beni savannas, a fast-disappearing habitat found
nowhere else on earth, a quarter of the world's minute population of this spectacular psit-
tacid calls this 5000-hectare private reserve home. Unlike most of the surrounding sa-
vanna, the open grasslands here are completely ungrazed and the birds can be seen relat-
ively easily along with a plethora of other threatened birds and mammals such as maned
wolf, giant anteater and marsh deer.
Accommodations are at the fledgling research station, but logistics demand a minimum
three-night stay. A memorable stay here costs US$150 per person per night, including
food, access to a motorboat and horseback riding.
Getting There & Away
For most of the year by far the quickest and easiest way to get to the reserve is by charter-
ing a plane from Trinidad or Santa Cruz. Ask around at the aircraft hangars in Trinidad or
try
Aereos Magdalena
(
346-2226)
. Bank on around US$250 per person per hour
(based on four people) and at least an hour flight time from Trinidad in good conditions.
In the dry season (July to October) land transportation can be arranged in Santa Ana de
Yacuma, but although it is only 80km, rough roads mean that the drive will take at least
three hours.
Your visit should be arranged in advance at the
Armonía office
(
3-462-8287; 18 de
Noviembre 282; 8.30am-12.30pm & 2.30-6pm Mon-Fri)
in Trinidad and the staff may
be able to help with transportation, or contact Bird Bolivia (
Click here
)
for a guided tour.
Armonía can also sometimes arrange shared flights to the reserve to reduce transportation
costs.
