UTV Safari in a Wildlife-Filled Nature Reserve Near Cartagena
Description
Step into the heart of conservation at Fundación Loros, a 1,000-acre regenerative natural reserve located just an hour from Cartagena. This sanctuary is dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing parrots and macaws rescued from illegal trafficking, offering them a second chance at freedom. The UTV safari provides a thrilling way to explore the reserve’s tropical dry forest. Navigate vibrant trails surrounded by mountains and discover diverse wildlife, including Cotton-top Tamarins monkey, Red Howlers, Capuchins, macaws, parrots, and a variety of exotic bird species. By joining this adventure, you contribute directly to the foundation’s mission of preserving ecosystems, empowering local farmers, and protecting biodiversity. Stunning views, native animals, and fresh tropical fruits await, making this an unforgettable experience with a meaningful impact.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We offer pickup from your preferred location in Cartagena. Please let us know your exact pickup point when making your booking so we can arrange everything accordingly.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(43)
We went on a half day tour to visit the center. Everything was nicely organized - from pick up to drop off. Our guides - Corina and Maicol - spend 4 hours with us giving us the tour of the entire place. The tour started with breakfast, followed by visiting the parrots and macaws. Then we got on the UTV and were able to get to the top of the mountain in the center and also visit the release zone where the wounded birds where getting ready for the return to the wild. Oh, we also saw the Cotton-top Tamarins monkeys, an endengered species. The guides were knowleable and patient with our questions. We got a delicious fruit snack at the end, followed by ice cold pinnaple juice. We were back at the hotel for lunch time. Highly recommend the experience for those who want to see local nature and wildlife and learn how the center is helping those animals.
We had the best time and our guide was so knowledgeable and kind! She was great and patient with our kiddos!
Very good experience. Top-notch guide. We had an excellent time
This was such an amazing tour! The animals were incredible! The two guides were so extraordinary! The three dogs, especially “Happy” were so sweet! I would read this a 10 out of 10 if I could
We have traveled the world and had numerous inspiring experiences. This is definitely one of our Top ten! Our driver Tony and our guide Corina were superb! We drove one hour outside of Cartagena through two rural communities. When you arrive you are greeted with a delicious breakfast overlooking the property, watching the birds fly around you and hearing the birds call out to one another. Following breakfast, we had the opportunity to cut the fruit and feed the parrots and macaws up close and personal. What glorious birds! The center is rehabilitating the birds to be released back into the wild and they graciously took us through the cages to see their process. Later we drove to the top of the property with a stunning view of the ocean and saw dozens of birds that are ready to be released and many others that have already been released in the trees and flying around. What a spectacle! This is well worth your time. If you love wolf life you must take this tour!
A real beautiful experience, the treatment, how they explain each part of the tour and the work of being a sanctuary to incorporate the species into their habitation 👏🏼 is an unmissable activity Highly recommended
Thank you so much for your kind words. It means a lot to know the experience felt meaningful and that the purpose behind our work came through. Sharing this connection between people, wildlife, and their natural habitat is what inspires us every day. We truly appreciate your recommendation and your openness to be part of something with purpose. Your visit helps us continue this path of care and regeneration.
On time pick up. Bfast and lunch included. Water included. Easy 1 hour comfortable transport from cartegena with great information given enroute. Scenic drive through 2 small towns. Sunscreen optional. (No need for big repellant in march) You will visit a rehabilitation reserve and upon arrival immediately emersed in birds. You will take a UTV up and down the hills with great views of the countryside and the cartegena skyline. We walked through a dry creek bed armed with camera and Merlin app. My guide was the motmot whisperer and actually called them to us. Your guide is highly educated and will answer any questions you have on top of the provided information given as you move through the reserve. You will be up close and personal with the birds in rehab. If you get corrine as a guide she is an experienced photographer and understands light, contrast and angles for the best shots. Had a blast taking pics with her. Felt like being out with a friend enjoying nature to the fullest. Highly recommend this experience esp if the city life gets overwhelming. Breath of fresh air! Very memorable.
This truly means so much to me—thank you. I loved sharing that day with you and exploring the reserve together in such a natural, relaxed way. Those moments of connection with wildlife (and capturing them through your lens!) are always special, and I’m so glad you felt it too. It never feels like “guiding,” but more like spending time in nature with someone who appreciates it just as much. Thank you for your energy, your curiosity, and for being part of this experience and its purpose.
Ahh what an experience. We were in a on cruise ship and found this tour on viator. It was an hour ride through Columbia to find our destination. We got to see the city and back country that we wouldn't normally see on a cruise port. We arrived and was instantly fed fresh breakfast while we could nature watch and hear birds and parrots all around. We took a utv ride all around the property bird watching along the way. We learned about the rehabilitation schedule and how they release macaws and parrots back into the wild. It wqs a beautiful piece of property, wonderful day. We absolutely loved it!
It’s so special to know this experience became part of your time beyond the cruise. Stepping into a different side of the landscape and connecting with nature in a more personal way is exactly what we hope to offer. We’re really glad the day felt memorable and that you enjoyed the atmosphere and purpose behind it. Thank you for choosing to spend your time with us and for embracing something a little off the usual path. Your visit helps keep this transformation growing.
This tour is a must do for nature and animal lovers. It was so nice to get away from the busy Cartagena for a morning to enjoy some time in nature. The guides were extremely kind and informative, and the property is gorgeous. It was great to see all of the birds and other animals on the property being so well taken care of.
It’s wonderful to know you found a moment of calm and connection with nature during your time here. Creating a space that feels both peaceful and meaningful is what inspires us every day. We truly appreciate your kind words about the team and the care behind everything we do. Thank you for choosing to experience this side of Cartagena and for supporting a place dedicated to wildlife and regeneration.
The people are very nice, and the foundation has great intentions for bird rehabilitation. I would say this is more of a UTV drive, an hour from port. Very few animals and we left 1/2 way into the tour because it was a waste of time and money. We did see lots of horse droppings which was magical. The PORT has an incredible bird and animal sanctuary you can walk into for no cost and see monkeys, turtles, amazing pelican's, peacock's, flamingo's a wildlife. I hate writing bad reviews but this was very disappointing overall. If it was free I would not go
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We were particularly surprised by the ironic tone of some remarks, such as the reference to horse droppings, as it does not reflect either the spirit of our project or the experience we aim to provide. We are a wildlife rehabilitation center, sanctuary, and natural reserve, focused on ecosystem regeneration and the recovery and release of native wildlife. For that reason, animal sightings vary and depend entirely on natural behavior, not on exhibition. The UTV ride is part of the experience and adds an element of fun while also being authentic, as it is the way our team moves every day across the 1,300 acres of the reserve to care for animals, monitor habitats, and manage the land. We understand this format may not be ideal for everyone, and we also offer quieter, early-morning experiences focused on wildlife observation and photography, which can be arranged in advance. In fact, you are welcome to review our profile on eBird, where visitors and birders commonly record up to 90 bird species in a single morning. Had we known that bird photography was your main focus, we would have been happy to organize a visit tailored specifically to that interest. It is also important to note that the visit was not completed, as the tour ended before reaching the mountain area, which is often one of the highlights of the experience, where rehabilitated animals can be seen living freely in their natural habitat. We understand that your expectations may have been closer to those of a zoo or sanctuary at the port, which is indeed a beautiful place but operates under a very different concept. Our work prioritizes conservation, regeneration, and animal welfare, not exhibition. We regret that the experience did not meet your expectations and appreciate your acknowledgment of our team’s kindness and our mission.
