Pampas of Beni
Only in Bolivia, can we find this unique type of South American Amazon ecosystem. Its local name is pampas which means “flat land”. They are wetland savannas, which consist mostly of grass with islands of jungle, swamps and lagoons. In northern La Paz there are similar savannas called cerrado “closed” because they host many palm trees. The Beni pampas are “open”, consisting mostly of tall grass and plants, and they are extensively used to raise cattle. Animals that frequent this ecosystem are mostly the same as the ones in the jungle, with the exception of the Pink River dolphin and the Suri, or South American ostrich, both animals that can only be found in pampas environments.
Reyes ecologic cattle ranches.
Two hours of jeep travel from Rurrenabaque gets us to the town of Reyes. Meaning “kings”, this is the same region where the Beni “pampas” ecosystem begins next to Rurrenabaque, but a much more ecological and closer place to visit it. For now, tourism is concentrated in a 10 km long section of the Yacuma River, next to the town of Santa Rosa de Yacuma, two hours further down the road. Over there tours include the following: feeding monkeys and alligators, hurting river dolphins with the boats’ motor blade, and searching for some surviving baby anaconda that was waiting in a plastic bag so it can easily be found by the guide. The situation in the Santa Rosa Pampas is all but ecological. That’s why we operate in Reyes, in cattle ranches embedded deep in the pampas where an ordinance prohibits the use of motorboats in rivers and lagoons. Animals are respected and left unbothered and are easily seen, but in a more natural state.
Code P1 Pampa Lake Ranch. Fishing and horseback riding 2 days 1 night: Activities include wildlife searching in the lagoon and grass land; interpretative hikes to the Jungle Islands to explain about plants and their uses, horseback riding, fishing on the lake; and ranch activities like cow milking and horse taming. You can choose to stay in a comfortable private cabin with bed, mosquito net and bathroom; or to stay closer to nature in our provided camping tents and equipment. Price includes entrance fees. Eco-friendly place
Price: $115 per person.
Code P2 Yacuma River Ranch. Fishing and horseback riding. 3+ days: Activities include wildlife searching in the lagoon and grass land; interpretative hikes to the Jungle Islands to explain about plants and their uses, horseback riding, fishing on the lake; and ranch activities like cow milking and horse taming. You can choose to stay in a comfortable private cabin with bed, mosquito net and bathroom; or to stay closer to nature in our provided camping tents and equipment. Only in the Yacuma river can be seen the Pink River dolphin, along with many other animals. Price includes entrance fees. Eco-friendly place Costs: $60 per day, per person.
Code P3 Yacuma river exclusive VIP Service. 3 days 2 nights: Private transportation, deluxe private cabins with orthopedic mattress, private bathrooms with hot showers, private guide. Fluent English translator. Exclusive area where there are no other tourists. Eco-friendly.
Day 1: 9:00am 4x4 transportation, 3-4 hours to Santa Rosa de Yacuma. Direct Arrival to the Lodge. Buffet Lunch. Accommodation, piranha fishing in the evening. Dinner. Night boat trip
Day 2: Buffet breakfast. Morning hike to grasslands searching for snakes. Return for lunch. Evening hike to Jungle Island for animal sighting and plant interpretation. Dinner. Free evening.
Day 3: Breakfast. Boat trip to dolphin pond for swimming. Return for lunch. Return to Rurrenabaque.
Costs total: 1 pax: $525 2 pax: $630 3 pax: $945 4 pax: $1150
Pictures of the wetland savannas "pampas"
