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Magdalena rainforest · Colombia

Río Claro Nature Reserve

A marble-canyon rainforest reserve between Bogotá and Medellín — oilbirds, antbirds and lush riverine forest.
Getting there
On the Bogotá–Medellín road, in the middle Magdalena valley
Best for
Lowland rainforest birding, oilbirds, antbirds, the marble river canyon, swimming
The land
Humid Magdalena-valley rainforest around a marble-bedded river
Good to know
The reserve's cave holds a colony of nocturnal oilbirds
What it is
Río Claro is a marble-canyon rainforest reserve in the middle Magdalena valley — oilbirds, antbirds and lush forest along a crystal river.
Set around a river running over white marble, Río Claro Nature Reserve protects humid Magdalena-valley rainforest. Its cave shelters a colony of nocturnal oilbirds, its trails are rich in antbirds, tanagers and toucans, and the clear river is perfect for a swim — an easy, beautiful birding stop between Bogotá and Medellín.
PhotoRío Claro Nature Reserve — magdalena rainforest.
The reason to come

The marble-river forest

Río Claro is a gem of lowland rainforest birding and scenery.

Oilbird cave

A colony of nocturnal oilbirds in the reserve's cave.

Rainforest birding

Antbirds, tanagers and toucans on the trails.

The marble river

A crystal river over white marble, ideal for a swim.

Worth knowing

A marble-river jewel

Río Claro's clear river over white marble, ringed by rainforest, is one of Colombia's loveliest reserves.
PhotoThe marble river at Río Claro.
When to come — honestly

A year-round rainforest stop.

December – March
Best
Drier months — the best trails and birding.
July – August
Good
A second drier window.
Year-round
Good
A year-round rainforest reserve.
It is humid and can be wet year-round; trails are slippery after rain.
Context

The Magdalena rainforest

Río Claro is a lowland rainforest gem on the Bogotá–Medellín route.

It features on the central-Andes birding circuits.

We add Río Claro for its rainforest birding and oilbird cave, an easy stop between cities.

Beyond the obvious

More to Río Claro Nature Reserve.

PhotoOilbird cave

Oilbird cave

Nocturnal oilbirds.

PhotoRainforest trails

Rainforest trails

Antbirds and tanagers.

PhotoThe marble river

The marble river

A swim in the canyon.

Why Wild Voyager

We turn the world's #1 bird country into a smooth trip.

Colombia has more birds than any nation, but the sites are scattered across ranges and coasts. We sequence the Andes, Santa Marta, Llanos and Amazon to maximise the wildlife with minimal backtracking.

Handpicked stays

We choose the lodge and guides that fit your goals, not whatever is left.

We time it right

We build your visit around the season and the wildlife that delivers.

Wildlife you may see
Birds

Plan your Río Claro Nature Reserve trip.

Bird the marble-canyon rainforest of Río Claro. Tell us your dates and we will build the route around it.

Plan a trip

Field notes, now and then.

Where to go · When to go · Wildlife in season

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