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This blog is about our recent trip into the heart of the Bolivian Amazon
We decided to visit the Madidi National park because it has the highest biodiviersity of anywhere on the planet and it is situated on the Rio Beni which flows into the main amazon river.
Our starting point was the town of Rurrenabaque deep into the jungle. Because of the terrible roads in Bolivia and its remotness the town is only reachable by plane or via a 3 day boat journey so we decided to fly in. We flew in a tiny propellar plane that had 18 seats and into a grass airstrip just outside of town, as soon as we got off the plane the heat and humidity hit us and we knew we were in the jungle. We booked a 4 night trip at an eco lodge deep in the park. The lodge is run by a living legend in Bolivia called Rosa Ruiz who was instramental in getting the park created in the first place and has been working in conservation in Bolivia for over 40 years. The lodge is heavily linked with National Geographic who have been visiting for over 10 years
and named it on their top 25 places to visit list. When we were in the office booking the trip there were National Geographic books and photos from the park all over the place which was perfect advertising we were so impressed with the pictures and articles we booked an extra night.
The lodge is located 3.5 hours by boat down stream then 45mins walk from the river into the heart of the park. The trip via boat down river was incredible as you passed indiginous villages along the way and spotted wildlife on the banks of the river. It was a really sureal experience to be travelling down one of the Amazon rivers tributaries through the heart of the rainforest. Once we reached the middle of no-where we pulled up at the river bank and were told that we had gone as far as we would via the river and would be walking the rest. I must of watched hundreds of documentaries about the Amazon and have been looking forward to doing a jungle tour ever since we landed in South America and we both thought that tracking a jaguar through the rainforest was going to be a
highlight of the trip. The photos we saw of the lodge and the park from the office meant we were even more excited and set off through the jungle ready for whatever unusual insects and animals we might encounter.
We have both spent a bit of time in various jungles throughout the world but never the mighty Amazon!!! The first thing that struck us as with all rainforest was the heat and the humidity and within 5 mins you are coated in sweat, before heading into the junbgle you are advised to keep covered up to stop the various insects from biting you to death but within the first few minuites we realised this was going to be a problem. The thing is EVERYHTING bites you in the Amazon, every flying insect is after your blood, all the ants (and there are thousands of them everywhere) are poisonous, and pretty much all the snakes and spiders can kill you too. But its the swams of mosquitos that are a real pain. Even in the day light they are after you and covering yourself in insect repellant does not do much good as they are soo big they will bite
through your clothes!!
The lodge itself is situated by a beautiful lake and designd so it fits into the jungle with screens all the way round so you have a constant view of the outside. The Chalets are the same with floor to ceiling screens so you could fall asleep listening to the sound of the jungle and watching the stars. We had our own guide for our stay called Choco and the intinary at the lodge is that you did a morning and afternoon activity, and if you wanted to you could do a nightime one as well. The activities were either wildlife walks or canoe trips on the lakes or pirahna fishing. I think we had unrealistic expectations of how much wildlife we would see (its not Africa) and the walks themselves were hard work as you spent most of the time fending of the mosquitos that are constantly buzzing around you. We did enjoy the trip but I think that from now on our Amazon experience will be from the bug free environment of our own home whilst watching David Attenborough getting bitten to death on our behalf
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Emma McClement
non-member comment
Phallic plants and spiders!
WTF! DId you see the size of the legs on that spider?! Thicker than mine! Also, what was the tree thing in teh picture with Lou standing in front. Looks like a balloon web thingy. Hope you had enough fun though.