22 Sep 2025
A trip into the Tambopata is a logistical challenge, but from the moment I contacted Oscar, the owner, via WhatsApp to book to the moment we were dropped off at the airport to fly to Lima, everything went smoothly. Pick up at the airport. Transfer to the boat to take us upriver. Excursions. Meals. Our cabana. Transfer back to the airport. Everything. Our boat captain, Marlo, clearly knew the river like the back of his hand, which meant I felt very safe on the excursions.
Our guide, Freddy, really made this trip for us. We hadn't even left Puerto Maldonado before he found our first wildlife sighting, a sloth sleeping in a tree near the office. He found wildlife on every single excursion or boat ride - capybaras, river otters, egrets, howler monkeys, more macaws and parrots than I can count, a scorpion, a tarantula - he even helped us catch piranhas! The best thing Freddy could do, however, was to use my boring iPhone to capture pictures of wildlife visible in the monoscope. I have so many amazing pictures and memories thanks to him.
The cabanas were fully screened and situated in a beautifully designed "camp", and the meals were healthy and plentiful. I loved being able to get a cold Coca Cola Sin Azucar in the lounge area!
Many thanks to Oscar, Marlo, Freddy, and the rest of the staff for an amazing introduction to the Tambopata!