Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Manizales, Caldas, Colombia
1. Los Orquideas National Natural Park
A lush cloud forest with over a thousand orchid species and diverse wildlife.
- Orchid Diversity: Home to more than a thousand orchid species, many of which are endemic.
- Biodiversity Hub: Hosts various habitats attracting numerous bird and mammal species.
- Cloud Forest Exploration: Offers guided trails to explore the unique cloud forest ecosystem.
2. El Cocuy National Park
A high-altitude park with glaciers, alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife.
- Glaciated Peaks: Features six glaciated peaks over 5000 meters high.
- Wildlife Refuge: Provides a refuge for rare Andean condors, spectacled bears, and pumas.
- Alpine Hiking Trails: Offers challenging alpine hiking trails through diverse landscapes.
3. La Cleyera National Natural Park
A humid cloud forest with rich biodiversity, waterfalls, and unique flora.
- Cloud Forest Ecosystem: Preserves an intact cloud forest ecosystem.
- Waterfall Exploration: Includes several stunning waterfalls, like the Cascada de la Laja.
- Endemic Species: Home to various endemic bird and plant species.
4. El Serranía del Perijá National Natural Park
A biodiversity hotspot straddling the Colombia-Venezuela border.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, with many endemic species.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
- Cross-border Wildlife: Provides a habitat for various transboundary wildlife species.
5. Páramo de Montezuma National Natural Park
A high-altitude paramo ecosystem with diverse flora and fauna.
- Paramo Ecosystem: Protects the unique paramo ecosystem, which is a key water source.
- Wildlife Refuge: Provides a refuge for rare Andean bears, spectacled bears, and deer.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through the paramo landscapes.
6. El Nevado del Ruiz National Park
A volcanic park with diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
- Volcanic Landscape: Includes the active Nevado del Ruiz volcano.
- Diverse Ecosystems: Hosts various ecosystems, from cloud forests to paramo.
- Wildlife Refuge: Provides a refuge for various wildlife species like spectacled bears and deer.
7. La Planada de San Francisco National Natural Park
A large paramo ecosystem with diverse flora and fauna.
- Paramo Ecosystem: Preserves an extensive paramo ecosystem.
- Bird Watching: Offers excellent bird watching opportunities with many endemic species.
- Hiking Trails: Provides hiking trails through the paramo landscapes.
8. Cerros de Montezuma Natural Reserve
A high-altitude reserve with unique flora and fauna.
- Paramo Ecosystem: Protects a significant part of the paramo ecosystem.
- Endemic Species: Home to various endemic plant and bird species.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through the unique paramo landscapes.
9. Los Tequendama National Natural Park
A forested park with a stunning waterfall and diverse wildlife.
- Waterfall Spectacle: Features the spectacular Tequendama Falls, one of Colombia's highest.
- Wildlife Refuge: Provides a refuge for various wildlife species like monkeys and birds.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through the diverse forest landscapes.
10. El Corredor de los Páramos del Central
A paramo corridor connecting various national parks.
- Paramo Connection: Connects several paramo ecosystems within the region.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Contributes to the conservation of paramo biodiversity.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through diverse paramo landscapes.
11. El Serranía de Pericón National Natural Park
A high-altitude park with paramo ecosystems and diverse wildlife.
- Paramo Ecosystem: Preserves extensive paramo ecosystems.
- Wildlife Refuge: Provides a refuge for various wildlife species like spectacled bears and deer.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through the paramo landscapes.
12. La Sierra de Periquito National Natural Park
A high-altitude park with diverse flora and fauna.
- Paramo Ecosystem: Preserves a significant part of the paramo ecosystem.
- Endemic Species: Home to various endemic plant and bird species.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through the unique paramo landscapes.
13. El Parque Natural de la Macarena
A cloud forest park with diverse flora and fauna.
- Cloud Forest Ecosystem: Protects an intact cloud forest ecosystem.
- Endemic Species: Home to various endemic bird and plant species.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through the diverse cloud forest landscapes.
14. La Macarena Serranía National Natural Park
A biodiversity hotspot with various ecosystems and wildlife.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, with many endemic species.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
- Transboundary Wildlife: Provides a habitat for various transboundary wildlife species.
15. El Parque Natural de los Páramos del Río Verde
A paramo park with diverse flora and fauna.
- Paramo Ecosystem: Preserves a significant part of the paramo ecosystem.
- Endemic Species: Home to various endemic plant and bird species.
- Hiking Trails: Offers hiking trails through the unique paramo landscapes.