Matute Forest Birding near Cartagena with Maicol González
Explore streamside forest and tropical dry woodland at Matute with a local birding guide, looking for manakins, nunlets and hummingbirds on an outing from Cartagena.
About this tour
Water helps give Matute its distinctive character. Beneath Turbaco, an aquifer feeds streams throughout the year, creating forest conditions that differ from the drier reserves around Cartagena. This birding outing follows trails between moist woodland and tropical dry forest, with large trees, dense plants and opportunities to watch birds at several levels of the vegetation.
Maicol González leads the excursion in English or Spanish. The morning combines several forest walks rather than a single uninterrupted hike: an initial search along a shorter trail, a pause for fruit, coffee and water, a longer birding section, breakfast and a final walk before returning to Cartagena. The usual pickup in or close to the walled city is early, with the example program starting at 5:30 a.m. and allowing roughly 40 minutes to reach the reserve.
Birds sought here include Scaly-breasted Hummingbird and Lance-tailed Manakin, alongside Gray-cheeked Nunlet, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Golden-winged Sparrow, Red-throated Ant-Tanager and Collared Forest Falcon. Chestnut-winged Chachalaca and Turquoise-winged Parrotlet add a Colombian endemic focus. These are possible sightings, and the forest search depends on birds being active and visible.
The reserve also provides chances to encounter frogs and howler monkeys; Cotton-top Tamarin is an especially fortunate possibility rather than an expected sighting. Allow about six hours for the reserve experience, with road travel adding time to the outing. An optional lunch extension adds around one to two hours and more birding time. Maicol can also arrange a longer day combining morning forest birding with an afternoon visit to Ciénaga de la Virgen.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Colombia.
Birds you can spot
Ortalis garrula
target
Xiphorhynchus susurrans
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Micrastur semitorquatus
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Arremon schlegeli
target
Nonnula frontalis
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Chiroxiphia lanceolata
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Driophlox fuscicauda
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Phaeochroa cuvierii
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Forpus spengeli
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Itinerary
Day 1
Matute Nature Reserve birding outing
Leave the Cartagena pickup area early and drive to Matute. Search the forest trails in several stages, pausing for fruit, coffee, water and breakfast. Finish with another birding walk before the return transfer; an optional lunch extension or afternoon wetland visit can be arranged.
Locations & map
- Matute Nature Reserve - Turbaco, Bolívar Colombia
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Price: Price on request
Included
- Local birding guidance in English or Spanish
- Reserve entrance and round-trip road transport
- Fruit, coffee, water and breakfast
Not included
- Optional lunch and extended birding time
Transport & stays
- Road transfer Group size affects transportation cost. Road transfers are additional to the stated site birding duration. | Meet: In or near Cartagena’s walled city | Pickup: Pickup arranged with the guide
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.