Discover the magic of birdwatching near Cartagena, where nature comes to life

Explore one of the best birdwatching destinations in Colombia’s Cartagena. Discover unique species, natural trails, and an unparalleled experience surrounded by biodiversity.

📍 Find yourself in the wild!
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Matute Birding Nature Reserve is a natural reserve near Cartagena, Colombia, that provides visitors with the opportunity to explore a tropical dry forest.

Here, visitors can walk and marvel at the diversity of flora and fauna that characterize this ecosystem. Some highlights may include streams with crystal-clear waters, centennial trees, and unique birds adapted to this environment, as well as the possibility of observing amphibians such as the Dendrobates truncatus frog.

Furthermore, the presence of sloths and howler monkeys makes this experience truly special, offering visitors the chance to connect with nature and enjoy the richness of local biodiversity.

⭐ Adventure

  • Admission to Matute Birding Nature Reserve
  • Breakfast
  • Hydration
  • Specialized guide
  • Our guides are available in Spanish and English
  • Transfer Hotel - Matute Birding - Hotel
  • Insurance
  • WiFi at the house
Experience Birdwatching Magic! 🎶🐦
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🐤 Discovery

  • Admission to Matute Birding Nature Reserve
  • Coffee and Fruit
  • Hydration
  • WiFi at the house
  • Insurance
  • Tracker
  • Does not include a specialized guide or transportation
Adventure Calls! 🦢🌅

🦜 Wild Quest

  • Admission to Matute Birding Nature Reserve
  • Breakfast and lunch
  • Hydration
  • Full-day specialized guide
  • Transfer Hotel - Matute Birding - Hotel
  • Our guides are available in Spanish and English
  • Insurance
  • WiFi at the house
See Rare Birds! 📅🐤Now

📌 Expedition

  • Admission to Matute Birding Nature Reserve
  • Breakfast and lunch
  • Hydration
  • Visit to Gambote or Puerto Badel for a canoe tour in the wetlands and swamps of "Juan Gómez" and "Mi Ranchito"
  • Full-day specialized guide
  • Transfer Hotel - Matute Birding - Gambote or Puerto Badel - Hotel
  • Our guides are available in Spanish and English
  • Insurance
  • WiFi at the house
Discover the Wild! 🏕️Now
Species
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Checklists
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eBirders
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Breakfast in Nature 🌿☕

Enjoy an authentic breakfast with fresh, local ingredients: All of this on our terrace, surrounded by the songs of birds and the presence of howler monkeys, cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus), and sloths. A perfect way to start your day of exploration!
🔭 See more. Feel more. Explore Matute!
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Must-See Species at Matute Birding Nature Reserve

Habia Gorgirroja/Red-throated Ant-Tanager/Driophlox fuscicauda

Is a bird native to the tropical forests of Central America. With dark plumage tinged with reddish hues and a distinctive song, it moves stealthily through the foliage, feeding on insects and fruits. Its elusive nature makes it a fascinating challenge for birdwatchers.

Chiroxiphia lanceolata- Lance-tailed Manakin

Is a small and striking bird of the tropical dry forest. Males have glossy black plumage with a bright red crown and elongated tail feathers, while females display olive-green tones.

Steely-vented Hummingbird

Is a hummingbird with shimmering green plumage and a metallic blue tail. It thrives in forests and gardens, hovering swiftly as it feeds on nectar.

Experience the Wild Like Never Before 🌿🐾
Discover a world beyond birds. Step into the forest and encounter an amazing variety of wildlife in its natural habitat—from majestic mammals to fascinating reptiles and unique insects.
🔽 Book your experience now! 🔽
Bird Photography 📸🐦
Capturing images of birds in their natural environment. Photographers use telephoto lenses and camouflage techniques to avoid disturbing them.
Live the adventure.
Species Identification 🧐🔍
Use of specialized field guides, cameras, binoculars, and mobile applications to identify species based on their songs, plumage, and behavior.
Click Here
Birdwatching Records 📖🖊️
Logging observed species in a field notebook or online platforms like eBird to contribute to citizen science and conservation efforts.
Book now!
Listening to Bird Calls 🎶👂
Using recordings or simply fine-tuning the ear to identify birds by their songs or calls, a key technique in dense vegetation areas.
Live the adventure.
Nighttime Birdwatching 🌙🦉
Searching for nocturnal birds like owls and nightjars using red-light flashlights and sound attraction techniques to facilitate sightings.
Discover Matute.
🌳 Discover the untamed beauty!

From cattle ranch to wildlife sanctuary

45 years ago, this land was just a small cattle farm. But as soon as I walked through it, I knew its true purpose was conservation. The tropical dry forest, once thriving here, had been severely impacted. So, I took action—reforesting, restoring habitats, and bringing life back to the land.

As the trees grew, so did the wildlife. Birds, mammals, and reptiles returned, turning this place into a biodiversity hotspot. Scientists, birdwatchers, and nature lovers soon followed, drawn by the incredible transformation.

📍 Today, Matute Birding Nature Reserve is one of the most unique ecotourism destinations near Cartagena, home to over 250 bird species and a thriving ecosystem.

About Us
— Celedonio Piñeres

Unforgettable Moments at Matute: Visitor Experiences

🦉 Fly into adventure!

Testimonials

Here are some testimonials from visitors who have experienced Matute Birding Nature Reserve. 🌿🐦✨

@nikycarreralevy
Noviembre 7 de 2021 Gracias por recibirnos en este maravilloso lugar, necesitamos mas ideas/personas como ustedes en cada rincón de Colombia. The Big Year Colombia suma 4 aves nuevas aves para la lista que van en 1412. Gracias por los manjares. Cele y Connie, gracias por conservar, gracis por recibirnos en est4e maravilloso lugar, desde hoy forman parte de Big Year, cuenten con nosotros para sumarnos a esta causa. Un abrazo Niky Carrera / Mauro Ossa @mauroossa @birdscolombia @nikycarreralevy
@nikycarreralevy
Enero 7 de 2021 Celedonio, tu Hacienda es una reserva forestal cuya belleza se graba en el alma. Simón, de 13 años, observador de aves y conservacionista, agradece a los visionarios y valientes como tu, que le apuestan al cuidado de todas las especies. Un gusto además conversar contigo. Jorge, Marinson y Simón Santiago Santos
@simonS6Birding
Beautiful, a lot of birds ! The place, the nature, the huge tres, the river, the birds, the howler monkeys, the sleuths, the host and the food are amazing! Can’t miss it if you are in Cartagena. Best plan: spend your morning there, lunch there, then head to the Cartagena botanical garden, 5 minutes away.
Jean Girard-Arsenault
Awesome place to see many birds and get expert guidance on birds of Colombia!! The grounds are amazing, kept pretty natural and allows an immersion experience in a jungled area.r
Michael Quillen
My last morning in Colombia, the evening I will be back home. How wonderful to spend it here in this beautiful forest. Amazing to see the water that clear and crystalline. I saw a lot of birds and enjoyed the trails along the streams and to the little lake. Great to see that nature can be protected too by private people. Super important. Therefore, great job to conserve this wonderful forest. Rob February 6, 2025
@Rob
This is a piece of heaven in earth!!! What a pleasure to have had the opportunity of walking through this beautiful land. It is great to see the variety of flore and fauna that is harbored here and the passion o preserve it and share it with the community. It was also a pleasure to get to meet Gian Carlo and Cele and to learn from them Thank you, Beth & Leo February 17, 2025
@Beth & Leo

Gallery

📸 Photo Credits:
🔹 [Hugo Vides]
🔹 [Ernesto Vega]
🔹 [Birding Bolivar / Jorge Alcalá]
🔹 [Horses Cartagena Tours / Luis Felipe Zúñiga]

Every image tells a story, and thanks to their dedication and skill, these stories can now be seen and appreciated by many. Thank you for your incredible work!

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Book now and get a special gift! 🎁✨

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