Bolivia Field Report: Uyuni Complete, Amazon & Cloud Forest Expediti...

imoretti
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p.1 #1 · Bolivia Field Report: Uyuni Complete, Amazon & Cloud Forest Expeditions in the Works

Just back from a winter (dry season) photo tour across Bolivia�s Salar de Uyuni and southern altiplano, and wanted to share a few notes � especially for wildlife and landscape photographers curious about this region or other parts of Bolivia. I�m also planning two very different follow-up expeditions: a cloud forest trek through the Yungas, and a remote Amazon wildlife field trip into Noel Kempff Mercado National Park.

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Uyuni & High Desert (July 2025)

This was my fifth time photographing the region, but my first in winter, which made for great light and clear skies � but also serious cold. Mornings dropped to around �15�C (5�F) in the high desert. (I kept batteries in an inside jacket pocket.)

As expected, wildlife sightings were limited at that time of year, but I did capture several vizcachas and good numbers of flamingos (mostly at Laguna Colorada), plus smaller highland birds around the salar rim and on Isla Incahuasi.

Gear notes:

� Bodies: Nikon Z8 and Z7II
� Lenses: 20/1.8, 24�70/2.8, Voigt 125mm APO, 600mm PF
� The 600 PF was ideal for birds at the lagoons � lightweight and plenty of reach
� Used an Acratech pano head with a nodal rail � probably overkill for this trip since most pano scenes were distant
� We had the rare chance to overnight at Isla Incahuasi, which gave us prime Milky Way conditions over the salar
� No CPL or ND used this time, but in shoulder season or wetter periods I could see value in both

Images here if anyone�s curious (mostly landscape + some telephoto work):

https://adobe.ly/45e3fKR

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Looking Ahead � Two Wild Expeditions in Planning

Noel Kempff Mercado NP (August 2026)

� 10-day fly-in expedition to the southern escarpment of the Capar� Plateau
� Wildlife targets include giant otters, macaws, maned wolves, tapirs, and possibly harpy eagle
� Completely off-grid, camping-based, with small group (4�5 max)
� Coordinating with a local naturalist and may include a tracker, depending on availability

Bolivian Yungas Trek (October 2026)

� 10-day trek from Andean puna into the cloud forest
� Looking to photograph cock-of-the-rock, tanagers, orchids, waterfalls, and ridgeline forest
� Mix of rustic hospedajes and lightweight camps; some steep descents and stream crossings

These aren�t lodge tours � they�re real field expeditions with full logistical support but focused on time in wild environments, not creature comforts. If anyone has shot in Madidi, Manu, Noel Kempff, or similar Amazon/rainforest edge environments, I�d love to hear what worked for you � especially in terms of tracking support or wildlife behavior.

Happy to trade notes or share itineraries if others are planning similar routes.

Edited on Aug 19, 2025 at 06:49 PM · View previous versions

Aug 16, 2025 at 06:20 AM

kdacharya
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p.1 #2 · Bolivia Field Report: Uyuni Complete, Amazon & Cloud Forest Expeditions in the Works

I looked at your gallery. very impressive.
in terms of safety in Bolivia, did you have any concerns? Are there any wildlife focused tours that I can investigate?
Thanks

Aug 16, 2025 at 10:19 PM

imoretti
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p.1 #3 · Bolivia Field Report: Uyuni Complete, Amazon & Cloud Forest Expeditions in the Works

Thank you for the compliment!

As far as wildlife goes, I�ve always had great visits to Los Yungas outside of La Paz. Also, though I haven�t been back since the early 2000�s, I loved visiting Madidi park via Rurrenabaque. (These days it�s gotten a bit touristy for me.) Also, last July I flew into the middle of the Beni for photography (and some fishing!) and had an excellent experience, especially as I we were guided by my Bolivian wife�s family, including our bush flights in and out. Another recommendation, is Amboro park, though I�ve spent minimal time there. The trip I�m planning to Noel Kempff Mercado park next year will likely top all my other wildlife travel in Bolivia, though it�s likely going to be one of my more challenging trips in terms, both physically and logistically.

I don�t generally have safety concerns in Bolivia in part, I suppose, because I lived there for so many years (and I�m fluent in Spanish). But, that aside, Bolivia is typically very safe with the majority of crime being theft. There are some areas where I would be concerned if traveling as a tourist, though if you sign up with an established tour company, I think you can be pretty secure� they are unlikely to take you into areas that have more than a minimal amount of risk. Still, your best approach is to stay with travel that�s at your level of capability. For example, while I�ve spent a good amount of time in higher altitudes, I�ll skip the Illampu ascents, as much as I�d like to climb it!

Aug 19, 2025 at 06:46 PM

imoretti
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p.1 #4 · Bolivia Field Report: Uyuni Complete, Amazon & Cloud Forest Expeditions in the Works

I neglected to ask� what kind of wildlife are you interested in?

Aug 19, 2025 at 06:50 PM


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