Zacambú Reserve

Reserva Zacambú

A lesser-known private nature reserve near Puerto Nariño focusing on rainforest conservation and research with excellent guided jungle walks and wildlife observation. Offers a more exclusive experience than major lodges with emphasis on scientific understanding of the Amazon ecosystem.

Things to do

• Guided Rainforest Canopy Walk — Navigate elevated boardwalks through the forest canopy to observe monkeys, birds, and canopy-dwelling species while learning about emergent layer ecology from expert naturalists.
• Nocturnal Jungle Trek — Experience the reserve after dark with headlamps to spot night-active creatures like caimans, tree frogs, and nocturnal mammals while understanding predator-prey relationships.
• Macaw Clay Lick Visit — Watch dozens of colorful macaws and parrots gather at mineral-rich clay deposits at dawn, a spectacular ritual explained by guides knowledgeable in avian behavior and nutrition.
• Amazon Fish Survey Participation — Join researchers in shallow water to collect specimens and learn field identification techniques for the reserve's diverse fish species and aquatic ecosystem monitoring methods.
• Medicinal Plant Walk — Tour the reserve's ethnobotanical garden with indigenous-trained guides explaining traditional uses of curare, ayahuasca, and medicinal barks employed by local communities for generations.
• Caiman Night Spotting — Paddle a dugout canoe at night along blackwater tributaries using spotlights to locate spectacled caimans and black caimans, with discussion of their ecological role and conservation status.
• Research Station Laboratory Tour — Visit the reserve's working lab to observe researchers analyzing soil, water, and biological samples while learning about long-term biodiversity monitoring and climate change studies.

Food to try

• Paiche (Arapaima) Grilled Fresh — The giant Amazonian fish caught locally is filleted and grilled whole with lime, cilantro, and cassava flour, showcasing the region's most prized protein source.
• Yuca Con Mojo — Cassava root boiled until tender and served with a tangy sauce of fresh lime juice, garlic, and local herbs, a staple carbohydrate throughout the Colombian Amazon.
• Tacacho Relleno — Mashed plantain formed into a patty, stuffed with seasoned ground meat or cheese, fried until golden, and served with a spicy ají pepper sauce reflecting Amazonian comfort food tradition.
• Juice of Açaí and Guaraná — Cold, naturally energizing drinks made from locally harvested berries and the stimulant guaraná seed, popular among guides for jungle treks and providing sustainable income for communities.
• Ceviche Amazónico — Fresh river fish cured in lime juice with red onion, cilantro, and local ají peppers, served with cassava chips as a refreshing dish adapted to Amazonian ingredients.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Research Protocols — The reserve prioritizes scientific conservation over tourism, so visitors are expected to follow strict guidelines on noise levels, trail placement, and specimen handling to minimize ecosystem disruption.
• Acknowledge Indigenous Knowledge — Many guides are from local Ticuna and Cocama communities whose ancestral ecological understanding is integral to the reserve's mission, so listen actively and avoid dismissing traditional practices as superstition.
• Prepare for Physical Demands — Trails involve muddy terrain, river crossings, and humid conditions requiring sturdy waterproof boots, insect repellent, and genuine physical fitness; casual tourists unprepared for these conditions may find the experience frustrating.
• Practice Minimal Impact Tourism — The reserve's exclusivity depends on keeping visitor numbers low and environmental footprints minimal, so pack out all waste, avoid touching wildlife, and stay on marked paths even when tempted by wildlife sightings.