Description
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse regions of the world, and home to six species of wildcat. On this unique conservation-focused safari you will contribute directly to wildcat protection; by placing your own camera trap in the depths of the rainforest you will be helping to monitor wildcat populations and activity.
A unique opportunity to contribute directly to conservation efforts in Costa Rica; place your own camera trap in primary rainforest to help monitor wildcat populations, and receive regular updates and photographs after you have returned.
Overview
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse regions of the world, and home to six species of wildcat. On this unique conservation-focused safari you will contribute directly to wildcat protection; by placing your own camera trap in the depths of the rainforest you will be helping to monitor wildcat populations and activity.
A unique opportunity to contribute directly to conservation efforts in Costa Rica; place your own camera trap in primary rainforest to help monitor wildcat populations, and receive regular updates and photographs after you have returned. You will be sent a camera trap to take with you on your trip, then, in either Pacuare or Selva Bananito, you will head out on a guided hike to place it out in the jungle. There are six species of wildcat found in Costa Rica – namely the jaguar, puma, jaguarundi, ocelot, margay and oncilla – all of which are threatened by deforestation and habitat loss. Staying in lodges deep in the rainforest, you will also experience white water rafting on the Pacuare River and boat safaris along the canals of Tortuguero National Park.
WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY
- Wildlife watching in one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet.
- White water rafting in and out of Pacuare Lodge, one of National Geographic's "Unique Lodges of the World".
- Enjoy boat safaris along the canals of wildlife-rich Tortuguero National Park.
- Contribute directly to wildcat conservation by placing your own camera trap in either Pacuare or Bananito Sur, and receive photos of wildcat activity up to a year after your return.
Itinerary
Upon arrival into San Jose International Airport, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel, a Victorian-style mansion in the heart of the city. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to relax or explore the city.
Overnight: Grano de Oro
Today marks the start of your adrenaline-packed adventure, as you are picked up early this morning and transferred to the entry point of the famous Pacuare River, enjoying a traditional Costa Rican breakfast en route. Don your life jacket and set off white water rafting down the river towards your eco-lodge, nestled within the tropical rainforest.
Overnight: Pacuare Lodge(B, L, D)
Awake each morning to the soothing sounds of the jungle and nearby river, as you spend the next two days exploring the pristine rainforests of Costa Rica. If you wish, you can head out into the forest on your wildcat camera trap expedition. By placing your camera trap here, you are helping to monitor and protect wildcat populations in the region.
Overnight: Pacuare Lodge(B, L, D)
Prepare for another exhilarating day on the water, rafting the Class III rapids of the Pacuare River. Travel along the river as it meanders through primary rainforest and steep gorges which provide a habitat to a diverse variety of birds and mammals. Make a landing near the town of Siquirres, where you will enjoy a hearty lunch before continuing for another three hours by road to Selva Bananito Lodge, located in a pristine area of forest on the Caribbean Coast.
Overnight: Selva Bananito(B, L, D)
Nestled in a virtually untouched region of the Talamanca Mountains, Selva Bananito is one of Costa Rica's leading examples of ecotourism and a leader in the region's conservation efforts, as evidenced by their work to protect wildcats and other animals in the area. Their private reserve acts as an important buffer zone for the International Park La Amistad and is brimming with biodiverse flora and fauna. Over the next two days you will get the opportunity to contribute directly to these efforts by placing your own camera trap in this primary rainforest, and therefore helping the team to monitor and protect the reserves populations of jaguar, ocelot and other felines.
Overnight: Selva Bananito(B, L, D)
Today you will be transferred by road to the city of Limon, from where you will continue on towards La Pavona, the gateway to Tortuguero National Park. Board a boat from La Pavona to your lodge, where upon arrival you will be met with a welcome cocktail. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Tortuga Lodge(B, L, D)
Spend your final few days in Costa Rica exploring the wildlife-rich Tortuguero region with your guide. Tortuguero is one of the country's best-known national parks, protecting a 22-mile stretch of beach that is an important nesting site for endangered green sea turtles. The parks rainforest and winding canal networks are also home to jaguars, manatees, tapirs and sloths.
Overnight: Tortuga Lodge(B, L, D)
This morning you will be transferred to the airstrip for your short flight back to San Jose, where you will board your international flight home. Once you have arrived home, you can start looking forward to receiving updates and photos taken directly by your very own camera trap!
Accommodation
- Grano de Oro
- Pacuare Lodge
- Selva Bananito
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
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