KimKim provided the drivers to meet me at the...

Colombia | Feb 10 - Feb 21, 2025

KimKim provided the drivers to meet me at the airports/hotels/preserves. All were on time. A couple of drivers could speak no English, (and I can speak no Spanish) so that made for interesting rides.

The major problem here was my cell service provider. After getting back home, I contacted them and, hopefully, this problem has been corrected. I had a translator app on my phone but it was useless when not connected to Wi-Fi.

I also had a couple of guides who were just awesome. They were knowledgeable of the areas, bird identification and willing to help/answer all questions. Could not have been a more pleasant interaction with them and their English was very good.

Destinations:
Paramuno Birding-Trail in Monserrate
La Minga Ecolodge
Tinamu Natural Reserve
El Dorado Nature Reserve

The birding at Paramuno Birding-Trail was absolutely amazing. After spending hours here, I’m hoping the other places are as good as this is. They were! It just kept getting better.

At La Minga Ecolodge, after two days here, I was convinced this is the best place for birding. Lina, (Host?) although could speak no English, was just great. (I had Wi-Fi here) The food/preparation was excellent.

The downside here is your shower water is lukewarm at best. They have one of those “Tankless Water Heaters.”

Tinamu
No English spoken here either and Wi-Fi saved the day. The birding is just amazing here and even better if you’re willing to hike.

Sandra, the host, fed us very well and the food/preparation was outstanding. Some of the best soup I’ve ever had.

They do have hot showers here. Definitely my favorite place.

El Dorado
Excellent birding here if you’re into hummingbirds. This is rugged country and not an easy place to get to from Santa Marta. The 4-wheel drive road is long and brutal.

Once in El Dorado, my room to the restaurant (the only two places I could get Wi-Fi) are far apart and all uphill. You either walk a steep trail or catch a ride on a three wheeled contraption provided that you called the restaurant ahead of time. So, a couple of times, I had to walk the trail.

This place also has HOT water.

Once again, the food/preparation was outstanding. I had hot chocolate at other locations but chocolate at this place was the best.

I could not give two locations the top spot so I would rank Tinamu 5 stars for birds AND personnel and El Dorado 4.75 stars for birds. Because of the remoteness of El Dorado, they did not have the personnel but what they did have, they were great also. (Fred, in the restaurant)

Conclusion
I could and will visit these places again but will also be looking for new places to explore.

I don’t know why hot water seems to be a luxury in some locations in Colombia, but each place tells you to use as little hot water as possible.

KimKim did an outstanding job putting an itinerary together for me and I would not hesitate to use their services again. Well done, KimKim, (Michael Gold) well done!