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An oxbow lake off the Tambopata River in the Peruvian Amazon
Photo: Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0

Reserve · Peru

Tambopata Wildlife Checklist

Tambopata, in Peru's Madre de Dios region, is lowland Amazon rainforest famous for its macaw clay licks, where hundreds of macaws and parrots gather at dawn, and for giant otters on oxbow lakes such as Lake Sandoval. This checklist covers 71 animals, including eight monkey species and five macaws. April to October, the drier season, is the easiest time to visit.

Trips start in Puerto Maldonado, a short flight from Cusco or Lima, and continue by boat to lodges along the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers. Many visitors come after Machu Picchu for three or four nights in the forest.

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The Tambopata checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked
Animals to find
71
Where
Peru
Best time
Apr to Oct
Monkey species
Eight

Tambopata's star species

  • Scarlet Macaw, one of the animals to look for in Tambopata

    Scarlet Macaw

    The star of the clay licks at Colpa Colorado and Chuncho, gathering on the exposed bank early in the morning.

    Photo: Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0

  • Red-and-green Macaw, one of the animals to look for in Tambopata

    Red-and-green Macaw

    Larger and deeper red than the scarlet macaw, with green bands on the wings. Big flocks gather at the licks, especially Colpa Colorado.

    Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Blue-and-yellow Macaw, one of the animals to look for in Tambopata

    Blue-and-yellow Macaw

    Seen in pairs flying over the river, calling loudly. Roosts in palm swamps.

    Photo: Brian Ralphs, CC BY 2.0

  • Giant Otter

    Family groups fish in Lake Sandoval and the Tres Chimbadas oxbow. Early morning canoe trips are best.

  • Hoatzin

    A strange, prehistoric-looking bird that eats leaves. Groups sit in the lakeside bushes at Lake Sandoval.

  • Capybara

    Often seen from the boat on river banks, especially in the drier months.

  • Red Howler Monkey

    Its roaring call at dawn carries for kilometres. Look for red shapes high in the canopy.

  • Emperor Tamarin

    A tiny monkey with a long white moustache. Small groups travel with saddleback tamarins through the mid-canopy.

  • Black Caiman

    The largest caiman, seen at night on the oxbow lakes by torchlight.

  • Jaguar

    Present but never easy. Sometimes seen resting on riverbanks from the boat, especially when water is low.

All 71 animals to spot in Tambopata

Grouped the way you'll meet them. Tips show where to look.

Big mammals 7

Monkeys 8

Smaller mammals 5

Macaws and parrots 10

Birds of prey 5

Water birds 13

Forest birds 16

Reptiles and amphibians 6

Butterflies 1

  • Last reviewed September 2026.
  • Sources are listed below the questions.
  • Wild animals only. Please give them space.

Best time to see wildlife in Tambopata

Tambopata can be visited all year, but the seasons change the experience. The drier season from April to October has fewer showers, firmer trails and lower rivers, which expose sandbars and banks where capybaras, caimans and jaguars are easier to see. June to August can bring friajes, cold fronts from the south that drop temperatures sharply for a few days. The wet season from November to March brings heavy rain, higher rivers and more mosquitoes, but the forest is fruiting and busy. Macaws visit the clay licks throughout the year, with activity often high from late in the dry season into the early wet season. Rain on the day keeps birds away from the licks.

  • Apr-JunRains easing, rivers falling
  • Jul-AugDriest, friaje cold snaps possible
  • Sep-OctBusy clay licks, low rivers
  • Nov-MarWet season, lush forest, fewer visitors

Tips for spotting wildlife in Tambopata

  1. Be at the clay lick by dawn

    Parrots and macaws usually arrive soon after sunrise and are most active until about 9am. Sit quietly in the hide and don't move until the first birds land.

  2. Choose the lodge for the lick

    Colpa Colorado, one of the largest licks, is several hours upriver near the Tambopata Research Center. Colpa Chuncho, another large lick, is reached on early-morning boat trips from lodges further downriver.

  3. Go early to Lake Sandoval

    Giant otters are most active in the morning. Reach the lake by canoe at first light, stay quiet and keep well away from their dens.

  4. Try a night walk

    Poison dart frogs, cane toads and caimans are easier to find after dark. Your guide will spot eyes with a torch.

  5. Pack for heat and cold

    Bring light long sleeves for mosquitoes, plus a warm layer in June to August in case of a friaje.

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Tambopata wildlife FAQ

What is a macaw clay lick?

A clay lick, or colpa, is an exposed riverbank where macaws and parrots gather to eat the clay. Research suggests the clay provides sodium, which is scarce in the western Amazon rainforest. It may also help birds cope with toxins in their food. Tambopata has some of the largest and best-studied licks, where hundreds of birds can gather on a good morning.

When is the best time to see macaws at the clay licks?

Macaws visit Tambopata's clay licks all year, so any season can work. Activity is often highest from about August to December, when many macaws are breeding. Early mornings on clear, dry days are best. Rain or predators nearby can keep the birds away, so allow at least two mornings at a lick.

Can you see jaguars in Tambopata?

Yes, but sightings are rare. Jaguars are sometimes seen resting on riverbanks from lodge boats, especially in the dry season when water levels are low. Most visitors do not see one. For a much better chance of a jaguar, the Pantanal in Brazil is the most reliable place in South America.

What animals can you see in Tambopata?

Tambopata is best for macaws and parrots at the clay licks, giant otters, capybaras, caimans, and several monkey species, including howler monkeys, capuchins and tamarins. The forest also holds tapirs, peccaries and jaguars, which are harder to see. This checklist covers 71 of the animals most visitors can realistically find.

Sources

Last reviewed September 2026

Photo credits

All photo credits. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, resized.

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