The trip starts with a drive to Puerto Concha, crossing ranch land and fruit farms.  It´s very important for us to support the farmers by making small stops to try local produce.
          Here is our guide Alan with respected naturalist, Fernando Jauregui, Erik Quiroga, ambassador of the Catatumbo Lightning, Matt Gutman, famous anchorman and Bert Rudman, producer of ABC news, on one of our promotional trips.
  

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From Puerto Concha, the rest of the tour is by boat. The first 4km is along Rio concha, a fauna reserve.
        The forests of the Catatumbo region are the most virgin of Western Venezuela.

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Rio Concha is a great place to observe wildlife. The red howler monkey is the  king of this forest. Its also easy to see iguanas, lots of bird species and beautiful butterflies.

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Along with the common animals, with a little luck, it´s possible to see some other special species, like this Collared Aracari.
      Other possible encounters are capuchin monkeys, otters, anteaters, caiman and more. 

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After about an hour of wildlife observation, the river gives way to the Maracaibo Lake, the biggest in South America.
   The unique meteorological sequence of this lake gives, usually, clear days.  Sun protection is important. It´s like being on the ocean. We navigate 50km towards Ologa.

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The Maracaibo lake is also a great place to observe fauna. We always see pelicans,terns, osprey and fresh water dolphins of the Sotalia genus.

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In the late afternoon we arrive at the water villages.  Our stilt house is at Ologa. At Ologa the stilt houses and coconut trees create the most photogenic layout.
       At this point the traveller is surprised to have seen so much in one day. The amazing thing is that the biggest attraction hasn´t been seen yet.

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The Catatumbo Delta is the place in the world with most lightning.For about 70% of nights,between April and December,it is in the early evening when multiple lightning storms occur. These are usually distant but their recurrence at the same epicentres is fascinating.
         After a hearty barbeque and cold drinks we can enjoy observing the Catatumbo lightning and the beautiful night sky. The big show usually comes after midnight.

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Ologa is just 20km from the one spot with more lightning strikes than anywhere else on earth; more than 200 per sq.km.per year.  During a staggering 95% of nights, between April and December, a huge lightning storm forms,after midnight, near to Ologa.  About 40% of nights present big activity like on the photo.
        That is why we recommend 2 nights.This is not an easy trip; the climate is tough, days are long and nights are spent observing amazing meteorology. Actually when you consider the hours of fun, this may be one of  the most intense tours in the world!

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Our house is basic with bunk beds for 8 people and hammocks for 10. The room with beds has aircon if the village generator is working. If not we use fans. We have flush toilets, showers and a kitchen.
       This picture shows us sleeping under the lightning with the village of Ologa 300m away.

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If you are doing a 2 day trip, after breakfast we visit the village of Congo Mirador on the way back. This water world is different and facinating.
          The way back is another 3 hours of lake, forest and wildlife observation.
       On a 3 day tour we make two trips on the 2nd day, deeper into the forest and to the Congo in the evening.
          Please travel light. You are welcome to contact us for more information. Have a look at our projects. There´s lots to do to make a better world out there. We appreciate your help or advice. Thank you very much.

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