Patagonia Wildlife Tours

Where can I see wildlife in Patagonia?

Even though there are animals in many different places, some particular areas have a big concentration of species that belong to the same ecosystem.  Let’s have a look at the main popular destinations.

Península Valdés & Puerto Madryn

Peninsula Valdes and Puerto Madryn are -among others- the main destinations for Ocean Wildlife watching in the Atlantic side of Patagonia.   Peninsula Valdes has been declared UNESCO site, and is home to several species such as Whales, Orcas, Penguins, Foxes, Guanacos, Rheas, Maras, Mulitas, Sea Lions, Sea Elephants, and many sea birds.

Naturally, there  is a Fauna Calendar to follow, which in a nutshell is:

Southern Right Whales: from June to end of November. One of the best places in the world to see them!

Magellan Penguins: from mids of September to April.  You can walk among thousands of them!

Orcas (Killer Whales): even though they’re roaming around many times, there are two times in the year where they hunt on the shores: somewhere between October and November, and then between March and April.  Photographers come usually in the second half of March-beginnings of April.

The other species are usually present during most of the year.

A minimum of 3 nights is suggested to enjoy this area. The airport is in most cases Trelew (2 hours from Buenos Aires).

Puerto Deseado, Bustamante & Patagonia Azul

These places are not far from Puerto Madryn and offer some similarities.

Bustamante Bay it’s different in the sense that is more intimate and exclusive.

Puerto Deseado is famous for being the home to the Rockhopper Penguins, same as other species like the “Tonina Overa” or the cormorants. There is also a Ría (a geological fault invaded by saltwater).

Torres del Paine (Chile)

Some as in other parts of Argentina, Torres del Paine (Chile) gathers lots of species of the Andes.

The difference is that in Torres del Paine, the authorities have worked hard in order to make Pumas feel “safe”.

This has produced that encounters with these animals are now somehow foreseeable and therefore possible to offer Puma tracking tours. Naturally, encounters are not guaranteed, but every time is more and more frequent to spot them.

Besides Pumas, there are Condors, Guanacos (llama from Patagonia), Rheas (Patagonian ostrich – a.k.a Ñandú), Huemul (Patagonian deer – very difficult to find), and many other animals.  Furthermore, Torres del Paine is a fantastic place for scenic excursions and trekking.

Parque Patagonia Argentina

Impulsed also by the organization Rewilding Argentina, this new National Park aims to protect the fauna and flora of the steppe and other areas in the northwest of Santa Cruz.

Condors, chinchillas, guanacos, rheas, and the main protagonists: Pumas. Even though encounters are not as frequent as in Torres del Paine, they’re right on the way, and it will probably be the high attraction of the Park.

Another fact is that this park is traversed by the Ruta 40, in the same area where the UNESCO site “Cueva de las Manos” is located (Hands Cave). The Hands Cave is a complex of rock paintings in the River Pinturas Canyon. This Canyon is a fantastic natural postcard.

One of the best places to stay at Patagonia Argentina National Park is Posta Los Toldos, where everything is based on sustainability.  A great place to stay.  We suggest a minimum of 2 nights.

TIP:  Puma watching is at the moment way more affordable than in Torres del Paine.

Other spots to see fauna and enjoy different Patagonia wildlife tours:

Some other remarkable places for Wildlife watching in Patagonia:

• El Calafate and El Chaltén:  similar fauna as in Torres del Paine, including also the giant woodpecker.
• Chilean Fjords, Magellan Strait, and Beagle Channel. Great for ocean wildlife such as humpback whales.
• Laguna San Rafael (Chilean Patagonia): sea leopards.
• Tierra del Fuego.
• Parque Patagonia (Chile): great for pumas.

How can I contribute to the conservation of Patagonia Animals?

When visiting natural areas is very important to be conscious of the impact that we can generate if we are not responsible. On your trips, a good way of reducing the negative impact is never to leave your food or trash where you go, this will prevent animals from being fed with that. 

Is important to follow the trails, they were planned to prevent us from invading the other species’ territory and keep us safe.

If we see some endangered species on our visit, let the local authorities know. This helps the tracking system for preservation.

The best way to enjoy wildlife is by just admiring, please avoid physical contact with the animals.

Wildlife tours in Patagonia

We are a local tour operator which offers custom trips in Argentina and Chile. Apart from Patagonia, we invite you also to explore our Argentina wildlife tours (including not only Patagonia but also other regions). Get in touch, and let’s start your next trip together!