A different kind of jeep safari

Day wake up at 5 a.m. Soon we will all be ready in our hiking clothes and with our backpacks. We march along the swamp and then want to go along the river to look for monkeys in the gallery forests. But we don't get too far here, that Water is simply too high.

Meanwhile the sun has risen and we climb onto the loading area of Dustin's pickup truck. What Nick as "Worlds Worst Driving" is truly a wild ride through mostly flooded farmland. It is true hold on well with all the heavy potholes and curves. Suddenly you run right in front of the car two massive tapirs. Dustin accelerates what Karre has to offer, but the mammals have already disappeared into the thicket. We control again Camera traps and this time is among other things a puma caught been.

There are then two directly in front of the car Peccary piglet, something that even Nick has never seen. Dustin and his colleague even manage to catch one. We do another Walk along the river, whereby the machete is often used again. There are traces and heaps of tapirs everywhere. A good sign for the ecosystemas Nick tells us. Tapirs are extremely sensitive to disturbances and are among the first species to leave a region. Something from yesterday's meal probably didn't make my stomach good and I'm getting worse and worse until I finally throw up.

Scurry on the way back two quatis across the road and disappear straight back into the tall grass. Dustin gives another taste of his in the open air Drifting skills, so hold on extremely well.

Back at the farm that's waiting for you long awaited breakfast on our hungry stomachs, even if I don't really feel like eating yet. After a short break, we decide to do another short jeep safari to make, which unfortunately ends without further animal sightings. For this we come again to the full enjoyment of Dustin's hair-raising driving skills =). Back at the farm, I have to lie down first, because now I have a fever too. A tablet helps, so that I'm more or less ready for lunch.

Then it's about time for them Return to Santa Cruz. We got a great, anything but everyday insight into farm life and the exploration of the fauna using camera traps. Nick wants the place in the years to come to become an ecotourism location. A little glimmer of hope in an otherwise little hopeful future for the animal species of the region. Nick also thinks that the next five years will be devastating for Bolivia's environment. Two otters run across the dusty road in the middle of one of the barren soy plantations.

We all arrive in Santa Cruz completely exhausted. I'm going to bed soon and Niki will also be leaving the hostel's barbecue in a while.