South America

Argentina Hunting

When one thinks of wing shooting, the country of Argentina is sure to be mentioned. By all accounts, Argentina is the mecca for bird hunting enthusiasts. Trek Safaris, along with its Argentine partners, represent nine different operations in Argentina ranging from areas north and south along its 3000 mile border. Like any business, it’s the people who make it work and we are proud to be associated with the best. Our hunts offer a wide variety of game including dove, perdiz, ducks, geese and pigeons. Why is Argentina so popular with U.S. hunters? Because the habitat in Argentina is perfect for the game and there is little to no pressure from the local hunters. The Argentines are also excellent hosts and have the knowledge and know-how to operate first class hunting trips.

The single best place in the world to hunt the eared dove is Cordoba, Argentina and Trek was there from the beginning. Our partners H&H Outfitters control 90% of the flyways in Cordoba and this makes for excellent hunting 365 days a year. When you offer the best dove hunting in the world it just makes sense to keep it that way. You’ll see thousands and thousands of dove and they are so concentrated that they are actually pest in this region. If ever there was a place you could choose your method and means of bird hunting, this is it. We offer four different deluxe lodges in Cordoba; Sierra Verde, La Portenita, La Loma and Rio Seco. Each lodge has their own identities and serve the finest wines and cuisine in Cordoba. In order to select the best lodge for your group, we suggest you call for more details. Trek Safaris offers a four day hunting package with airfare and the most experienced staff in the industry. Call to find out why thousands of hunters visit Cordoba every year. Season open 365 days a year!! Benelli and Beretta shotguns available for rent.

Hunters looking for more of a mixed bag will surely enjoy Malalcue Lodge near the town of Esquina in the province of Corrientes. Here you will enjoy the guiding and hosting of Ariel Semenov who has worked with Trek for more than 15 years. Here you can hunt ducks, pigeons, dove and peridiz all from the same lodge. This unique operation is successful only because of the time put in for scouting and managing the fields and habitat. No one works harder than Semenov who also has a kennel of pedigree hunting dogs to fulfill the task of hunting the elusive and popular perdiz. Malalcue is located on the banks of the Parana River and is centrally located for hunting and or some dorado (golden bass) fishing when in season. The lodge accommodates 11 hunters per week and is a lovely estancia co-operated by Semenov’s wife Ines. You’ll not find better atmosphere for a hunt in all of Argentina. Trek offers a five days hunt here and the season is from March- August. Call for a brochure and more details on the available species at Malalcue.

To the north and west in Argentina you’ll find the city of Tucuman. Aside from some historical aspects of the city that relates to the Quilmes Indians and their drive for independence, you’ll find some great hunting prospects for the eared dove. Outfitter Gustavo Olsen built a wonderful lodge called Rodeo de los Buyes and is situated just minutes from a concentration of corn, sorghum and soybean fields. This is a major feeding ground for the eared dove that is so prevalent in this wonderful country. During certain times of the year, hunting for the gray spotted pigeon is also available and makes for a great mixed bag. While most of your hunting takes place in the flatlands, Tucuman is surrounded by the Andes Mountain Range where peaks soar to 13,000 feet. It makes for quite a backdrop. Hunters here will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the hospitality of Gustavo and his staff. Few outfitters in Argentina can compare with his services and attention to every detail. In fact, Olsen has a monopoly on hunting in Tucuman and controls most of the dove fields. Trek has arranged a wonderful trip that includes airfare, three days hunting with rooms and meals at Rodeo de los Buyes and some time in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires. Season is from April to October. This is a first class trip for the novice and expert gunner. Rodeo de los Buyes accommodates 12 guests per trip.

South of Buenos Aires and located in the province of the same name, you’ll find one of the best duck and geese areas in Argentina. Trek has contracted with the reputable Four Seasons Outfitters for a waterfowl hunt of your dreams. This a unique trip in that you can actually drive to the hunting area from Buenos Aires. In the duck area, we have several lodges in center of the province and where you stay will be determined by the concentration of ducks. Here you’ll hunt a variety of South American teal, pintail and tree ducks in the middle of a vast myriad of potholes and small lagoons. It is here that Four Seasons has struck great relations with the local farmers to hunt their lands. Unlike most places where ducks are hunted only in the morning, you’ll have the bonus of hunting again in the afternoons as well. Trek has packaged a four day duck hunt that includes all rooms, meals and airfare from Miami. This hunt is for the serious waterfowler. Season is May through July and group size is limited to eight hunters.

The goose hunting area in the B.A. Province is centered around the town of Colonel Suarez and can be either combined with the duck hunt or taken separately. To combine with the duck hunt you need only a two hour transfer by road and you’ll soon be in the geese. Here we hunt the male Magellan and female Ashey-Headed geese that are abundant in this region. The habitat here is sloping valleys that have shallow water lagoon and small ponds, and acts as irrigation for the alfalfa fields where the geese feed. We use the best decoys available and your guides will again be Four Seasons headed by Cane and Cano St. Antonin. The combination trip includes two days of duck and three days of goose hunting. Those interested in just a goose hunt, will be flown from Buenos Aires to the city of Bahia Blanca and driven to your accommodations. We will be using a variety of estancias depending on where the best concentration of geese are feeding. The goose only trips include a four day hunt with room, meals and airfare from Miami. The season goose hunting in the Buenos Aires Province is June through July.

Bolivia Hunting

Bolivia is one the best places in the world for incredibly high volume dove shooting, tremendous service, great food and first-rate lodging. The best part about Bolivia is that it is the closest high volume dove shooting available from the States. From Miami, Santa Cruz, Bolivia is only a 8.5 hours on the way down and a 6.5 hour non-stop day flight on the return. The best way to describe it is the high volume birds of Argentina meet the relaxing Latin flavor of Colombia. A couple of years ago long time Trek Colombian dove guide Carlos Olano teamed up with fellow countryman Jorge Molinas to build the Las Palomas Lodge, right in the heart of the best shooting areas. When we say heart of the hunting area, the drives to the fields at certain times of the year is literally just out the front gate! For the rest of the season the drives are usually only 30-45 minutes from the lodge and at the most 60-75 minutes.

Carlos did an excellent job with our clients in Colombia for years before it was closed. Jorge was a two time Olympic skeet and trap shooter for Colombia. Both have proven over the past six years that they are more than willing to assist our clients in anyway they can. The service that Carlos and Jorge give our clients is second to none. From cleaning your guns to making sure you are in the right spot, Carlos and Jorge will have you feeling like you have been friends forever and when you leave, you will already be talking about your return.

For the 2008 season Carlos will be opening his brand new La Leyenda lodge, This will be our second lodge in Bolivia and will boast 6 air conditioned rooms with private baths, a gun room and plenty of lounging areas to rest up and enjoy liquid libations after the days hunts and for the warmer days the lodge even has a swimming pool.The Spanish styled Las Palomas Lodge now has 12 guest rooms with an open-air courtyard in the middle and has everything from satellite big screen television, to an eight person whirlpool and a brand new swimming pool. 

Paraguay

This country of almost 6 million is one of two (Bolivia is the other) that are completely landlocked in South America. In the northwest region of Paraguay, is an area called the Chaco and it is known for one of the fastest growing wingshooting venues today-- pigeon hunting. That's right! Pigeon hunting has become very popular with the new hunter and Paraguay is at the top of the list. Outfitter Erik Von Sneidern has developed an excellent program near the small co-operative farm area called Neuland. Erik has twenty years of experience with Trek and knows the wingshooting business like few others. This no ordinary pigeon hunt, but more of a high volume affair as pigeons here devastate the local sorghum, soybean and corn crops. Many are owned by moderate Mennonites that have staked out land in this region and are happy for hunters to "cull" the population. This is a unique hunt in that pigeons, both the gray/blue and the beautiful Picazuro, are the primary focus of the trip. Sure, there are doves here but when hunters see those big wingspans, the smallish eared dove doesn't register as much attention. Our headquarters is our new Picazuro Lodge and is by far the best place to stay for a pigeon shoot in Paraguay. Picazuro Lodge is located just minutes from the fields and offers our groups a private lodge with accommodations for 12 hunters a week. Family style meals and good old fashion camaraderie is the mainstay here and while your stay will be full of fond memories of hunting, don't expect Rio de Janeiro. Trek has designed an all-inclusive package with airfare from Miami to Asuncion and three and half days in the pigeon fields. Season is April-June.

Uruguay

This South American country is about the size of Pennsylvania and a population of just over 3.5 million. You’ll not find a more stable and safe country in the Americas than Uruguay. It also has some great wingshooting opportunities to include dove, ducks, pigeons and Perdiz. Uruguay offers similar hunting options also presented by big brother Argentina but generally at a lesser cost. Uruguay is a very unique destination due to the fact that our three lodges are within a few hours of each other. It is possible to hunt the best lodges for each of the different species in a short amount of time. Our four lodges located throughout Uruguay are: La Ninette, a beautiful lodge located on a bluff over looking the Rio Negro, Santa Elena, a true Uruguayan Estancia which was built over 100 years ago as a working cattle ranch, Fortin de San Miguel, a richly decorated castle in the heart of the best duck hunting in Uruguay and finally, Casa La Tany, a beautiful five bedroom home located in Punta Del Este that is located as close to world class pigeon hunting as it is the Uruguayan Riviera.

Argentina Fishing

Trek Safaris has offered fishing trips to Argentina for over 15 years and specialize in sending anglers to the right place at the right time. Most of our focus centers around that invisible belt of land called Patagonia and, depending on whom you believe, extends anywhere from Buenos Aires south to Tierra del Fuego. Our fishing programs are primarily in the Lakes District of Patagonia and involve mostly three lodges: San Huberto, Collon Cura and Arroyo Verde. Each one of these lodges has it own staff and character and maintains a long list of repeat guests, of which many have traveled with Trek. We are proud to offer these lodges and you will no doubt enjoy this tremendous Patagonian experience.

San Huberto Lodge- Guests from all over the world have come to San Huberto to test their skills against the brown and rainbow trout that inhabit the famous signature waters of the Malleo River. Places like the “the Meadows” and the ‘Willow Pass’ are just a few of the favorite places along the Malleo that can only be reached from San Huberto Lodge. With the Lanin Volcano as a back drop, you will not only enjoy the fishing but marvel at the scenery as well.

The Olsen Family, consisting of parents Carmen and Carlos, and brothers Gustavo and Ronnie, own and operate this exclusive lodge that covers more than 25,000 acres. Cattle, sheep, boar and Red Stag are known to make their home here. But it is the 20 miles of river that flows through the property that gets most of the attention. Fly anglers love the slow stretches of water and small eddies that produce wonderful dry fly action as well as the variety of hatches that challenge your fly box. When the winds blows or when the water is faster, nymph and streamer fishing is the preferred method. Your guides will be local, bilingual experts and their skills will be on hand and not only the Malleo River but also the Alumine, Calefu and Chimehuin Rivers where trout are abundant. Trout here on average are in the 16-20 inch range with some big ones over 20 inches. There is even a beautiful Alpine lake called Tromen where a morning will have you casting to some huge rainbows from its shore.

The lodge accommodates twelve lucky anglers a week and if you’ve not experienced hospitality until you visit Argentina. The Olsen’s run a first class lodge and you’ll want for nothing. San Huberto is a split-level facility with six nice rooms and a wonderful lounge upstairs complimented by a huge roaring fireplace. Trek has the perfect package here with flights arranged from Miami to Buenos Aires and connecting to San Martin de los Andes. From San Martin it’s a 45-minute drive through the foothills of the Andes to San Huberto Lodge. Call today for a free brochure and more details about the trip.

Collon Cura Lodge- For many years, anglers have floated the Collon Cura River for some terrific rainbow and brown trout fishing. It was tough to access but well worth the effort. But now, Collon Cura has a lodge that is perfectly situated near its banks and offers world-class fishing from McKenzie style boats that are manned by expert guides under the tutelage of Gustavo and Ronnie Olsen. The Collon Cura is a wide river with steep banks in some places that offer wonderful back eddies, it also has long stretches of flat, gravel islands where big browns love to hang out and feed. Large, slow moving deep pools are also very productive to fish with many reached by wading.

Eduardo and Malu Acuna who have learned their skills from the Olsen Family at San Huberto Lodge manage the Collon Cura Lodge. It accommodates eight guests in excellent comfort with fine wines and gourmet food. This is the perfect lodge for a three-day stay and also to be combined with San Huberto that is only one hour away. Call Trek today for a customized trip to Patagonia and some excellent trout fishing.

Arroyo Verde Lodge- Meme and Maurice La Riviere own this masterpiece facility along the Traful River. True aristocrats, the La Riviere’s decided to settle here at Arroyo Verde and offer traveling sportsmen a chance at some huge rainbows in the gin clear waters of the Traful. This is the preferred lodge for a short 2-3 day stay and is an excellent choice for couples. Meme La Riviere has hosted dignitaries from around the world including Dwight Eisenhower and many have chosen to stay here for the food alone. Anglers will enjoy the trophy size rainbows here as well as landlocked salmon. These fish are a challenge to take but those who succeed return year after year. Non anglers will enjoy horseback riding from the fine stable provided, as well as hiking and a trip to the nearby cottage on Lake Traful that offers a view you will not soon forget. Call Trek today to combine this excellent lodge with others in the Patagonia Region of Argentina.

Chile

 This beautiful country that has borders with Argentina and the Andes Mountains on the east, and the Pacific to the west, is a definite must for the traveling sportsman. With its many rivers, lakes and streams that are born from the mountains, it’s easy to see why trout anglers flock here every year. Trek has contracted the services of Juan Grunwald and his Bahia Leones Lodge for a great fishing vacation. Bahia Leones accommodates six anglers on a private 15-acre island in Lake Yelcho. It’s just you and your companions casting to rainbow and brown trout in a variety of waters. Here you will test your skills on the Yelcho and Futaleufu Rivers or small bays and creeks in the lake. You can dry fly, nymph or try your favorite streamers with the expert guides trained by Juan Carlos himself. Trek endorses Bahia Leones not for the fishing alone, but for the fact that Grunwald takes time away from his successful businesses in Santiago to personally host each group. This is his passion and it is quite contagious for those who visit. Here at Bahia Leones you will see glaciers, waterfalls, wildlife, and an incredible panoramic view of the Andes. Meals are local seafood like salmon and trout as well as the excellent beef served “Asado” style on the outdoor terrace. To reach this piece of heaven we’ll arrange your flight on Lan Chile to Santiago where you will connect to the city of Puerto Montt, from there it’s a small charter plane to Chaiten and a short boat ride to the lodge. Call Trek today to arrange a customized itinerary for your group.

 Brazil Peacock Bass Fishing 

 Trek Safaris knows the peacock bass like no other, because we've chased them from Panama to Brazil for over 30 years now. The peacock is actually a giant tropical fish in the Cichlid species family but you couldn’t contain one in an aquarium. It’s a super aggressive predatory fish and anglers consider them a trophy, especially those in the double digit range to 25 pounds that can be found mostly between the third degree latitudes of the equator in the Western Hemisphere. Much of this habitat range is located in the country of Brazil along the Rio Negro in the State of Amazonas. If you want to catch trophy peacock bass, the Rio Negro in Brazil is by far your best bet.