Podcast
Off the Page podcast: Colombia – Biodiversity beyond borders
Wander through the Amazon and trek through the Andes with wildlife guide Chris Bell, author Shafik Meghji and science journalist Angela Posada-Swafford in this captivating journey through Colombia
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Colombia is home to nearly 10% of the world’s biodiversity, and in today’s episode we’ll be exploring it from the Amazon to the Andes. In the company of three expert guests, our journey will take us deep into each of Colombia’s five distinct regions, revealing the unique ecosystems, rare wildlife, and cultural connections to nature that define them. From birdwatching in cloud forests and listening to humpback whales sing to meeting indigenous communities and searching for giant snakes, this is Colombia: Biodiversity Beyond Borders.
Featured guests and highlights:
Chris Bell
Wildlife guide, birding expert and Bogotá local Chris Bell discusses why Colombia is a dream destination for bird lovers.
- Over 1,900 bird species—more than any other country
- Spotting endemic species in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Andean cloud forests
- Birdwatching in the Amazon Basin and along the Pacific coast
Shafik Meghji
Author and travel writer Shafik Meghji explores Colombia’s biodiversity through the lens of culture, history, and nature.
- Los Llanos: vast savannahs teeming with capybaras, caimans, and cowboys (llaneros)
- Cartagena & Caribbean coast: where mangroves, colonial history, and vibrant culture meet
- San Andrés & Providencia: coral reefs, pirate treasure, and a unique island heritage unlike anywhere else
Angela Posada-Swafford
Science journalist Angela Posada-Swafford explains how Colombia’s climate and topography make it one of the most ecologically varied places on Earth.
- Amazon rainforest: spotting pink river dolphins and jaguars
- Pacific coast: whale migrations and remote rainforests
- Humpback songs: listen to a special one-minute clip of a collaboration Angela worked on between humpback whales and a live orchestra
Listen now and let your imagination wander from the Andes to the Amazon.
Find out more
For more information on how to plan your trip go to procolombia.co.
Chris Bell: birding-experience.com, @chrisbellbirding
Shafik Meghji: shafikmeghji.com, @shafikmeghji
Angela Posada-Swafford: angelaposadaswafford.com
Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
