This Sportquest Holidays exclusive solo traveller week has been carefully designed to allow single anglers the chance to experience a truly memorable fly fishing adventure deep in the heart of the Colombian jungle. While our standard trips to Akuani River Lodge are based on two anglers sharing flights, accommodation and guided fishing, this specially curated departure allows you to join a group of like-minded Sportquest customers as a solo guest, with no single supplements or surcharges to pay.
Akuani provides access to some of South America’s most exciting freshwater fishing, ideal for both fly and lure anglers. Set within remote rainforest and surrounded by untouched river systems, the lodge offers consistent action for some of the most powerful jungle predators. A typical week is split between two camps and two headline species. At the Main Camp, anglers target Peacock Bass, with the giant Temensis variety delivering topwater explosions and raw, relentless power. Then at Jungle Camp, the focus shifts to the razor-toothed Payara, also known as the Vampire Fish, famous for their aerial acrobatics and brutal hits. Add to that Arowana, Pacu, Piraiba Catfish, and a host of Amazonian oddities, and every day promises something unique. Fishing is primarily boat-based, with flies, topwater lures, streamers and jigs all proving highly effective.
As with all our Solo Traveller weeks, this departure has been hand-picked in collaboration with our trusted lodge partners to coincide with one of the season’s peak weeks, based on historic catch records and local conditions. Whether you’re a seasoned jungle angler or looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this trip offers the chance to fish hard in remote comfort, surrounded by extraordinary wildlife and wild river systems. It’s one of the most distinctive and rewarding fishing adventures in South America, and now, solo anglers can be part of it too.
The season runs from January to March.
Season: January to March
Peak: February
Weight: 1lb to 28lb
Average Weight: 8lb
Season: January to March
Peak: February
Weight: 4lb to 20lb
Average Weight: 5lb
Season: January to March
Peak: February
Weight: 1lb to 6lb
Average Weight: 2lb
Season: January to March
Peak: February
Weight: 1lb to 30lb
Average Weight: 10lb
Depart Any international airport - Arrive Bogota
Depart Any international airport - Arrive Bogota
Depart: TBA
Arrive: El Dorado International Airport
General Note
General Note
Please note: Depending on your chosen international airport, an overnight flight and/or hotel stay may be required, which may affect your departure and return dates. Your itinerary will be finalised once travel arrangements are confirmed.
Independent flight/travel arrangements can be accommodated, though our flight-inclusive packages are recommended to ensure seamless integration into your holiday plans.
Transfer from Bogota Airport to your overnight hotel
Transfer from Bogota Airport to your overnight hotel
Once you’ve arrived and collected your luggage, a representative from our partners will transfer you to your overnight accommodation. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to relax at the hotel or take a stroll and explore the local area at your leisure.
Hilton Garden Inn
Overnight Accommodation
Hilton Garden Inn in a Twin Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Transfer from your overnight hotel to Bogota Airport
Transfer from your overnight hotel to Bogota Airport
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred back to Bogota Airport for your short flight to Puerto Inírida. The flight time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Depart Bogota - Arrive Puerto Inírida
Depart Bogota - Arrive Puerto Inírida
Depart: El Dorado International Airport
Arrive: César Gaviria Trujillo Airport
Transfer from Puerto Inírida Airport to Vichada
Transfer from Puerto Inírida Airport to Vichada
Once you have landed in Puerto Inírida and collected your bags, you will be transferred by tuk-tuk to the Vichada River, a journey of approximately 10 minutes.
On the way to the river, you’ll stop at some local shops, giving you the chance to have a look around or pick up any last-minute supplies you may need before heading into this remote and exciting fishing destination.
Travel from Vichada up the Vichada River
Travel from Vichada up the Vichada River
Once you arrive at the river, the boats will be ready to begin your four-hour transfer to Akuani River Lodge. The journey itself is a memorable experience, offering fantastic sightseeing opportunities as you travel deep into this remote and beautiful region.
Lunch will be served onboard during the transfer, and upon arrival at the lodge, you’ll be welcomed with a cold beverage and light snacks. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to unpack, relax, and prepare for your exciting week of fishing ahead.
Akuani River Lodge
Overnight Accommodation
Akuani River Lodge in a Twin Room on a Full board basis
Fishing
Fishing
During your first two fishing days, you will get a taste of the fantastic fishing on offer on the Vichada River in Colombia. This famous waterway is home to excellent numbers of Peacock Bass, including fish of trophy-sized proportions.
At the Akuani River Lodge, it’s possible to fly or lure fish, depending on your preference. The waters around the camp are diverse, featuring a vast array of structures and tranquil lagoons. Each day offers new fishing spots and thrilling opportunities.
Akuani River Lodge
Overnight Accommodation
Akuani River Lodge in a Twin Room on a Full board basis
Travel from the Vichada River to the Orinoco River
Travel from the Vichada River to the Orinoco River
On the morning of your third fishing day, you’ll journey to Payara Camp and the legendary Maipures Rapids on the Orinoco River, ready to experience one of the most iconic and exhilarating fisheries in the region.
Fishing
Fishing
The fishing on the Orinoco River will give an adrenaline-pumping fishing experience amidst imposing rocks and fast currents, wetting a line for Payara (Vampire Fish), Sardinata, and Pacu from rocky outcrops.
As night falls, you will unwind in comfortable tents beneath the jungle canopy.
Payara Camp
Overnight Accommodation
Payara Camp in a Twin Bedded Tent on a Full board basis
Fishing
Fishing
On your fourth fishing day you’ll enjoy more action on the Orinoco River, fishing for the hard-hitting Payara. For this little excursion, you’ll be fishing with the same guides for both days.
Travel from the Orinoco River to the Vichada River
Travel from the Orinoco River to the Vichada River
Once your fishing day is over, you will be transferred back to Akuani River Lodge.
Akuani River Lodge
Overnight Accommodation
Akuani River Lodge in a Twin Room on a Full board basis
Fishing
Fishing
On your last two fishing days, you will be back on the Vichada River, fishing for the Peacock Bass. Throughout all your days on the Vichada, you’ll be fishing from Bongos. These are large, comfortable canoes equipped with chairs, casting platforms, and coolers stocked with beer, soft drinks, and water. Each boat accommodates two anglers and a guide.
For Peacock Bass fishing, you’ll have the same 2 guides for four days. For Payara fishing on the Orinoco River, you’ll be accompanied by different guides.
Akuani River Lodge
Overnight Accommodation
Akuani River Lodge in a Twin Room on a Full board basis
Travel back up the Vichada River to Vichada
Travel back up the Vichada River to Vichada
After breakfast, you will be transferred by boat back to Vichada. The journey takes approximately four hours and is a fantastic experience, offering wonderful sightseeing opportunities as you travel through this remote and beautiful region.
Lunch will be served onboard during the transfer, allowing you to relax and enjoy the final stretch of your adventure.
Transfer from Vichada to Puerto Inírida Airport
Transfer from Vichada to Puerto Inírida Airport
When you reach the shore and disembark from the boats, tuk-tuks will be waiting to transfer you back to Puerto Inírida, a journey of approximately 10 minutes.
Upon arrival in Puerto Inírida, you will board a short internal flight back to Bogotá. The flight time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Depart Vichada - Arrive Bogota
Depart Vichada - Arrive Bogota
Depart:
Arrive: El Dorado International Airport
Transfer from Bogota Airport to your overnight hotel
Transfer from Bogota Airport to your overnight hotel
Once you’ve arrived and collected your luggage, a representative from our partners will transfer you to your overnight accommodation. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to relax at the hotel or take a stroll and explore the local area at your leisure.
Hilton Garden Inn
Overnight Accommodation
Hilton Garden Inn in a Twin Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Transfer from your overnight hotel to Bogota Airport
Transfer from your overnight hotel to Bogota Airport
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred back to Bogota Airport for your return flight home.
Depart Bogota - Arrive Any international airport
Depart Bogota - Arrive Any international airport
Depart: El Dorado International Airport
Arrive: TBA
General Note
General Note
Please note: Depending on your chosen international airport, an overnight flight and/or hotel stay may be required, which may affect your departure and return dates. Your itinerary will be finalised once travel arrangements are confirmed.
Independent flight/travel arrangements can be accommodated, though our flight-inclusive packages are recommended to ensure seamless integration into your holiday plans.
| From | To | Days | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/02/2027 | 13/02/2027 | 10 | £5,383 | Enquire Book Now |
If your preferred week or travel dates do not appear in the calendar above, please get in touch. Many lodges release availability in stages, and some dates depend on tides, seasons, guide schedules, or short-notice changes. By speaking with us directly, you will receive the most up to date availability and clear guidance on securing the strongest options before popular weeks fill. Enquire now and we will check live availability for the dates you are considering.
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"I am fortunate to have travelled to many destinations around the world to fly fish. I have had the pleasure of visiting Akuani Lodge 3 times now, and it never disappoints. The camp is incredibly beautiful, the food and hospitality are exceptional, and the guides are knowledgeable and make every effort to put you on the fish. In my experience, there isn’t anywhere with the quantity of Peacock Bass in the world. I highly recommend Akuani... you will not be disappointed."
"This is a super operation and the location is stunning. All the staff are very dedicated to make certain there guests want for nothing, are well fed, happy and catching fish. I enjoyed a fantastic trip and would thoroughly recommend it. "
"I have been twice to both Peacock Bass fishing lodges in Colombia and I must say both are fantastic operations. They have both been so well run and organised with amazing fishing way out in the wilderness. The food and staff were also top drawer and they are trips that I would highly recommend."
At Akuani River Lodge, nestled in the Mataven jungle, you’ll immerse yourself in the Sikuani culture. The lodge is situated atop a cliff, offering breathtaking views of the Vichada River. It features four spacious cabins, each with two queen beds, private baths and ceiling fans. The cabins and dining area have 110V electricity, the same as in the US.
The Payara Camp offers a more rustic experience, featuring double-occupancy tents and cots. This camp serves as the starting point for an exciting expedition to the Maipures Rapids, set in an otherworldly landscape.
During your stay at Akuani River Lodge, all meals and drinks are included, excluding spirits, which you’re welcome to bring from duty-free or request in advance for the team to arrange.
Each day, you’ll enjoy three freshly prepared meals cooked by the camp’s private chef. Expect a mix of local flavours and familiar international dishes, all served in a relaxed and comfortable setting. While out on the water, your boat will be stocked with lunch, cold drinks, and snacks, allowing you to enjoy a break by the river without missing a moment of the experience.
Even though the camp is so remote, it’s still equipped with first aid kits, satellite phones and Starlink internet. Global Rescue is also available and something which we would highly recommend.
Note: As an optional add-on, it’s possible to book a professional photographer to join you throughout the duration of your trip, creating lasting memories of your fishing experience
To learn more about the first-class fishing experience at Akuani River Lodge and the fantastic and wild fishing opportunities available in Colombia, visit our YouTube channel.
Tucked away in the heart of Colombia’s untouched Mataven jungle, Akuani River Lodge offers adventurous anglers the chance to explore two wildly contrasting river systems in a single, action-packed week. With access to the Vichada River, famed for its aggressive, vividly coloured Peacock Bass, and the Maipures Rapids of the Orinoco, home to the acrobatic, hard-hitting Payara, this is a destination that blends variety, challenge, and pure jungle adventure.
The main lodge is perched on a bluff overlooking the serene Vichada, where guests stay in four spacious, well-equipped cabins, a comfortable base to return to after a full day of casting. For the more rugged leg of the journey, anglers venture to Payara Camp, a no-frills but well-organised setup of double-occupancy expedition tents that serve as the launchpad for exploring the dramatic waters of Maipures.
What makes Akuani special is the way it balances comfort with raw, remote exploration. An attentive, experienced team thoughtfully handles every detail, and daily fishing is guided by local bilingual experts who know the rivers inside and out. Each day is tailored to your style and target species, whether you’re chasing surface eats, hunting giants, or just soaking in the biodiversity of the Amazon basin.
For those looking to step well off the beaten track to fish wild, unpressured waters teeming with life, Akuani River Lodge delivers one of the most exciting and rewarding jungle-fishing experiences in South America.
During your stay at the exceptional Akuani River Lodge, you’ll have the rare opportunity to fish two distinct and remote river systems deep in the Colombian jungle: the Vichada River and the Orinoco River. Each offers a different style of fishing, scenery, and species, combining to create a rich, varied, and memorable experience, perfect for both fly and lure anglers.
Surrounded by lush rainforest and calm, mirror-like lagoons, the Vichada River is a paradise for those in search of Peacock Bass. Known for both numbers and size, the river provides consistent action with real chances at true trophy fish. Whether you’re presenting a popper on the fly or working a lure along the banks, the fishing is varied, exciting, and largely untouched. Each day, you’ll head out in traditional “bongos”, custom riverboats, to explore new stretches of water, ensuring fresh opportunities every session.
In contrast to the Vichada’s laid-back tempo, the Orinoco River delivers a more rugged, high-energy experience. After a thrilling speedboat ride upriver, you’ll arrive at the dramatic Maipures rapids, a powerful, fast-moving system where species like Payara (Vampire Fish), Sardinata, and Pacu provide fierce, technical battles. Fishing from rocky outcrops and turbulent channels, this is adrenaline-fueled jungle angling at its best.
This carefully designed solo traveller trip gives you quality time on both rivers. You’ll begin with two days targeting Peacock Bass from the comfort of Akuani River Lodge, followed by an overnight jungle expedition to the Orinoco and one-and-a-half days of rapid-water action. Finally, you’ll return to the lodge for two more days of fishing on the Vichada to round off the week. The balance of comfort, variety, and adventure makes this one of the most unique and rewarding freshwater itineraries in South America.
At Akuani River Lodge, our exclusive Solo Traveller week is limited to just eight anglers, ensuring a personal, immersive experience in the heart of Colombia’s unspoiled jungle. You’ll fish in pairs alongside another Sportquest customer, with each boat guided by a skilled local expert who knows the Vichada and Orinoco Rivers inside out. Whether you’re chasing Peacock Bass or targeting Payara in the rapids, these guides tailor each session to match your fishing goals.
While these guides aren’t fluent in English, they communicate essential instructions clearly and effectively. To ensure your comfort, an English-speaking host will be on hand throughout the week to assist with any needs. For your four days on the Vichada River, you’ll fish with the same pair of experienced guides, while your time on the Orinoco is led by a separate team with in-depth knowledge of the Maipures rapids. Fishing days follow a relaxed but purposeful rhythm to make the most of your time on the water:
– 6:30am – Breakfast
– 8:00am – Morning fishing session
– 12:30pm – Picnic lunch by the water
– 2:00pm – Afternoon fishing session
– 5:30pm – Return to the camp
– 8:00pm – Evening meal
This trip offers more than just outstanding fishing; it’s an authentic journey into the wild. Operated in partnership with award-winning outfitters recognised by ProColombia, Akuani River Lodge blends luxury, sustainability, and social responsibility. It’s a destination for anglers who want more from their adventure, more meaning, more connection, and memories that go far beyond the catch.
Fishing at Akuani River Lodge in Colombia offers anglers the chance to target a thrilling mix of hard-fighting jungle species, all set within one of South America’s most untouched and biodiverse freshwater environments. While the rivers teem with life, two headline species define the experience: the Peacock Bass and the Payara.
The undisputed icon of South American sport fishing, the Peacock Bass is a must for any serious freshwater angler. Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, these aggressive predators are famed for their explosive topwater takes, vibrant colours, and unrelenting fights. Reaching sizes of up to 100cm and 30lb+, they provide a memorable challenge whether you’re casting a fly or working a surface lure.
Nicknamed the “Vampire Fish” for their unmistakable fangs, Payara are sleek, silver torpedoes built for speed. Found in the fast, oxygen-rich waters of the Orinoco’s Maipures Rapids, they offer a completely different style of fishing – dynamic, technical, and absolutely adrenaline-fuelled. These apex predators can grow to over one metre in length and are known for their aerial strikes, ferocious runs, and aggressive feeding habits.
In addition to these two standout targets, the waters around Akuani are home to an array of fascinating species. You might encounter Redtail Catfish, Shovel Nose Catfish, Arowana, Pacu, and Matrinxã, each offering its own unique battle and adding to the rich biodiversity of your fishing adventure.
I am fortunate to have travelled to many destinations around the world to fly fish. I have had the pleasure of visiting Akuani Lodge 3 times now, and it never disappoints. The camp is incredibly beautiful, the food and hospitality are exceptional, and the guides are knowledgeable and make every effort to put you on the fish. In my experience, there isn’t anywhere with the quantity of Peacock Bass in the world. I highly recommend Akuani... you will not be disappointed.
This is a super operation and the location is stunning. All the staff are very dedicated to make certain there guests want for nothing, are well fed, happy and catching fish. I enjoyed a fantastic trip and would thoroughly recommend it.
I have been twice to both Peacock Bass fishing lodges in Colombia and I must say both are fantastic operations. They have both been so well run and organised with amazing fishing way out in the wilderness. The food and staff were also top drawer and they are trips that I would highly recommend.
Nestled deep in the untouched Mataven jungle of Colombia, Akuani River Lodge offers travelling anglers a unique opportunity to explore two exceptional and contrasting river systems in a single, action-packed trip. With access to both the Vichada River, known for its Peacock Bass, and the Orinoco River, home to the hard-hitting Payara.
The Akuani Floating Camp is nestled in the heart of the untamed jungle in Colombia's pristine wilderness, and it provides an unrivalled fly and lure fishing experience for trophy Peacock Bass, fierce Payara, Pacu and a range of different Catfish. Every cast promises a memorable encounter in some of South America's most biodiverse and unspoiled waters.
Kendjam Lodge in the Xingu basin, which the Iriri River is part of, is now the first official sport fishing operation in Brazil, located inside an Indigenous Territory. It offers the most intense jungle fishing experience found anywhere in South America and the World, giving freshwater fly anglers the chance to enjoy some truly wild, explosive mixed fishing.
Across this spectacular wilderness territory, the protected, mythological Xingu River, flows over granite bedrock, running clear and allowing for sight-fishing opportunities for a wide variety of species. But what sets Xingu apart from anywhere else in the Amazon are the impressive numbers of large Payara - one of the hardest-hitting and strongest fighting fish in the Amazon.
The fishing at the Rio Marie Lodge is some of the best found anywhere in Brazil, and this isn't just a guess; it's a fact. The river holds at least double the quantity of trophy-sized Peacock Bass compared with any other destination in the Rio Negro basin and offers travelling rods the chance to sample some explosive sport.
