Andrea is a biologist from the Universidad Pedagógica  y Tecnológica de Colombia (Pedagogic al and Technological University of Colombia).  She is the owner and founder of MANAKIN NATURE TOURS, and loves birds, orchids and nature in general.  She has more than two years experience in ornithological research, during which time she conducted scientific studies on four rare and endangered Colombian birds, the Blue-billed Curassow, Todd’s Parakeet, Yellow-eared Parrot for ProAves Fundation and Recurve-billed Bushbird, . Her research has provided important information on the biology and conservation of these species. Andrea is currently in chare of the administration, management and logistics of MANAKIN NATURE TOURS.

Luis is a biologist from the Universidad del Tolima (Tolima University). He has ten years experience birding and conducting scientific research on endangered species in Colombia. For the past three years Luis has worked as a birding guide for a number of international birding companies, an opportunity that has given him valuable experience both in birding and tour logistics. During this period he has worked as local guide and co-leader for several well-known international guides such as Steve Hilty (Author of A Guide to the Birds of Colombia—1986), Barry Walker, Nick Athanas, Richard Webster, and Frank Lambert.

Luis Eduardo also won a “Watcher Prize” from the British Petroleum Company Conservation Programme when he worked with the enigmatic Blue-billed Curassow in 2004, for ProAves Fundation.  He is very experienced in the logistics and operation of birding tours, including all of the localities where MANAKIN NATURE TOURS operates.

Elkin is a biologist from the Universidad de Córdoba (Córdoba University).  He is a skilled birder with more than five years experience in research and monitoring of bird populations in the middle Magdalena Valley and the Atlantic coast.  He also has worked for two years in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and in the Serranía de las Quinchas (Boyacá) with ProAves Foundation, where he collaborated on research projects involving the newly described Santa Marta Screech-Owl, and the Blue-billed Curassow. Elkin has a great personality, an easy-going manner and is eager to help you have a wonderful and unforgettable birding experience.

Hugo is Forest Technologist focusing on protection and conservation of ecosystems with extensive experience in birdwatching, research with endangered species and wildlife inventories in so many places of the Colombian territory, he participated in several training workshops on monitoring techniques of fauna, particularly birds and ecotourism and in various censuses of birds in the department of Tolima. Hugo was part of the team work of prominent companies that are concerned with the conservation of ecosystems in Colombia, which has experience gotten to know many of the best places for to observe birds and fauna in Colombia. It is a bold and dynamic person that is always ready to make the tours a pleasant one.

The life of Oswaldo is a mix between loving to travel and building community. He have a great home in a nice colombian place that he love to spend time at/putting energy into, but he love to get out and explore/adventure as well.  He have so much experience with the works with birds and he maked researches with Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird, Colombia Mountain Grackle and Niceforo´s Wren; He love sailing camping on colombian cloud forest, exploring forests, mountains, camp-fires, bird watching, audio recording sing hummingbirds, gazing at stars, watching movies, aromatherapy, alternative therapy, going on long drives on my bike or car, taking pictures with my mobile, he also love trying out different types of cuisines.. And of course he love meeting and traveling with people from different cultures and places. The broad research interests of Oswaldo include systematic conservation planning, landscape-level conservation strategy in hummingbirds and conservation area governance issues.

Diana has a degree in social communication from the Universidad Javeriana (Javeriana University) in Bogotá, and a master’s degree in communication and graphic design from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).  She is an experienced birder and is particularly knowledgeable about the birds and wildlife of the Bogotá area and the Eastern Andes. Diana recently authored a book titled Los Pájaros de mi Ciudad (The birds of My City) which recounts her ten years’ experience as a journalist, environmental educator, and birder in the Bogotá area. More recently she has been guiding birders not only in the Bogotá area but also in many other parts of Colombia. Diana speaks English fluently, knows a great deal about the culture and customs of her country, and is always eager to share her knowledge with others. Diana is engaging and an excellent bird finder, and traveling with her is always a pleasure. She also likes very much to take people through Bogota city tours, to places like the Sanctuary of Monserrate, the famous Gold Museum and the neighborhood of La Candelaria.

Julian is a biologist from the Universidad National de Colombia (National University of Colombia).  He has a post-graduate degree in Botany from the Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) in Brazil. For six years he has been studying the diversity and evolution of neotropical plants, especially the Bromeliaceae family. Julian has taken part in several botanical expeditions in Colombia and he is now examining the composition and structure of native forests in Colombia. Currently he also is describing five new species of bromeliads from Colombia and southwest Brazil. Other credits include contributing to the taxonomic and evolutionary knowledge of, Aechmea and Ronnbergia, two fascinating tropical American bromeliad genera.  Recently Julian worked in the Marie Selby Botanical Garden in Sarasota Florida. He speaks good English and Portuguese and is planning to pursue Ph.D work in botany. He is always excited to help people learn to identify plants and to show them the great diversity of plants in Colombia.

Benjamin is a 25-year-old American biologist and bird guide. Benjamin has guided in Ecuador and Brazil, but currently is enraptured with Colombia, where he guides for different companies and spends his spare time studying and appreciating the country`s magnificent avifauna. As a field ornithologist, Benjamin has studied the natural history and breeding biology of a variety of birds, and published articles in journals including Ornitologia Neotropical and Ornitologia Colombiana. When not in the Neotropics, Benjamin resides in Seattle, Washington, enjoying the wide array of seabirds and working on his plant nursery.

Alejandro is a graphic designer with emphasis in advertising from the University of Boyacá, has developed several advertising campaigns for the conservation of species in danger of extinction as the yellow-eared parrot, also works for corporations that are environmentally and Corpoboyacá authority. He specializes in editorial design, and both analog and digital illustration advertising strategies and environmental education materials. He currently works for companies involved in eco-tourism, developing visual communication strategies and web development.