Wildlife You Can Spot In 5 Days In Patagonia

Patagonia is home to some incredible wildlife. Even with just five days of exploring, we were able to spot so many unique species across both Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia.

 

If you’re planning a short trip and wondering what animals you can realistically expect to see, this guide covers everything we spotted and where we found them.

 

A quick note about our wildlife photos:

Sorry if some of the pictures are a little blurry or far away! 🫣 Many of them were taken from inside a moving bus, and a lot of Patagonian wildlife is very shy, or potentially dangerous, like mountain lions.

We always made sure to keep a respectful distance, not only for our own safety but also to avoid stressing the animals. If you’re lucky enough to spot wildlife during your trip, please remember to admire them from afar and avoid approaching them. Respecting their space helps protect these incredible species.

 

You want to read more about our trip in Patagonia? Click here.

Hares:

  • Where: Torres del Paine

  • When: Early mornings and evenings

  • Details: We often saw hares while riding the bus through the park when it was still dark.

Guanacos

  • Where: Torres del Paine & Argentinian plains
  • When: Bus rides from: Puerto Natales to El Calafate and to El Chalten.
    Details: Guanacos are everywhere in Patagonia, especially in wide open plains. Keep an eye out during bus rides, they often cross the road right in front of the bus.

     

Darwin’s Rheas

  • Where: Argentinian plains

  • When: Same routes as guanacos (Puerto Natales–El Calafate / El Calafate–El Chaltén)

  • Details: These large, flightless birds are usually found close to guanaco herds. Look for groups of them roaming the steppe.

Andean Condors

  • Where: Torres del Paine

  • Details: Torres del Paine is one of the best places to spot Andean condors. We were lucky enough to have a close encounter with one, but you’ll often see them circling high above the mountains. If you’re really lucky, you might see one land nearby.

Chilean Flamingos

  • Where: Lakes around El Calafate

  • Details: We saw a large colony of flamingos while exploring El Calafate. They typically inhabit shallow lakes in the area.

Patagonian Grey & Culpeo Foxes

  • Where: Along bus routes (running near fences), Argentinian border control, and campsites (if you’re doing the W- or O-trek)

  • Details: We spotted a grey fox at the Argentinian immigration control office and saw others running along fence lines while traveling by bus.

Birdlife in Patagonia

Patagonia is full of birdlife, from predatory birds to waterfowl. Here are the species we spotted:

  • Grey Eagle-Buzzard: Commonly seen perched near roadsides.

  • Kestrels: Often found sitting on branches or fence posts.

  • Long-Tailed Meadowlark: Bright red chest makes them easy to spot in open fields.
  • Chimango Caracara: Seen scavenging along roadsides or eating whatever they can find on the ground.
  • Crested Caracara: Frequently flying overhead throughout Patagonia.
  • Red-headed woodpecker: We spotted one in the forest of El Chalten when we were doing the Laguna De Los Tres trek.

  • Fire-Eyed Diucon: Curious little birds that might follow you along the trail for a bit.

  • Waterfowl in Puerto Natales: Black-Necked Swan, Chiloé Wigeon, and Magellan Goose. These species were all found near the lake in Puerto Natales.

Mountain Lions (Pumas)

  • Where: Torres del Paine (one of the best places to try and spot them)

  • Details: We were incredibly lucky to spot two mountain lions (pumas) on our very first day in Torres del Paine by ourselves!

    However, it’s important to mention that this is highly unusual, seeing pumas in the wild is extremely rare. Most visitors will not encounter them during a typical visit, so while it’s possible, it’s definitely not something to count on.

    We still can’t believe our luck!

While wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, keeping your eyes open during bus rides and hikes greatly increases your chances of spotting these incredible animals.