Bird Watching in Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve, El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina
- That's How We Travel
- May 11, 2025
- 2 min read
Summary. On this day, we slept in after our long day in El Chaltén, and then took a leisurely drive to El Calafate, our home for the next few days. We spent a chilly afternoon observing birds at the Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve. Although we're not avid birdwatchers, the reserve offered a variety of birds in a compact area, making it ideal for beginners like us.
[This blog is part of our 10-days in Patagonia trip].
Logistics. Located just outside central El Calafate, the Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve is located on the shores of Lago Argentino. Free parking is available and entrance fees are $10 per person (for visitors). Wildlife photographers have access to several lookout points where they can sit and wait for birds to come into view.
Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve Our photographer in Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve
Weather. The weather in Patagonia can turn quickly. The day before was warm, sunny, and caused us to run out of water. This day, it was raining, windy, and cold. We huddled together while our photographer snapped photos of the wildlife.
Patagonia cold weather Patagonia cold weather
Birdwatchers could identify every bird species in this area. While we aren't birdwatchers ourselves, we do enjoy observing them.
Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve
The walking loop around the preserve is 3km in length and will take approximately 90 minutes unless you stop at one of the many lookout points to watch the birds, of course.
Birds of Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve.
Birds of Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve.
Birds of Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve.
Messing around on one of the viewing platforms: Good thing we were situated far from the birds since our behavior could be considered disruptive.
Birds of Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve. Goofing off in Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve. Goofing off in Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve. Goofing off in Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve.
Flamingos. Lets be honest, we came for the Flamingos.
Flamingos of Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve Flamingos of Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve
Dinner. After the reserve, we headed to dinner at Nativa Restaurante. There's chicken under all that cheese, below, for those that don't eat red meat (this writer). Others enjoyed some Argentinean beef.
Nativa Restaurante Nativa Restaurante Nativa Restaurante
For dessert, the young adults in our group walked down to Grido Helado for ice cream. They report that it was soooooo good!
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