Hato El Cedral
Working cattle ranch with rudimentary facilities, offering access to a wilderness of abundant animal and bird life.
The Hato El Cedral ranch is set on a working cattle ranch in the Llanos – a vast, sparsely populated region of savannah, wetlands and forest. Rooms are simple but provide the essentials: a ceiling fan, mosquito net and hot showers. There is also a buffet-style restaurant and a small swimming pool. Some buildings are slightly shabby around the edges but if your focus is on the wildlife and scenery this should not detract from your stay.
A day’s schedule is typically composed of a couple of 3-hour excursions by boat, jeep or open-sided truck – one in the morning after breakfast and one in the late afternoon. The guides speak limited English, but the sight of the plethora of birds and animals is jaw-dropping.
Visitors to Venezuela should be aware that government intervention is prevalent even across the private sector. The hato is a case in point and since being taken over by the government and managed from Caracas, the level of service and maintenance has been reported as rudimentary. Come here to see the birds and animals, but not for luxurious accommodation with top quality personal attention.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.

Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.

Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.

Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.



