Description
Located high in the mountains of the Veraguas Province in Panama, the small town of Santa Fe invites you to discover this new and breathtaking destination.
The Santa Maria river valley heads towards the foothills of Cerro Tute and the mountain range that forms the crest of the continental divide. This geographical feature also indicates the start of the 72,636 hectares of Santa Fe National Park; home to an abundance of wildlife including the second largest big cat population in Panama. The national park is an expanse of jungle that ends on the sandy beaches of the Caribbean Sea. As the landscape increases in altitude you are rewarded with the most spectacular views of the central highlands of Panama.
Take trails deep into the national park, along narrow indigenous footpaths, under immense jungle foliage with toucans and bright blue morpho butterflies. Bathe at the base of hidden waterfalls with deep blue pools seldom visited by outsiders.
Pick up the pace and ride down in the foothills where the land is flatter and more open allowing you to fly past remote farms and cattle posts. Catch a glimpse into life of rural Panama where self-sustainable living is a necessity, not a trend and your success that year is based on the rainfall and your own hard work in the fields.
At certain times of year it is also possible to engage in a local cattle wrangling experience, either moving the cattle between pastures or bringing them down from the mountains for a routine check up and vaccination. Discover first hand how the local way of life often revolves around livestock and connection to the land.
Our partners in Panama have brought skills from southern Africa to southern America. Martin was born and raised around safari lodges in South Africa whilst Elizabeth has 25+ years equestrian management and competition experience in her home country of Botswana. They moved to Santa Fe in 2016 and were enchanted by the beautiful mountains, where Elizabeth set about exploring new routes on horseback whilst Martin was able to pursue his passion of fishing in the Pacific and Caribbean waters. They are both keen to share their home with you whilst also respecting and helping to preserve the local culture and environment.