Where to See Atacama Desert Wildlife around San Pedro de Atacama

Like most people, I came to the Atacama Desert to experience its spectacular, often surreal high-altitude landscapes. But I also took every chance I had to see as much Atacama desert wildlife as I could.

After spending several days watching pumas in the windswept Patagonian steppe and then searching for a kodkod in the mist-shrouded temperate rainforest of Chiloe Island, I was keen to see animals adapted to the harsh conditions of life on the altiplano.

Stretching between the Andes and the Pacific, the Atacama Desert is often described as the driest place on Earth – a landscape so stark and otherworldly that it’s been compared to Mars. And yet, against all odds, life here flourishes. From salt-encrusted lagoons shimmering with flamingos to high-altitude plains grazed by herds of vicuñas, Atacama Desert wildlife is as surprising as it is spectacular.

Viscacha is one of the animals in the Atacama desert — Southern viscacha on the altiplano

This is a land of extremes: searing days, freezing nights, and almost no rainfall. But where the eye expects emptiness, nature reveals subtle abundance. The animals of the Atacama Desert have evolved remarkable ways to endure the harsh climate — conserving water, feeding on sparse vegetation, and timing their activity to the rhythms of light and temperature. Many of them, like the Andean flamingo and Vicuña, are found only in the Andes.

In fact, you’ll notice that many animal names include the word puna. The Chilean Puna ecosystem is a dry, high-elevation montane grassland found at elevations of about 3,200–3,400 meters.

Chilean flamingo in Chaxa lagoon, San Pedro de Atacama — Chilean flamingo in Chaxa lagoon

Where to See Wild Animals in the Atacama Desert?

Vicunas are ubiqutous representatives of Atacama desert wildlife — Vicunas at Miñiques Lagoon

If you are particularly keen to spot wildlife in the Atacama, I would recommend joining a wildlife watching tour with Juan from On Safari Atacama. I did the tour with Juan on my last afternoon in Atacama, and I saw more wildlife that afternoon than I did in my 5 days in the desert. And not only do you see more wildlife, but you can also stay and observe the animals rather than drive past them and watch them through the car window.

The tour is advertised as semi-private, the number of people is probably limited by the number of seats in Juan’s jeep. But the perk of visiting in early winter (late May) was that I was the only person on my tour! The tour was easily my favourite 4 hours in the desert. We visited places that general tours do not go to and, because we were visiting in the afternoon, when all the tour groups had left the area, it felt like we were absolutely alone on the altiplano.

But even without the tour, you are likely to spot animals in the Atacama Desert. In this guide, I’ll tell you where to look.

Vicuña

Atacama desert wildlife - vicuna — Vicuna on the altiplano

The dainty relatives of the llamas, vicuñas (Lama vicugna) are ubiquitous at the high altitudes in the Atacama desert. They live at altitudes of 3,200 to 4,800 meters (10,500–15,700 ft), so if you are planning to visit the altiplano, say the Red Rocks or the Taitio Geyser, you are very likely to spot them.

Vicuñas produce the finest wool in the world, and they were nearly hunted to extinction because of it. In Incan times, only royalty were permitted to wear garments made from vicuña wool, but today, these adorable camelids are protected by law and are a major conservation success story in South America.

In terms of spotting vicuñas, you can see them anywhere above 3,500 meters. My best sightings were at the Miñiques Lagoon, where we witnessed a herd of several dozen animals, and on the wildlife safari with Juan, where we saw animals at a very close range and in the most dramatic landscapes.

Guanaco in Torres del Paine National Park in winter

The image above is one of my favourite encounters with a vicuña that happened on my wildlife safari with Juan. It was a single individual grazing in the shadow of the towering snow-covered Andean peaks. Typically, this is the scene you encounter with guanacos in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. I was chuffed to spot that vicuña channelling the Patagonian guanaco look.

Guanaco

Guanacos are the larger relatives of vicuñas, and in the Atacama, you’ll find them at the lower altitudes. Coming from Patagonia, I expected guanacos to be quite common, but I’ve only spotted a single individual along the road to Rainbow Valley. So the image above is actually from Patagonia.

Guanacos and vicuñas are the only two wild camelids in South America; they are the ancestors of the domesticated llamas and alpacas, respectively. Llamas and alpacas, both domesticated by the Incas, do not occur in the wild. You might, however, spot llamas grazing at the lower altitudes – these are the communal flocks tended by the shepherds.

Southern Viscacha

Southern viscachas (Lagidium viscacia) are some of the cutest denizens of the Atacama Desert. These rabbit-looking rodents live in small family groups in the rocky areas.

Unlike their Argentine cousins, the plains viscachas, southern viscachas occur at elevations of about 700 to 5,100 meters (2,300 to 16,700 ft), but I have only seen them on the altiplano – above 4,000 meters.

There is a colony living at the Red Rocks car park, and several known colonies lie along the road to the Taitio geyser. Most tour buses slow down as they pass the colonies to give you a chance to see the viscachas. If you are exploring independently, keep in mind that it’s not allowed to get out of the car outside of designated areas, so be careful.

Culpeo Fox

The only carnivore (predator) you are likely to spot in the Atacama Desert is the beautiful Culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus) or the Andean fox. Despite its name, the Culpeo is not a true fox but is more closely related to wolves. It is the second largest canid in South America after the Maned wolf.

The place to look for Culpeo is the visitor centre at Taitio Geyser early in the morning. There is often a habituated individual hanging around. These animals are mostly active at night, but since you’ll be visiting the geysers at the crack of dawn, you’ll have a decent chance to see one.

Donkey

You’ll often encounter the humble donkey along the roads leading out of San Pedro de Atacama. These are not wild animals in the conventional sense – you won’t find them in any guides to Atacama Desert wildlife, but they have become part of the desert landscape. Descended from animals brought by Spanish colonists, donkeys have adapted astonishingly well to the arid highlands. They can go long periods without water and graze on sparse desert vegetation.

You’ll see them in pairs or small groups, usually near villages or oases, and occasionally wandering freely across salt flats and dry valleys. Locally known as “unemployed donkeys”, they are hardy survivors – a reminder of how humans and animals have shaped each other’s existence in this extreme environment.

Andean Flamingo

Some of the most unexpected animals you’ll see in the Atacama Desert are flamingos. It’s totally crazy that you can see three different species of flamingos in the Atacama Desert! Yet they are some of the most well-known representatives of the Atacama Desert wildlife. These birds thrive in the mineral-rich Chaxa Lagoon, where they feed on microscopic algae and brine shrimp. It feels almost surreal to see these elegant pink birds feeding in mirror-like lagoons surrounded by nothing but salt crusts and volcanic peaks.

The Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) is the rarest of the three flamingo species found here and is considered vulnerable. Despite being globally rare, the Andean flamingo is actually the most abundant flamingo at Laguna Chaxa.

It is the largest flamingo in the Andes, and it can be recognised by its pale pink plumage and yellow legs. It is the only flamingo species with yellow legs. Another distinctive feature is the bill – it is mostly yellow with a black tip and a strong downward curve.

Chilean Flamingo

The Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) is the most widespread and easiest to recognise, thanks to its vivid coral-pink plumage and grey legs with pink knees. They are most easily distinguished from the Andean and James flamingos by not having black feathers covering their rump. Their rump is rich coral colour instead.

Unlike the more reclusive Andean flamingo, the Chilean species is often seen in larger flocks, sometimes hundreds strong. Their pink colour comes from the carotenoid pigments in the algae and plankton they eat – a perfect example of how even in a harsh environment, beauty can literally bloom from salt and sunlight.

James Flamingo

Also known as the Puna flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi), this delicate species was once thought to be extinct until a small population was rediscovered in the 1950s. It’s smaller and paler than the other two, with striking red skin around the eyes and a bright yellow bill with a black tip.

James’s flamingos often mix with Andean flamingos in the same lagoons, though they tend to feed slightly closer to shore. Watching all three species together at Chaxa lagoon is one of the most magical wildlife experiences the Atacama has to offer. You can see flamingos at some of the altiplano lagoons as well, but not the three species together.

Puna Plover

Another bird you can often spot at Chaxa lagoon is the Puna plover (Charadrius alticola) – a dainty shorebird that lives on the windswept edges of Andean lakes and salt pans. It’s a master of camouflage, with sandy-grey plumage that blends perfectly with the pale desert ground.

Despite its small size, the plover braves the high altitude and cold temperatures of the altiplano. If you spot one, you’ll notice it making quick, darting runs across the mudflats before freezing motionless — a typical plover behaviour used to catch insects and avoid predators.

Water birds

Machuca wetland in the Atacama desert — Semi-frozen Machuca wetland

While I knew all about the flamingos in the Atacama desert, what I didn’t expect to see were the wetlands, like the Machuca wetland, or the Volcan Putana wetland, teaming with water birds. Even more surprising was the fact that they were mostly frozen! I visited in late May, and the average night temperature was around- 10 degrees. There were fewer birds in the wetlands than in the warmer months, but it was still many more than I expected to see.

Andean Coot

The Andean coot (Fulica ardesiaca) is a striking, charcoal-grey waterbird with a red and yellow frontal shield above its beak. It’s common in many of the lagoons near San Pedro de Atacama, where you’ll often see it paddling along the shorelines or diving for aquatic plants. However, I’ve seen them only in the altiplano lagoons.

What’s fascinating is how this species builds floating nests made of reeds anchored to submerged vegetation – an ingenious adaptation to a landscape that can freeze overnight and boil under the midday sun.

Horned Coot

One of the strangest and most impressive birds of the Atacama highlands is the horned coot (Fulica cornuta). This rare species has a curious black “horn” or caruncle above its beak. But what’s truly remarkable about these birds is their nest-building skills.

During the breeding season, these striking birds gather in colonies to create an enormous communal nest — a true feat of avian engineering. Rather than nesting on the shore, they prefer to build about 40 metres out in the shallow waters of their high-altitude Andean lakes. Working together, the coots transport and pile up hundreds of pebbles to form a sturdy artificial island that rises right to the water’s surface. They then cover it with soft algae to create a comfortable nesting platform. Some of these pebble mounds can weigh up to 1.5 tons, and the birds refurbish and reuse them year after year — a testament to both teamwork and tenacity in one of the toughest environments on Earth.

Giant Coot

The aptly named giant coot (Fulica gigantea) is one of the heaviest flying birds in the Andes — though many individuals actually lose the ability to fly as adults! Instead, they rely on their size and strong legs to escape predators. Like horned coots, they build massive nests, sometimes over a meter high, which they reuse year after year. Their bright red bills and eyes make them easy to recognise against the cobalt blue of the lagoons.

Andean Goose

The Andean goose (Chloephaga melanoptera) stands out with its white body, black wings, and pink legs. Unlike most geese, it’s almost completely vegetarian, grazing on short alpine grasses. You’ll often see them in pairs or family groups, keeping a watchful eye over the barren plains. Their loud honking calls sound entirely out of place in such a dry and silent place.

Crested Duck

The crested duck (Lophonetta specularioides) looks rather unassuming from afar, but up close you’ll see its soft, mottled plumage and – as the name suggests – a charming little crest of feathers on its head. It’s a tough, high-altitude duck, able to survive in freezing conditions where few other birds dare to live.

Puna Teal

The Puna teal (Spatula puna) is a small, elegant duck with soft grey plumage, a black cap, and a striking turquoise bill. These ducks often float serenely in pairs or small groups, their colours mirrored perfectly in the still water. Watching them against the backdrop of snow-dusted volcanoes and pink flamingos feels quite surreal.

Andean Gull

Puna gull - unexpected widllife in the Atacama Desert

Another unexpected sight in the dry high-altitude desert is the Andean gull (Chroicocephalus serranus). The Andes lie fairly close to the Chilean coast, but seeing a sea gull in the barren, windswept landscape of the altiplano is quite surreal. Unlike the gulls you might know from seaside towns, Andean gulls breed around salty high-altitude lakes and wetlands, nesting on open ground and feeding on insects, small fish, and even the eggs of other birds.

I was so unprepared for the gull’s arrival at our lunch stop just outside the Taitio Geyser field that I had to take a photo of it with my phone, the only camera I had within easy reach at the time.

Black-hooded Sierra Finch

Among the few songbirds that inhabit the high desert, the Sierra finches are some of the prettiest. You are likely to spot the black-hooded sierra finch (Phrygilus atriceps) as you explore the desert.

Males have bright yellow bodies with a jet-black head and throat, while females are softer, greyish-olive. These hardy little birds forage on seeds and small insects, often seen hopping around the popular tourist attractions like the Valley of the Moon and Machuca village.

Puna Miner

The Puna miner (Geositta punensis) is a small, sandy-colored bird from the ovenbird family. It’s perfectly camouflaged against the dusty ground, where it scurries around searching for insects. It’s named for its habit of nesting in burrows – often taking over holes abandoned by other animals. You’ll probably hear its thin, trilling call before you see it, as it flits between rocks or stands upright surveying its territory like a miniature sentinel of the altiplano. The miner in the image above was spotted at the Red Rocks car park.

Black-winged Ground Dove

Another subtle beauty is the Black-winged ground dove (Metriopelia melanoptera). These small doves have a delicate lavender-grey body and dark wings that flash dramatically in flight.

Juan from On Safari Atacama was quite excited to see these birds, and I caught his excitement trying to spot a pair of them walking daintily along a rocky slope.

Plate’s Lizard

Atacama desert wildlife - Plate's lizzard — Plates lizard at Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs

While ducks and flamingos may look out of place in the desert, lizards blend right in. And you are very likely to spot the Plate’s lizard (Liolaemus platei) if you visit Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs.

It is a medium-sized, sun-loving lizard with a rusty-patterned back that helps it blend into the stony ground. These guys like sunbaking on the rocks along the main path and often dart across it when disturbed. So slow down and keep an eye on the rocks as you walk along.

Chilean Beetle

Another critter you’ll spot at Yerbas Buenas is the Chilean beetle – one of the few insects tough enough to survive here. It’s a living echo of endurance — much like the prehistoric rock art itself. When you visit the petroglyph site, it’s easy to imagine how the early peoples of the desert watched the same beetles, foxes, and flamingos that still inhabit this seemingly lifeless land today.

Final Thoughts on Atacama Desert Wildlife

The Atacama Desert might look barren from a distance — an endless expanse of ochre rock, salt, and wind – but take a closer look, and you’ll discover one of the most extraordinary assemblies of life on Earth. Atacama Desert wildlife is as diverse as it is unique. Every creature here, from the pink flamingos feeding in the saline lagoons to the shy viscachas hiding among the rocks, has evolved ingenious ways to survive in this extreme environment. Together, they tell a story of adaptation, resilience, and quiet beauty.