Samaná Conservation Expedition

A rare opportunity to join a remote rafting & trekking expedition into one of Colombia’s wildest rivers, while directly supporting conservation projects and student scholarships for the Samaná Students for Rivers Camp. 20th-29th August 2026.

Photo credits: Jules Dominé

The Samaná River is the last free-flowing river of the region of Antioquia in Colombia. It connects 5 of Colombia’s most important ecosystems, and protects dozens of yet to be discovered endemic species. Eight new hydroelectric projects have been proposed for the Samaná watershed since the beginning of the year, increasing the pressure this environment faces. 

The River Collective and Expedition Colombia have united forces in the creation of several conservation initiatives to protect the river. One of them is the Samaná Conservation Expedition, a 10-day remote rafting and trekking expedition descending the most gorgeous jungle canyons of the watershed, while contributing to its protection and learning about endemic plant species and connecting with local communities. This expedition is organised as a fundraising effort for Colombian students to participate in the next Students for Rivers Camp happening 2-weeks later on the same river. These students will develop their own research focused on the discovery and documentation of new species in the river basin, as well as contributing to the creation of a legal proposal for the long-term protection of the river. Together, these initiatives hold the main goal of getting the Samaná river, currently the last free-flowing river of the region, become the first in Colombia to get granted legal protection.