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Napo Wildlife CenterYasuni National Park, Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador
Located within Yasuni National Park, an important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Napo Wildlife Center (NWC) is one of the most comfortable and exiting places in Amazonian Ecuador. Includes the conservation of approximately 82 square miles of the most pristine tropical rain forest, an area with a major bio-diversity in the world. NWC Lodge is located at the edge of the Añangucocha lake, within the unique ancestral territory of the Añangu Quichua Community who had their own initiative to build this place developing the most carefully designed first class Amazon lodge in Ecuador. The Añangu Community aware of the need to conserve intact their land, is accomplishing their dreams to have their own eco-lodge and fight against the pressures placed by the oil companies to drill in their territory. Thanks to this initiative, they are maintaining their traditional way of life and by the same token are teaching us and sharing with us their marvelous world. Location In order to reach the lodge it is necessary to take a 35 minute flight from Quito to EL Coca where the traveler will be transferred to a covered motorized canoe for an approximate 2 hour downstream ride over the Napo River to the north-west boundaries of the Yasuni National Park. In order to reach the lodge from this point guests may start a 1.5 mile hike through the forest rich with wild life, or embark on a quiet and enjoyable paddle dugout canoe ride along a creek with dense flooded palm forest. Following any rout, as people get deeper into this protected reserve, they will be surprised by the oftentimes seen monkeys of several species, colorful birds and other amazing potential wildlife encounters. At the end of the walk or canoe ride people will reach the Añangu Lake and will have a superb view of the Lodge (photo above) awaiting across the other side. This long trajectory will give you an idea of how deep in the jungle and isolated this place is, thus keeping it intact and protected from the influence on man.
Accommodations and Installations Lodging at NWC has been designed to offer maximum privacy and comfort, providing lake and jungle views from their private porches. Each of the 10 large luxury cabanas are prepared to receive guests in double occupancy or arranged in advance for a 3 member family visit. The rooms include a king size and twin size beds, private bathroom with hot water, a multi-speed ceiling fan, 24 hour electricity provided by hybrid combining solar panels, batteries, inverters and silent generators, plenty of lights and 120 volt outlets. The buildings maintain the traditional native architecture with harmonious modern mixture in the inside, terraces with inviting hammocks provide cool shade and ample space from where visitors may observe the surroundings. The hall has a library with books on local birds and tropical Ecology, right next door, the bar provides ice-cold beer, soft drinks, wine and other liquor selections. Meals are carefully prepared to delight the variety of tastes and desires of the international visitor, including Ecuadorian dishes, forest gifts or the preparation of vegetarian or special meal requirements. Reverse osmosis water filtration system is used in the kitchen. Also investment has been made in the environmentally sustainable sewage system. Best and unique on the Napo region and probably best in the Amazon. All waste water is treated to the highest standards in order to keep the swamps clean of pollution. Activities Visitors will be divided up into small groups and lead by two (2) guides; a native Añangu guide, who is also an official Yasuní Park Ranger, expert on the jungle's secrets about medicinal plants and other useful items of the rain forest and by an excellent bilingual naturalist guide with great deal of knowledge in tropical forest biology. Both guides using their unmatchable enthusiasm will create informative enjoyable excursions every day providing an educative fun experience. Groups and guides will tailor the excursions while taking advantage of the highest peaks of wildlife activity and weather conditions in the forest. They will schedule their outings before sunset or at sunrise the following day. This will maximize wildlife observation and of each group will decide with their guides how extreme and intense they take their Amazon excursion. While resting from the day's activities you may get to see a group of giant otters investigating near the lodge dock, or a large (13 ft) black caiman crossing the lake, or a capybara looking for rest near the lake's edge, or experience the graceful often flights of blue and yellow macaws over the lodge area. The calls of red howler monkeys will accompany you during the resting periods before gearing up for the next excursion. Guests are welcome to use the observation tower next to the dinning hall during free time other than the guided visit and simply relax with the great view of the Añangu lake. The not so distant canopy of the rain forest will be a good opportunity for bird watching or discovering more wildlife right next to the lodge. The dock area is a nice spot to receive that equatorial tropical sun or the base for a nice dip into the lake. Without fear you can swim around the dock and have a refreshing time, guides will of coarse jump in first and eliminate any doubts you may in spite of the black caiman and piranha inhabitants. Believe me it is very safe and rewarding cool water. Bird Watching Within the boundaries of NWC territory there are 2 parrot clay licks accessible to the visitors, with exclusively constructed, well established and comfortable blinds in each parrot lick in order to provide visitors the best viewing to see hundreds of parrots at determined times of day. Among the species that could be observed are: Mealy, blue headed, yellow crowned, orange winged and orange cheeked parrots, cobalt winged, dusky headed and white eyed parakeets with the occasional rarities like scarlet shoulder parrotlet and scarlet macaws. In best weather conditions at least 800 individuals of most species can be spotted and in other days spite the rain one could still see a few dozens. Only 35 minutes away from the lodge there is the best and most professional canopy tower ever built in Amazonian Ecuador. This magnificent structure over 125 feet tall, built right next to a giant 155 feet tall Kapok tree where a large platform provides ample space for over 15 guests and their gear. Active feeding bird flocks reach this tree as well as the ones in the vicinity offering over 80 species in one single morning... not to mention the mammal sights. This is certainly sublime paradise for avid professional or amateur bird watchers and those who love close contact with nature. Over 562 species of birds have been recorded at the Napo Wildlife Center, more than 1/3 of all of Ecuador's birds. A vast and rich bird-life that can reward the most avid bird watcher with the unrivaled South Napo specialties. NWC and Añangu are a classic visiting location for someone traveling Ecuador seeking for the overwhelming bird diversity. Mammals and Reptiles NWC has a large lake with two creeks that can be easily explored quietly while sitting in a dugout canoe paddled by an expert guide eager to spot and show you wildlife. The possibilities are great in finding more troops of other species of monkeys like squirrel, saddle-backed and white fronted capuchin monkeys or those that by natural distribution of best habitat occur only on the South side of Napo and includes: monk, saki, spider, wooly and golden mantle tamarin monkeys. NWC is home to a total of 11 species of monkeys. In NWC you will find all four species of cayman, which can easily be seen best at night canoe rides or even on sunny days at the edge of the lake near floating vegetation. Following the creeks there is good chance to see the giant otters in a hurry to catch their fish for supper. A well deserved prize for NWC guests. Creeks have a dense vegetation on either side, with large trees overhead and calm flowing waters, no one knows exactly what awaits in the next meander, a flooded forest with anaconda or a gentle easy moving three toed sloth. Amazonas Expedition - Napo Wildlife Center Details and Included Items:
- Programs: 5 days / 4 nights or 4 days / 3 nights in NWC (**) ** We organize excursions of 8 days or more under special request
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