Napo Wildlife Centre is an intimate ecolodge in Amazonian Ecuador. This ecotourism project includes the conservation of approximately over 53,500 acres of the most pristine Amazon rainforest within the Yasuniì National Park, an important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest tract of tropical rainforest in Ecuador. Napo Wildlife Centre is by the Anangucocha Lake in the ancestral territory of the Anangua Quichua Community. Started as a partnership with the Tropical Nature conservation system, the lodge is now 100% owned by the community.
Lodging has been designed to offer privacy and comfort, yet providing lake and forest views from private porches. Each of the 16 individual large luxury cabanas can accommodate 2 or 3 people. Rooms include a king size and twin size beds, private bathroom with on demand hot water, a ceiling fan, 24 hour electricity provided by a hybrid system combining solar panels, batteries, invertors and silent generators, plenty of lights and 120v outlets, screened windows and mosquito nets. 4 of the cains are luxury suites, set by the edge of the lagoon with private verandas complete with chairs to allow guests to enjoy the lovely views. These suites have a bedroom, bathroom and living room and a rear balcony with views of the forest. Luxury touches include complementary toiletries, bathrobe and slippers. One of the suites has a second bedroom and another has a jacuzzi.
Buildings keep the traditional native architecture with cool shaded terraces and inviting hammocks. There is a separate dining room and bar, and an observation tower. Meals include traditional Ecuadorian dishes.
Visitors are divided into small groups, and lead by a native Anñangu guide, who is also an official Yasuni Park Ranger, expert on the forest's secrets about medicinal plants, and an excellent bilingual naturalist guide with great deal of knowledge in tropical forest biology.
Exploring the lake and creeks by dug out canoe up to 11 species of monkeys can be seen. Giant otters are regularly observed, and all four species of caiman can be found. The surrounding forest is host to a stunning diversity of wildlife.
The birdwatching around the lodge is excellent, with a bird list of 562 species, more than 1/3 of all of Ecuador's birds. From the Centre's 38m canopy tower over 80 species of birds have been seen in one morning! There are two parrot and parakeet clay licks inside the reserve where hundreds of birds congregate daily (weather permitting) to eat the clay from the river banks.
Anñangu is not only home to Napo Wildlife Centre, it has also been the ancestral territory of a Quichua indigenous community that bears the same name. The Anñangu people are active participants of the conservation and management of a large territory within the park as well as partners in the lodge. Families can be accompanied on their daily activities when harvesting bananas, manioc (a starchy jungle root, staple food for Amazonian people), or maybe helping prepare chicha, a traditional drink based on cooked and fermented manioc.
