Heath River Wildlife Centre is a 20-bed lodge located about 6 hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado on the east (or Bolivian) bank of the secluded Heath River. This river forms a border between Peru and Bolivia.
Heath River lodge consists of 10 double bungalows built in the style of, and using the same materials as, the local indigenous communities. Local wood, bamboo and palm fronds for roofing are used. All materials used have been sustainably harvested or brought in from distant areas. For example, the wood used in the construction is collected from the river as, each rainy season, hundreds of trees are washed into the river as it cuts its everchanging course.
Each bungalow has good quality foam mattresses and all beds have cotton sheets and quilts (best for hot tropical conditions). Although all the rooms are screened with insect netting, beds are furnished with individual mosquito nets. Furniture includes bedside tables and writing tables. All bungalows are private and separated from each other and all have large windows facing the forest. All the 10 bungalows have private toilets (flush) and shower facilities. Hot and cold water is always available. The dining area is separate from the other facilities but close to all bungalows and the nearby kitchen area. Food is good and wholesome, not gourmet, and uses a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and meats in the menu. The cooks are used to providing for vegetarian diets. The centre does not have any electricity, but a generator is available to recharge camera and camcorder batteries.
Heath River Wildlife Centre is strategically located in one of the largest areas of protected rainforest in South America. Peru’s Bahuaja-Sonene National Park lies to the west, and to the south is Bolivia’s Madidi National Park. The Heath parrot and macaw clay lick lies 10 minutes by motorized canoe from the lodge, and from a floating blind located 30 metres from the clay lick hundreds of parrots and Red-and-Green macaws can be observed eating the clay. Macaws visit the clay lick throughout the year, but they are seen in largest numbers from July to September. A trail grid with mapped fruiting trees allows easier tracking of the wildlife which includes 6 monkey species and 480 bird species. There are also healthy populations of Tapirs and Jaguars although these are seen less frequently. Capybaras, the world’s largest rodent (weighing up to 55 kilograms!), are frequently seen along the river, and Giant Otters frequent nearby oxbow lakes. A unique feature of a visit to the lodge is the only lowland pampas accessible from Peru.
A stay at Heath River Wildlife Centre can be combined with a stay at Sandoval Lake Lodge.
