Mad Englishman creates Kenya safari style lodge deep in Cloud Forest. Should advise everybody to get up for 6:30am guide before breakfast as all birds flying in from forest at that time. You don't have to be a birdwatcher to be spellbound by the birdlife here.
Name: Mr. Wanted Person
Date of trip: 09/03/2014
Number of people: 2
The accommodation is basic as you would expect but spacious and with some nice touches such as coffee making facilities. I am glad I took warm clothes as it did get cold at night - an electric heater was provided which did allow the edge to be taken off before bed, but I did need my fleece too. The food served at each meal-time was very good and the guides were knowledgeable on each of the walks. Lots of people visited the lodge for a day-trip, but I would recommend staying at least one night as the best (and most colourful) birdlife was seen each morning prior to breakfast.
Name: Sarah
Date of trip: 10/09/2014
Number of people: 2
Our guide David was outstanding. His knowledge, ability to spot birds and wildlife and his enthusiasm were infectious. The walks, even the "easy" ones were pretty challenging, bearing in mind we hadn't had much time to acclimatise, they do generally involve steep slopes and it was hot! The exception to this was the 6.30am slot which is a gentle wander round. However, it's important to note that there is absolutely no pressure to do anything more than you want. The forest was beautiful, with lovely plants (orchids), insects and butterflies to spot, all explained in detail by David. Hours can be spent just watching the fantastic array of humming birds around the lodge and you can take yourself off on the marked paths whenever you like. After dark they attract nocturnal animals such as the Kinkajou and Olinguito and we were privileged to watch them chewing on bananas both evenings. The accommodation was comfortable, some people complained a bit that there was little sound insulation but we were above the kitchen and at night it was very quiet. Food was really good, wholesome and tasty, with lunch and dinner consisting of soup, followed by a main for example of pasta, trout or chicken, then fruit or cake for dessert. Breakfast was also really good (no buffet here!)
Name: Sally Longford
Date of trip: 28/09/2014
Number of people: 2
Like the Canopy Tower Hotel it was a little basic but again it was comfortable. The staff were friendly and the guides were good. The food was fine.
Name: Jon Cable
Date of trip: 17/09/2014
Number of people: 2
A wonderful location in the cloudforest. We had a comfortable suite with windows looking directly out into the trees, the food was good and the birds were plentiful. The wellies and waterproof ponchos provided proved useful.
Name: Karen Griffiths
Date of trip: 08/02/2015
Number of people: 2
A bit chaotic- room was ok but worth visiting to see the humming birds.
Name: Mr. Kevin Robinson
Date of trip: 31/01/2015
Number of people: 2
Wonderful location, great staff & guides but building & facilities slightly 'tired'. It lacked a welcoming communal area that people were encouraged to use apart from the dining area. We are novices to 'birding' but Luis our guide introduced us to over 85 different birds in 2 days! Comment from Tribes: I'm not sure what happened here as there is a social area right at the front of the whole complex called the Trogon's Lounge. It is a cozy place with plenty of space for sitting in chairs and sofa with reading materil and direct views over the feeders. Also there are 4 new rooms which are superior rooms which are bigger than the standard and have big beds and great views.
Name: Sue
Date of trip: 05/11/2016
Number of people: 2
Although not luxury, it was really great to see how they managed to provide everything you needed, with great food, and paths to follow. Staff were excellent throughout.
Name: Mr Antony Caston
Date of trip: 19/12/2015
Number of people: 2
Such a relaxed and friendly place to stay, rustic in appearance but extremely comfortable and would recommend to anyone who wishes to spend time with birds and wildlife. Each evening small mammals, olinguito, tayra and kinkajou visited which was very special. A photographers dream location!
Name: Mrs. Carole Herries
Date of trip: 14/05/2016
Number of people: 2
Great choice. Well done. Very authentic & pleasant. We did organise the Cock of the Rock as discussed. Well worth it - fantastic. The kids loved it. We walked the Waterfall track - brilliant. The mammals were an extra treat
Name: Doctor Conrad Macrokanis
Date of trip: 11/09/2016
Number of people: 2
Brilliant location. The hummingbirds in the lodge grounds were such a treat. Had no idea there were so many species. The food here was very good too, as was the impeccable organisation. As it was relatively cool here after the rainforest at times we felt just a little bit chilly in the rooms but nothing really to concern us and of course we totally understand the nature of the lodge and its surroundings. We took advantage of the buying the optional day trip to see the cock of the rock, ant pittas and quails amongst many other birds. Well worth it.
Name: David and Diane Whiting
Date of trip: 27/11/2016
Number of people: 2
Lovely lodge with a massive room. Lots of birds and wildlife. Richard, our host was particularly interesting. I did find the trails very difficult but there was a lot of road walking that we could do. The food was not particularly good. The vegetables were always cold ( not warm but really cold). Loved the hummingbird feeders.Note from Tribes: There are a number of trails here as well as road walking. Trail H is considered to be easy and trail A is easy to moderate as far as a huge ancient tree. Visitors should therefore always find some option that suit them.The cold vegetables were not a mistake but a reaction to people's concerns about eating traditional lettuce-based salads. Bellavista regularly has vegetable salads on their menu usually with a sauce or dressing, but they omitted to inform that these were never intended to be served hot.
Name: Mrs. Barbara Hutchinson
Date of trip: 02/01/2017
Number of people: 2
Good size room with lovely view
Name: Ms. Angela Payne
Date of trip: 25/01/2017
Number of people: 2
The accommodation here was spacious, clean and comfortable. The staff were friendly and helpful, keen to make sure that we made the most of our short visit.
Name: John & Jane Marchant
Date of trip: 09/04/2017
Number of people: 2
A really nice 2 days here. My only negative comment is that the Lodge is looking a little tired, and could do with a revamp.
Name: Mr. Jeremy Cocks
Date of trip: 08/04/2017
Number of people: 2
You get to see a lot of birdlife around the lodge - particularly hummingbirds - which is lovely, and the walks are well marked and rated according to ease or difficulty. Mealtimes in the restaurant, eating good food and looking out over the valley to the volcano and watching the clouds and mist rolling in, were enjoyable. However, the place has a tired feel to it and our room - Pichincha - while having a lovely view stank of damp, the bathroom was absolutely tiny and the tiles in the shower were cracked, making it very uninviting. Natalia was a lovely guide, taking us on a night walk and going through our photos to help us identify the wildlife, and the restaurant staff were very nice.
Name: Dee Sullivan
Date of trip: 05/05/2017
Number of people: 2
I was very happy at Bellavista and would gladly go back again. The area is beautiful, the birding excellent, there was good food and excellent guides. The dome, their original building, looked a little sad and underused.
Name: Mr. James Burnett
Date of trip: 26/04/2018
Number of people: 2
absolute magic. very knowledgeable and friendly guides and comfortable rooms
Name: Mrs. Lisbeth Kudelka
Date of trip: 10/05/2018
Number of people: 2
We thought that this might be an anticlimax after the rain forest and Galapagos but not so! Excellent personal guide (Juan Carlos from Bolivia), with wide-ranging excursions, especially to see the cock-of-the-rock lek. We would have happily stayed longer. Food basic but good.
Name: Mr. Robert Lee
Date of trip: 03/01/2019
Number of people: 2
Nice to meet Richard (the owner) and see him taking an interest in the guests and also a group of 16/17 year old Quito school kids who were doing some field work. I was fascinated by the varietry Hummingbirds on the feeders and the weasels/olingos in the back garden.
Name: Mr. Jan Bek
Date of trip: 10/05/2019
Number of people: 2
Great location for birding. Rooms getting a bit faded and need attention. Some excursions easier to access from Mindo
Name: Mr. Richard Adams
Date of trip: 23/01/2020
Number of people: 2
Call: 01473 890499
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Mad Englishman creates Kenya safari style lodge deep in Cloud Forest. Should advise everybody to get up for 6:30am guide before breakfast as all birds flying in from forest at that time. You don't have to be a birdwatcher to be spellbound by the birdlife here.
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