Napo Wildlife Center

Napo Wildlife Center is a unique eco-lodge located in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, within the Yasuni National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is the only lodge in the area that is owned and managed by the local Kichwa Añangu community, who have preserved their ancestral culture and traditions while offering a sustainable and high-quality tourism service.

The lodge has 20 spacious and comfortable suites, each with a private balcony and a stunning view of the Añangu Lake. The suites are equipped with modern amenities, such as hot water, electricity, ceiling fans, and safe boxes. The lodge also has a restaurant that serves delicious local and international cuisine, a bar that offers refreshing drinks and snacks, and a library that provides books and games for your entertainment.

Napo Wildlife Center is more than just a place to stay; it is an unforgettable adventure that will awaken your senses and connect you with nature and culture. It is also a responsible and ethical choice, as all the proceeds from the lodge are reinvested into community projects, such as renewable energy, education, and health care. By staying at Napo Wildlife Center, you are supporting the conservation of the Amazon rainforest and the empowerment of its people.

The best time to visit Napo Wildlife Center depends on your personal preferences and what you want to see and do. There is no clear-cut answer, as the Amazon rainforest is a dynamic and diverse place that changes throughout the year. However, here are some general guidelines that might help you decide:

• The dry season in the Ecuadorian Amazon runs from December to March, and it is characterized by less rainfall, lower water levels, and more sunny days. This is a good time to visit Napo Wildlife Center if you want to enjoy hiking in the rainforest, spotting wildlife on land, and visiting the cultural center. However^, keep in mind that the dry season is also the hottest and most humid time of the year, with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (95°F) and humidity over 90%. You might also encounter more insects and mosquitoes during this period.
• The wet season in the Ecuadorian Amazon runs from April to November, and it is characterized by more rainfall, higher water levels, and more cloudy days. This is a good time to visit Napo Wildlife Center if you want to enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the rivers and lakes, spotting wildlife on water, and visiting the parrot and parakeet clay licks. However^, keep in mind that the wet season is also the rainiest and most unpredictable time of the year, with rainfall averaging 250 mm (10 inches) per month and thunderstorms occurring frequently.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Napo Wildlife Center is whenever you can. The lodge operates all year round and offers a variety of tours and activities for every season. No matter when you go, you will have an amazing experience in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

At Napo Wildlife Center, you can enjoy the ultimate experience for nature lovers, as you explore one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to more than 600 bird species, hundreds of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. You can choose from different tours and activities, such as:

Forest Trails at Napo Wildlife Center: Discover the Secrets of the Rainforest

You can walk along different trails in the rainforest and see a variety of plants, animals, and insects. You might encounter birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and more. You can also learn about the medicinal and cultural uses of the plants by the local community. Some of the trails you can explore in Napo Wildlife Center are:

• The Tucaneta Trail: This trail takes you through a secondary forest where you can see many species of birds, such as toucans, woodpeckers, antbirds, and flycatchers. You can also see some mammals, such as agoutis, squirrels, and monkeys.
• The Charapa Trail: This trail takes you along a creek where you can see many aquatic plants and animals. You can also see some reptiles, such as caimans, turtles, and snakes. You can also visit a small waterfall where you can swim and relax.
• The Coto Trail: This trail takes you through a primary forest where you can see some of the tallest and oldest trees in the Amazon. You can also see some rare and endemic plants and animals, such as orchids, bromeliads, jaguars, tapirs, and peccaries.

Canopy Observation Tower at Napo Wildlife Center : Enjoy a Bird’s Eye View of the Forest

You can climb a 120-ft tower and get a panoramic view of the forest canopy. You can observe the trees, flowers, and wildlife from a different perspective. You might see flocks of colorful birds, monkeys, sloths, and other animals. Some of the species you can spot at Napo Wildlife Center are:

• Toucans: These are large and colorful birds that have distinctive bills. They feed on fruits, insects, and small animals. They are very vocal and social. Some of the species you can see are chestnut-eared aracari, ivory-billed aracari, and channel-billed toucan.
• Macaws: These are large and colorful parrots that have long tails and curved bills. They feed on seeds, nuts, fruits, and clay. They are very intelligent and noisy. Some of the species you can see are scarlet macaw, blue-and-yellow macaw, and red-and-green macaw.
• Tanagers: These are small and colorful birds that have short bills and tails. They feed on fruits, insects, nectar, and seeds. They are very active and diverse. Some of the species you can see are paradise tanager, opal-rumped tanager, and golden tanager.
• Spider monkeys: These are large and agile monkeys that have long arms and legs. They feed on fruits, leaves, flowers, and insects. They are very social and vocal. Some of the species you can see are black spider monkey, brown spider monkey, and white-bellied spider monkey.
• Howler monkeys: These are large and robust monkeys that have short snouts and long tails. They feed on leaves, fruits, flowers and nuts. They are very loud and territorial . Some of the species you can see are red howler monkey, black howler monkey, and golden-mantled howler monkey.
• Three-toed sloths: These are small and slow-moving mammals that have long claws and fur. They feed on leaves, buds, and fruits. They are very solitary and silent. Some of the species you can see are brown-throated sloth, pale-throated sloth, and pygmy three-toed sloth.

Canoe Riding: Explore the Black Waters of the Amazon

You can explore the black waters of the Añangu Lake and creeks on board a paddle-canoe or kayak. You can also use a motorized boat to navigate the Napo River. You can see aquatic animals such as fish, caimans, turtles, and giant otters. Some of the species you can encounter at Napo Wildlife Center are:

• Piranhas: These are small and ferocious fish that have sharp teeth and scales. They feed on other fish, insects, and carrion. They are very aggressive and opportunistic. Some of the species you can see are red-bellied piranha, black piranha, and gold piranha.
• Electric eels: These are long and slender fish that have electric organs and scales. They feed on other fish, amphibians, and mammals. They are very powerful and shocking. Some of the species you can see are common electric eel, greater electric eel, and lesser electric eel.
• Black caimans: These are large and dark reptiles that have armored skin and jaws. They feed on fish, birds, mammals, and turtles. They are very predatory and dangerous. Some of the species you can see are spectacled caiman, smooth-fronted caiman, and dwarf caiman.
• Yellow-spotted river turtles: These are medium-sized and colorful turtles that have bony shells and webbed feet. They feed on plants, fruits, insects, and fish. They are very social and migratory. Some of the species you can see are yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle, red-headed Amazon river turtle, and six-tubercled Amazon river turtle.
• Neotropical otters: These are small and furry mammals that have long tails and whiskers. They feed on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and amphibians. They are very playful and curious. Some of the species you can see are giant otter, neotropical river otter, and marine otter.

Parrot Clay Licks: Witness a Spectacular Show of Colors and Sounds

You can visit natural banks that contain minerals that attract hundreds of parrots and parakeets. You can witness a spectacular show of colors and sounds as the birds feed on the clay. This is one of the most stunning nature spectacles in the Amazon. Some of the species you can observe at Napo Wildlife Center are:

• Blue-headed parrots: These are medium-sized and green parrots that have blue heads and red tails. They feed on fruits, seeds, nuts, and clay. They are very noisy and gregarious. They form large flocks and roost in trees.
• Dusky-headed parakeets: These are small and green parakeets that have gray heads and blue wings. They feed on fruits, seeds, flowers, and clay. They are very vocal and social. They form large flocks and nest in tree cavities.
• Mealy parrots: These are large and green parrots that have blue crowns and red shoulders. They feed on fruits, seeds, nuts, and clay. They are very loud and nomadic. They form large flocks and migrate seasonally.
• Cobalt-winged parakeets: These are small and green parakeets that have blue wings and tails. They feed on fruits, seeds, flowers, and clay. They are very chatty and friendly. They form large flocks and roost in bamboo.

Interpretative Center: Learn about the Kichwa Añangu Community Traditions and Culture

You can learn about the Kichwa Añangu community traditions and culture. You can meet the women of the community who will welcome you with dances, rituals, handicrafts, food, and drinks. You can also participate in some of their activities and games. Some of the things you can learn at Napo Wildlife Center are:

• Their history: You can learn about the origin, evolution, and challenges of the Kichwa Añangu community. You can also learn about their relationship with the Yasuni National Park and their role in its conservation.
• Their language: You can learn some basic words and phrases in Kichwa, the native language of the community. You can also learn about their writing system, grammar, and vocabulary.
• Their beliefs: You can learn about their spiritual worldview, cosmology, and mythology. You can also learn about their rituals, ceremonies, and sacred places.
• Their customs: You can learn about their daily life, family structure, social organization, and gender roles. You can also learn about their festivals, celebrations, and traditions.
• Their crafts: You can learn about their artistic skills, techniques, and materials. You can also learn about their pottery, weaving, carving, painting, and jewelry making.
• Their cuisine: You can learn about their culinary culture, recipes, and ingredients. You can also taste some of their dishes, such as maito (fish wrapped in leaves), chicha (fermented drink), yuca (cassava), and chocolate.

Napo Wildlife Center Programs

All activities offered by Napo Wildlife Center are bundled into standard programs you can find listed below. They also provide flexibility that suit your preferences and interests.

Napo Wildlife Center: A Responsible and Ethical Choice

Napo Wildlife Center is more than just a place to stay; it is an unforgettable adventure that will awaken your senses and connect you with nature and culture. It is also a responsible and ethical choice, as all the proceeds from the lodge are reinvested into community projects, such as renewable energy, education, and health care. By staying at Napo Wildlife Center, you are supporting the conservation of the Amazon rainforest and the empowerment of its people.

The lodge is powered by solar panels and batteries, which provide clean and reliable energy for the guests and the staff. The lodge also uses biodegradable products and recycles waste materials, such as plastic, glass, and metal. The lodge also has a water treatment system that purifies the water from the lake and prevents contamination.

The lodge is committed to providing quality education and health care for the Kichwa Añangu community. The lodge supports a school that offers bilingual and intercultural education for more than 100 children. The lodge also supports a health center that provides medical attention and prevention for more than 300 people. The lodge also promotes cultural exchange and mutual respect between the guests and the community.

The lodge is dedicated to protecting the biodiversity and the ecosystem of the Yasuni National Park. The lodge collaborates with local and international organizations, such as WWF, Conservation International, and Wildlife Conservation Society, to monitor and research the wildlife and the environment. The lodge also educates the guests and the community about the importance of conservation and sustainability.

Napo Wildlife Center is a unique eco-lodge that offers a memorable experience in the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is also a responsible and ethical choice that benefits the environment and the people. By staying at Napo Wildlife Center, you are making a difference in the world.