The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve lies in the northeastern corner of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest. It is a biodiversity hotspot, home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of distinct animal and plant species. A complex system of alluvial formations, 13 lagoons, rivers and flooded forest make up the 603,000 ha site, recording some of the highest levels of Biodiversity in the World.
One highlight of any once-in-a-lifetime visit to Ecuador’s stunning rainforest region are the flooded forests of Igapo at the heart of the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve. The Cuyabeno Reserve has more than 520 different species of birds; 60 species of orchids; over 350 species of fish; a big variety of reptiles such as anacondas, caimans and river turtles. As well as the 12,000 estimated species of plant found within the reserve, many species of mammals including the incredible tapir (Tapirus terrestris), which lends its name to our exclusive Lodge.
National Geographic Traveler’s annual list of authentic, sustainable hotels included (with good reason) Kapawi Lodge in their 2011 list of “Best Hotels in South America”. Properties listed by National Geographic all exhibit an extraordinary sense of place, authenticity, a sustainability ethic, and community involvement.
At Kapawi you have choices …
We do not offer our visitors a fixed program of activities. Once you arrive at Kapawi Ecolodge, you (or your group)-and your guides-will be able to organize a set of experiences that most suits your individual interests and your desired level of activity. Almost all of your itineraries will include some combination of visits to the Achuar communities, hikes in the rain forest, kayaking in rivers and streams, and bird watching.
The following activities are offered …
Bird watching
Hiking on the self-guided trail
Night canoeing
Clay lick visit
Night guided hikes
Swimming & tubing
Kayaking & canoeing
Fishing
Overnight camping
Achuar community visits
Resting and relaxing.
Birding …
Kapawi lodge is a paradise for dedicated bird watchers and amateurs alike. More species of bird are found in the Kapawi area alone than in all of North America. For birders the early morning trip to the clay lick is an adventure not to be missed.
Although expedition cruising by its very nature is characterized as adventurous, the safety of our staff and passengers is of paramount importance to us. The Manatee Amazon Explorer is fully-equipped and maintained in order to be able to cope with the most challenging conditions and circumstances, and is manned by experienced and conscientious officers, crew members and expedition staff. The canoes used for daily shore landings are rugged and versatile and are operated in a responsible manner by experienced personnel. Onboard you will be fully briefed on all pertinent safety issues as well as our environmental policy, and you will receive appropriate and detailed briefings before each landing.
The most incredible journey to the Amazon Rainforest with an itinerary that includes visits to an ecosystem with an impressive diversity that is only possible onboard the Manatee Amazon Explorer. The Cuyabeno Natural Reserve, Yasuni National Park (the largest national park in Ecuador), Limoncocha Biological Reserve (the only one in Ecuador), the observation tower, canoe expeditions, walks in the rainforest and the wonderful indigenous peoples in this part of the world await your visit.
Manatee Amazon Explorer
The craft has 3 decks:
On the main deck there is a dining area, kitchen, the crew’s cabins, and the engine room.
The upper deck has 10 cabins including crew cabins. The sun deck holds the bridge deck, 4 cabins, the bar and lounge, and the exterior dining area.
The Manatee Amazon Explorer is also equipped with a small fleet of motorized canoes. The canoes provide unlimited mobility and allow for the exploration of the most remote areas and inaccessible shores.
The vessel is comfortable, and it complies with both national and international navigation norms, as well as safety, security, and environmental protection standards. We are certified by Smart Voyager and Rainforest Alliance, both of which guarantee the sustainability of our operation.
Since its pre-inaugural trip in March 2003 the lodge has been recognized by both guests and companies for its impeccable operation, service and experiences provided to all visitors. The New York Times featured NWC in its travel section in 2004, the BBC from the UK visited in same year for a nature special, Victor Emanunel declared it as “One of the top 10 birding sites of the world” during his lecture at the 2004 British Birdwatching Fair, the World Travel Market in London awarded NWC as Best in a Protected Area in 2006.
Now NWC counts with many and countless reviews about the lodge throughout the international media worldwide.
The Napo Wildlife Center, NWC Amazon Lodge, is the greatest and ultimate alternative luxury eco-hotel in Amazonian Ecuador. This ecotourism project includes the conservation of approximately over 82 square miles (53,500 acres – over 21,400 hectares ) of the most pristine Amazon Rain Forest within the Yasunì National Park, an important UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest tract of tropical rain forest in Ecuador.
The lodge complex is located by the Anangucocha lake, within the unique ancestral territory of the Anangu Quichua Community, part of the Yasuni National Park. In the early 90’ the community envisioned building their own lodge to provide themselves jobs and protecting their land. With great effort they built back then 4 well established shelters and a large house for kitchen and dining room, however buildings remained incomplete there at that early stage for many years as they had no more money to finish them or to establish a proper infrastructure to call it a first class jungle hotel.
They wanted high quality facilities and accommodations, to provide an exclusive and personalized rain forest experience, intimate with nature, under a dedicated private and unique lodge, but only to a selected number of guests.
Finally in 2000 after several local and international contacts the project was able to move forward and establish the community’s and its nature tourism leaders dream.
The community, entitled by its constitutional rights over their land, approached Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment which through its National Park service declared them honorific park rangers and approved the project signing a renewable management agreement of this territory part as well of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve.
Thanks to the Anangu Community initiative, their manpower, supported by the best technical assistance, financed with donations in partnership with the independent Ecuadorian non profit conservation organization, EcoEcuador, Napo Wildlife Center was born in 2003. The most carefully designed first class Amazon lodge in Ecuador.
After such a successful development and achievements, in January 2007 started a process to transfer the entire lodge to the community’s hands, later on in June same year this process was effective and since then Napo Wildlife Center is 100% community owned and administrated with best Ecuadorian professional and technical assistance.
We want to invite you for a visit to this special destination.
At Kapawi you have choices …
We want to invite you for a visit to this special destination.
Join with us ..