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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 located by the Anangucocha Lake in the unique 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 at Napo Wildlife Centre has been designed to offer maximum privacy and comfort to the wold traveller, providing lake and forest views from private porches, as well as preserving one of the most pristine sports of Amazon forest in Ecuador. Each of the 10 individual large luxury cabanas are prepared for receiving guests in double occupancy or arranged in advance for a 3 member family visit. Rooms include a king size and twin size beds, private bathroom with on demand hot water, a multi-speed ceiling fan, 24 hours 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.
Buildings keep the traditional native architecture with cool shaded terraces and inviting hammocks, and ample space from where visitors can observe the surroundings. There is a separate dining room and bar which is unscreened, and a 19 metre obervation tower. Meals include traditional Ecuadorian dishes, and vegetarian or special meal requirements are catered for an request.
Visitors will be divided up into small groups, and lead by a native Añangu guide, who is also an official Yasuni Park Ranger, expert on the forest's secrets about medicinal plants and other useful items of the rainforest, 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, including Monk Saki, Spider Monkeys and Golden Mantle Tamarins which can only be seen on the south side of the Napo River. 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, and the largest mammals like jaguar, puma, tapir, giant anteater and giant armadillo have been spotted.
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 38 metre canopy tower over 80 species of birds have been seen in one morning! There are two parrot and parakeet clay licks inside the reserve, and species that visit the clay licks include Mealy, Blue-head, Yellow-crowned, Orange-winged and Orange-cheeked Parrots, as well as Dusky-headed and White-eyed Parakeets. In best weather conditions at least 800 individuals can be spotted!
Añangu is not only home to Napo Wildlife Center, it has also been the ancestral territory of a Quichua indigenous community that bears the same name. The Añangu people are active participants of the conservation and management of a large territory within the park as well as partners in the lodge. Helped by the EcoEcuador Foundation (part of the Tropical Nature Conservation System) all now work together in nature tourism. 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.