Sani Lodge

Overview

Description

Sani Lodge belongs to and is fully operated by the Kichwa Sani Island community. With more than 143 square miles (370 square km), Sani Lodge controls and protects the largest expanse of tropical moist forest in all of Ecuador. The income generated by the lodge is used to support education, health, and to develop diverse development projects that aim to achieve a sustainable economy.

The Sani Isla community is nestled inbetween two sections of vast biodiversity: the Cuyabeno Wildlife Production Reserve and the Yasuni National Park. It’s this forest's richness that really makes Sani Lodge a unique and different destination.

In addition to having more than 550 bird species, including some that are endemic to our region like the rufous potoo (Nyctibius bracteatus), Sani Lodge houses a vast biodiversity of flora and fauna like no other place along the Napo River or the Ecuadorian Amazon. There are 13 species of primates and more than 100 species of amphibians; also, the surrounding area supports many populations of animals that are currently endangered. Some groups of “chorongo” monkeys, the largest, most desired, and threatened monkeys in the region live in the crowns of the trees above our trails. The black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), the largest crocodilian in South America, can reach 16 feet (5 meters) in length; rare in most regions, they are easily found in our lagoon. In fact, the caiman population is so large that it is very easy to see them at night and occasionally by day. Water birds include wattled jacanas (Jacana jacana), sungrebes (Heliornis fulica), anhingas (Anhinga anhinga), and Neotropical cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), difficult to see at other lagoons but common and easy to spot at Sani.

Rooms

• 9 cabins with private baths, each sleeping 2 to 3 people
• 4 family cabins with private baths
• A camping area with 6 platforms for approximately 12 people that have a shared bathroom - we offer tents, mattresses, sheets, and pillows.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 42

Percentage of local employees: 80%

Sani Lodge is fully owned by the Kichwa Sani Island community. It is an environmentally-friendly ecotourism project that patrols and protects the private area with the largest tropical moist forest in all of Ecuador.

The lodge is an important first step in achieving the goals that the indigenous community has set for its future: first, the preservation of its lands, plants, and animals; second, the improvement of an advanced education system for the community; and finally, expanding the number of jobs available here.

The income generated by the lodge is used to support education, health, and diverse development projects aimed at achieving a sustainable economy for future generations. Through this tourism project, the community has been able to prevent the entrance of the oil companies and have also been able to abandon logging as an economic activity.

Rates

$150 and up

Because the lodge is in such a remote area, a minimum of a 2-night stay is recommended.

The rate in double or triple occupancy is of approximately USD$200 per night, and it includes 3 meals and 3 activities daily, bilingual and native guides, and transportation Coca-Sani Lodge- Coca.

There is also an option for camping, the rate is of approximately USD$130 per night and the same services are included.

For more information about rates and reservations, click on the orange “Contact” button above.

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.sanilodge.com/pages/ratesnew.html (available in English, French and Spanish).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Quito (UIO).

Nearest local/national airport: Coca (OCC)

By bus: the "Trans Esmeraldas" bus to Coca leaves from a private terminal at Santa Maria and 9 de Octubre streets at 9 p.m. (leave one day before the tour starts). The trip lasts approximately nine hours and the meeting place with the guide is in the Hotel El Auca at noon.

By boat: take a boat from the port in the city of Coca. Travel in by canoe (approximately 2.5 hours). There is no bus service.

Additional Information

Date This Information Was Provided

May 2011.

Photos courtesy of Sani Lodge, Ecuador, for SustainableTrip.org.

• Sani Lodge