Napo Wildlife Center

Overview

Description

The Napo Wildlife Center's location in the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve lends it a great variety of tourism attractions, including the natural resources of this 4.94 million-acre (2 million hectare) reserve with a very high level of biodiversity and a center of endemism known as a "hotspot."

Napo is home to an incredible variety of well-conserved plants and animals, thanks to the commitment of the Kichwa community of Añangu to ban hunting and fishing in its territory. Yasuní is one of the most diverse protected areas on the planet with respect to flora. Studies of species richness indicate that the tropical forest in the reserve is the second-most diverse in the world. This incredible biodiversity is complemented by other fabulous attractions such as rivers, the beautiful Añangucocha lagoon, and salt and clay licks where birds and mammals go to eat.

With regards to cultural resources, the community offers different experiences such as ancestral natural resource use and management techniques, local cuisine for you to sample chicha and typical foods of the region, handicrafts made by local women with plant materials, and an interpretation center where yachaj or shamans recreate cleansing rituals.

Rooms

16

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 70

Percentage of local employees: 90%

The Napo Wildlife Center is located in an important biosphere reserve (Yasuní) and its operation is fully managed by the indigenous Añangu community. The community and the Ministry of the Environment have signed several agreements that ensure the protection of the reserve through the implementation of a community park guard program and an efficient communication system with the authorities to halt any illegal activities or invasions in the reserve. We have excellent infrastructure to help tourists watch birds and mammals, which provides a significant source of revenue for the reserve. There is also a land use zoning agreement between the Ministry and the community to safeguard some endangered wildlife populations.

Napo is a pioneer in the region and has awakened the interest of other communities. Therefore, the community has begun coordinating the formulation, fundraising, and implementation of projects for sustainable development, education, health, and conservation.

NWC participates in the Pack for a Purpose program, where guests can bring school supplies, medical supplies, and other small items from home to donate to the local community. Guests simply drop off their donation at the hotel's front desk, and NWC will deliver it for them.

Rates

$150 and up

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

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Quito (UIO)

Nearest local/national airport: Coca (OCC)

The Napo Wildlife Center at the Añangu lagoon is 43 miles (70 km) from the city of Coca. Transportation is handled by staff in Coca and at the hotel.

Napo has fiberglass eco-canoes with four-stroke motors to comfortably transport passengers. Visitors can travel at any time with a community guide and a bilingual naturalist guide. The boatmen and their assistants are trained and licensed by Ecuador's naval forces to operate canoes for passenger transportation.

During the journey, passengers enjoy refreshments and a cold lunch, because the trip takes 4.5 hours to reach the lagoon, two hours in motorized canoe, and another two hours in a paddled canoe.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

Named as one of the "Best Hotels in Ecuador" by National Geographic in 2011.

Additional Web sites

• www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN0343615920071228 (available in English). Travel Picks: Top 10 Eco-friendly destinations. Reuters, December 28, 2007.
• www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/07/allaccesspass/main3465480.shtml (available in English). All-Access: Ecuador, Philly Woman Treated To Trip Of Lifetime. CBC News, November 7, 2007.
• www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/mar/24/saturday.fivebest.hotels (available in English). Five best ... community-run lodges. Guardian.co.uk.
• www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/29/AR2006092900482.html (available in English). Welcome to the Ecuador Jungle. Washington Post. By Andrea Sachs. October, 1, 2006.

Date This Information Was Provided

February 2012.

Photos courtesy of Napo Wildlife Center, Ecuador, for SustainableTrip.org.