In 2002, the CEO of SouthWild, Charles Munn, convinced Dr. Mark Ginsburg of Florida to build an ecotour lodge on 70,000 acres of indigenous-owned rainforest inside the outstanding, 2.4-million-acre Yasuni National Park of Ecuador and then to donate it to the indigenous community. The result was Napo Wildlife Center, which opened in 2004 and by 2006 was winning international awards such as at World Travel Mart in London.
Here we are 24 years later, and Napo Wildlife Center, entirely owned by the 30-family Quichua Indian community of Añangu, goes from strength to strength. The extremely attractive lodge sits on the banks of the pristine Lake Añangu, which harbors two endangered top aquatic predators, massive Black Caimans and powerful, group-living Giant Otters.
In addition to tranquil canoe outings to watch these creatures and a myriad of lake-edge birds, the lodge boasts a vast trail network that fans out through both flat, mature lowland rainforest and also slightly higher terrain. Trail walks often produce excellent views of Woolly Monkeys and Spider Monkeys, as well as of nine other species of monkeys.
The bird life is extremely diverse, with over 500 species on the property of the Añangu Quichua Community. Some of the best birding and bird photography opportunities include 1) early morning hours on the huge canopy platform in the top of a gigantic Cotton Kapok, 2) viewing the recently-discovered Harpy Eagle nest, 3) marveling at the famous riverbank parrot lick, and 4) viewing 4-6 Scarlet Macaws at their favorite salt lick deep in the forest.
At this point, NWC clearly is the finest rainforest lodge in Ecuador, and the Quichua community is a strong believer in rainforest conservation. Napo Wildlife Center is therefore an outstanding “win-win” for indigenous rights and environmental protection.
Contact us for more details.
