Text : Peg Abott, Photos : Bud Ferguson
The Napo Wildlife Center, part of the Tropical Nature conservation system, is a community-based ecotourism project that has turned the surrounding 82 square miles into a private reserve within Yasuní National Park in the Amazonas Region. Ecuador’s two most accessible parrot clay licks are located on Napo Wildlife Center land, and Giant Otters inhabit the lake in front of the lodge.
Over a decade ago the community of Anangu decided to support tourism over logging there. To date, the project is a great success and a favorite of some of the world’s leading tropical biologists.
On a blackwater lake near the Napo River, the Napo Wildlife Center complex features 10 private cabanas with lake views, a dining room, bar and lounge and an adjacent observation tower. A partnership between the local community, the EcoEcuador Foundation and Tropical Nature, community members staff the lodge and work as native guides and specialized, bilingual naturalist guides.
The lodge is run by the village, all positions on staff, save the chef (and someone is training in that role) are from the village. The village people all get a chance to try working there if they choose, and if more want to work than can be possible they rotate. The lead guide who is tremendous is native and from the village. His brother is also very good. So many of these lodges have village people help only in service positions, having the lead GUIDE be local was tremendous ! It is a small and intimate lodge, just a wonderful experience.
The Napo Wildlife Center is 51% owned by the EcoEcuador Foundation. The EcoEcuador Foundation is part of the Tropical Nature conservation system, which funded the lodge.
Contact
Peter English
Head of Tropical Nature and EcoEcuador.
Tropical Nature
1916 Wilson Blvd, Suite 302
Arlington, VA 22201
Tél. : 703-875-3315
Fax : 202-318-8144
Courriel : travel@tropicalnaturetravel.com ; info@tropicalnature.org
Internet : www.tropicalnature.org
www.tropicalnaturetravel.com/travel/reservations/contact.shtml
By telephone :
Elizabeth Sanders
Email : liz@tropicalnaturetravel.com
Tel : 1-877-888-1770
Toll : (352) 376-3377
Fax : (352) 376-3346