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Napo Wildlife Centre

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This community-run lakeside lodge is the most inviting and charming in the region, a peaceful haven to see Ecuador's rainforest wildlife.

Deep in the Ecuadorian jungle, Napo Wildlife Centre sits within Yasuni National Park, a biosphere reserve which shelters an exuberant array of wildlife, especially birds.

Reached by plane and canoe, the lodge is a haven of undisturbed tranquillity from which to make daily excursions into the rainforest, all accompanied by indigenous guides. There is a 40m canopy tower to take you right up into the treetops, and two clay licks visited by parakeets with dazzling plumage, as well as mammals such as the delicate red brocket deer.

The accommodation is particularly attractive: private thatched cabins with electricity and unlimited hot water are decorated in cheerful blues and golds. There’s a library and the dining room gleams with polished teak furnishings. Enjoy the sunset from your private porch and you may spot a watchful black caiman or giant otter.

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • "The location was mindblowing and the attention of the staff was fantastic. Our guide Juan had absolutely incredible wildlife and "general" rainforest knowledge, plus a really interesting background.  It all…

    DI, Hove May 2013
  • "Swimming with sea lions and masses of turtles. The whole of Napo excellent with our great guide Robbie. Wished we could have had another day. Really excellent guide. Food fantastic.”

    CW, Bordon Aug 2013
  • “They were well-equipped - with rain ponchos, rubber boots etc. Our guide (Lena) was excellent - a knowledgeable naturalist, and excellent social skills.”

    MC, Worthing Aug 2013
  • Absolutely outstanding place, fantastic guide (Remi), amazing wildlife, great food. Really sorry to leave. Very interesting to learn more about the community, although our main interest was seeing the wildlife…

    DL, London May 2017
  • A lovely place but 3 nights was perfect. Very hot and humid so maybe not for everyone. Lovely staff but quite a shlep to get to though part of the…

    KS, London Apr 2016
  • The journey to the centre is part of the whole experience,along the wide river Napo, and then transferring to the small canoe with your guide for the trip up the…

    AG, Manchester Apr 2017
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Our Expert's Opinion

Kathryn
Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

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Real Latin american experts

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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    Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

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    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

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