David Sutherland
USA

We recently had the pleasure to discover a unique Amazon lodge in Ecuador. Sani Lodge, is 3.5 hours down the Napo River from Coca (San Francisco de Orellana). The lodge is OWNED and MANAGED by native Quichua Indians on their own tribal land, setting it apart from the other lodges that are owned by distant White people. This is the very best of what ecotourism should be: locals managing their own resources for themselves, and managing tourism in their own culturally sensitive way. Proceeds from the lodge are invested directly back into the community of Sani. This provides residents with a very real economic reason to preserve their forest and its fauna.

The wildlife at Sani was fantastic. Their were so many Hoatzins around the lodge that we quit paying attention to them. Flocks of Macaws were also a common sight, particularly Blue and Gold variety. Caimans and piranas swam in the lagoon. We also had some wonderful views of monkeys, including a spectacular sighting of Pygmy Marmosets right in the lodge compound (near where we saw the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl and Spectacled Owl). Another highlight was the Ornate Hawk Eagle posing in a tall Ceibo tree. Sani Lodge has a canopy tower, like other nearby lodges, which lets visitors climb into the top of a huge Ceibo for some of the best birdwatching around.
Domingo, our Quichua guide, had an almost supernatural ability to spot animals in the forest. He had painstakingly taught himself to correctly identify a vast number of species from the tiniest glimpse or scrap of sound. He was right on the money, and we never disagreed even when we got a better look at the animal. Amazing.
We were at Sani Lodge with our 11 year old daughter and found the place to be very child-friendly. She particularly enjoyed finding frogs in the forest and fish in the canals. It was a kid's paradise.
Food was plentiful and quite good considering that supplies had to be brought in by boat. Most of the fare was vegetarian.
Finally, Sani was a cheaper lodge than some of the others along the Napo. I am an experienced nature tourist, and strongly believe that you get what you pay for. I have been ripped off by Amazon tour places in Peru and Ecuador in the past, and know quality and value when I see it. Sani Lodge is a gem and deserves to get your business.

David Sutherland
USA
suther@indra.com