Ecuador - Wildlife Festival at Napo Wildlife Centre

Tour Code: ECU16

Join us at Napo Wildlife Centre in February 2026 for a festival of South American wildlife!

9 days from
£5,295
Land only price from
£4,395
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

The Napo Wildlife Centre is situated within Yasuni National Park, the largest, most bio-diverse and best-conserved tract of Amazon rainforest in Ecuador. Contained within the park is ancestral territory of the Kichwa Community of Añangu who own the Centre. We will explore the ‘terra firma’ rainforest, black-water creeks, ‘varzea’ (flooded) forest, rivers and lakes by means of dugout canoe, canopy look-out towers and on foot, enjoying the extraordinary diversity of wildlife on our doorstep. Larger Neotropical mammals, including Brazilian Tapir and Jaguar, are present in the forest here but are shy and elusive, whereas we have a good chance of encountering such endearing species as Giant River Otter, Three-toed Sloth and over 10 species of primate, including Golden-mantled Tamarin, along with a host of other Amazonian wildlife.

  • Spectacular parrot & mammal clay-licks
  • Explore creeks near our lodge for resident Giant River Otters
  • Watch Golden-mantled Tamarin & other species from canopy-level towers
  • Howler, Napo Saki, Squirrel, Woolly, Capuchin & Spider Monkeys all possible
  • Magnificent views of the Andean foothills from main canopy tower
  • Over 600 species of birds and over 60 mammal species within Yasuni National Park
  • Night-time forest walks to look for nocturnal wildlife
  • Led by a Naturetrek tour leader alongside local naturalists, including native Kichwa Añangu guides

Naturetrek wildlife festivals offer an iconic wildlife destination, quality accommodation and a team of top guides. Over the years this has proven to be a popular and successful formula. On this occasion, to celebrate our 40th anniversary we have booked the majority of the rooms at the award-winning Napo Wildlife Centre (NWC) within Yasuní National Park in eastern Ecuador for five nights. This extremely well-appointed jungle lodge is located on the edge of an oxbow lake and was built by the local Kichwa Añangu community. It is operated on a not-for-profit basis, all proceeds being reinvested in the lodge and the community. The lodge is a paradise for naturalists and birders, boasting four canopy towers, a superb network of trails branching out through ‘terra firma’ primary rainforest, a clay-lick visited by parrots and mammals, and the lake and its connecting waterways, which together offer a multitude of options for daily wildlife-watching, both on foot and by canoe. The mission of the Kichwa Añangu community and the goal for NWC is to generate environmental awareness and to maintain sustainable development in this biodiverse ecological treasure of a national park.

Mammal highlights will include Giant Otter, Napo Sakis, Red Howler Monkey, Night Monkey, Common Squirrel Monkey and Golden-mantled Tamarin, while there is an outside chance of Jaguarundi, Jaguar or Brazilian Tapir. Bird-wise, over 600 species have been recorded in the territory of the Kichwa Añangu, including such sought-after species as Zigzag Heron, Black-necked Red Cotinga, Yasuni Antwren, White-plumed Antbird, Salvin’s Curassow, Hoatzin, Silvered, Plumbeous, Sooty, Lunulated and Scale-backed Antbirds, and many more! The herpetological highlights include Ecuador Poison Frog, Black Caiman, Northern Caiman Lizard, Rainbow Boa, Tropical Thornytail Iguana and much more. At night, we retire to comfortable cabins (8 standard and 6 suites, some of which have a private jacuzzi), all with ceiling fans, electricity and a view of the lake.

Amongst several different extensions that we will be offering are a cruise around the Galápagos Islands, a stay in Mindo for antpittas, tanagers and hummingbirds, and a traverse of the eastern Andean slope, staying at Cabanas San Isidro and Papallacta.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Quito
Day 2
Fly Coca, transfer to Napo Wildlife Centre
Day 3/6
Napo Wildlife Centre
Day 7
Transfer Coca; fly Quito
Day 8
Day visit to Antisana NP; depart
Day 9
Arrive UK
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Comfortable hotel in Quito and exceptional eco-lodge in Yasuni National Park.

  • Food:

    All included in the price except evening meal in Quito.

Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 17th Feb – Wed 25th Feb SPACES £5,295
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Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Byron Palacios
TL Byron Palacios

Tour Leader: Byron Palacios

Byron is an Ecuadorian Ecologist and Field Ornithologist who has been working as a researcher and bird watching tour leader since 2000. A keen birder and nature lover by 'nature', Byron has a vast knowledge of the neotropical and Western Palearctic avifauna, particularly in his native Ecuador and other neotropical countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Colombia and the Caribbean region, including southern USA. His sharp ears and eyes permit him to locate the most elusive forest-dwelling birds in the field, successfully leading more than two-hundred trips so far! As a Field Ornithologist, Byron has contributed with many important discoveries for the Ecuadorian Ornithology, all published in scientific magazines and bulletins, such as the first record for Ecuador of the Thicket Antpitta (Hylopezus dives), Feb. 2007; the rediscovery of the Yellow-eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis), Aug. 2006; and the discovery of the Choco Vireo (Vireo masteri), Sep 2004, A New Bird Species for Ecuador. Byron currently works as an independant Wildlife Consultant for leading wildlife companies and conservation organisations, having also become actively involved in many birding and conservation programmes in Spain, where his birding field skills have rapidly made him one of the authorities amongst the Iberian wildlife world. He endorses Leica Optics and Gitzo tripods, and currently lives in west Dorset, England, with his daughter Isabel and fiancé Gail.

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!