Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve

Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve is located in one of the most remote and well protected parts of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Deep in the nearly two million acres of the Achuar people’s territory, Kapawi is accessible only by air—flying in small planes over an unbroken green expanse of rainforest. Kapawi is an award winning eco-lodge noted for its comfort and quality of service, for its ecological design and sensitivity, and for its abundance of wildlife and rich biodiversity. Located in the territorial lands of an indigenous nation (6,000 people in 64 communities) still living as they have for generations and in intimate harmony with nature, Kapawi provides guests a range and depth of cultural experiences unmatched by any other rainforest lodges.

The Achuar are historically a nation of warriors with a firm commitment to preserve their territory and way of life, and to resist the encroachment of extractive industries and a western style of development. The Kapawi lodge is an example of an alternative development path and is a key element in the Achuar strategy for protecting their lands. It brings revenue, training and a connection with potential allies from the outside world.

A visit to Kapawi is a truly authentic and unique experience but authenticity need not come at the expense of comfort! 19 fully screened cabins built in traditional Achuar style sit atop stilts over a lagoon full of stunning plant, bird and insect life. Fine dining, fusing international and Ecuadorian cuisine, and a well stocked bar and social area are enjoyed by guests supported by a staff eager to make your stay in Kapawi an unforgettable experience. An Achuar guide and a bi-lingual naturalist guide accompany each group on a wide variety of activities designed to reveal the mysteries and majesty of the rainforest and Achuar culture.

Kapawi accommodates up to 44 guests and was built in traditional Achuar style, all the cabins stand on stilts above a stunning lagoon full of plant and bird life. The lodge is made up of 19 double and triple cabins with private bathrooms and shower (hot water provided by solar heated portable shower bags), filtered water is also provided for drinking. To keep out any unwanted guests all the rooms are fully screened through the walls and floors and each bed has its own mosquito net. Every room is equipped with a locked security box. Electricity is provided by solar panels for lights and outlets (110 volts which can be used for charging computer or camera batteries). Each room has a wide outside covered deck, the perfect place to lie in your hammock and relax watching the myriad of bird species on the lagoon.

A large dining room and a separate bar/library are centrally located and form the well used main social and meeting areas of the lodge.

A beautiful raised, wooden boardwalk, that winds its way from the river through the jungle to the lodge itself, ties all of the buildings together and also provides a viewing platform extending out into the lagoon.The boardwalk and the dining room veranda are great places for early morning bird watching while sipping freshly brewed coffee.

In the dining room you will be served delicious combinations of Ecuadorian and international dishes, combined with products from the rain forest area. Our staff are always keen to provide you with outstanding service whether you are dining in our dining room, on the veranda overlooking the lagoon or beneath the canopy in the forest.

The bar/ library is open all day and is well equipped with games, paperbacks, magazines and a collection of books focusing on rainforest wildlife and indigenous culture. A small boutique provides essential items you may have forgotten (film, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen lotion, insect repellent, hats, etc.), as well as Achuar handicrafts and Kapawi souvenirs.

The lodge offers a multitude of activities, so that with your guides and your group you can design a flexible program to suit your interests and activity level. Most itineraries include a visit to an Achuar community, where you will be invited into a home to experience Achuar hospitality and taste the famous manioc beer. Depending on your fitness levels there are a variety of hikes in the rainforest to learn about the flora, fauna and Achuar cosmology and culture. Your Achuar guide will delight and amaze you with all the different uses of the plants, from food to medicine, to building materials. If you are lucky enough to come across traditional Achuar foods you will have the opportunity to taste lemon ants or palm larvae, not for the faint hearted!

Kapawi lodge is a paradise for bird watchers and amateurs alike, more species of bird are found in the Kapawi area alone than in all of North America. Kapawi is on the banks of the Capahuari river, so you can fish for pirana, or take a traditional Achuar canoe or kayak to explore sleepy streams, thick with jungle foliage, you will feel a million miles from western civilization. For those of you who prefer less effort, slip into a rubber ring or swim and let the current carry you down stream, and there is no need to worry, the only wild life you are likely to encounter while in the river are the magical pink dolphins. Something not to be missed is the alfresco dinning experience in the forest, after a beautiful walk your guides will set up a delicious hot lunch for you in the forest beneath the jungle canopy.

• The lodge is situated on a lagoon, the huts were built on stilts in order to minimize impact upon the surrounding vegetation.
• Sewage goes through a three-stage treatment process, ultimately through a dry swamp area constructed by the lodge from which the water emerges in a nearly potable state and it is then released into the environment.
• Our canoes are equipped with four-stroke outboard engines, which reduces noise and pollution considerably.
• The entire lodge is powered by a solar energy system designed to provide 80% of the lodge’s average energy needs. The solar system is backed up by a diesel generator, which is used during periods of high-energy consumption or extended periods of limited sunlight.
• Solar-heated shower bags provide 5 gallons of hot water per room daily, depending on weather conditions.