Mandari Panga took us to the heart of the Mandari community. The camp was very comfortable with a beautiful rustic lodge/dining area and a comfortable screened tent on the river. The tent included a king size bed with mosquito net, chairs and table. The showers are ambient temperature but following an activity of hiking in the jungle the water temperature was perfect. Kitchen staff were very accomodating and even accompanied us on our 2 day remote camping trip. Our guides Erik and Abran were most excellent. Erik has excellent English and would translate Abran’s vast knowledge of the jungle. Capitan Carlos and chef Alessandro provided much appreciated creature comforts on the remote camping. Owner/manager Fredy was very willing to help us through the entire process from registration to hotel recommendations in Coca to transportation to and from Quito. Mandari Panga is more than a “jungle resort”. It is a community effort supporting many members by ecotourism and we highly recommend this project.

Unlike other eco lodges that accommodate swathes of visitors and guide people along well-trodden (even if technically pristine rainforest) paths, the experiences that this project offers are deeply personal, immersive, and varied. The activities are plentiful. Kayaking, piranha fishing, morning, noon, and night hikes through different terrains and ecosystems, visits to a local community elder, birding… The guide was exceptionally knowledgeable— he had grown up in the jungle, and besides naturalist info, gave interesting cultural anecdotes. The stay offers full board. The meals are fantastic and use fresh local ingredients. Really delicious, 3 courses (even for lunch!) and so varied. I was never hungry or thirsty. The rooms enable you to comfortably enjoy the jungle. Hammock to boot. All are connected with raised boardwalks, swept daily, so it’s easy to get to the bathroom at night. The mattress is comfortable and the beds turned down daily. The bathroom facilities are all bio. The water isn’t hot, but temperate.. and honestly ideal after so much activity. If you want the real Amazon deal, this is the place.

We stayed 7 nights in Yasuni National Park at the Tiputini River with the team from Mandari Panga Lodge and had a great time. The Mandari Panga Lodge, a community project, is located at a very nice spot along the river, with no other lodges around. The only sounds you hear, is wildlife. The very attentive team from the community serves excellent local food, has very knowledgeable guides and takes care of everything which makes the trip a great and save experience. During our stay, we also went on a 4 days paddling trip with wild camping along the Tiputini. We learnt much about wildlife and how people live there. We felt save at any time, had much fun and would go there any time again. Big thanks to Fredy (the manager and our tour guide) and his team.