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Heath River Wildlife Center

Heath RIver 6 hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata National Reserve Peru
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Traveller (43)
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About

#4 of 15 lodges in Tambopata National Reserve
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The Heath River marks the remote Amazon-region border between Peru and Bolivia. Bordering two radically different ecosystems of rainforest and lowland savannah.Heath River Wildlife Center is the only eco-lodge on this river. And it offers the world's only large macaw clay lick reachable in half a day from a jetport with daily connections to the outside world.
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Languages Spoken
English

Location

Heath RIver 6 hours by boat from Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata National Reserve Peru
Name/address in local language
Heath River Wildlife Center
Getting there
Puerto Maldonado Airport
57.6 km
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76Reviews7Q+A11Room tips

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Phylis C wrote a review Apr 2019
Gainesville, Florida97 contributions48 helpful votes
We took this trip on the advise of our travel agent who had been here. It does take quite a bit of effort to get to the Center. First getting to Puerto Maldonado-easy to fly into, then transfer to the boat and then the LONG boat ride to the Center. The boat is pretty comfortable and your luggage stays dry-if you sit in the front you may get a bit of a splash. But it is a LONG boat ride and chances are you will arrive at the Center in the dark. Bring a flashlight (they do sell them for a reasonable price if you forgot one), bring sunscreen-and a lot of it, bring bug repellant-and a lot of it. You won't need fancy dress-light weight, quick drying long sleeves and long pants are best and shoes that you don't mind getting really smelly and dirty. The food is wonderful-chief does a great job of preparing delicious meals in the camp kitchen. The guide we had (John) was exceptional. Be ready to sit and wait for the wildlife to come to you-it requires a Zen like patience-remain quiet and wait...hopefully it will come. We had a memorable encounter with the giant river otters, we saw lots of parrots and macaws at the mineral lick, spider monkeys, caimen and even caught a glimpse of a puma scrambling up the banks of the river. Accommodations are pretty primitive but the cottages are screened and the beds have mosquito netting. Hot water was kind of sketchy for us and sometimes there was no water in the night. We had a lovely frog in our shower for our time there. We were there at the end of March and it was really hot especially on the trails. The main lodge has some overhead fans and that tepid shower wasn't so bad to cool off in. I would say it is a once in a lifetime experience because I won't be rushing back to do it again-but I would recommend it for a true Amazon immersion.
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Date of stay: March 2019
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: No difference in the rooms-some are closer to the bar than others.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from InkaNatura T, Senior Travel Advisor at Heath River Wildlife Center
Responded 17 Sept 2019
Dear guiest Thank you for sharing your experience. We are more than happy that you enjoyed the trip Thank you
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Elise V wrote a review Jan 2019
1 contribution
What a great place! Sure, it's remote - the trip took about 3.5 hours by boat - but isn't that what you're going for? The boat ride gives you the opportunity to spot animals - we saw capybaras, sloths and monkeys, as well as lots of birds. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable: Pepe and Jesus, our guides, were great spotters and so informative about the plants, animals and surroundings. We went to the macaw clay lick, the oxbow lake, the viewing platform and for a night walk too, and all of them were amazing. The lodge is quiet, comfortable, clean and really all you could ask for. The food was good, and the chef catered for us vegetarians very well. Go for it - book now. You'll get to see the jungle is all its pristine and wild beauty.
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Date of stay: December 2018
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from InkaNatura T, Senior travel Advisor at Heath River Wildlife Center
Responded 17 Sept 2019
Dear guiest Thank you for sharing your experience. We are more than happy that you enjoyed the trip Thank you
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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B R wrote a review Oct 2018
Indonesia45 contributions77 helpful votes
Booked this part of trip through world expeditions and did not know exact;y what to expect - Long boat trip through and up the river to arrive at our destination - location was incredible staff were nice and pleasant food and chef were outstanding - the mawcaw lick was impressive and thats all she wrote not much else to report - in part to our guide who was completely out of touch with how to show and entertain tourists to this part of world - would only spend max 2 nights here as there simply is not enough to see and do and then move on to Sandoval Lake for 1 night there -
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Date of stay: October 2018
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: all rooms are the same
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from InkaNatura T, Senior Travel Advisor at Heath River Wildlife Center
Responded 16 Oct 2018
Dear guest Thank you for your feedback which helps us to improve the quality of our services. I am sorry about the little connection with your guide. Unfortunately the guide that was scheduled to travel with you had some personal issues that kept him in the city and could not travel with you and we had to call one of our free-lance guides for the trip. We are taking action to improve our guides selection to avoid issues like the one you experienced. We area gld ayou emjoyed location. macaw lick and food and our lodge staff We appreciate that you let us know about your experience
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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amybatt wrote a review June 2018
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts2708 contributions268 helpful votes
I spent three nights here as part of a Tambopata excursion. I’d just come from Sandoval Lake Lodge which is about 6 hours away by boat. The ride is long but relaxing and non-taxing. There were only two parties staying here at the time (myself and another couple) and we each had a separate small bungalow near the common area. The bungalow was wired for electricity but it was not available to us. There was a small light in the sleeping area and we were meant to use a candle in the bathroom. The bungalows have screen walls, which is fine when it’s 90 degrees and very humid, but I was there when it had a rare cold snap, so it was very very cold at night (low 50s) and extremely damp. I slept with 2 fleece blankets and 2 comforters, in addition to sleeping fully clothed! So cold because there is nothing to stop the wind and rain from coming in. Belongings and clothing got very damp and it was hard to keep a change of clothes dry. I strongly suggest bringing at least one long-sleeved shirt and a warmer coat, just in case. The good news is the shower does get very hot! We had two opportunities to visit the macaw clay lick. One morning was completely rained out, the second we waited 7 hours and parrots never showed. I understand you can’t control Mother Nature though but it was still disappointing. But we never saw anything else either. There was never an attempt to see the tapirs or any night walk. We did a jungle walk once and only saw trees, leaves, plants. The best part though was the staff. We all loved them. The chef met us as soon as we arrived and talked about our nutritional requirements (one dairy allergy and one vegetarian). He handled both masterfully. As a vegetarian I was very happy with the choices, most of which used soy substitutes, but he makes the world’s best guacamole with the avocados there, which was awesome. The fresh fruit juices every morning were amazing and those were fabulous pancakes too. When we left at 5 a.m. on our last day, he was there, sleepy like us, to say goodbye. The rest of the staff seemed to follow his lead, and went out of their way to serve us food and drinks and carry our stuff. We liked talking to them on the boat rides and their smiles were heartwarming. I wish it had been warmer to enjoy sleeping in the open air and to see more wildlife. I can’t really vouch for how good either are though, since they didn’t happen for me. But the food was wonderful and we were treated well.
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Bring warmer clothes, just in case! It can get cold there!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from InkaNaturaTravelWeb, Senior Travel Advisors at Heath River Wildlife Center
Responded 12 June 2018
Dear guest Thank you for your comments. I am sorry the cold fron happened when you were there. Indeed when Mother Nature decides, she rules. Sleeping in the open is available in private departures, upon request at additional cost. We were not aware of your interest. We are glad you enjoyed the food, location and staff.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Chris V wrote a review May 2018
7 contributions12 helpful votes
I recently did the 12 day/11 night tour of Manu, and the 6 day/5 night tour of Heath River and Lake Sandoval in Tambopata. I stayed at the following lodges: The Cock of the Rock Lodge, Manu Learning Centre, Romero Rainforest Lodge, Manu Tented Camp, Manu Wildlife Center, Heath River Wildlife Center, and the Sandoval Lake Lodge. I booked the tour through InkaNatura. I would rank the lodges as follows: 1. Tie between the Manu Wildlife Center and the Heath River Wildlife Center. Not only did they have the best facilities, the best food, and the most professional staff, they also had the best wildlife viewing opportunities. 3. The Cock of the Rock lodge in the Manu Cloud Forest. The facilities were great and the food excellent. The only reason that I didn't rank the Cock of the Rock in a tie for first is that the wildlife is mostly limited to birds. But, the bird life is amazing. I would definitely go back to the Manu Cloud Forest and I would stay at the Cock of the Rock Lodge again! 4. The Manu Learning Centre. We really enjoyed the presentations from the researchers/scientists who live at the Manu Learning Centre. 5. Manu Tented Camp. The best wildlife viewing opportunities are in the area near this lodge. There is no comparison. Plus, its deep in Manu National Park. Cocha Salvador was breathtaking. The bungalows at the lodge need updating, though. 6. Romero Rainforest Lodge. Another lodge inside Manu National Park. Its very small, but nice, and you'll get great sunsets with the Manu River in the foreground. 7. The only lodge that was bad (really bad) was the Sandoval Lake Lodge. See my separate review of that lodge. Bottom line: Don't go there. Our guides were excellent. We had Cesar in Manu and Pepe in Tambopata. They were both very knowledgeable, spoke good English, and were friendly, and they were very patient with my photography! When I saw Cesar pull out his Nikon DSLR and 500mm zoom lens, I knew that I had the perfect guide. Carmen Maria at InkaNatura was the best. She made the booking process easy, and was very responsive to my e-mails and questions. I'll definitely go back to Manu, and when I do, I go through InkaNatura!!
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Date of stay: May 2018
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Livetowander wrote a review Oct 2017
Los Angeles647 contributions189 helpful votes
The highlight of this lodge is the staff who truly take an interest in your well being. My assigned guide was very knowledgeable. The individual bungalows are basic and clean. Sounds from the neighbors tend to carry, but people were generally considerate of the need to minimize noise. The remote environment and few (10) rooms adds to the feeling of being close to nature and care was taken to allow each group enough space so that the peaceful feeling was preserved. The trails around the lodge are wide, mostly flat, relatively easy to navigate and well maintained. The lake, macaw clay lick, a ride to the pampas grassland sector, trips on the river via motorboat, and a canopy tower are the other options for viewing wildlife in the area. Although the rooms of the lodge are wired for electricity, the power was not turned on until a certain number of guest rooms were occupied. This meant the fan in the room could not be used even when it was sweltering (melting the wax candles) outside. Raising the blinds in the room to allow for cross ventilation resulted in a loss of privacy. Also the hot water heater for the shower stopped working after the first couple of days and attempts to repair it were unsuccessful. Cold showers were unappealing on a hot day, and even more so when a cold front struck bringing with it temperatures in the lower 60s. Be sure to take a flashlight, water bottle and flip flops.
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Date of stay: October 2017
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from InkaNaturaTravelWeb, Senior Travel Advisor at Heath River Wildlife Center
Responded 23 Oct 2017
Dear guest Thank you for sharing the experience. We are glad you enjoyed the lodge and surroundings. We appreciate the feedback given that will help us to improve services
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Lisa K wrote a review Sept 2017
Erie, Colorado5 contributions
+1
It's a magical place! We booked it as extension to an REI trip we were taking in Peru. This was the highlight of the trip even considering we covered a large chunk of Peru. Once you get on the Heath River (about halfway on the loooooong boat ride) you won't see any other people except those staying or working at the lodge. Our third night there our group of four were the only guests so we had the whole place to ourself, especially the awesome hammock room. The jungle sounds are intense 24 hours a day, so if you sleep light bring ear plugs. I slept like a baby every night until the howler monkey started calling for about two hours starting at 4:30 am our last morning there. Food is great the staff is even better, it's a time I will never forget in my life.
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Date of stay: September 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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angiel65 wrote a review July 2017
Columbus, Ohio15 contributions6 helpful votes
The Heath River Wildlife Center has the best food in Peru, beginning with your "woven box" lunch on the Madre De Dios as you ride in the motorized canoe to the center. The Heath River Wildlife Center is simple and comfortable and extremely satisfying. There is hot water and cold beverages and great wildlife viewing from the macaw clay lick to the wild river otters in the nearby Oxbow lake.
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Date of stay: July 2017
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from InkaNaturaTravelWeb, Senior Travel Advisor at Heath River Wildlife Center
Responded 2 Aug 2017
Dear guest Thank you for sharing you experience. We age glad you enjoyed the trip Regards
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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bjerrell wrote a review July 2017
Knoxville, Tennessee20 contributions15 helpful votes
My wife and I stayed at Heath River wildlife center for three nights and is only accessible by boat. The trip to the center is approximately five hours long on a motorized canoe. It is a long trip but you get to see a lot on the way. The center is actually on the Bolivian side of the Heath river. During our stay we did not see any other people except for the workers at the center and the one other family staying at the lodge with us. This part of the jungle is very natural and has not been altered significantly by people. We really enjoyed it because it was so remote. We felt like it provided a real sense of the Amazon region. The facility was nicer than we expected but still very basic. Electric is only available in the main lodge during three designated times. Each Bungalo has a solar powered light. Be sure to take flashlights. The days were hot but the nights provided relief from the heat as they were cool. The Claylick was amazing. We saw so many parrots and macaws. Our guide took us on quite a few jungle walks to see trees and insects and birds. Bug spray and sunscreen are definitely needed although we expected a lot more mosquitoes than what we actually encountered. The night hike to the mammal Clay lick was also extraordinary. After waiting for about 30 minutes we were able to see a large tapir in full view. The sounds of the jungle while we were waiting in the dark for the tapir and also while we were laying in bed each night was amazing. We also saw monkeys, turtles, caimans, capybaras, giant river otters, tarantulas, toucans and so many other birds. The facility also has a canopy platform that is approximately 120 feet above the ground. The view from the top is exceptional. We were able to watch the sunset and get some great pictures. The cook did a great job with all of the meals. We really loved having the different fruit juices at each meal.Service was top-notch especially considering the basic facility. If you are looking for a place to be pampered, this is not your place. If you want to see the Amazon region in its natural form, this is the place you want to be. Caesar was our guide and was excellent. He answered all of our questions and had so much information about the wildlife, birds, history, Plants, and people of the region. If you decide to go to the Heath River wildlife center, be sure to read their recommended items to pack. It is very helpful.
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Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from inkanatura, Senior Travel Advisor at Heath River Wildlife Center
Responded 10 July 2017
Dear guest Thank you for sharing your experience. We are glad you enjoyed it
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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sharonps10 wrote a review Jan 2017
Newmarket, Canada21 contributions11 helpful votes
Nice lodge, cabin, beautiful area, and good food. Lovers of nature and wildlife we found this area a bit disappointing; however, we are surely more demanding than some people as we have experienced some great sighting in various areas of Peru. Our guide who followed us through this trip, William, continued to be amazing, working hard to find what was of interest to us which included bugs, birds, frogs, snakes, monkeys, etc. Visiting the nearby clay lek, observing the macaws, parrots and parakeets was nice, lots of trails, and the visit to the nearby lake was nice. Great opportunity to go and camp for 2 nights in the pampas area in a tent to see a great mane wolf (didn't see it). Very thankful however to the staff for all the hard work they did to enable us to experience that adventure. Nice visit.
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Date of stay: December 2016
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from inkanatura, Senior Travel Advisor at Heath River Wildlife Center
Responded 24 Jan 2017
Dear guest Thank you for your comments. This helps us to improve our services. Unfortunately the fauna has their own timing depending on weather conditions and as it is known thisis unpredictable.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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ALSO KNOWN AS
heath river wildlife hotel tambopata national reserve
LOCATION
PeruMadre de Dios RegionTambopata National Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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HEATH RIVER WILDLIFE CENTER (AU$213): 2024 Prices & Reviews (Peru/Tambopata National Reserve) - Photos of Lodge - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Heath River Wildlife Center
What food & drink options are available at Heath River Wildlife Center?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.