Owned & operated by a genuine indigenous tribe, this cozy yet simple lodge creates a healthy blend of jungle life and modern flavor. If you are looking for the Hilton of the Amazon, then this is not for you. Enjoying your experience requires giving up certain luxuries such as hot showers, but that's okay....your in the freakin' jungle!

Being an active outdoor couple we enjoyed many excursions on our 4 day visit to Sani Lodge such as: a 7 hour jungle hike (which was amazing), night hikes, nighttime canoeing in search of caiman, swimming in the lagoon, hiking to the really really tall tower (aka wicked cool tree house). We also enjoyed less strenuous activities such as visiting the parrot clay licks, taking part in a shaman ritual, and learning about the indigenous dances.

Also, we are vegetarian & they did their best to appease us; however, due to lack of communication on our part we were not as pleased w/ the boxed lunches as we were with their delicious dinners. The boxed lunches usually consisted of a cheese & mayonnaise sandwich, piece of fruit and a chocolate bar which usually meant our appetites for dinner were veracious, but again dinner was wonderful.

Our guide being a local, even treated a group of us to a visit to his home where we picked fruit from his fruit tree's, painted our faces, and tasted cacao fruit giving us a glimpse of what life living in the Amazon is like (a very humbling experience) as they have no electricity, plumbing, or walls and the family shares one bedroom. We don't feel we would have gotten this experience from any other lodge company.

One of the best parts of our trip were the fellow travelers we shared our experience with. Oh, and the camping option is way cooler. At least you can "zip" the bugs out! Have fun!

We had been recommended to try this place and we were not disappointed. There are so many generic type 'Jungle Lodges' around the world that taste buds get jaded. Sani is different! It was just what it said it would be. A cheerful and friendly base from which to enjoy the secrets of the Amazonian Rain Forest. That it was a community run sort of place with no sign of big business syphoning off profits was a huge bonus.
The staff, from managment to the gardener were very attentive and had the 'customer first' ethic well instilled. There was a "Gringo" husband and wife team who were great company and hosts but you got the impression that all staff were of equal importance.
There are several types of Cabanos/chalets, we tried a family room and a private Cabano during our 6 night visit, and both were excellent.
Food was good and wholesome as was the Beer!
Access is from Coca (Francisco del Orellano) about three hours by speedy canoe upstream and Sani will arrange the plane from Quito for you and meet it. (Well eventually).
They employ local guides well versed in wildlife and birds and this greatly enhances the whole experience. We also like the "house rule" that Outboards are turned off once in sight of the Lodge to preserve the tranquillity of the place. (You need a big canoe from Coca and then transfer to a smaller one for the last 10 minute run up the smaller river.)
There are plenty of walks and canoe trips to local lagoons where you may see River Dolphins and Otters. Lots of Caiman too. Birdlife is catered for by forest walks and a large "Tree Canopy" Platform around 80 metres up in the sky. 205 steps I counted!
This gets you up close to all manner of birds that normally you would be craning your neck to see. Monkeys too. All in all a very nice place to be and we would certainly return if the opportunity arose. Not a place perhaps for a one night visit. You need TIME!

We are experienced independent travellers and tend to avoid anything organised in groups. But our time at Sani Lodge proved how good things can be, if you are in the right place, with the right "hosts" and the right companeros. We chose a four night/five day package which wasn't cheap, but the costs were well justified and genuinely went back into the community. All the logistical arrangements were well-managed, our trip into the rainforest was exciting, and our accommodation was great, especially considering the obstacles to making it so nice. We were made to feel very welcome; our guides (Freddie and Jose) were knowledgeable and good communicators (in English and Spanish) plus being sensitive to our preferences and pacing. The food was international and of a good standard (although we would have preferred more local options). A special added aspect was the visit to the community - the local school, local small enterprises and a family. The fact that the land and lodge were owned and managed by the Sani community makes this place unique and we were particularly pleased to be contributing to their ambitious project. A wide variety of activities was on offer, including several visits to the observation tower, clay parrot licks, hikes, night walks and canoe rides. We would love to go back!

I stayed at Sani Lodge from the 18th to 22nd October 2010 my guide Javier and Jose were absolutely brillant my stay was ruined when I had over $500 stolen. Made worse that when I contacted them they did not reply so please please what ever they say put your belongings in the safe. I would say everything was excellent accept for this insidence.