Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?
The biggest attraction for birdwatchers at Sadiri Lodge is the endemic species Bolivian Recurvebill.
Black-throated Toucanet
What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?
Sadiri Lodge was conceived as a visionary project in 2009 by two passionate birdwatching professionals, Ruth Alipaz and Sandro Valdez, within the San José de Uchupiamonas Indigenous Territory and the mega-biodiverse Madidi National Park. They aimed to offer a sustainable alternative to a proposed logging project that threatened the area’s rich biodiversity. Driven by a commitment to conservation and eco-tourism, they sought to create a sanctuary where visitors could experience the natural wonders of the region while supporting its preservation.
After years of careful planning and construction, with the dedicated efforts of the San José de Uchupiamonas Indigenous Community and the project’s sponsors, Sadiri Lodge officially began operating in 2014. It now offers an immersive experience in one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
Ivory-billed Aracari
How best to travel to your lodge?
Sadiri Lodge is located in the Bolivian Amazon, two and a half hours from the nearest town of Rurrenabaque by road. At just a 45-minute flight from La Paz, Bolivia, and an hour’s drive from the airport of Rurrenabaque.
You can reach Rurrenabaque from the main Bolivian cities of La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba via airlines Ecojet and Boliviana de Aviación BoA.
The airline schedules are as follows, please be advised these may vary:
- From La Paz to Rurrenabaque with Ecojet, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 08:30 am.
- From La Paz to Cochabamba with BoA, on Mondays and Wednesdays, at 10:50 am, and from Cochabamba to Rurrenabaque, at 12:40 pm.
- From Santa Cruz via La Paz on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 06:00 am with Ecojet and at 5:55 am with BoA, with a connection in La Paz at 08:30 am with Ecojet.
- Alternatively, you can travel by land from the city of La Paz in Ipsum cars, with a travel time of 9 hours, or by bus, with a travel time of 12 hours, from Villa Fátima, with daily departures.
- Finally, if you are traveling from Santa Cruz, there are commercial flights from Santa Cruz to Trinidad. From Trinidad Ipsum cars are available to Rurrenabaque, with a travel time of 5 hours, or by bus with a travel time of 8 hours, with daily departures.
Purple Honeycreeper
What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders?
- Experienced local, English-speaking guides, trained in birdwatching, nature interpretation
- High-quality telescope
- 15 km of trails
- Diversity of habitats in the area (tropical hill forest, pristine Rain forest, secondary forest
- Transfer to/from the bus station or airport
- Transport to/from Sadiri Lodge
- Private cabin with a private bathroom with hot water
- Electricity 24hrs
- Internet access in the dining area
- Snacks and bottled water during the trip, and your stay
- Excursions by car (from 4D/3N onwards)
Many-spotted Hummingbird
What makes your lodge special?
Nestled within Madidi National Park, one of the world’s most biodiverse regions (https://national-parks.org/bolivia/madidi), Sadiri Lodge offers a unique blend of comfort and immersion in nature. The lodge features six well-equipped cabins, thoughtfully designed to provide a cozy retreat surrounded by the pristine beauty of foothill forests. Situated at an elevation of 900 meters above sea level, it enjoys a pleasant climate with fewer mosquitoes. The diverse ecological zones create a rich environment for biodiversity, making it home to a wide array of insects, amphibians, mammals, and over 500 bird species – out of the 1,000 bird species recorded in the expansive Madidi National Park (https://ebird.org/home).
This remarkable setting is a haven not only for birdwatchers but also for those passionate about natural history. Visitors can explore a wide array of flora and fauna, from towering trees and vibrant plant life to a variety of birds, butterflies, snakes, monkeys, and amphibians. The diverse ecosystems surrounding the lodge provide endless opportunities for discovery, making it the perfect destination for adventurers and nature lovers alike.
Situated within the San José de Uchupiamonas Indigenous Territory, this location not only boasts an incredible wealth of biodiversity but also offers a deep connection to the rich local cultures and traditions.
Swallow-tailed Kite
What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?
- Bolivian Recurvebill
- Subtropical Pygmy-Owl
- Sharpbill
- Yungas Tyrannulet
- Rose-fronted Parakeet
- Military Macaw
- Paradise Tanager
- Opal-rumped Tanager
- Rufous Coquette
- Furthermore, this area is home to a diverse array of Tanagers, as well as five additional species of Macaws.
Paradise Tanager
What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?
The best time to visit Sadiri Lodge is between June and November, when bird activity in the area is at its peak. During the rainy season, from late November to April, when bird reproduction begins, there is an increase in bird song and displays of courtship behavior.
Masked Tanager
Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.
The essence of the Sadiri Lodge Project is conservation. It is a successful medium and long-term project that has been protecting this area and preserving the Indigenous territory of San José de Uchupiamonas and Madidi Park since 2009, when it was proposed as a specialized ecotourism project focused on birdwatching, offering a sustainable alternative to a proposed timber exploitation project. The lodge helps protect 31,000 hectares of pristine forest within the San José de Uchupiamonas Indigenous Territory and the globally renowned Madidi National Park, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. To date, this project has been protecting this area from deforestation for more than 15 years.
Blue-and-yellow Macaw
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?
It is possible to combine a Rainforest visit to Sadiri Lodge with similar lodges in Bolivian Savanna, Dry Andean, and moist cloud forest habitat.
Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet
What to bring to Sadiri Lodge?
- Trekking shoes or comfortable sports shoes
- Long-sleeved pants and sweatshirts
- Mosquito repellent (preferably cream)
- Cap or hat
- Sunscreen
- Warm light jacket for rain and cold weather
- Flashlight
- Refillable water bottle
Long-winged Harrier
Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.
Activities for non-birders include:
- Trekking Activities: With approximately 15 km (9 miles) of well-maintained roads and trails, Sadiri Lodge offers an ideal setting for walking and hiking enthusiasts. Due to the area’s mountainous terrain, some trails are steep but carefully designed to showcase the beauty of the pristine, untouched forest. For those seeking a more leisurely experience, there are also easier trails in the lower areas of the lodge, providing a gentler way to explore the surrounding nature.
- Explore Natural History: At Sadiri Lodge, you’ll immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of biodiversity, including diverse species of trees, plants, birds, butterflies, snakes, and amphibians. The area is also home to six distinct species of monkeys, including the locally endemic “Lucachi” (Callicebus olallae), along with an incredible array of insects, making it a paradise for natural history enthusiasts.
- Visit Local Water Springs: The nearby water springs offer a mystical experience, allowing you to connect with the jungle while enjoying breathtaking landscapes and tranquil surroundings.
- Engage with the Uchupiamona Indigenous Community: Take the opportunity to exchange knowledge and cultural experiences with the Uchupiamona Indigenous People and local guides, gaining unique insights into their traditions, history, and the natural environment.
Red-and-green Macaw
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?
- E-Mail: sadirilodge@gmail.com
- Cellphones with WhatsApp: +591 64256455; +591 71622567
- www.sadirilodge.com
- FB: Sadiri Lodge
- Instagram: Sadiri Lodge
Red-necked Woodpecker
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?
We are part of a network of lodges that feature Madidi-Pampas destinations within the Madidi National Park, with Rurrenabaque serving as the nearest town. Additionally, we are affiliated with the Blue-throated Macaw and Red-fronted Macaw Reserves, both part of the National Conservation Lodges network, dedicated to preserving the region’s rich biodiversity.
What sets us apart from other lodges is our commitment to providing private and personalized programs, tailored to your specific interests and schedule. At Sadiri Lodge, we exclusively offer the following programs:
- Program Escape 2 Days / 1 Night
- Program Sambu 3 Days / 2 Nights
- Program Pachamama 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Program S´adiri 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Program Yariapu 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Program S´adiri – Pampas 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Program S´adiri – San José de Uchupiamona 5 Days – 4 Nights
We also sell Custom Sadiri – Madidi Tours that combine stays in other lodges of the Uchupiamona Territory. For additional tours and activities, such as combined packages, hiking activities, etc., please contact us.
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