Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?
Multicolored Tanager (photo by Diego Jaramillo Rebolledo)
What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?
San Felipe Lodge. Birding & Wellness. Operating as a lodge for 2 years, and as a birding spot for 3 years
How best to travel to your lodge?
By Car
Brown Violetear
What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders?
Guided tours, photography blinds, bird feeders, line for blind people.
Purple-throated Woodstar
What makes your lodge special?
We are a Nature Reserve with 330 bird species registered on eBird. We work on forest restoration. To date, we have planted 7,000 trees. We collaborate with local school children, have a line for the blind, and create various types of creative perches.
What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?
- Multicolored Tanager
- Little Tinamu
- Andean Motmot
- Red-headed Barbet
- Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush
- Chestnut Wood-Quail
- Flame-rumped Tanager
- Acorn Woodpecker
- Crimson-rumped Toucanet
- Saffron-crowned Tanager
- Black-winged Saltator
- Blue-winged Mountain Tanager
- Black-capped Tanager
- White-throated Quail-Dove
- Andean Emerald
- Purple-throated Woodstar
- Long-tailed Sylph
- Western Emerald
- Green Honeycreeper
What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?
September, October, November, January, February, March. There isn’t much rain, and there are many birds.
Red-headed Barbet
Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.
We are deeply involved in conservation efforts at the reserve. Our focus is on maintaining and preserving the native infrastructure of the region to ensure its sustainability. We have carried out forest restoration projects and have planted 7,000 trees to help restore and protect the natural ecosystem.
We actively promote social awareness regarding the protection and preservation of the environment, encouraging our community to participate in conservation initiatives. Our work also includes conserving and safeguarding the native flora and fauna of the reserve to preserve its biodiversity. Additionally, we contribute to the creation of local employment by fostering formal jobs that include training and skill development. Through these efforts, we aim to protect the natural heritage of the region while supporting the well-being of the local community.
Sickle-winged Guan
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?
San Felipe is located between 1,800 and 2,000 meters above sea level. The climate ranges from 16 to 20 degrees Celsius. The weather is variable but generally very pleasant. The terrain is not flat; it features gentle hills. It is recommended to bring sturdy, non-slip footwear, waterproof clothing, preferably a waterproof jacket with a hood, a hat, a lightweight sweater, and a lot of enthusiasm to have a great time.
Golden Tanager
Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.
We can offer, provided that reservations are made in advance, yoga or meditation classes for a minimum of 4 people, Tibetan bowls sessions for at least 4 people, relaxing massages for a minimum of 3 people, and meditation walks for 4 people. All activities must be reserved at least 15 days in advance to allow us to organize them properly, as these are external participants who are not part of the reserve.
Steely-vented Hummingbird
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?
By reservas.sanfelipe18@gmail.com or Whatsapp +57 324 560 2406
Black-capped Tanager
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?
We can’t wait to see you soon in San Felipe! Experience the beauty of birds in a natural reserve, surrounded by their songs and colors, in a cozy and comfortable cabin. Our delicious food awaits you, and we’ll be thrilled to have you with us. As they say… the only risk is that you’ll want to stay!
Orange-billed Nightingale-thrush (photo by Diego Jaramillo Rebolledo)
All bird photos by Carlos Canas unless mentioned otherwise
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