The Amazon rainforest is a bucket-list destination for wildlife enthusiasts worldwide. Recently, La Selva Eco-Lodge had the pleasure of hosting the content creator and avian specialist known as That Quirky Bird Girl. Her journey from Quito to Coca, and then down the Napo River, resulted in an incredibly honest, heartwarming, and quirky review of her time with us. For anyone planning a trip focused on bird watching in the Ecuadorian Amazon, her insights offer the perfect look at what makes our lodge so unique.
From the moment guests arrive, the connection with nature is immediate. In her written article, A Quirky Review of La Selva, she described how her room featured a beautiful balcony where she could overlook silly Black Vulture behavior during the day and read alongside frogs at night. It is this constant proximity to wildlife that makes bird watching in the Ecuadorian Amazon such an immersive experience, where even your rest hours are filled with nature.
Shared Connections and Lifelong Memories
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Amazon experience is the community that forms within the jungle. The creator shared how she deeply bonded with her tour group—including an inspiring family of six whose teenagers made significant efforts to appreciate the environment. In fact, she joked about seeing Anhingas all over the lodge, so she even covered the kids’ faces with Anhingas in her blog photos!
For travelers dedicated to bird watching in the Ecuadorian Amazon, these shared moments in communal spaces become just as memorable as the wildlife sightings themselves.
Watch the Experience: La Selva Vlog on YouTube
If you want to see the journey in motion, the visual adventure is fully live. You can watch her complete rainforest expedition and check out the stunning video version on her YouTube Channel.
The video perfectly captures the dynamic, fast-paced energy of the excursions. As she notes, a trip focused on bird watching in the Ecuadorian Amazon is beautifully intense and “go-go-go,” starting with early morning wake-up calls to catch the birds at their peak.
Her golden rules for the jungle? Be on time and bring plenty of insect repellent! In her own words: “The more you show up, the more you see—and there is so much to see.” The vlog showcases the rewarding visual payoffs of staying present, curious, and going “all in” during every canoe and trail departure.
100% Safe Gluten-Free Dining in the Deep Jungle
Traveling to remote locations with strict dietary restrictions can be stressful, but La Selva takes guest wellness seriously. The influencer, who manages celiac disease, highly praised our kitchen staff’s ability to accommodate her needs safely, calling the food “surprisingly incredible.”
“There was never any doubt that my food was safe — which was more vital than you can imagine… I was somehow able to completely turn that anxiety off and enjoy the experience.”
Knowing that specialized, safe gluten-free food and desserts are guaranteed—even after a 2-hour boat ride and a 30-minute rowing canoe journey—allows travelers to focus entirely on their goal: enjoying world-class bird watching in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
The Wisdom of Local Guides: Learning from Sixto
Beyond the comfort of the lodge, the true soul of the forest comes alive through our guiding team. The collaboration highlighted the incredible work of Sixto, a local indigenous Kichwa guide whose environmental knowledge blew the group away.
Sixto showed them how a simple piece of grass could be spun into a strong, thin rope. He then squeezed a forest plant that turned his hands bright blue to dye the rope as a keepsake. He explained that the Amazon provides four main colors from its plants: Yellow, Red, White, and Blue. While Sixto spoke in Spanish, a bilingual translator ensured every piece of Kichwa wisdom was seamlessly shared. This deep cultural connection elevates bird watching in the Ecuadorian Amazon from a simple safari into a profound educational journey.
Plan Your Own Quirky Adventure
Are you ready to experience the incredible wildlife, safe luxury, and brilliant indigenous guiding that made this trip so life-changing? The Anhingas, vultures, and hundreds of exotic birds are waiting for you.
Book your wildlife tour at La Selva Eco-Lodge today and experience the absolute best of bird watching in the Ecuadorian Amazon firsthand!