Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Quito, Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador, Quito, Activity-Based Travel Pages, Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks

Top Wildlife Safaris & National Parks in Quito, Ecuador

1. Yasuni National Park

A vast tropical rainforest teeming with biodiversity, home to the elusive jaguar and several primate species.
  • Biodiversity Hotspot: Contains a remarkable variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
  • Indigenous Communities: Home to indigenous tribes like the Yasuní people, offering unique cultural experiences.
  • Climate Change Research Center: Hosts the Amazonian Climate and Biodiversity Research Institute, aiding in global conservation efforts.

2. Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve

A remote rainforest reserve with diverse wildlife, including anacondas, pink river dolphins, and caimans.
  • River Navigation: Accessible by navigable rivers, offering a unique way to explore the Amazonian wilderness.
  • Lake System: Home to several lakes and lake systems, providing opportunities for boat tours and wildlife spotting.
  • Indigenous Guides: Guided by local indigenous guides who share their knowledge of the forest and its inhabitants.

3. El Ángel Ecological Reserve

A high-altitude cloud forest sanctuary for Andean condors, spectacled bears, and toucans.
  • High Altitude: Located at a higher altitude than other rainforest reserves, offering a different ecosystem to explore.
  • Cloud Forest: A unique type of forest characterized by its frequent cloud cover and high levels of precipitation.
  • Conservation Efforts: Dedicated to the conservation of endangered species like the Andean condor and spectacled bear.

4. Pululahara Reserve

A refuge for Andean bears, tapirs, and hundreds of bird species in a pristine high-altitude ecosystem.
  • Endangered Species: Home to several endangered species, such as the Andean bear and mountain tapir.
  • Community-Based Tourism: Promotes community-based tourism, offering visitors a chance to engage with local cultures.
  • Cloud Forest and Paramo: Offers opportunities to explore both cloud forest and paramo ecosystems within the same reserve.

5. Machalilla National Park

A coastal national park rich in marine biodiversity, featuring sea turtles, humpback whales, and a variety of bird species.
  • Marine Biodiversity: Home to diverse marine life, including sea turtles and humpback whales.
  • Beach Activities: Offers beach activities like swimming, snorkeling, and surfing for visitors.
  • Archaeological Sites: Home to several archaeological sites showcasing pre-Columbian cultures.

6. Galápagos National Park

World-famous archipelago with unique wildlife such as giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas.
  • World Heritage Site: A UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its unique and diverse wildlife.
  • Evolutionary Research: Played a significant role in the development of evolutionary theory by Charles Darwin.
  • Snorkeling and Diving Opportunities: Offers world-class snorkeling and diving opportunities to explore its rich marine life.

7. Refugio de Vida Silvestre Chillo

A sanctuary for blue-footed boobies and other seabirds on the island of San Cristóbal in the Galápagos.
  • Seabird Colonies: Home to several seabird colonies, particularly blue-footed boobies.
  • Nesting Sites: Offers opportunities to observe seabirds nesting and raising their chicks.
  • Guided Tours: Provides guided tours to ensure minimal disturbance to the wildlife and educational experiences for visitors.

8. Reserva Ecológica Los Bancos

A wetland reserve protecting migratory birds and other water-loving wildlife along the Esmeraldas River.
  • Migratory Birds: Serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds during their annual migrations.
  • Community-Based Tourism: Promotes community-based tourism, offering visitors a chance to engage with local cultures.
  • Wildlife Observation Blinds: Equipped with wildlife observation blinds for minimal disturbance to the animals.

9. Reserva Ecológica Manglares Churuco

A mangrove forest reserve home to a variety of bird and fish species along the Esmeraldas River.
  • Mangrove Ecosystem: Protects a unique and critical mangrove ecosystem teeming with wildlife.
  • Wildlife Observation Tower: Features a wildlife observation tower for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
  • Community-Based Tourism: Promotes community-based tourism, offering visitors a chance to engage with local cultures.

10. Reserva Ecológica Los Tunches

A coastal reserve protecting nesting sites for olive ridley sea turtles and other marine wildlife.
  • Sea Turtle Nesting: Offers opportunities to observe olive ridley sea turtles during their nesting season.
  • Community-Based Tourism: Promotes community-based tourism, offering visitors a chance to engage with local cultures.
  • Conservation Efforts: Supports conservation efforts for olive ridley sea turtles and other marine wildlife.

11. Reserva Ecológica El Mangle

A protected wetland and mangrove forest along the Chone River, home to a variety of bird species.
  • Migratory Birds: Serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds during their annual migrations.
  • Community-Based Tourism: Promotes community-based tourism, offering visitors a chance to engage with local cultures.
  • Wildlife Observation Tower: Features a wildlife observation tower for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.

12. Refugio de Vida Silvestre Garganta de las Aves

A bird sanctuary in the Andean foothills, home to several endemic species like the Andean condor and the golden-plumed parakeet.
  • Endemic Species: Home to several endemic bird species found only in Ecuador.
  • High-Altitude Ecosystem: Located in a high-altitude ecosystem, providing opportunities to explore this unique environment.
  • Guided Tours: Provides guided tours for birdwatching and wildlife spotting experiences.

13. Reserva Ecológica Intag

A high-altitude cloud forest reserve protecting endemic species like the Andean cock-of-the-rock and spectacled bear.
  • Endemic Species: Home to several endemic species found only in Ecuador.
  • High-Altitude Ecosystem: Located in a high-altitude ecosystem, providing opportunities to explore this unique environment.
  • Community-Based Tourism: Promotes community-based tourism, offering visitors a chance to engage with local cultures.

14. Reserva Ecológica Las Tablas

A coastal wetland reserve protecting mangrove forests, salt marshes, and several bird species.
  • Migratory Birds: Serves as a critical stopover for migratory birds during their annual migrations.
  • Community-Based Tourism: Promotes community-based tourism, offering visitors a chance to engage with local cultures.
  • Wildlife Observation Tower: Features a wildlife observation tower for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.

15. Reserva Ecológica El Triunfo

A coastal mangrove forest reserve protecting nesting sites for olive ridley sea turtles and other marine wildlife.
  • Sea Turtle Nesting: Offers opportunities to observe olive ridley sea turtles during their nesting season.
  • Community-Based Tourism: Promotes community-based tourism, offering visitors a chance to engage with local cultures.
  • Conservation Efforts: Supports conservation efforts for olive ridley sea turtles and other marine wildlife.