How to plan a trip to Uakari Lodge: a complete guide
Plan your trip to Uakari Lodge: flights to Tefé, check-in dates, 3, 4 or 7-night packages, reservations and what to pack for the Mamirauá Reserve.
Planning a trip to Uakari Lodge requires attention to a few details, especially since access to the accommodation depends on flights with specific schedules and river transfers. The first step is to choose between the 3, 4 or 7-night packages and check the available dates. Once your reservation is confirmed and you have received all the necessary information from the sales team, you can arrange your tickets to Tefé, in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. This is where the speedboat departs, taking visitors to the lodge, located in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve.
What is Uakari Lodge?
Uakari Lodge is a floating ecotourism accommodation located in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. It is jointly managed by the Mamirauá Institute and local riverside communities, whose members also take part directly in the lodge's activities and operations.
The experience combines accommodation in the Amazon rainforest with wildlife observation, river excursions, opportunities to learn about research initiatives and visits to local communities. This community-based tourism model also contributes to income generation and encourages local participation in the conservation of the reserve.
In this guide, you will find the main information you need to organize your trip, from transportation and accommodation dates to what to pack and how to prepare for your stay.
Where is Uakari Lodge and what is the accommodation like?
Uakari Lodge is located in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, in the state of Amazonas. The accommodation is jointly managed by the Mamirauá Institute and the reserve's riverside communities. Local participation is also reflected in the lodge's daily operations: more than 90% of the team consists of local residents, who work as supervisors, guides, boat operators, cooks and in other roles.
The lodge has 10 suites distributed across five floating bungalows, designed to adapt to the characteristics of the surrounding environment. All accommodations have private bathrooms, mosquito nets over the beds, natural ventilation and 110V electrical outlets. The lodge uses solar energy.
Wi-Fi is included in the packages, but the connection is provided via satellite and may be unstable, especially on rainy days. There is also no mobile phone signal in the region. To ensure communication in emergencies, Uakari Lodge maintains a radio system connected to its office in Tefé and to the Mamirauá Institute's research stations within the reserve.
How to get to Uakari Lodge
The starting point for reaching Uakari Lodge is Tefé, a town in the interior of Amazonas and the main gateway to the Mamirauá Reserve. There are three ways to get there:
By plane: Azul Airlines operates regular flights between Manaus and Tefé, with an average flight time of 1 hour and 10 minutes. Travelers departing from other cities should consider connecting flights in the capital of Amazonas.
By regional riverboat: Also known as a barco de recreio, this type of boat transports both passengers and cargo, with accommodation options including hammocks and private cabins. The journey between Manaus and Tefé takes approximately 36 to 48 hours, depending on river conditions and the direction of travel.
By speedboat: Designed for passenger transportation, speedboats cover the route between Manaus and Tefé in approximately 15 hours.
River transportation schedules and departure times depend on each navigation company. Therefore, make sure to confirm the information before purchasing your ticket and plan your arrival in Tefé according to the lodge's accommodation calendar. Since flights are not available every day either, check the lodge's availability and confirm your reservation before purchasing your tickets.
Airport reception and transfers in Tefé
The Uakari Lodge team welcomes guests at the airport or, for those arriving in town in advance, at their accommodation in Tefé. From there, the team arranges transportation to the port, where a speedboat takes guests along the Solimões River for approximately one and a half hours until they reach the floating lodge.
To help organize your transportation, provide your flight details or river arrival information when making your reservation. This allows the team to monitor your journey and adjust the transfer arrangements in case of changes or delays.
Air or river tickets to Tefé are the guest's responsibility. Transfers between the town and the lodge, both on arrival and departure, are included in the packages, provided they take place on the scheduled check-in and check-out days.
What are the check-in and check-out dates?
Uakari Lodge operates with fixed arrival and departure dates, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Accommodation packages follow this schedule:
3 nights: Check-in on Saturday and check-out on Tuesday.
4 nights: Check-in on Tuesday and check-out on Saturday.
7 nights: Check-in on Tuesday and check-out the following Tuesday, or from Saturday to Saturday.
It is important to consider these dates before purchasing your tickets, as flight schedules must match the lodge's expected arrival and departure times.
Guests who wish to arrive or depart on another day of the week can contact the team to ask about the possibility of arranging a private transfer. In this case, transportation between Tefé and the lodge is no longer included in the package and will incur an additional cost.
Which package should you choose: 3, 4 or 7 nights?
The length of your stay influences the number of activities you can take part in and the time available to experience the Mamirauá Reserve. All three packages include opportunities to connect with the rainforest, observe wildlife and interact with riverside communities.
Activities include:
An introductory presentation about the lodge and the Mamirauá Reserve.
A visit to a riverside community.
A traditional canoe trip.
A meeting with researchers.
A sunset boat trip on Lake Mamirauá, followed by a nighttime wildlife-spotting excursion.
A boat trip or forest trail to observe local wildlife and plant life.
The 4 and 7-night packages include additional activities, such as traditional piranha fishing or river dolphin watching, as well as a nighttime excursion.
The 7-night package also offers other experiences, such as setting up camera traps to monitor wildlife, a sunrise excursion, a full day in a local community and a sunset boat trip on the Japurá River.
The Casinha da Mata experience can be added as an extra to the 3 and 4-night packages, but it is already included in the 7-night package.
Your choice depends on how much time you have available and your interest in taking part in different activities. Travelers with fewer days can opt for the 3-night package, while longer stays allow you to spread the experiences throughout your trip and learn about other initiatives developed within the reserve.
How to make a reservation at Uakari Lodge
Reservations begin with the form available on the official Uakari Lodge website. After you submit your information, the sales team checks the availability of your preferred dates and provides guidance on the next steps to confirm your stay.
The lodge has only 10 suites, so we recommend starting your planning at least two months in advance. This also gives you enough time to arrange flights to Tefé according to the check-in and check-out schedule.
The complete rate list, including prices for the different packages, is also available on the reservations page.
Packages include:
Accommodation in the floating bungalows.
All meals throughout your stay.
Guided activities included in the selected package.
Round-trip transfers between Tefé and the lodge on regular check-in and check-out days.
Tickets to Tefé are not included and must be purchased separately.
What should you pack for your trip?
Packing requires some attention because the journey to Uakari Lodge includes a speedboat transfer. The recommended luggage limit for this section of the trip is 15 kg per person. If your luggage exceeds this weight, additional items can be stored at the lodge's office in Tefé.
To make the most of the outdoor activities, we recommend bringing:
Binoculars for birdwatching and observing other wildlife.
A raincoat.
Sunscreen and insect repellent.
Sunglasses.
A hat or cap.
A waterproof bag to protect your personal belongings.
Lightweight trousers and long-sleeved shirts.
A sweater or jacket for windy and rainy conditions.
The lodge provides rubber boots at no additional cost whenever needed. Even so, we recommend choosing comfortable clothing suitable for walking, boat trips and activities in the rainforest.
Health precautions before traveling to the Amazon
The yellow fever vaccine is recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health for travelers visiting areas where the virus circulates, such as the Amazon region. The recommendation is to get vaccinated at least ten days before traveling, following the guidelines applicable to each individual.
It is also important to bring enough of any regular medication you take to last throughout your stay, considering the distance between the lodge and healthcare services in town.
Who can stay at Uakari Lodge?
Uakari Lodge welcomes couples, solo travelers, groups of friends and families with children over the age of 10. Activities range from light to moderate intensity and do not require any specific level of physical fitness.
Even so, we recommend informing the team in advance about any specific mobility requirements or needs related to participating in activities, so that arrangements and guidance can be discussed before your arrival.
Plan your trip to Uakari Lodge
Visiting Uakari Lodge involves organizing your journey to a floating accommodation in the Mamirauá Reserve and taking part in experiences led by professionals who live and work in the region.
With your dates confirmed, tickets arranged and luggage ready, you can make the most of your stay by discovering the rainforest, observing wildlife and learning about community-based tourism initiatives developed by riverside communities.
To check available dates, explore package prices and organize your stay, visit the official Uakari Lodge website and make your reservation.
Follow Uakari Lodge on Instagram to see more moments from experiences in the Mamirauá Reserve and get the latest updates about the accommodation.
