Getting in to the Jungle 3D/2N-At Tapiri Rio Negro Lodge

The lodge has internet, yet for 3 days and 2 nights, I was off line. We had functioning air conditioning. I felt transported into a different time. On the way to the lodge saw the meeting of the waters in the rain, saw pink dolphins, small fresh river dolphins. Saw how locals used to live, saw lots of birds. Then fished for piranhas. Harder than it looks, great sunsets and Sun rises. 3D/2N is the perfect amount of time to get lost in the Jungle.

The lodge family, staff and guides at Tapiri are great, really nice folks. The cabins are fine 4mtr x 4 mtr rooms with bathroom attached, and an air conditioner. Kind of 2 star furnishings, sheets, etc, but it is a jungle setting. If you are new to jungles, this is a fine start to your learning experience. The best experience here is swimming with the pink dolphins - fantastic! Having said that, the Rio Negro in October has probably 1/3 the animals and birds and 1/5th the fish varieties that occur downstream of Manaus on the Amazon, because of the pH of the dark water at around 4.5pH - highly acid. If you want to come to Rio Negro you should probably come at the end of June after the rainy season while the wildlife is still around before the water is retreating and getting more acid. Or, as we did, went to the Amazon area below Manaus after (or instead of) where the wildlife is still abundant all the time. Just my suggestion. Again, some really nice people here, and in the villages, etc... but compared to downstream of Manaus, not the best for wildlife including lack of birds which need fish to feed on.

Me and my friend were literally the only tourists in the area, the lodge is in a small native community with electricity. Very unique experience exploring the forest and river. Bring insect repellent, do not believe the locals when they say there is no malaria in Rio Negro (in fact Rio Negro waters are more likely to carry malaria).