Bosque Protector Los Cedros

A privately managed reserve protecting one of the most biodiverse cloud forests in the world, Los Cedros is a haven for rare and endemic species. It's a...

Bosque Protector Los Cedros at a Glance

Location
Northern Andes & Cloud Forests, Ecuador, Central & South America
Coordinates
0.321933, -78.793160
Crowds
Quiet
Malaria Risk
Moderate

Getting to Bosque Protector Los Cedros

Nearest airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Jumandy (TNW), 204 km away.

Nearest international airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Alfonso Bonilla Aragón (CLO), 447 km away.

Weather & Climate in Bosque Protector Los Cedros

The warmest temperatures in Bosque Protector Los Cedros occur in May, averaging 17.0°C (up to 19.7°C). The coolest conditions are in December at 16.0°C.

The driest weather conditions are typically in August with average rainfall of 465.5mm. Average humidity: 90.7%.

Monthly Temperatures

  • January: 16.2°C (rainfall: 1021.9mm)
  • February: 16.4°C (rainfall: 880.6mm)
  • March: 16.6°C (rainfall: 973.1mm)
  • April: 16.8°C (rainfall: 1100.2mm)
  • May: 17.0°C (rainfall: 841.2mm)
  • June: 16.4°C (rainfall: 614.3mm)
  • July: 16.4°C (rainfall: 495.0mm)
  • August: 16.2°C (rainfall: 465.5mm)
  • September: 16.2°C (rainfall: 478.7mm)
  • October: 16.4°C (rainfall: 623.1mm)
  • November: 16.0°C (rainfall: 561.0mm)
  • December: 16.0°C (rainfall: 1054.9mm)

Best Time to Visit Bosque Protector Los Cedros

The best months to visit Bosque Protector Los Cedros are January, February, March, based on temperature, rainfall, weather conditions, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Month-by-Month Safari Conditions

  • January: Poor, temperature 16.22°C, rainfall 1021.9mm, sunshine 5.6 hrs, humidity 92.8%
  • February: Poor, temperature 16.44°C, rainfall 880.6mm, sunshine 5.7 hrs, humidity 93.1%
  • March: Poor, temperature 16.56°C, rainfall 973.1mm, sunshine 6.4 hrs, humidity 91.5%
  • April: Poor, temperature 16.83°C, rainfall 1100.2mm, sunshine 6.4 hrs, humidity 91%
  • May: Poor, temperature 17.02°C, rainfall 841.2mm, sunshine 6.4 hrs, humidity 91.5%
  • June: Poor, temperature 16.45°C, rainfall 614.3mm, sunshine 7 hrs, humidity 90.9%
  • July: Poor, temperature 16.38°C, rainfall 495mm, sunshine 7.8 hrs, humidity 90.3%
  • August: Poor, temperature 16.17°C, rainfall 465.5mm, sunshine 7.5 hrs, humidity 90.7%
  • September: Poor, temperature 16.23°C, rainfall 478.7mm, sunshine 6.8 hrs, humidity 91.9%
  • October: Poor, temperature 16.36°C, rainfall 623.1mm, sunshine 6.5 hrs, humidity 91.9%
  • November: Poor, temperature 16.01°C, rainfall 561mm, sunshine 6.9 hrs, humidity 90.7%
  • December: Poor, temperature 15.96°C, rainfall 1054.9mm, sunshine 4.9 hrs, humidity 93.8%

Wildlife in Bosque Protector Los Cedros

Home to 27 recorded species including 11 tropical birds, 9 iconic birds, 6 birds of prey, 1 predators.

Recommended Packing List for Bosque Protector Los Cedros

Based on average temperature of 16.4°C, typical conditions, humidity 92%.

  • Layered clothing - recommended for 16°C temperatures
  • Fleece or warm jacket - essential for cool mornings and evenings
  • Binoculars - essential for every game drive
  • Sun hat & sunscreen - protection from the African sun
  • Sturdy walking shoes - for bush walks and uneven terrain
  • Neutral-coloured clothing - khaki, olive, and tan blend with the bush
  • Insect repellent - essential in most safari regions
  • First aid kit - basic medical supplies for remote areas
  • Torch / headlamp - useful for evenings at camp
  • Camera with telephoto lens - capture your safari memories

Notable Species

Safari Lodges in Bosque Protector Los Cedros

9 safari lodges available.

Other

Similar Parks in Northern Andes & Cloud Forests

Visitor Tips - Bosque Protector Los Cedros

Los Cedros is a true gem, a living laboratory of biodiversity where the cloud forest hums with life. We love the profound sense of immersion you get here, feeling truly connected to one of the planet's most vital and threatened ecosystems. It's a place where every rustle in the leaves could be a rare bird or a curious monkey, offering an unparalleled experience for the dedicated nature enthusiast.

Gate Times

We recommend arranging your visit well in advance, as Bosque Protector Los Cedros is a private reserve and access is strictly controlled. There are no fixed 'gate times' in the traditional sense; entry is coordinated with the reserve staff upon arrival, typically requiring a pre-booked stay or guided tour. Permits are essential and usually handled as part of your booking.

Tipping

Tipping is customary and greatly appreciated by the dedicated staff at Los Cedros. For your main guide, we suggest around $10-15 per person per day. For general lodge staff, including cooks and porters, a communal tip of $5-10 per person per day, placed in a designated box or given to the manager, is appropriate. Always tip in US dollars, the local currency.

Health & Travel Info

Health & vaccination info for Ecuador

Travel advisory for Ecuador

Bosque Protector Los Cedros FAQs

When is the optimal time to visit Bosque Protector Los Cedros for wildlife viewing, and what specific gear should I pack for its unique cloud forest climate?

While Los Cedros is accessible year-round, the drier months from June to November generally offer more comfortable hiking conditions and potentially clearer skies for birdwatching. Expect frequent rain and mist regardless of the season, so waterproof clothing, sturdy hiking boots, and insect repellent are essential.

Beyond the well-known spectacled bears and jaguars, what unique and endemic wildlife can I realistically expect to encounter during a visit to Los Cedros?

While sightings of large mammals are rare and require patience, Los Cedros is renowned for its incredible diversity of orchids, amphibians, and over 300 bird species, including the critically endangered Long-wattled Umbrellabird. Guided walks often focus on discovering unique insects, reptiles, and smaller primates like the critically endangered Ecuadorian White-fronted Capuchin.

What kind of visitor experience and accommodation should I anticipate at Bosque Protector Los Cedros, given its focus as a research and conservation reserve?

Guests typically stay in rustic, comfortable lodges designed to blend with the natural environment, offering a genuine immersion into the cloud forest. Activities center around guided hikes, birdwatching, night walks to observe nocturnal creatures, and learning about ongoing conservation projects.

How challenging is the journey to reach Bosque Protector Los Cedros, and what are the typical logistics for travelers arriving from major Ecuadorian cities?

Reaching Los Cedros involves a significant journey, often requiring a 4x4 vehicle from the nearest town, followed by a hike or mule ride into the reserve itself, making it an adventure in itself. Most visitors arrange transport directly with the reserve or through specialized tour operators from Quito or Mindo.

How does my visit directly support the conservation efforts at Bosque Protector Los Cedros, and are there opportunities to engage with its scientific research?

Your visitor fees directly fund the reserve's critical conservation work, including habitat protection, anti-poaching patrols, and scientific research on its unique biodiversity. While not formal volunteer programs, guests often have opportunities to learn from resident researchers and contribute to citizen science initiatives like bird counts or amphibian monitoring.

Recommended Books

  • The Handbook of Bird Photography by Markus Varesvuo, Jari Peltomäki & Bence Máté - Excellent for birding photographers on safari - covers technique, equipment, fieldcraft, and post-processing with stunning example images.
  • Photographing Wildlife in Africa by Paolo Torchio - Practical guide specifically for African safari photography - camera settings, lens choices, composition techniques, and how to make the most of game drives.
  • Fodor's The Complete Guide to African Safaris by Fodor's Travel - Country-by-country planning guide with lodge reviews, practical logistics, packing lists, and insider tips. Often cited as the best all-in-one safari planning resource.
  • National Geographic Kids: Safari by National Geographic - Age-appropriate wildlife facts with stunning photographs. Great for getting children excited about the animals they'll see on safari.
  • The Last Elephants by Don Pinnock & Colin Bell - Conservation-focused book combining beautiful photography with urgent storytelling about the threats facing Africa's elephant populations.
  • Here Is the African Savanna by Madeleine Dunphy - Beautifully illustrated picture book about the savanna ecosystem. Teaches children about the interconnected web of life on an African plain.
  • Safari: A Photographic Journey by Art Wolfe - Large-format coffee-table book from one of the world's most celebrated nature photographers. Stunning images from across the African continent.
  • The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals by Jonathan Kingdon - The definitive mammal field guide for Africa covering over 1,150 species with detailed illustrations. Considered the gold standard for safari-goers and researchers alike.
  • The Behavior Guide to African Mammals by Richard Despard Estes - Goes beyond identification to explain why animals behave as they do. Essential reading for safari-goers who want to understand the wildlife they observe.
  • Remembering Lions by Various Photographers - Part of the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife conservation book series. Features contributions from world-class wildlife photographers, with proceeds supporting lion conservation.
  • African Animals ABC by Stella Blackstone & Petr Horacek - Simple alphabet book with bold, colourful animal illustrations. Perfect for toddlers and young children preparing for their first safari. Ages 2–5.
  • Beat About the Bush: Mammals by Trevor Carnaby - The single best book for understanding animal behaviour on safari. Explains why animals do what they do - feeding, mating, territory, predator-prey dynamics. Makes every game drive infinitely more rewarding.
  • Africa's Top Wildlife Countries by Mark W. Nolting - The most respected safari planning book in print. Detailed country-by-country guide covering parks, lodges, best times to visit, and what wildlife to expect. Updated regularly. The first book every safari planner should read.
  • The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals by Richard D. Estes - Part field guide, part planning tool. Explains mammal behaviour in a way that transforms game drives. Covers tracks, signs, social structures, and habitat preferences. A must-pack for serious safari-goers.
  • The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski - Widely considered the greatest book ever written about Africa. Kapuscinski spent 40 years reporting from across the continent. Vivid, poetic, and deeply insightful. Essential pre-safari reading for understanding the continent.
  • Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke - The extraordinary true story of James Howard Williams and the elephants who helped him build bridges, extract teak, and ultimately rescue refugees across the Burmese jungle during WWII. Gripping and moving.
  • When the Last Lion Roars by Sara Evans - An urgent, accessible account of the African lion's decline from 200,000 to under 20,000 in a century. Covers the science, politics, and human stories behind lion conservation. Eye-opening pre-safari reading.
  • Ivory, Horn and Blood by Ronald Orenstein - The definitive book on the poaching crisis devastating African elephants and rhinos. Covers the criminal networks, the rangers fighting back, and what travellers can do. Important context for any safari visitor.
  • Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams & Mark Carwardine - Witty and heartbreaking tour of endangered species by the Hitchhiker's Guide author. Combines humour with urgent conservation messaging.
  • Owen and Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff & Paula Kahumbu - True story of an orphaned hippo befriending a 130-year-old tortoise in Kenya. A heartwarming tale of unlikely friendship that teaches empathy.
  • Remembering Elephants by Various Photographers - Stunning coffee-table book from the Remembering Wildlife series. All proceeds go to elephant conservation - beautiful photography with a purpose.
  • Whatever You Do, Don't Run by Peter Allison - Hilarious memoir from a Botswana safari guide - true stories from the bush that will have you laughing out loud. A favourite among safari enthusiasts.
  • Poached by Rachel Love Nuwer - Gripping investigation into the illegal wildlife trade - from African poaching networks to Asian markets. Essential reading for understanding the threats to safari wildlife.
  • Safari Nation by Jacob S. T. Dlamini - Fascinating history of South Africa's national parks and their complex colonial legacy. Academic but accessible - changes how you think about safari tourism.
  • Safari: A Photicular Book by Dan Kainen & Carol Kaufmann - Mesmerising book with moving photographic images of African animals. Kids and adults love the magical moving pictures - perfect pre-trip gift.