The Place
Najempaim Playa
Najempaim Playa is a small Amazonian property located in the Shuar community of Najempaim – Shimpis, in the canton of Logroño, province of Morona Santiago, Ecuador.
The land extends between the Upano River and the Najembaimi River, a mountain stream that descends from the Kutukú mountain range and flows into the Upano just a few meters from the property.
Between the Upano River and the Najembaimi River
The property covers approximately two hectares and has an elongated shape of about 400 meters in length between both watercourses.
On one side it borders the Upano River, one of the main rivers of the Ecuadorian Amazon region. On the other, the Najembaimi River, a permanent mountain stream that descends from the Kutukú mountains, forming small natural canyons before reaching the valley.
This configuration creates a small natural corridor between the mountains and the river.
A diverse landscape in a small area
Within just two hectares, several natural environments can be found:
regenerating Amazon rainforest
riverside vegetation along the Upano River
wet areas associated with the stream
a black sand beach near the mouth of the Najembaimi River.
The combination of water, terrain and vegetation creates a landscape that is very characteristic of this part of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
The Kutukú Mountain Range
The Najembaimi River descends from the Kutukú mountain range, a chain of mountains covered by tropical rainforest that forms part of the Kutukú-Shaimi Protected Forest.
The proximity to this protected area means that the surroundings of Najempaim Playa continuously receive seeds, wildlife and natural dynamics characteristic of the Amazon rainforest.