At a Glance
Location: Madre de Dios, Peru
Impact Areas: Sustainable Income, Environmental Conservation, Indigenous Empowerment
People Supported:
Indigenous People, Women
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2024
Overview
Kotsimba Eco Lodge SAC is a community-based ecotourism enterprise founded in 2020 by 14 members of the indigenous Harakbut people in the Kotsimba Native Community. Located in the biodiverse Amazonian region of Madre de Dios, Peru, the lodge offers immersive nature and cultural tourism experiences, from full-day tours to extended packages with overnight stays.
Tour group activities include kayaking, visits to waterfalls, off-road excursions, birdwatching, and hikes. A key part of Kotsimba’s ecotourism offerings is the integration of Harakbut traditions, woven into the tours, storytelling, and culinary experiences. Kotsimba Lodge hosts over 14,000 visitors during its peak seasons each year.
The name “Kotsimba” comes from the Harakbut language, where “KOTSI” means aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa palm), and “YMBA” means place—referring to the palm-rich floodplains and forests that surround the lodge. The lodge supports the 51 families in the Kotsimba community, representing around 300 people, by generating direct and indirect employment opportunities and purchasing food supplies from Indigenous women suppliers.
Kotsimba Eco Lodge is adjacent to two major national reserves – Tambopata and Bahuaja-Sonene – and the community protects 11,782 hectares of forest that are designated as private conservation area.
Results & Impact
66%
of staff members are Indigenous
55%
of staff members are women
11,782
hectares of forest sustainably managed
“Our impact lies in creating an economy for Kotsimba while preserving its forests and natural heritage. With support from NESsT, we’ve established our lodge and launched an initiative to connect with tour operators who can promote and sell our travel packages across Peru and beyond. NESsT’s investment has also supported us to formalize our business, create safe spaces for tourism services, generate local jobs, and add value to everything we offer.”
NESsT Investment
NESsT is providing Kotsimba Lodge with business and technical assistance to help the organization increase visitors and revenue, meet tourism safety regulations, strengthen financial management, and prepare for future business development.
In collaboration with AIDESEP and IDB, NESsT will support Kotsimba in hiring a commercial manager to lead its marketing and sales efforts while strengthening its digital marketing and promotional activities.
Additionally, NESsT is aiding Kotsimba in improving its infrastructure, implement safety features, and enhance its guest experience and regulatory compliance. Long-term plans also include developing an expansion project that would increase Kotsimba’s daily capacity from 40 to 120 guests.