Planning a trip to see the world’s tallest waterfall – Angel Falls in Venezuela isn’t exactly straightforward… You can’t just rock up at Canaima and uber your way to the falls. Whilst an independent trip isn’t possible, there are plenty of operators and lodges that can organise a trip for you. If you’re reading this review, chances are you’ve already come across Waku Lodge. It’s probably one of the most well known lodges in the area… Honestly, it was quite a place to visit.

I could not think of a better lodge to visit Angel Falls with. We spent 5 days at Waku Lodge, including an overnight at their base camp. While our booking process got off to a rocky start, once we arrived, our impression quickly changed our minds… So, was it worth the money? Let’s get into the nitty gritty.

Disclaimer: This isn’t a sponsored post. We paid for our stay ourselves, although some links in this article are affiliate links. They don’t cost you anything extra and I earn a small commission if you book through one.

Booking Waku Lodge: What the process was like

Booking Waku Lodge was honestly a little more frustrating than we expected. We first contacted them while comparing different Angel Falls tour packages. Initially, communication was fairly quick. Pricing was sent through promptly and when we asked about extending dates into June, they updated the quote the following day.

We took a couple of days deciding on dates and packages. After which, we confirmed our interest and even cheekily asked if there was any flexibility on price. Surprisingly, they agreed to a small discount. Things became frustrating when we went to confirm the booking. Right before paying the deposit, the updated quote suddenly came back around USD $200 higher than the original price, despite the agreed discount. There was quite a bit of back and forth afterwards trying to understand what had changed, including following up in Spanish to rule out any misunderstandings.

Eventually, it became clear the pricing had changed during the booking process without being clearly communicated to us. To be fair, Canaima National Park is a remote destination where flights and logistics seem to change constantly, so some flexibility is probably normal here. Still, the process felt more complicated than it needed to be.

One thing that definitely helped: switching from email to WhatsApp. Responses became much faster, communication was clearer and we managed to finalise everything fairly quickly after that. Overall, booking Waku Lodge wasn’t exactly seamless but we got there in the end!!

Our Experience with Waku Lodge

Getting to Canaima National Park

The great thing about booking through Waku Lodge is that flights are organised through them. We received our flight information a day before departure. A couple of days beforehand, I managed to ask for our flight information. We had a staff member reach out to us the day before with all the information and was there to answer any questions we had.

The flight itself was similar to any airline. Conviasa Airlines primary fleet utilises the Embraer E-Jets (E190). It’s a 2×2 configuration with a carry on limit of 5kg – worth keeping in mind while packing. Within minutes of arriving to Canaima, you’ll realise how remote this place actually is.

Once we got off the plane, we were escorted to pay our Canaima National Park fees and were greeted by the staff of Waku Lodge. Everything was too easy. They took our luggage tags from us and whizzed us to the lodge. Couldn’t be easier.

First impressions of the Lodge

Waku Lodge sits right on the Canaima Lagoon and the setting is genuinely impressive. I truly couldn’t believe how beautiful it all was. Open views of the lagoon, tepuis in the distance and the waterfalls of Canaima visible from the shoreline. It felt isolated but not in a bad way. More like: you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be for this kind of trip.

There are hammocks everywhere and plenty of seating overlooking the lagoon. The property itself is huge with greenery everywhere. When we first walked in, we were greeted by so many different types of animals since it is also a sanctuary.

The Experience + Inclusions

They’ve been operating in Canaima National Park since 2000. However, it started as a family business and has had their roots in the region since 1978. They work closely with the local Pemón community. So they know the region deeply.

It’s easy to underestimate what you’re getting for the price they charge. At the end of the day, you’re not only paying for a hotel room. You’re actually paying for access to one of the most remote natural landscapes in South America… where logistics can only be organised and independent travel is very challenging. Most stays in Waku Lodge will include:

• • Excursions around Canaima Lagoon
  • Boat trips towards Angel Falls
  • Guided walks to waterfalls and viewpoints
  • Return flights to Canaima National Park from Caracas
  • Meals
  • Local guides

Everything is organised for you. All the timings, transportation and guides. You honestly don’t need to think of very much once you step on the plane in Caracas.

What the rooms were like

The rooms are simple, clean and functional. It doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb but they incorporate greenery and nature throughout the property. Each room has its own little a patio with two seats and a hammock to lounge. The room is kitted out with all the creature comforts that you’d need – aircon, comfy beds, private bathrooms, electricity throughout the day… and the WIFI was actually really good. It wasn’t the strongest inside our room but around the lodge itself, the connection was decent and enough that we had no issues getting online when we needed to. Considering you’re in the middle of Canaima National Park, I genuinely wasn’t expecting that at all. You get all the basics you actually need without losing the feeling that you’re in the jungle.

Food & Dining

All meals are included, as well as some snacks throughout the day. They are delicious. All the meals are buffet styled and served between set times. There’s a mix of local and international dishes with a decent variety. Alcohol is not included in your package so those will be an extra charge.

If you’re vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, it’s worth communicating this before arrival rather than assuming flexibility on the spot.

The Resident Animals

This was actually unexpected. Throughout our stay, we met several of the animals that live around the property.There were resident Scarlet Macaws who resided at the sitting area. One day, we met a rescued ocelot cub who lost its parent. Another day, we encountered the tapirs during their morning walk.

I’ll admit – initially, I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. I was concerned that the animals were used as an attraction. After learning that Waku Lodge also serves as a wildlife sanctuary to help in the rehabilitation of animals from nearby the surrounding regions so that they can eventually be released back into the wild.

It’s still something I’d encourage you to look into for yourself before visiting, particularly if animal welfare is important to you.

The Guides

The guides are what can make or break an experience. Our guides for the trip were great! Many are local Pemón guides or guides that have been in the region for years. They know the rivers, jungle and weather patterns like the back of their hands. The guides we had were also English speaking which I appreciated – my Spanish is decent, but after a few months of travelling, my brain was more than happy to let someone else do the explaining.

You would be surprised how many touristy places we’ve visited on the continent where finding an English-speaking guide was difficult. Here, communication as straight forward. Quickly, you come to realise these trips just wouldn’t function without them. I felt like our experience was organised without feeling overly commercialised, which is a difficult balance to get right.

The Angel Falls (Salto Angel) Excursion

For many people (like myself), this is the main reason for coming… there are two methods of visiting Angel Falls with Waku Lodge – first being as a day trip, the other is an overnight experience. We did the overnight experience and I would highly recommend choosing that option if possible.

The Journey to Base Camp

The journey to Angel Falls takes approximately 4 hours, depending on river conditions. It’s been one of the more surreal travel experiences in South America. To get to the base of Angel Falls, You’ll travel upstream in a motorised curiara, an indigenous dugout canoe used throughout this region. The seats are padded, so your main job is to sit back and take it all in. I spent the time observing the jungle and looking at tepuis in the distance.

Every now and then you’ll see another tour heading down the river but for much of the journey it feels like you’re completely alone in the jungle.

Base Camp

In my mind, I was picturing something a bit more… rustic. This could not be further from the truth. At basecamp, we had electricity, a running (cold) shower, flushing toilets, delicious meals, WIFI (!!!), hammocks for sleeping and most importantly – an uninterrupted view of Salto Angel from the property. You’re definitely not roughing it here. There is a method to sleeping in a hammock (which is diagonally) so it will take some getting used to.

There were two areas of the camp. One is a covered communal space for when the weather turns, while the other is a huge open area overlooking the falls. There’s something pretty surreal about drinking your morning coffee while staring directly at Salto Ángel.

Getting to Angel Falls itself

The Waku base camp is located across the river from the start of the trail, so you’ll first cross the river by curiara. From there, the hike to the viewpoint takes around 1 – 1.5 hours each way. We covered roughly 4km each way with around 200m of elevation gain. The hike is relatively straightforward. However – the heat and humidity make it more tiring.

The views are unmatched and I was speechless. When you’re back at the river, you can go for a dip in the calmer part of the river – the water is so refreshing and perfect after the hike.

Curious to know more about the journey? Check out my guide to Angel Falls, Venezuela!

Excursions at Waku Lodge

There are additional excursions available: helicopter flights over Angel Falls, visits to nearby lagoons and a cavern system. These come at an additional cost. However, one excursion included in all packages is a trip to the waterfalls of Canaima Lagoon. I think this was such a special treat!

You’re able to explore the surrounding landscapes and walk behind two massive waterfalls – something I hadn’t done previously. We had visited when the water levels were high, so walking underneath them was properly exhilarating. You could feel the power of the water rather than simply looking at it from a viewpoint.

Manage your expectations

I think it’s always important to manage your expectations. Waku Lodge can do a lot but they can’t control the weather, river levels or the realities of operating in one of the most remote parts of Venezuela.

These are completely out of their control. During dry season, sometimes the river level is too low that you’re unable to make it to basecamp or unable to hike to the base of Angel Falls. So the important thing here is to ensure that you time your trip as best as possible. We deliberately waited until around a fortnight before our trip to finalise our plans because we were travelling during the dry season. We wanted to have at least some idea of the river conditions before committing. If seeing Angel Falls itself is your priority – river conditions should be one of the first things you consider when choosing when to visit Canaima.

Is Waku Lodge and Canaima National Park safe?

Probably the biggest question people have before coming to Venezuela…

Within Canaima, everything feels calm and controlled. This is probably because Canaima National Park operates a little differently from the rest of Venezuela – most visitors arrive here as part of an organised tour. The lodge staffed was attentive and organised, our excursions were guided and we were generally moving between the airport – lodge – activities as part of an organised group. Being in Canaima National Park and Waku Lodge is almost like being in a tourism bubble. You’re not navigating things independently.

Is it good value for money?

We paid USD $2550 for two people for five days and four nights, including an overnight stay at the Angel Falls base camp.

Note: Prices can change depending on the season, package and availability. Don’t treat that as a current Waku Lodge price. It’s simply what we paid for our trip.

Okay, yes that is expensive. But – this depends entirely on how you look at it… If you’re looking at it purely as a hotel, it’s pretty pricy. However – let’s reframe your thinking because you’re not just getting a place to stay for a few nights. What’s also included are: logistics + guiding + access to a remote part of the world.

For us, as seeing Angel Falls in person was always on the bucket list. Waku Lodge isn’t the cheapest option we found but considering how luxurious and comfortable the whole experience felt – i thought it was worth the money.

Who Is Waku Lodge Best For?

Waku Lodge is a good fit if you want a comfortable, well organised way to experience Canaima and Angel Falls without sacrificing too much of the adventure. There isn’t really an independent version of visiting Angel Falls. However, what you can choose is how that experience is packaged.

From my experience, Waku Lodge is great for travellers who are looking for a bit more comfort during what is otherwise a fairly rugged trip. The rooms are comfortable, the food is good, the lodge itself is beautiful and the organisation means you don’t have to spend your trip worrying about every transfer and connection.

It won’t suit everyone. If your priority is finding the cheapest possible way to visit Canaima, I’d compare the different operators and packages before booking. And if you hate fixed itineraries, remember that much of your schedule will be dictated by flights, weather and river conditions anyway. But if you’re looking for a genuinely beautiful place to stay while you’re there, this lodge is hard to fault.

So, would I stay at Waku Lodge again?

Absolutely. Okay, sure – the booking process wasn’t particularly smooth. I think some of the communication around pricing could have been clearer. But once we actually arrived in Canaima, our experience changed completely. The lodge exceeded my expectations, our guides were excellent, the food was genuinely good and the whole trip was far more comfortable than I had imagined it would be.

What I particularly liked was that Waku doesn’t feel like you’ve been dropped into a generic resort and told you’re in the jungle. You’re surrounded by the lagoon, tepuis and waterfalls and the wildlife sanctuary is right on the property. Then you head off by curiara into the jungle and spend hours travelling towards Angel Falls. It’s still an adventure, just a ridiculously comfortable one. If I were planning another trip to Canaima, Waku would be on my shortlist again.

And if you’re considering staying here as part of an Angel Falls trip, I’d read this review alongside my complete Angel Falls guide, where I cover when to go, getting to Canaima, the journey to Angel Falls, what to pack and what I wish I’d known before we went.