Guyana

Little-visited but with a great diverse number of landscapes and wildlife together with a friendly, English-speaking population, unspoilt Guyana is emerging as
one of the natural world’s best kept secrets. Vast rainforests give way to sweeping savannahs and huge river gorges wind their serpentine way to spectacular waterfalls, including one of the world’s greatest cascades – little-known Kaieteur Falls. Although wildlife in Guyana is often difficult to view, it boasts a healthy population of jaguar and the world’s only giant river otter rehabilitation centre.

Since Guyana has an uninviting coastline of mudflats and mangrove, combining with Trinidad and Tobago is highly recommended for its Caribbean islands, coral reefs and excellent additional wildlife options.

When to Go

Guyana has a typically tropical climate, being generally warm, wet and humid throughout the year. There are two periods of heavy rains: May to July and November to January.

Georgetown

Located at the mouth of the Demerara River on the Caribbean Sea, Guyana’s small capital city comprises wide, tree-lined streets and interweaving canals. Most of its charming if ramshackle wooden buildings display unique colonial architecture reflecting Guyana’s history as both a Dutch and British colony.

Kaieteur Falls

With a single drop of 822 feet, the falls are five times the height of Niagara yet only visited by a handful of tourists each year. Kaieteur is most impressive in the rainy season when billions of gallons of water cascade over the falls creating a breathtaking fusion of noise, spray and colour. The cloud forest created by the unique microclimate of the falls is home to an impressive array of wildlife including tank bromeliads - the world’s largest bromeliad and themselves home to a tiny, endemic golden frog. Kaieteur swifts nest under the fall’s immense curtain of water and the brightly coloured males of the rare Guiana cock-of-the-rock display in a number of favoured leks nearby.

Karanambu Ranch

A leading centre for the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned giant river otters, Karanambu has attained worldwide recognition for its conservation work. Wild otters are also frequently seen, and the verdant banks of the Rupununi River provide habitat for many birds and other forest wildlife. The nearby savannah contains the strange, endangered giant anteater, commonly seen by lodge guests. The centre’s founder, Diane McTurk, is a fund of local knowledge and history, and today’s generation, Edward and Melanie McTurk, are accomplished naturalists and great hosts. We feel that the quality of the wildlife combined with the ranch’s conservation pedigree and wonderful family atmosphere more than compensate for the simple accommodation – this is sure to be a highlight of your trip.

Iwokrama

Established to protect and manage a huge, one million-acre rainforest reserve, Iwokrama holds records for the number of its bat (90) and fresh water fish (420) species. There have been over 500 species of birds recorded including five of macaw, 24 species of hummingbirds, and 29 species of raptors (including harpy eagle, crested eagle and osprey). Mammal highlights include eight species of primates (red howler monkeys, spider monkeys, brown capuchins, wedge-capped capuchins, squirrel monkeys, bearded saki, white-faced saki and golden-handed tamarin), two species of sloth, giant anteaters, giant river otters, Brazilian tapir, giant armadillos, deer, peccaries and wild dogs. Despite this richness, the wildlife tends to be wary and sightings can be infrequent. The station has a fairly good record of big cat sightings, particularly jaguar and ocelot - luck is needed, but many guests have had unforgettable encounters. There is also a wonderful canopy platform giving a real bird’s-eye view of the forest.

Surama

Located in the heart of Guyana, the Macushi Amerindian village of Surama is set in savannah ringed by the forested Pakaraima Mountains. The inhabitants still observe the traditional practises, maintaining a peaceful co-existence with nature. Dawn hikes in the savannahs and mountains led by Surama guides, who convey a profound understanding of nature and its resources, may reveal a multitude of birds and wide vistas. The community has established a basic camp where guests sleep in hammocks on the banks of the Burro Burro River. It is a base for night walks and daytime canoe floats on the river, providing the chance to see giant river otter, tapir, tira, spider monkey and many more species. Accomodation in simple huts is also available.

Rock View

Surrounded by stunning savannah and rainforest-topped hills (part of the Pakaraima mountains range) this working ranch offers comfortable accommodation, swimming pool, private animal collection and extensive wildlife-filled tropical gardens.

Shanklands

Accommodation is in elegant historic plantation houses overlooking the Essequibo River set amidst twenty-five acres of lawns and gardens. The property is bordered on one side by rainforest offering good walking and excellent birdwatching and there is a small beach from which one can sail or canoe on the river.