The Natural History Highlights of Guyana
Tour Introduction
We have selected Guyana’s premier natural history highlights to produce a wildlife tour of great breadth. There is potential for encounters with some of South America’s most engaging mammals, including giant river otter, giant anteater, red howler monkey, black spider monkey and, with lots of luck, the elusive jaguar, as well as hundreds of bird species and a great diversity of reptiles and amphibians. You will gain a good insight into the vastness of this little-known and largely intact nation of few people, vast virgin rainforests, wide savannahs, hidden waterfalls and sweeping vistas.
Full Itinerary
Arrive in Georgetown, Guyana. Met on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Staying at Cara Lodge. Includes In-flight Meals.
Take scheduled flight to Kaieteur Falls and enjoy exploring the area with guide. With a drop of 741 feet it is five times the height of Niagara but benefits from few visitors and virtually no infrastructure. The falls have even produced a special microclimate that has resulted in a cloud forest ecosystem supporting the massive tank bromeliad (world’s largest) and the endemic Kaieteur golden rocket frog. Return flight back to Georgetown.
Staying at Cara Lodge. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Transfer to airport and catch flight to Annai. Met on arrival and transfer to Iwokrama River Lodge. Afternoon exploration of trails with a ranger looking for wildlife. Eight species of primate occur here and there are possibilities to see a wide range of birds including the bizarre capuchinbird at its lek (display ground), and other fauna. In the evening, take a boat trip downriver to spot black and spectacled caiman, tree boas and other nocturnal wildlife.
Staying at Iwokrama River Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Early morning excursion by boat along the river to spot wildlife. Later hike to the summit of Turtle Mountain where there are sensational views over the pristine rainforest as far as the eye can see. Black spider and red howler monkeys, the rare orange breasted falcon and various macaws are frequently seen from here. After a picnic lunch on the mountain, return to the lodge and visit Kurupukari Falls to see the Amerindian petroglyphs, and then continue by boat to Michelle Island.
Staying at Iwokrama River Lodge. Includes All Meals.
An early morning walk in the forest to spot primates and birds then transfer along a forest road (with good past sightings of jaguar and ocelot) to Iwokrama Canopy Platform. Spend the afternoon exploring the canopy walkways and platforms looking for birdlife, primates and animals using the trails below. Stay up on the walkway until dusk to watch the sunset and hopefully see the rare white-winged potoo after dark.
Staying at Atta Rainforest Lodge. Includes All Meals.
An early morning excursion to a Guianan cock-of-the-rock lek. Transfer to the Amerindian village of Surama, set in a patch of savannah and surrounded by forest. There will be a warm welcome from the community and a tour of the village. Afternoon excursions with the local guides followed by a night walk in the forest for nocturnal species.
Staying at Surama Eco Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Today rise early and take a pre-dawn hike to the top of Surama Mountain to watch the sun rise and enjoy exciting birdwatching after first light. After lunch back at the village, hike to the Burro Burro River and take canoes to search for wildlife from the river. Possible sightings include giant otters, black spider and weeping capuchin monkeys and scarlet macaws.
Staying at Surama Eco Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to Annai and Rock View Lodge, nestled between the Amerindian villages of Annai and Rupertree. The rest of the day is at leisure. There are the swimming pool and hummingbird-filled gardens to enjoy, and the surrounding savannah is home to many birds such as double-striped thick-knee, burrowing owl and South American snipe, as well as occasional giant anteaters.
Staying at Rock View Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Walk to the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains at dawn for superb views across the savannah and possible sightings of the striking black-and-yellow poison dart frog. Afternoon transfer to Karanambu Ranch, located in the northern Rupununi region, a crossover area for wetlands, forests and savannahs. Karanambu was the home of Diane McTurk who is well known for her past work in rehabilitating orphaned giant otters back to the wild.
Staying at Karanambu Ranch. Includes All Meals.
Morning excursions into the local flooded and gallery forests where many wetland and forest species can be seen including capuchinbird and yellow oriole, squirrel and brown capuchin monkeys. Afternoon visit to a swamp for great bird watching with large roosts of ibis, herons and egrets: snakes and caiman can be seen on the return journey.
Staying at Karanambu Ranch. Includes All Meals.
In the morning, explore the savannah behind the lodge in search of giant anteaters. The large expanse of savannah here supports a high density of anteaters and the chances to find one are very high. Transfer by boat and then drive to Yupukari and Caiman House. During the afternoon take an excursion along the river to search for giant otters, primates, caiman and other wildlife. In the evening you will be invited to watch, and even participate in, the capture and study of black caiman along the Rupununi River. Researchers catch and collect data from caimans which are then released back into the river.
Staying at Caiman House. Includes All Meals.
Morning excursion to the local village for an insight into the life of the Yupukari communities. Alternatively it is possible to have a guided exploration of the savannah and gallery forest in search of more wildlife. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly back to Georgetown followed by a short guided tour of the city.
Staying at Cara Lodge. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.
Transfer to the airport and catch your onwards international flights home.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Cara Lodge
Overview
Built in 1840, Cara Lodge is one of the oldest buildings in Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and is steeped in history having hosted many world leaders, royalty and other dignitaries.
Built in the style of a traditional plantation house, Cara Lodge has spacious wooden verandas and large bedrooms with private facilities. There is a good restaurant serving good food, bar and comfortable communal area and the service is always attentive and friendly.
All rooms have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, cable TV, international direct dial telephones, minibars, hair dryers, tea and coffee facilities, private bathrooms with hot water and are decorated in colonial style. The rooms vary in size but all offer adequate space: some have verandas, and deluxe superior rooms are now available.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant and bar, 24-hour reception desk, internet access available: rooms have mini-bars, cable TV, direct dial telephones and tea and coffee making facilities.
Optional Activities
City tours of Georgetown and birdwatching excursions to the nearby Abary River. Charter and scheduled flights to Kaieteur Falls can be arranged.
Iwokrama River Lodge
Overview
Iwokrama River Lodge is located right on the edge of the Essequibo River and is surrounded by huge swathes of pristine rainforest. The lodge was set up to provide a base for sensitive ecotourism to the Iwokrama Reserve.
Accommodation is in 8 detached, thatched roof, wooden cabins each with river-facing verandahs, hammocks and a private bathroom (cold water showers). Electricity in the cabins is provided by solar panels and diesel generators and free Wi-Fi is available in the main communal building with limited connection in some rooms.
The meals are served in the large central building, which also offers good wildlife viewing over the surrounding forest. The food is usually locally sourced and served in a buffet style. There is a bar, small gift and snack shop and conference room in the building. A wide selection of natural history books to browse and some computers are available for guest use.
There is an excellent trail network from the lodge with many interpretative labels next to the key tree and vine species. A capuchinbird lek is found on one of the trails just 20 minutes from the lodge. Other excursions include boat trips along the Essequibo River and to see Amerindian petroglyphs, rapids and Michelle Island. A highly recommended but strenuous excursion is the hike to the top of Turtle Mountain: handrails and steps have been created to make the walk easier and the views of pristine rainforest as far as the eye can see are well worth it. The summit is also a good vantage point for viewing feeding monkeys and macaws, and birds of prey including the elusive orange-breasted falcon can be reliably seen.
The lodge can be reached by a 2-hour road transfer from the Annai airstrip.
The Iwokrama forest was established to protect and manage a huge, one million acre rainforest reserve. The lodge is surrounded by pristine rainforest, home to a staggering diversity of plants and animals. The area holds world records for the number of bat (90) and freshwater fish (420) species recorded and is home to the arapaima – the world’s largest species of freshwater fish. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded including 5 species of macaw, 24 species of hummingbird and 29 species of raptor (including harpy eagle, crested eagle and osprey). Mammal highlights include 8 species of primate (including white-faced saki and golden-handed tamarin), 2 species of sloth, giant anteater, giant otter, Brazilian tapir, giant armadillo, brocket deer, peccary, various cats and bush dogs.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms with cold water showers and flushing toilets, electricity supply in rooms, free Wi-Fi in the main communal room.
Local Wildlife
Black spider, red howler, brown and weeping capuchin and white-faced saki monkeys are frequently seen in the forest close to the lodge (particularly when a tree is in fruit) and on trails and boat trips. There is an exceptional diversity of birds seen around the lodge and on trails including capuchinbird, Guianan toucanet, green aracari, Amazonian antshrike, macaws, red-fan parrot and macaws. Black caiman, tree boas, anacondas, tiny tree and leaf frogs, huge Bufo marinus toads and dazzling blue morpho butterflies can also be seen.
Optional Activities
There is bountiful wildlife to be seen and many trails to explore around the reserve. The most popular excursions are a walk to the top of Turtle Mountain for a 360-dgree view of rainforest as far as the eye can see, and boat trips along the Essequibo River with visits to Kurupukari Falls to see Amerindian Petroglyphs and Michelle Island.
Atta Rainforest Lodge
Overview
Atta Rainforest Lodge has 8 simple en suite rooms set within a clearing in the wildlife rich Iwokrama forest and close to the base of the impressive Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. The lodge was built to provide guests with a base from which to access the canopy walkway at dawn and dusk when birds and other wildlife are most active. The setting for Atta Lodge is perfect for keen birders and naturalists as it is completely surrounded by dense rainforest bursting with biodiversity and frequently visited by red brocket deer, red-rumped agouti and the black curassow (a Guiana Shield endemic).
The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway is a series of suspension bridges and decks up to 30 metres in height and 154 metres in length that pass through an excellent stretch of rainforest. It provides a memorable view of the mid and canopy levels of the forest and affords excellent bird and wildlife viewing. Many canopy level specialist birds, including several Guianan Shield endemics, are commonly seen from the walkway, with the magnificent harpy eagle now being seen more regularly.
The main building houses the restaurant as well as a small bar and gift shop, lounge and collection of natural history books: there is some limited wireless internet access too.
The meals at Atta Lodge are particularly varied and tasty, always freshly prepared using local produce. Vegetarian and special diets can be catered for and one can visit the kitchen to see how the meals are prepared. The meals are usually buffet style and served under candlelight, creating a warm and cosy atmosphere. Power is provided by a generator that can be a little noisy. Note: the power is switched off between 10pm and 6am. The lodge has a sightings board and has deployed camera traps to record the exciting wildlife found close to the lodge.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
The rooms have mosquito nets, torch, insect repellent, electricity (6am -10pm), private bathrooms (cold water showers), dining room, lounge with a small bar and library, sightings board and limited free Wi-Fi in the main building.
Local Wildlife
Birds regularly seen from the canopy walkway and surrounding trails include crimson and purple-necked fruit crow, pompadour cotinga, green aracari, Guianan toucanet, painted parakeet, red-and-green macaw, white-winged potoo and (with luck) the awesome harpy eagle. Mammals are more rarely observed but red howler, brown and weeping capuchin and even white-faced saki monkey can sometimes be seen. A staggering diversity of reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies are observable from the walkways and trails. The trans-national road to the lodge is one of the best places for sightings of jaguars and ocelots in Guyana. Some of the notable tree species include the bullet wood tree, greenheart and waramadan (which is endemic to this forest).
Optional Activities
Excursions along the canopy walkways, walking the trails through the forest and off-site excursions to see the lek of the Guianan cock-of-the-rock. By special request, nocturnal drives or walks along the main road can be arranged.
Surama Eco-lodge
Overview
Surama Eco-Lodge is a rustic but comfortable property within the Makushi community village set in savannah bordered by beautiful virgin rainforest.
The Eco-Lodge and its activities are managed and operated solely by the Makushi people. Over 70 people in the community are employed either directly as hospitality staff, guides, cooks, artisans and driver or indirectly as farmers, hunters, fishermen, and construction and maintenance workers. Roughly 60% of the community’s income is now sustainably generated through tourism-related activities, and guests are treated as though they are staying in one of their homes.
There are 4 traditionally built benab buildings and 4 newer cabins that offer slightly more space. There are private bathrooms in each with cold-water showers, flush toilets and twin or triple beds.
Traditional home-cooked meals using locally grown and harvested ingredients are served in the main benab, where tea and coffee and filtered water are always available.
There is solar-powered electricity available in the central building for charging of batteries, but only a very limited internet service in the village office, which is a 40-minute walk from the lodge. A new option is the possibility to camp in hammocks in an open air wooden shelter next to the Buro Buro River while the guides prepare food and drink and demonstrate survival skills.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Rooms have private bathrooms with cold-water showers and flush toilets, dining room with electricity outlets, gift shop, bar and communal lounge area.
Local Wildlife
The Buro Buro River and the rainforest close to the lodge can produce sightings of black spider, red howler, weeping and brown capuchin monkeys and occasionally even tapirs. The area is fantastic for birdwatching with scarlet and red and green macaws, white-throated toucans, black-necked aracari and large birds of prey commonly seen. Many Guianan Shield endemics can be tracked down in the forest and a huge diversity of snakes, lizards and tree frogs can be seen in the area. Surama Mountain is another hotspot for primates, in particular black spider monkey, red howler and two species of capuchin.
Optional Activities
Excursions include boat trips along the Buro Buro River, treks across the savannah and forest to see wildlife, a pre-dawn trek to the top of Surama Mountain to see the sunrise and informative tours within the village including visits to the school and other points of interest. Another activity offered is a walk through the forest with demonstrations of local plant use.
Rock View Lodge
Overview
Rock View Lodge is located in part of the Pakaraima Mountain range, surrounded by savannah and rainforest-topped hills,.
It is a working ranch which offers comfortable accommodation, swimming pool and lush, wildlife-filled gardens. The lodge is nestled between the Amerindian villages of Annai and Rupertree and many good birding locations and indigenous Makushi communities can be easily visited from the lodge. Local children pass though the lodge grounds each morning on their way to school.
There are 8 rooms, all with private bathrooms, hot water showers and electricity outlets in each room. There is free satellite Wi-Fi available at the lodge and electricity in the rooms is supplied by generator between 8am and 10pm. All the rooms have running water sourced from an underground well.
The main ranch house has a good collection of artwork, a library and some music is usually playing. Three delicious buffet meals a day are provided under the shade of a mango tree or within the main ranch house. The meals are particularly well presented and use local ingredients to create the traditional dishes.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, hammocks, swimming pool, electricity outlets, Wi-Fi internet, generator supplied power, TV and computer room, gift shop, bar, snack shop, vegetable garden and laundry service.
Local Wildlife
The surrounding habitats are home to over 300 species of bird. The savannah offers good chances to see burrowing owl, double-striped thick knee, nacunda nighthawk, south American snipe and collared plover. A small population of giant anteater is present in the area, occasionally seen at dawn or dusk on the savannah behind the lodge. The nearby Panorama Nature Trail leads up the hill on the edge of the village and offers good birdwatching with a chance to see striking black and yellow banded poison dart frogs and red howler monkeys.
Optional Activities
Birdwatching, mammal spotting, horse-riding, hikes across the savannah and boat trips along the nearby Rupununi River and its oxbow lakes. Annai village is just a short walk from the lodge and enables visitors to experience the way of life of the community.
Caiman House
Overview
Caiman House is the hub of several participatory development projects including the introduction of classrooms and libraries in all 3 village schools, an internet-enabled public library, and a non-profit job creation scheme for the local villages, involving tuition in craft skills and furniture building.
Accommodation is in 4 simple but large and comfortable rooms with en suite bathrooms (cold water showers only). The rooms are situated around the large central building. There is solar-powered electricity, US-style power outlets in all the rooms and wireless internet access throughout the lodge.
There is a lovely open sitting room inside and an open deck. All furniture at the lodge is made by local craftspeople. Meals are served in the dining room and women from the local village prepare the food. Caiman House offers a truly indigenous village experience, giving guests an interesting insight into locals’ lives combined with a fascinating and unusual wildlife experience.
There is an ongoing study of the black caiman around the lodge. The black caiman is the largest member of the alligator family and an endangered species found only in the Amazon basin. The caiman are captured, weighed, measured, sexed and tagged before being released back into the river (capturing the caiman is more difficult during high water periods). Guests are invited to watch or participate in this activity if they wish.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant and communal area, private bathrooms, electricity and Wi-Fi.
Local Wildlife
Wildlife found along the river includes black and spectacled caiman, giant otter, Brazilian tapir, opossum, Guianan squirrel, red howler monkey and reptiles including Amazon and emerald tree boas, anacondas and green iguanas. Trails through the forest offer good birdwatching and a chance to see some of the smaller wildlife such as tree frogs and butterflies.
Optional Activities
Walking trails through the forest and boat trips along the river including participating with the capture and data collection of black caiman.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
British Airways fly from London Gatwick to Georgetown via St Lucia on Mondays and Thursdays.
Best Visited:
August to November
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
John Melton
Area Specialist
Include a few days at the community run Rewa Eco Lodge where large numbers of macaws and primates are commonly seen. Also rise early at Karanambu for a chance to see the elusive tayra around the mango trees just after dawn.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
What makes Guyana additionally special is that it is the only English-speaking country in South America, and consequently you really warm to the people you meet, whether chatting with local cowboys, entertaining local school children or putting the world to rights with village elders.
