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Explore the rainforest, river and savannah of Guyana’s pristine interior by air, land, river and on foot to witness its remarkable wildlife in a small group, accompanied by local expert naturalist guides.

Guyana is roughly the same size as the UK but, with a population of around 750,000 concentrated mainly along the coast, its interior is a vast and unique wilderness. The forests and rivers boast a fascinating and prolific fauna that includes iconic mammals such as the elusive jaguar, giant anteater and giant river otter, plus rare reptiles such as black caiman. In addition, you there are some exquisite birds such as harpy eagle and Guianan cock-of-the-rock – just two of some 800 species recorded here. 

As there are so many rivers and so much impenetrable forest, after flying into the interior, boat is often the best means of transport, as well as a good way of seeing wildlife. There is little choice of accommodation, and during your stay you will sleep in jungle lodges, traditional huts in Amerindian villages, at a former cattle ranch, and at a field research station – in rustic comfort, but always with a warm welcome, as few visitors penetrate this unspoiled corner of South America.

You’ll spend part of the time travelling by four-wheel-drive vehicle on rough jungle tracks, but there are plenty of opportunities to walk trails and experience the manifold delights of the rainforest. Expert naturalist guides accompany you throughout, and at several locations, indigenous guides further enrich the experience through their intimate knowledge of the different habitats. 

Read travel consultant Chris Smith's blog about his trip to Guyana.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Fly to Georgetown

    Fly to Georgetown, Guyana and transfer to a hotel in the city.

    Accommodation: Cara Lodge, 2-nights

  2. Day 2: Visit Kaieteur Falls

    Transfer to nearby Ogle Aerodrome for a scheduled flight over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundred of kilometres of unbroken tropical rainforest to land at the imposing Kaieteur Falls. Here the broad Potaro River plunges 226 metres in free fall over a sheer cliff, making it one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls. 

  3. Day 3: Fly to Iwokrama River Lodge

    Transfer back to Ogle Airport for a chartered flight over the rainforest to Fairview, a village deep in the interior, for the short drive to Iwokrama River Lodge.  In the late afternoon you explore the extensive trail systems to seek out rainforest mammals such as black spider monkeys or a banded tamandua.

    Iwokrama is also home to many bird species, including capuchinbird, black nunbird, chestnut-rumped woodcreeper, Amazonian antshrike and strong-billed woodcreeper. Over dinner you will hear about the important conservation and research work of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.

    Accommodation: Iwokrama River Lodge, 2-nights

  4. Day 4: Boat trip on Essequibo River, visit to Turtle Mountain & Kurupukari Falls

    An early boat trip on the Essequibo River offers an opportunity to hear the dawn chorus before breakfast. You then set off on a short boat ride to the base of Turtle Mountain, keeping an eye out for sloth, capybara, caiman and arapaima – the world’s largest freshwater fish – plus red howler, edge-capped capuchin and black spider monkeys. The exhilarating climb to the 290-metre-high summit takes around two hours, but is worth the effort for the breathtaking views.

    On your return there is time to relax for a while, then as it starts to cool off, you set out to visit the Amerindian petroglyphs at Kurupukari Falls. After nightfall you meander along the river by boat looking for tree boas and tree frogs before making your way back to the lodge for dinner.

  5. Day 5: Dawn transfer to Atta Rainforest Lodge

    Early transfer though Iwokrama Rainforest, which is fast gaining an international reputation for its jaguar population. Stop en route for birding in the mori scrub, an unusual low forest on sandy soil that supports birds such as rufous-crowned elaenia, black manakin and red-shouldered tanager. 

    Continue to Iwokrama Canopy Walkway to watch canopy-dwelling birds plus red howler and black spider monkeys. There are trails to walk, or you can explore the area around the lodge, where deer and agouti are regular visitors. Another major target is the white-winged potoo which can be seen from the canopy walkway after dark.

    Accommodation: Atta Rainforest Lodge, 2-nights

  6. Day 6: Explore Atta Rainforest

    The forest around the lodge offers good birding, but the main attraction is the canopy walkway, from which you can see birds that would be difficult to see from the forest floor. Among the highlights are several species of parakeet, Caica parrot, Guianan puffbird, waved and golden-collared woodpeckers and three species of antwren. If the trees are in fruit, you may see rare dusky purple-tuft and purple-breasted cotinga. 

    The clearing around the lodge is one of the best places to spot the ‘must-see’ crimson fruitcrow, which often feeds in the nearby trees. A family group of black curassow regularly passes through and, with luck, you should be able to add this usually timid bird to your list.

  7. Day 7: Transfer to Surama & boat trip on Burro Burro River

    Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway and witness the activity as short-tailed nighthawks settle for the day, swifts take to the sky, white-throated and channel-billed toucans yodel, and barred-forest falcons call. After breakfast drive into the forest to seek out Guianian cock-of-the-rock and hear about the uses of jungle plants, then continue to the Amerindian village of Surama, set on a small patch savannah surrounded by rainforest-clad hills. 

    A 5-kilometre afternoon walk takes you across the savannah and through rainforest to the Burro Burro River, where your guides paddle you in canoes to see giant river otters, tapir, tira, and spider monkeys, before returning to the village for sunset. Later, a night walk reveals the mystery of the forest after dark.  

    Accommodation: Surama Eco-lodge, 1-night

  8. Day 8: Surama Mountain & transfer to Annai

    Rise before dawn to walk across the savannah and climb Surama Mountain in the cool morning air – the best time for birdlife. After breakfast at a lookout with fine views across to the Pakaraima Mountains, return to the village.

    Later, transfer by road in a four-wheel drive Bedford truck to the village of Annai which is situated at the foot of the Pakaraima Mountains where the rainforest meets the savannah. Arriving in Annai for lunch, there is an opportunity to explore the grounds of our accommodation in Annai. Learn more about what happens at this unique property before relaxing. There is a swimming pool at your lodge, so you can take the chance to enjoy a swim as well if you wish.

    Accommodation: Rock View Lodge, 1-night

  9. Day 9: Guided birding walk on the Panorama Trail & afternoon boat trip along the Rupununi River

    This morning we enjoy a birding walk along the Panorama Trail in the Pakaraima Mountains and also hope to see some poison dart frogs out on the trail as well. After breakfast back at the lodge, you drive to the banks of the Rupununi River. Jabiru stork and toco toucan are often seen on this stretch of road, along with red howler and spider monkeys. From Ginep Landing you take a boat on the Rupununi, where – depending on the water level – may see giant otters, as several family groups live along this stretch of river. Your destination, Karanambu Lodge, is the former home of Diane McTurk, who was known for her work rehabilitating orphaned giant river otters. 

    In the afternoon you head out by boat to look for otters in the wild and see giant Victoria regia waterlilies bloom at dusk. On the way back your guide will use a spotlight to find nocturnal wildlife. 

    Accommodation: Karanambu Ranch, 2-nights

  10. Day 10: Wildlife watching excursions from Karanambu

    The whole day is dedicated to wildlife watching and birding, exploring the varied habitats around Karanambu by boat and Land Rover. In the morning, you head for the savannah to spot giant anteater and there a good chances of seeing these unique mammals. When it comes to birds the grassland species that can be seen include double-striped thick-knees, bi-coloured wren and bearded tachuri, while patches of forest are home to ferruginous pygmy owl, violaceous trogon, blue ground-dove and great antshrike. The river has wood stork, white faced and black-bellied whistling doves and stripe-backed bittern, and as you move around you may see least grebe, South American snipe, rufous-throated sapphire, yellow tyrannulet, cliff flycatcher and ruddy-breasted seedeater. 

  11. Day 11: Savannah walk & transfer to Caiman House Field Station

    This morning venture out onto the savannah in search of giant anteater. Then, after breakfast, transfer by boat to Caiman House Field Station in the Amerindian village of Yupukari, keeping an eye out for giant river otters, black caiman (which can reach more than four metres in length) and arapaima, and birding as you go.

    Accommodation: Caiman House, 1-night

  12. Day 12: Fly back to Georgetown, city tour

    After breakfast, transfer to the town of Lethem, from where you catch a scheduled flight back to Georgetown, taking you over hundreds of miles of broken rainforest as well as the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers. Once in Georgetown, you will have an afternoon tour of the city.

    Accommodation: Cara Lodge, 1-night

  13. Day 13: Depart Georgetown

    Transfer to the international airport for an overnight flight to the UK.

  14. Day 14: Arrive UK

Key info

  • Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 14 days from £6,595 pp
  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 13 days from £5,695 pp
  • Single supplement: From £850
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • Group size: 10
  • Group Departures: View all departure dates
  • Tailor-made Departures:

    A tailor-made holiday or private departure can be arranged, please contact us to tailor a trip to suit your requirements.

  • Included in the price/package:
    • Charter flights - Georgetown to Annai and Karanambu to Georgetown
    • Excursion to Kaieteur Falls by scheduled flight
    • 14 nights accommodation in hotels & lodges
    • Most meals
    • Transfers
    • Services of expert naturalist guides & indigenous local guides
    • Activities as per described in itinerary
  • Activities available:
    • Birdwatching
    • Boat trip
    • Culture
    • Nature drive
    • Photography
    • Walking
Featured locations:

Iwokrama Rainforest

Named after the 1,000-metre-high Iwokrama Mountains that lie at its heart, tearthhis area of dense rainforest covers some 3,710 square kilometres of central Guyana, and is one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical forests – along with those in the Congo, New Guinea, and Amazonia. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: Central Guyana
  • Ideal for viewing: red howler monkey, red-and-green macaw, Guianan cock-of-the-rock, black caiman, black spider monkey
  • Excellent for: Vehicle safaris, River safaris, Jaguar watching

Surama

The Amerindian community of Surama lies at the very heart of Guyana, where eight square kilometres of savannah are surrounded by the Pakaraima Mountains, at the edge of the Rupununi savannah. This isolated and idyllic location provides a fascinating insight into Guyana's rainforests. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: Rupununi Savannah
  • Ideal for viewing: giant river otter, spider monkey, Guianan cock-of-the-rock, anaconda, tapir
  • Excellent for: Vehicle safaris, River safaris

Georgetown

The chief port, capital and largest city of Guyana occupies the right bank at the mouth of the Demerara Estuary, where a fort was constructed to guard the early Dutch settlements. The Botanical Gardens house one of the most extensive collections of tropical flora in the Caribbean. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: Demerara-Mahaica region
  • Excellent for: City stopover

Rupununi Savannah

This diverse area of mixed savannah, moist tropical forest and mountain takes its name from the floodplain of the Rupununi River in the southwest of Guyana, along the border with Brazil – one of the country’s most complex ecosystems, and among the earth’s last great wildernesses. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: Southwest Guyana
  • Ideal for viewing: giant anteater, giant river otter, armadillo, anaconda, black caiman
  • Excellent for: Vehicle safaris, River safaris

Kaieteur Falls

This spectacular waterfall, along with the surrounding national park, is Guyana’s most famous visitor attraction, as well as one of the world’s great natural wonders. The dramatic view down the deep gorge in the opposite direction is almost as good as that of the waterfall itself. Find Out More about {acc:title}

  • Where: Central Essequibo district
  • Ideal for viewing: Guianan cock-of-the-rock, red-and-green macaw, white-chinned swift, golden frog, band-rumped swift
  • Excellent for: Fly-in safaris
Featured accommodation:

Atta Rainforest Lodge

Surrounded by rainforest, this rustic lodge is just 500 metres from Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, one of Guyana’s best birding spots. Experience traditional Amerindian hospitality, before falling asleep to the sounds of the forest and waking to the call of howler monkeys in the morning. Find Out More about Atta Rainforest Lodge

Caiman House

Caiman House is an ecological research station is in the village of Yupukari, upstream from Karanambu on the Rupununi River, where you have the unique opportunity to participate in an ongoing field study of the black caiman. Accommodation consists of four simple en suite rooms, with electricity and running water. Find Out More about Caiman House

Cara Lodge

This magnificent hotel, one of Georgetown’s best preserved wooden buildings, exudes charm and the nostalgia of a bygone era, with first-rate service in a congenial atmosphere. Its 34 rooms reflect the traditional building-style of Guyana during the colonial era, with Demerara shutters and polished wooden floors. Find Out More about Cara Lodge

Iwokrama River Lodge

Iwokrama River Lodge offers accommodation in the heart of the Iwokrama Rainforest, on the banks of the mighty Essequibo River. There are eight large timber and thatch cabins, with private facilities and solar powered electricity, plus hammocks on the verandahs for guests to enjoy the excellent birdwatching. Find Out More about Iwokrama River Lodge

Karanambu Lodge

This eco-resort lies in a tranquil spot, where savannah, swamp and forest meet at the Rupununi River and the plain stretches towards the Pakaraima Mountains. Renowned for its hospitality and abundant wildlife, the five clay-brick and palm-thatched cabanas give it the flavour of an Amerindian village. Find Out More about Karanambu Lodge

Surama Ecolodge

Situated on the western edge of the village, Surama Lodge occupies a clearing in the savannah with picturesque views towards the rainforest and surrounding mountains. Built as a sustainable ecotourism project by and for the isolated Amerindian community, interpretative guides are on hand to accompany guests. Find Out More about Surama Ecolodge