- Duration 6 Days
- Difficulty 3/5
- Group Size 8
Guyana
9-14th November, 2024
Our trip explores Guyana’s unspoiled interior with a focus on wildlife observation. We will visit the spectacular Kaieteur Falls, the highest single-drop waterfall in the world and the Amerindian village of Yupukari, where we stay at Caiman House Lodge, in the Rupununi savanna. We also access a remote section of wild and pristine rainforest where we sleep in hammocks for 3 nights. In the various ecosystems we explore, we will have opportunities to see several species of monkey, giant water lilies, diverse birds including the Guianan cock-of-the-rock, giant anteater, giant river otter, tapir, black caiman and the possibility of harpy eagle, ocelot, anaconda and goliath bird-eating spider. It will be an adventure that takes us into remote and pristine locations. This seldom visited, English-speaking, country remains an undiscovered jewel of South America.
The map is a visual representation of the locations included in this trip. Click over the image to zoom into the map. For more information, please refer to the itinerary for this expedition.
Trip Details
General Information
USD USD $6750.00 Per person sharing
Single Supplement: USD $350.00 where available
Arrival: Pick up from hotel in Georgetown, Guyana
Arrival Time: Morning of 9th November, 2024
Departure: Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Georgetown, Guyana
Departure Time: Early evening onwards of 14th of November, 2024
INCLUDED
- Airport transfers.
- Double or twin accommodation as per itinerary .
- All meals and water, tea, coffee.
- Internal flights in Guyana.
- Activities as described.
- Local English-speaking guides.
- One Pete Oxford Expeditions Tour Leader.
- Kaieteur National park fees.
NOT INCLUDED
- International airfare to and from Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
- Items of a personal nature including laundry, bar, personal shopping and internet.
- Departure tax if applicable.
- Visa fees if applicable.
- Travel/medical insurance.
- Vaccination costs.
- Fly-fishing surcharge if applicable.
- Tips for local guides and lodge staff.
VIEW ITINERARY
ADay 1, November 9th, 2024: Pick up in Georgetown
We will pick you up at the Marriot Hotel and then transfer you to Ogle Airport for a flight to Kaieteur Falls. We fly by chartered aircraft over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and mile-upon-mile of pristine rainforest, to land at the stunning Kaieteur Falls, the longest single-drop waterfall in the world, plummeting 224 m (741 feet). Set in the middle of the rainforest the falls do not even have guard rails such is the unspoilt nature of the attraction. Kaieteur supports a unique micro-environment where you will see tank bromeliads (the largest in the world), in which the tiny golden frog spends its entire life, as well as some carnivorous plants. We will also look for the rare Guianan cock-of-the-rock, which nests close by. Reboarding our plane, after four hours on the ground and a nice lunch we continue in our aircraft to land on a dirt airstrip in the Rupununi Savanna. We transfer by road to Caiman House in the Amerindian village of Yupukari. Caiman House is located in the North Rupununi, a region of south-western Guyana known for its expansive wetlands and savanna, as well as its biological and cultural diversity. This region is rich in history, too. The North Rupununi is the homeland of the Makushi and earlier peoples dating back almost 7,000 years ago. Several prominent explorers and naturalists have written about their experiences here, including Robert and Richard Schomburgk, Charles Waterton, Evelyn Waugh, Gerald Durrell, and David Attenborough. Lake Amuku, not far from the area, was once considered by Sir Walter Raleigh, and later by Alexander von Humboldt and others, to be the location of Lake Parime on whose banks the golden city of “El Dorado” was said to be located. This afternoon we will travel by boat to look for wild giant river otters amongst other wildlife and possibly to the ponds to watch giant Victoria amazonica water lilies bloom. On the return trip we intend to capture black caiman for tagging and biometric data collection as part of a long-standing scientific project regarding these endangered crocodilians – the largest in South America. Caiman House, a community run project, is also very involved in a turtle conservation program supporting both yellow-spotted and giant river turtles. Overnight at Caiman House Lodge. BLD
EDay 2, November 10th, 2024: Caiman House Lodge
We spend a full day ranging from Caiman House searching for wildlife in the savanna. Early morning we visit an area of rolling grasslands, which is home to a population of giant anteaters. We hope to see these strange and magnificent animals as well as possibly burrowing owls and savanna fox. If we spot one of these six-foot-long anteaters it will likely be as it returns to shade after feeding from the red termite mounds that stud the savanna. After breakfast back at the lodge we head out again either by boat or on foot. Regular sightings on the rivers and ponds include egrets, herons, ibis, waterfowl, kingfishers and jacanas. We return to Caiman House Lodge for dinner and overnight.
FDay 3, November 11th, 2024: Caiman House Lodge – Mapari
In the event that we did not see a giant anteater yesterday we will head out again early morning for a second attempt. We return to the lodge for breakfast before boarding a boat to Mapari Wilderness Camp set on a clear-water creek within the Kanaku Mountain range. It is a stunning area, pristine and with abundant wildlife including a full complement of megafauna. We will spend 3 nights at this location.
Overnight at Mapari Wilderness Camp. BLD
FDays 4-5, November 11th – 13th, 2024: Mapari
Our time at Mapari is true adventure. It is a highlight of the trip. It is a hammock camp set in pristine wilderness. We sleep three nights in hammocks, which are far more comfortable and easier to negotiate than imagined! We will be fully enshrouded with mosquito nets. I expect that on return home, your 3 nights in a hammock, in a remote rainforest will be a source of oneupmanship storytelling! Our days will be full and might include: a short walk to a normally active harpy eagle nest, river cruising looking for wildlife, snorkelling in a clear-water creek looking for sting rays and electric eels (bring mask and snorkel!), walks in the forest, hunting for goliath bird-eating spiders, night drifts downstream with a spotlight and night walks in the forest. We will bathe either in the river or under a bucket shower.
With the attitude of an explorer Mapari is a magical experience!
Overnight at Mapari Wilderness Camp. BLD
GDay 6 November 14th, 2024: Mapari – Ogle airport
After an early morning drift down river from Mapari and then continuing under motor we arrive back to the Rupununi for lunch at Caiman House before we transfer to the local airstrip to board our charter flight for the return journey over Guyana’s pristine rainforest to land at Eugene F. Correia International Airport (Ogle).
Some will continue home via private jet, while others continue to Georgetown to freshen up before continuing to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for their departing flights home. Here the trip ends.
NB Day rooms, where necessary, pm the 14th November, have been arranged by the LACC.