ADay 1, April 21st, 2024: Arrival in Georgetown

We will pick you up at the Cheddi Jagan International airport and then transfer you to Cara lodge.

BDay 1, April 21st, 2024: Cara Lodge overnight

Cara Lodge was built in the 1840’s and originally consisted of two houses. It has a long and romantic history and was the home of the first Lord Mayor of Georgetown. Over the years, the property has been visited by many dignitaries including King Edward VII who stayed at the house in 1923. Other dignitaries have included President Jimmy Carter, HRH Prince Charles, HRH Prince Andrew and Mick Jagger.
Overnight at Cara lodge (check in time 14:00). Dinner

CDay 2, April 22nd am, 2024: Kaieteur Falls – Rewa

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.

DDay 2, April 22nd pm, 2024: Rewa

Re-boarding our flight after our experience at the falls we continue our journey on to the village of Apoteri. We then travel by boat along the Rupununi River with opportunities to see wild giant river otters and black caiman until we reach the confluence with the Rewa River and the Amerindian community of Rewa. 
Rewa Village is located in the North Rupununi. The surrounding area is rainforest, mountains and oxbow lakes and teeming with all kinds of wildlife. The community of approximately 220 persons is predominately Macushi with a few families of the Wapishana and Patamona tribes. Villagers practice subsistence farming, fishing and hunting, with little opportunity for cash employment. 
In 2005 the community constructed the Rewa Eco Lodge so that they could establish a sustainable eco-tourism business. The lodge itself is situated in a beautiful location on the river bank overlooking the Rewa River.
This afternoon we will explore the area either on foot or by boat. Whilst bird and mammal watching there is a host of wildlife to see which might even include fish!
Overnight at Rewa Eco lodge. BLD

DDay 3, April 23rd, 2024: Rewa

We spend a full day based out of Rewa Eco Lodge. Our activities will be dependent on the group interest and we might split groups to follow Lesley de Souza into one of the local ox-bow lakes to learn about her work with the Chicago Field Museum and the arapaima, (one of the largest freshwater fish in the world) or birding with Pete and a knowledgeable local guide. Other potential activities include a hike up Awarmie Mountain or a boat trip to the rock formation known as Seawall. 
All the while we will be concentrating on wildlife viewing.
Overnight at Rewa Eco Lodge. BLD

EDay 4, April 24th, 2024: Caiman House Lodge

After breakfast we will visit the local community to learn more of their way of life before boarding our boat to travel along the Rupununi River to Kwatamang Landing. We transfer from Kwatamang to Rock View Lodge for lunch and continue by road, overland, to Caiman House Lodge or to Ginep landing for a boat ride depending on local water levels. 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 5, April 25th, 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. BLD

FDay 6, April 26th, 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 7-8, April 27th – 28th, 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, snorkeling 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 9, April 29th, 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).
We transfer to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for our departing flights home.

NB Overnight in Cara Lodge, Georgetown for those not able to connect home tonight.

ADay 10, April 30th, 2024: Cara Lodge – Cheddi Jagan International airport

For those that can not connect to an international departure on return from the Rupununi we will transfer from Cara Lodge to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for our departing flights home.
Here the trip ends.