Tailormade Holidays in Guyana

Tour Code: TGUY

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Sample Itineraries

Create your own Tailormade holiday to Guyana with dates and an itinerary to suit you. Click one to scroll down and view more info.

When to Go

Good Time to Go

ALL YEAR ROUND

Best Time to Go

January to May, September to December

Speak to a Guyana expert

Tom Mabbett

Operations Manager

Email Call 1-844-433-9473

Where to Go

Kaieteur Falls
The Iwokrama Rainforest
Surama Village
Rupununi Savannah

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Summary

Guyana is a country blessed with vast swathes of pristine rainforest, rich wetland savannahs, cascading waterfalls and ‘lost world-like’ table-top mountains known as tepui that rise high above the surrounding forests. It is a country that sees few visitors, ensuring that those who do choose to venture here are rewarded with a unique wildlife adventure far from the madding crowds. A commendable ecotourism model has been implemented in Guyana that aims to benefit local communities while safeguarding the country’s natural heritage. As a visitor, not only will you be directly contributing to this but you will also benefit from the local Amerindian communities themselves, gaining insight into ancient traditions and a culture that has evolved in harmony with the natural world. This interaction is one of the special aspects of a Guyana holiday and, as a broadly English-speaking country, these exchanges are all the more meaningful. Accommodation in Guyana is simple and the lodges we use are mostly found in remote locations offering guests clean and functional bases from which to explore the pristine surrounding habitats. While the lodges themselves might not be luxurious, the knowledge that you will be among only a handful of people in such outstanding environments for wildlife is perhaps Guyana’s true luxury!

Our Locations

A short flight from Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown provides access to the remote Kaieteur Falls, with passengers treated to a stunning aerial view of this extraordinary natural wonder. At 251 metres tall, the Kaieteur Falls are around five times the height of the Niagara Falls and it is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world! Being in Guyana, however, spectator crowds are absent and visitors often have this awe-inspiring scene to themselves. The area is also home to some superlative wildlife such as the Kaieteur Golden Rocket Frog which is found nowhere else on Earth, and the beautiful Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. At dusk one million swifts return to their roost behind the tumbling cascade – one of the greatest daily mass movements of wildlife to be seen anywhere on the planet!

Guiana (Black) Spider Monkey shutterstock_679039807.jpg

The Iwokrama Rainforest is a vast wilderness area covering nearly one million acres. The wildlife of this rainforest is outstanding and such special mammals as Guiana Spider Monkey, Southern Tamandua, Kinkajou and even Jaguar are sometimes seen from the extensive network of forest trails. Iwokrama also boasts an avifauna of over 450 species, including representatives from virtually all Neotropical families, and daily views of several species of beautiful macaws, toucans and parrots are possible. Boat excursions provide a magical opportunity to experience the dawn chorus and to look for Giant Otters, while at night it is possible to spotlight for caiman, frogs and snakes. A daytime walk up to Turtle Mountain reveals sweeping views across the pristine forest canopy over which a Harpy Eagle or majestic Orange-breasted Falcon may be seen. Here too, through the petroglyphs carved into the stones along the Essequibo River and elsewhere in the forest, you can see evidence of human occupation dating back 5,000 years.

Accommodation in The Iwokrama Rainforest

Iwokrama River Lodge & Research Centre

Details

The village of Surama is situated in a small savannah clearing that lies among hills clad in dense rainforest. The Makushi people who live here are incredibly warm and welcoming and form an integral part of any stay, introducing guests to the exceptional wildlife and offering insights into their traditional way of life. About 500 bird species occur here, among them such highlights as Capuchinbird, Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo and Harpy Eagle, and one of the best ways to go in search of them and other wildlife is by means of a canoe trip along the local Burro-Burro River where it is also possible to see such mammals as White-faced Saki and Guiana Spider Monkey. The Makushi people manage and operate the only lodge here: the simple Surama Village Eco Lodge, which has attached bathrooms and flush toilets.

The Rupununi Savannah is a vast land of far horizons – the seasonally sun-scorched floodplains of the Rupununi River, broken by patches of scrub and riparian woodland and interspersed with swamps and lakes. This is one of the best places in Guyana to search for Giant Otters and the quiet backwaters here are also home to the legendary Arapaima, the largest of all scaled freshwater fish. These lakes and ponds are teeming with birdlife such as Jabirus, egrets, herons and other waterbirds, and blanketed by the enormous pads of the water lily, Victoria amazonica. The savannah is also home to Giant Anteaters and these intriguing animals are regularly seen here. The Rupununi Savannah is quite different from any other habitat in Guyana and is, without doubt, a wildlife highlight of the country!

Accommodation in Rupununi Savannah

Karanambu Lodge

Details

View Map

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Sample Itineraries

This itinerary takes you to all the key wildlife and scenic destinations in the country and it is perfect for the more adventurous naturalist traveller!

Day

Depart UK; arrive Georgetown

Days

2 - 5

Kaiteur Falls and Iwokrama Rainforest

Days

6 - 7

Surama Village

Days

8 - 10

Rupununi Savannah

Day

Georgetown

Day

Depart Georgetown

Day

Arrive UK

13 Days (Flight Inclusive)

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The Essentials

Wildlife Guides

Expert local naturalists are available at all our selected lodges. However, should you require an expert naturalist or birder to accompany you throughout your Guyana holiday, we will be pleased to arrange this for you.

When to Visit

Guyana is a year-round equatorial destination and rains can occur at any time of the year. However, the months from September to May see the fewest weather-related disturbances, and have the benefit of offering a wealth of wintering North American breeding birds in Guyana for ‘the winter’. Travel in the wet season, though, has its advantages: it is cooler, better for river journeys and the time when most resident birds choose to breed, sporting their finest breeding plumages.

Getting Around

Travel within Guyana is achieved by means of road journeys, short domestic flights and short boats trips. Road journeys are generally in 4WD vehicles as roads are mostly unpaved. The flights offer wonderful opportunities to fly over uncharted rainforest and stunning topography, including the tepui, which are a highlight of Guyana.

Why Naturetrek Tailormade?

A Naturetrek Tailormade holiday allows you, with the benefit of our wildlife travel expertise and destination experience, to enjoy the perfect private wildlife holiday – one that truly matches your requirements, expectations and ambitions. We will ensure the most competitive prices, superb naturalist guides and seamless ground services.

Some of the benefits of Naturetrek Tailormade travel include:
• A bespoke itinerary which is crafted by experts and designed specifically for you
• Private guiding by the very best local naturalists
• Travel with people you know, at your own pace
• Incorporate as much culture, history or relaxation time as you wish
• Choose dates to suit you
• Select your preferred style of accommodation
• Travel with families and children of any age

Furthermore, our Tailormade team are always on hand to help and guide you along the way, with friendly advice, first-hand knowledge and inside information specific to your destination of choice. So if you have any queries about your holiday, we will be delighted to answer them. Please just give us a call!