Guyana - A Timeless Paradise

Tour Code: GUY01

An exciting 16-day holiday in search of the birds, mammals and other natural history amongst the pristine rainforests, rivers and savannahs of a little known and unspoiled South American country.

16 days from
£7,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£7,145
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

English-speaking Guyana is truly a timeless paradise, a land of immense biodiversity, huge landscapes and unspoiled wonder, which more than 700 bird species, 225 species of mammals, and 814 species of reptile and amphibian call home! Jaguar still roam the vast forests and Giant River Otter, Black Caiman and Arapaima, the world’s largest freshwater fish, still swim the rivers, while iconic Harpy Eagle, Hoatzin and Guianan Cock-of-the-rock are still found perched in the tropical foliage. We’ll also search for Guyana’s jewels such as the endangered Golden Rocket Frog, the outstanding Scarlet Ibis and dazzling Green-tailed Jacamar. Orchids and other flowering plants are still rich in Guyana. Be prepared to be dwarfeda by immense canopies, epic landscapes and massive savannahs - visiting here as naturalist-tourists we play a vital role in their preservation. 

  • Over 700 species of bird
  • Male Guianan Cock-of-the-rock in full display
  • Morning flight over the Kaieteur Falls – five times the height of Niagara!
  • Harpy Eagle possible in the Iwokrama Rainforest
  • Search open savannah for Giant Anteater
  • Kinkajou, Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys plus Guianan Saki
  • Watch majestic macaw species flying across the forest
  • Explore lagoons for Scarlet Ibis & the Rupununi River for Giant River Otter
  • Birding by canoe in search of Sungrebe and Sunbittern
  • Led by an expert naturalist guide

Grading

Grade A/B. Easy to moderate day walks, some over uneven terrain in high humidity.

Guyana lies at the point where the Caribbean meets South America on its North Atlantic seaboard. Although little known, it is nonetheless a wonderful country, blessed with unspoiled natural beauty and great rivers, waterfalls and unexplored rainforest. Truly a timeless paradise, Guyana is a land of immense biodiversity. Here, Jaguars still roam the forests; rivers hold Giant River Otter, Black Caiman and Arapaima (the world’s largest freshwater fish) … and Harpy Eagle and Guianan Cock-of-the-rock thrive amongst an avifauna of over 700 species.  

Following a 2-night stay in Georgetown, we take a morning flight to the majestic and breathtaking Kaieteur Falls. Situated in the heart of Guyana on the Potaro River, a tributary of the Essequibo, Kaieteur was first seen by Europeans in 1870. With a sheer drop of 228 metres, the falls are five times the height of Niagara, and their pounding waters create an eternal rainbow over the mist-covered boulders of the gorge. There is no other waterfall in the world discharging so much water over such a great drop! Nearby, the table-top summit of a  tepuis (the classic ‘Lost World-like’ table-top mountain typical of the region), on which our plane lands, supports an amazing ecosystem which we will explore, hoping to encounter a male Guianan Cock-of-the-rock in full display! With a backdrop of rolling, grass-covered hills, this is one of the most stunning locations in Guyana’s remote interior.  

Next we take a short flight south to Fairview Village, from where we transfer by 4x4 to the Iwokrama River Lodge (which also functions as a working biological research station). Here we will explore the pristine rainforest which surrounds the research station, using a good network of trails and a boat to investigate the mighty Essequibo River. Red Howler Monkeys and calling toucans will wake us here each morning and we should be treated to daily fly-pasts by Blue-and- yellow, Red-and-green, and Scarlet Macaws.

We continue south to the intimate and peaceful Atta Rainforest Lodge, well known for its canopy walkway high within the treetops. This wonderful facility gives us access to sought-after birds that are rarely visible from the ground such as Pompadour Cotinga, Guianan Toucanet and Dusky Purpletuft. Rainforest mammals, although never conspicuous, are well represented within the Iwokrama forest. With luck, we may encounter the impressive Black Spider Monkey and possibly the curious looking White-faced Saki. Though glimpsing a Jaguar is a difficult mission, we will certainly be keeping a sharp eye out in the hope of seeing this most impressive of South American cats. Leaving Atta, we journey onwards to Surama Eco Lodge, which is situated in a tranquil, beautiful location offering our best chance of seeing the magnificent Harpy Eagle.

After a scenic journey south, where the habitat gradually changes to more open savannah, we then transfer by boat to Karanambu Ranch, arguably, the highlight of the tour. Here, endless rainforest dramatically gives way to a rolling savannah that is sliced by rivers and broken by hills which rise suddenly from the plains. This is the Rupununi Savannah, a vast land of huge skies and sun-scorched plains, interrupted by patches of scrub and riparian woodland, swamps and lakes, together with a scattering of Amerindian villages and cattle ranches. Karanambu is an isolated cattle ranch and former home of Diane McTurk, famous for her work rehabilitating orphaned Giant River Otters to the wild. Here we will explore the maze of lagoons along the Rupununi River in search of Giant River Otters, Red Howler Monkeys, Capybara and Black Caiman. The quiet backwaters here are home to the legendary Arapaima, the largest of all scaled freshwater fish. Lakes and ponds are crammed with Jabirus, egrets, herons and other waterbirds, and blanketed by the enormous pads of the  Victoria amazonica water lily, Guyana’s national flower. On one morning we make an early start to reach an area of rolling grassland which is home to a population of Giant Anteaters. With luck, and with the help of the  vacqueros riding barefoot in the stirrup, we will locate one of these 2-metre long animals excavating its breakfast from one of the red termite mounds that stud the savannah.

Back in Georgetown, with two nights to relax at Cara Lodge, we will have the opportunity to travel eastward to Abary Creek to look for the highly sought-after Blood-coloured Woodpecker, along with a host of new species including Rufous Crab-hawk, White-bellied Piculet and Guianan Gnatcatcher. We will take a final boat journey in search of Guyana’s national bird, the Hoatzin; exposed mudflats of the Demerara River often host Scarlet Ibis and Tricolored Herons, while Magnificent Frigatebirds wheel overhead.

Finally, a little culture in colonial Georgetown, together with a visit to the Botanical Gardens where the astonishing Blood-coloured Woodpecker is a possibility, will round off what is likely to be an unforgettable tour.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Georgetown
Day 2
Georgetown
Day 3/4
Kaieteur Falls and Iwokrama River Lodge
Day 5/6
Atta Rainforest Lodge
Day 7/9
Surama Eco Lodge
Day 10/12
Karanambu Ranch
Day 13/14
Georgetown and coastal birding
Day 15
Depart Georgetown
Day 16
Arrive London
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    A mixture of the best available hotels and lodges, some a little basic, all with private facilities.

  • Food:

    Included in the price, except for evening meals in Georgetown. Allow £60.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Mon 3rd Feb – Tue 18th Feb FULL £7,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,345
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
Female sharing available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Wally Prince
TL Wally Prince

Tour Leader: Wally Prince

Mon 3rd Nov – Tue 18th Nov SPACES £7,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,145
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,295
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Wally Prince
TL Wally Prince

Tour Leader: Wally Prince

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Mon 2nd Feb – Tue 17th Feb SPACES £8,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,295
Mon 2nd Nov – Tue 17th Nov SPACES £8,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,295 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Mammal Watching Holidays


Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.


Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours


Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.


Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:



Bargain mammal selection


We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.




Our specialist recommends...







"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




  


All Mammal Watching Tours

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!