At 5:30 am, I was once again wakened by the sound of the forest. Although, this time much louder as our three howler buddies were in the trees just around the corner from my room and howling in three part harmony. I had enough time to do a bit of exploring before our departure to the next lodge. Walking back to the main dirt road (yes - the North-South one!) with one of the other travelers, we startled an agouti and he swiftly disappeared in a wetland area. Luckily I kept my eye on where he was going because his path drew me straight into the eyes of a beautiful red brocket deer that was grazing in the wetland. A few steps further up the road, I stumbled on a baby red-footed tortoise thinking how lucky this creature was that there was hardly any traffic at all on this road and his life would be spared.
I returned to the lodge for breakfast and we took off towards our next destination. On the way, we stopped for a short hike through the forest to a spot known as a hangout for the Guinean Cock-of-the-Rock. After about an hour or so, one came into view along a jagged cliff formation in the forest. A beautiful crested orange bird that must know its beauty since it was very photogenic and let me approach within 50-75 feet of it to take its photo. Another one showed up shortly thereafter but kept hidden in the branches. But as I was successful with the first one after having no luck previously at Kaieteur Falls, I was quite satisfied. Walking back through the cliffs and rocks to return to our vehicle, I noticed a few long nosed bats overhead hanging upside down from the rock ceiling. They seemed quite content and were not bothered by the disturbance we were creating below them as we walked underneath.
We were back on the road headed to the Surama Eco- Lodge. Once we arrived in the village of Surama, we were met by MarkPaul who would be our guide during our stay. He walked us through the village as our luggage was transported to the lodge. We visited the medical clinic, school, and got a feel for village life at a place where the rainforest and savannah converge. We made our way to the lodge, very basic but it fit the bill as I needed a nap at this point. A blackheaded vulture and Northern Cara Cara greeted me at the entrance to our lodge.
The Surama Eco Lodge is community run with all staff and guides from the local village as part of a program to allow the local people to receive education and prepare themselves for anticipated increases in future tourism and employment. Four of the six in our group stayed in separate rooms in a newly built lodge with four rooms while the one elderly couple had a hut to themselves. There were about 5 huts with a painting on each door of a tribesman in their customary dress from each of the tribes of the region. It was a really comfortable place.
After my short nap, we ventured off into the savannah in search of the Great Pootoo. On our hike, we spotted kingbirds, savannah hawks, gray tanagers, gray and blue tanagers, a swallow winged puffbird, Gray necked woodrail, and white throated toucans in flight. Of course I was on the lookout for bugs and spotted a huge forest roach! We entered a wooded area where pootoos are known to nest but they are so well camouflaged they are difficult to see. But luckily MarkPaul had eagle eyes and found one. It took me a while to see it as MarkPaul tried to focus me in to its location but I eventually saw it. With our success, we returned to the lodge where we were treated to an absolutely fabulous dinner accompanied by indigenous songs sung by the cook, Anna, and the staff. Over drinks afterwards, Anna, captivated us with stories of the history of the region. Absolutely amazing!!!!
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.