Guyana Wildlife and Adventure Journey

Arrive at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where you are met and transferred to your hotel in the capital city.

Check into Cara Lodge, a stunning colonial estate built in the 1840s. Once the home of Georgetown’s first Lord Mayor, this heritage hotel has hosted distinguished guests ranging from King Edward VIII and HRH King Charles III to Mick Jagger. Spend your evening soaking in the nostalgia and grand wooden architecture of this historic landmark.

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Day 2: Market Flavors | Georgetown City Tour
Start your morning early with breakfast at a local stand before diving into the vibrant Bourda Market. Your guide introduces you to the Guyana Shop’s local products before navigating the bustling stalls of the fish and meat sections. Explore the haberdashery and the educational bush medicine stalls, where you can see and taste exotic fruits and vegetables unique to the region.

The journey continues with a curated tour of Georgetown’s historic landmarks. Visit the National Museum to view taxidermy exhibits in vintage glass cases and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology to explore indigenous artifacts. On a mix of walking and driving, you will pass iconic structures including St. George’s Cathedral—one of the world’s tallest free-standing wooden buildings—and the "bizarre bazaar" of Stabroek Market.

Before heading to a local restaurant for lunch, visit the National Park to feed the endangered West Indian Manatees. The afternoon offers a deep dive into the history, rumors, and facts that define this colonial-era city.

Optional Upgrades
El Dorado Rum Tasting
Visit The Patio Bar at Cara Lodge for a guided tasting of the world’s most awarded rums. Learn about Guyana’s history of sugar and rum production while sampling El Dorado’s 7, 12, 15, and 21-year-old blends. Includes a savory snack and a souvenir miniature bottle and glass.
Note: An exclusive 25-year-old vintage can be added for an additional fee.

Transfer to Eugene F. Correia International Airport to board your flight over hundreds of miles of tropical rainforest. After landing at Fair View Airstrip, you are transferred to Iwokrama River Lodge, located in a one-million-acre protected wilderness. This region is the ancestral homeland of the Makushi people and serves as a vital international center for rainforest conservation.

Check into your spacious timber cabin overlooking the Essequibo River. The lodge blends sustainability with comfort, utilizing solar and diesel power, with meals served buffet-style in the Fred Allicock dining hall. This afternoon, explore the surrounding trails with an Iwokrama Ranger. This habitat is home to a spectacular array of birdlife, including the Capuchinbird, Guianan Red Cotinga, and the Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo, as well as mammals like the Black Spider Monkey and Red-rumped Agouti.

At nightfall, set out on the river by boat to search for the four species of caiman found here. Using flashlights to catch "eyeshine," you may also spot the Cox boa or tree frogs. Listen for the distinct calls of night birds such as the Spectacled Owl and the rare White-winged Potoo before returning to the lodge.

Your morning begins at dawn as you board a boat to circumnavigate Indian House Island, experiencing the river as it wakes up before returning to the lodge for breakfast.

After breakfast, set out by boat for a hike to the summit of Turtle Mountain. A well-maintained trail winds through the forest before beginning an exhilarating climb to 935ft (360m). The 1.75-hour trek is rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views over the unbroken forest canopy, with chances to spot Green Aracari, the White Bellbird, or one of the region's five species of eagles. If you prefer a less strenuous morning, you may choose an alternative boat trip to Stanley Lake to search for Giant River Otters and Black Caiman.

As the afternoon cools, travel by boat to Kurupukari Falls to view ancient Amerindian petroglyphs (water levels permitting). Your day concludes with a drive through a specific forest corridor renowned for Jaguar sightings. While this elusive cat is never guaranteed, this area offers a reasonable chance to witness South America's apex predator alongside other diverse wildlife.

Start the morning with a final exploration of the trails around Iwokrama Lodge alongside a ranger. Afterward, depart via 4x4 along a forest trail known as one of the best locations for Jaguar sightings. As you travel, watch for a variety of bird species along the forest edge. This road serves as the only north-to-south link between Guyana and Brazil; however, traffic remains sparse and it is common to spot Agouti, Tayra, Tapir, and Black Curassow along the corridor.

The journey concludes at Atta Rainforest Lodge, home of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. This impressive structure features four suspension bridges leading to three observation platforms, the highest of which sits over 30 meters above the forest floor. From this vantage point, you can observe the canopy from a unique perspective, gaining a bird's eye view of the surrounding biodiversity.

Back at the lodge, spend time in the clearing—a premier site for spotting the Crimson Fruitcrow. You may also encounter a resident family of Black Curassow that has become habituated to the grounds. The lodge itself offers traditional Amerindian hospitality with open-sided communal areas that overlook gardens filled with heliconias. These flowers attract over ten species of hummingbirds, providing excellent opportunities for photography.

Start the morning before dawn with a return to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. This treetop vantage point is designed for easy birdwatching as the forest begins its morning activity. You might catch sight of the Rufous-throated Sapphire, Green Aracari, or Pygmy Antwren. With a bit of luck, crown specialists such as the Guianan Toucanet and Pompadour Cotinga may come into view, and you can sometimes observe Red Howler and Black Spider Monkeys navigating the canopy.

Beyond the walkway, the trails surrounding the lodge are available for further exploration. These paths provide a home for diverse insects, amphibians, and primates, while Deer, Tapir, and Agouti are known to frequent the lodge grounds. Dedicated birders can spend time scanning the undergrowth for the rarely seen Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo.

As darkness falls, the walkway offers a different perspective where you might spot the White-winged Potoo. You also have the option for a guided night walk to look for nocturnal life. These outings are unpredictable and always offer the possibility of seeing something new, including the potential to cross paths with one of the six species of cats found in this region.

Start the morning by welcoming the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Following departure, transfer through the rainforest to Corkwood. A short trail through pristine forest offers the opportunity to see the brilliant Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock. Along the way, your guides explain the various medicinal and practical uses of the surrounding plant life.

The journey continues to Rock View Lodge for lunch before reaching Kwatamang Landing. From here, board a boat for a 50-mile trip along the Rupununi River. Keep a watch for Giant River Otters and Black Caiman while passing local villagers fishing and bathing along the banks. The duration of this river travel varies between two and four hours, depending on water levels, eventually leading to the Rewa River and the indigenous community of Rewa.

The Rewa Eco-lodge is a community-owned and operated venture established by the local Macushi people. Situated on the riverbank, the lodge features a collection of traditional cabins and benabs within a forest clearing. This afternoon, a short boat ride and a brief walk lead to a hidden oxbow lake. A wooden deck over the water provides a vantage point to view the Victoria amazonica, the world's largest waterlily, and Guyana's national flower. As dusk approaches, you may witness the white blooms beginning to change color against the golden light of the setting sun.

Enjoy breakfast at dawn while overlooking the river before heading out by boat along the Rupununi. Your destination is a nearby oxbow lake, the starting point for a hike up Awarmie Mountain. While the climb features a few steep sections, the trail rewards you with diverse birding opportunities and potential close-up views of Black Spider Monkeys. Keep an ear out for the distinct call of the White Bellbird and watch for species such as the Ornate Hawk-eagle, Red-fan Parrot, and Spotted Tanager. This area also supports a high density of macaws, including Scarlet, Blue-and-yellow, and Red-and-Green varieties.

The summit plateau offers two distinct and spectacular perspectives. In one direction, look out over the Rupununi River and open savannah toward the Kanuku Mountains. In the opposite direction, a 200m vertical drop reveals vast swathes of undisturbed forest reaching toward the distant Iwokrama Mountain and the ancient Makarapan Mountain, estimated to be two thousand million years old.

After returning to the lodge for lunch, take a boat up the Rewa River, followed by a brief hike to Grass Pond. This three-kilometer lake is a scenic habitat for the Victoria amazonica and holds the highest reported density of Arapaima, the largest scaled freshwater fish in the world. During the late afternoon, you may spot Brown Capuchin monkeys or Capybara along the water's edge. As dusk settles, watch for the Green Kingfisher and Black-collared Hawk before observing the evening bloom of the giant waterlilies.

Board a boat this morning for a journey to a nearby trail that transitions from dense rainforest into open savannah. This trek provides a glimpse into local life as you pass traditional farms. If timing allows, you may encounter a local family practicing indigenous farming methods, offering a firsthand look at the community's agricultural heritage.

Following lunch, travel up the Rewa River to the Seawall, a prominent rock formation ideal for fishing or simply appreciating the river's natural beauty. Along the route, visit sandbanks where river turtles are known to lay their eggs. Keep a watch on the riverbanks for Red Howlers, Squirrel monkeys, and Brown Capuchins moving through the trees.

The afternoon continues with a hike through the forest to an area where you can observe the Goliath bird-eating spider. Recognized as the largest spider in the world by mass and size, these impressive arachnids can reach a leg span of 28 cm. While their name originates from an 18th-century engraving depicting one preying on a hummingbird, their diet primarily consists of large arthropods and amphibians, though they are opportunistic predators of small vertebrates like rodents and lizards.

After breakfast, bid farewell to the staff and residents of Rewa before boarding your boat for the return journey along the Rupununi River to Kwatamang Landing.

Your first stop is the village of Aranaputa to visit a community-operated Peanut Butter Factory. This local cottage industry, managed by a cooperative of local women, provides a vital market for organic peanut farmers in the valley. After learning about the production process, continue to the Pakaraima Mountain Inn. Here, you enjoy a home-cooked lunch on the veranda accompanied by the fascinating stories of your host, Charlie De Freitas.

The journey continues from Ginep Landing with a boat trip to Karanambu Lodge. This 110-square-mile former cattle ranch was the home of the late Diane McTurk, a world-renowned conservationist and expert on giant otters. The region is a biological marvel, hosting over 600 bird species and 200 mammal species, while its seasonally flooded forests support more than 700 species of fish. This storied landscape has inspired explorers and naturalists for generations, including a young David Attenborough, who chronicled his time here in "Zoo Quest to Guiana."

Late in the afternoon, set out by boat to search for family groups of Giant River Otters. As dusk approaches, visit nearby ponds to witness the blooming of the Victoria amazonica waterlily. On the return trip to the lodge, your guide uses spotlights to find the eyeshine of Black Caiman and other nocturnal creatures. Your accommodation tonight is in traditionally crafted clay brick cabins, complete with private verandas and hammocks.

Explore the rolling grasslands at dawn to search for the Giant Anteater. You scan the open savannah for these six foot long mammals as they excavate termite mounds for breakfast. Though mostly solitary, you might spot a mother carrying her offspring on her back.

The evening brings a river excursion or a walk through the gallery forest to search for the Agami Heron. As night falls, walk along the airstrip to look for Double-striped Thick-knees and listen for the calls of seven different nightjar species.

Take the opportunity this morning to search the savannah again if the Giant Anteater remains elusive. Alternatively, navigate quiet stretches of the Rupununi River to look for Giant River Otters, Black Caiman, and Arapaima. Return to the lodge for breakfast before boarding a motorized boat for the transfer upriver to Yupukari Village.

Check in at Caiman House Field Station, a hub for research and community development in the Central Rupununi. You may meet local artisans, including furniture builders and cotton processors at the Wabbini craft house. The station also leads a vital turtle conservation program where rangers rescue eggs from flooded sandbanks. Visit the holding ponds to see Yellow-spotted river turtles and rare Giant River Turtles being raised until their shells harden for release.

The evening invites you to support an ongoing field study of the endangered Black Caiman, the largest member of the alligator family. Accompany the indigenous crew on the river to observe the capture from a separate boat. You have the chance to assist with data collection as the team weighs, measures, sexes, and tags these reptiles before releasing them back into the wild.

You set out on a paddle or electric motor excursion across Awariku Lake with your guides to spot local wildlife. You keep a lookout for egrets and ibises, and you might even encounter Giant River Otters or Black Caiman in the water. You steer through a winding creek in the lowland forest that opens into the Rupununi River before drifting back to the Caiman House landing.
You bid farewell to the field station and travel by vehicle to Lethem for your flight to Georgetown. Upon landing at Eugene F. Correia International Airport, you transfer to your hotel to settle in. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel in Georgetown to rest or explore at your leisure.

Optional Tour
Demerara Historical River Tour: In the afternoon, you drive to the Stabroek Market area and board a river taxi to cross the Demerara River with local commuters. You learn the history of the waterfront buildings from your guide as you cruise past them. You pass under the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which was once the longest floating bridge in the world. You sip cold drinks and enjoy local snacks near the mangroves while you watch flocks of Scarlet Ibis and herons come to roost at sunset. You return to the city with a view of the ship lights shimmering on the river.

Dinner with the Singing Chef: For a unique culinary experience, visit the home of Chef Eon John. You relax in a garden setting with a rum cocktail and watch him prepare a meal that blends classical and Guyanese cuisine using fresh, local ingredients. You might taste dishes like "hassar" bush fish or sweet Gilbaca catfish tailored to your palate. As you dine under the stars, Chef Eon, who is also a professional musician with international experience, serenades you to complete an unforgettable evening.

You start the day early with a visit to the Georgetown Botanical Gardens. You walk the trails at the back of the gardens, searching for the Blood-colored Woodpecker, a colorful species found almost exclusively in the Guianas' coastal plain. The grounds host a variety of wildlife, including Snail Kites, Red-bellied Macaws, and rare festive parrots. You may also spot the Yellow-chinned Spinetail or Silver-beaked Tanager among the foliage. Before leaving, you have the opportunity to feed manatees in one of the park's ponds. You return to your hotel for a brief break.

Later, you transfer to Eugene F. Correia International Airport for a flight over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers. You land at Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall, where the Potaro River plunges 741 feet into a deep gorge. This massive drop is five times the height of Niagara Falls. You learn about the Patamona legend of Chief Kai, who sacrificed himself here to save his tribe. The area supports a unique micro-environment; you look for the tiny Golden Frog living inside the giant Tank Bromeliads and watch for Kaieteur Swifts nesting under the vast rock shelf. You may also spot the Guiana Cock-of-the-rock nesting nearby. You fly back to Georgetown and transfer to your hotel for the evening.

Enjoy your final hours relaxing at the hotel or exploring the city. When it is time, transfer to the airport for your departing flight. Alternatively, you can choose an optional early boat excursion to the Mahaica River. This trip offers the chance to spot the prehistoric Hoatzin and Giant River Otters in a preserved ecosystem before returning to Georgetown in time for your airport transfer.