Kaieteur Falls

Attracting 10,000 visitors per year, the single biggest tourist destination in Guyana is Kaieteur Falls (for some perspective, Machu Picchu sees 7,000 visitors per day). Identified as being the “largest single-drop waterfall” in the world. Neither the tallest, nor the largest falls, Kaieteur is remarkable for having an impressive combination of height and volume. Getting here from anywhere will require a plane ride. Most people visit the falls on a day tour from Georgetown. Commercial flights arrive a few times a day and will take you back to Georgetown in time for dinner in the city - giving you about 2 hours at the national park. You can also arrange a private flight if you want a little more time to explore.

The main view point is about a 15 minute walk from the airport. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a National Park guide who will show you to one of the several, incredible vistas.

 

And if you have even more time, and a sense of a adventure - there is a rustic cabin (not unlike a forest service cabin in the Rocky Mountain west) where you can spend the night. An overnight visit will give you a truly private experience, as well as perfect timing to maximize your opportunity to encounter a few species known to make their homes in the long National Park. Both the endangered Guyana Cock-of-the-Rock and the golden rocket frog - endemic to the Kaieteur plateau and with a penchant to appear at dawn and dusk when temperatures are cooler.

 

If you are feeling brave enough to spend the night, you will also be rewarded with just about the best morning coffee views one can imagine.

 

For the highly intrepid explorer, you can also approach the falls on foot from a through-hike that will bring you up the canyon, ending in a spectacular and impressive view of the falls from below.