Guyana is a tiny country containing pristine rainforest, wonderful waterfalls, freshwater marshes teeming with birds and mammals, and lekking sites for the spectacular Cock-of-the-Rock. It makes a perfect introduction to birdwatching on the South American continent.
Formerly the colony of British Guiana (with English its first language), its stability, positive attitude to wildlife tourism and friendly people make Guyana the perfect destination for an introduction to South American birdwatching. These will be Tim Earl's fourth and fifth trips.
Our tour visits the coastal plain with rare sand-belt forest habitats, seemingly limitless pristine rainforests of the interior and the Rupununi savannah close to the Brazilian border. It includes travel on a number of small watercourses and two great rivers, the Demerara and the Essequibo. At the spectacular Kaieteur Falls, with their 800ft sheer drop putting them among the world's most imposing scenic wonders, we will search the forest for gatherings of male Guianan Cocks-of-the-Rock. Further inland we will watch birds in the tree-tops from a canopy walkway which brings us close to species normally associated with stiff necks.
Travel will be in four-wheeled drive vehicles on forest tracks when we are not sitting in motorised dug-outs spotting birds and mammals as we pass along miles of waterways. Indeed, our journey to the airport at the end of the tour will be largely in such boats, a brilliant way to leap from rainforest to modern civilisation.
Accommodation will be as outlined above with all rooms en suite.
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Price:
2010 : £ 4,495
2011 : £ 4,795
Single supp.*:
2010: £ 495
2011: £ 595
Deposit: £ 400 per person
The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London /Georgetown, internal flights as described, airport taxes, ground and boat transportation as described, accommodation on a full-board basis, local taxes, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips to local drivers/guides, drinks and other personal expenses.
*Single rooms may not be available throughout in Guyana. If we can't get a single, we'll refund a proportion of the supplement.
Leaders: Tim Earl and local guides
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
For details of the 2010 tour please click here
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| 2011 Itinerary |
| Day 1 | We catch a scheduled flight to Georgetown, Guyana, arriving late evening. We stay in a comfortable lodge close to the Botanic Gardens.
Overnight Georgetown |
| Day 2 | Overnight Georgetown
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| Day 3 | After breakfast we travel by road for a short transfer the Demerara Harbour Bridge and along the coast to Roed en Rust. From here take a boat along the Essequibo River to Baganara Island Resort, 187 acres of lush green foliage and colourful tropical flowers.
Overnight Baganara Island Resort |
| Day 4 | After breakfast we depart by chartered aircraft to the majestic and breathtaking Kaieteur Falls
After two hours or so at the falls, our flight then continues to land at the Iwokrama Airstrip. We will travel a short distance by boat to the Iwokrama River Lodge.
Overnight Iwokrama River Lodge |
| Day 5 | Overnight Iwokrama River Lodge
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| Day 6 | Before breakfast we will go birdwatching.
We return to the river lodge for a late lunch, and after lunch drive along the road through the heart of the Iwokrama Forest.
The journey ends at the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway which allows you to view the forest from 35 m up in the canopy.
Overnight Atta Rainforest Lodge |
| Day 7 | We witness the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway
After breakfast we travel using a 4x4 vehicle to the Amerindian community at Surama. Our accommodation is more basic than we are used to, but the location has been much enjoyed by our groups in the past.
Overnight Surama Eco Lodge |
| Day 8 |
Overnight Surama Eco-lodge
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| Day 9 | After breakfast we drive to Ginep Landing and then continue by boat on the Rupununi River to Karanambu Ranch. This is the home of Diane McTurk, famous for her work in rehabilitating orphaned Giant River Otters to the wild.
Overnight Karanambu Ranch |
| Days 10-11 | Two nights Karanambu Ranch
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| Day 12 | After a final morning of birdwatching around the ranch and an early lunch we take a flight back to Georgetown. Continue by road and then by boat on the Demerara River before journey's end at the picturesque Arrowpoint Nature Resort.
Overnight Arrowpoint Nature Resort |
| Day 13 | Overnight Arrowpoint Nature Resort
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| Day 14 | We travel first by motorised canoe and then by vehicle to the airport for the flight home, arriving on Day 15.
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