Guyana Nature & Wildlife Experience

Iwokrama River Lodge

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Nestled on the banks of the majestic Essequibo River is the Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre. The Iwokrama rainforest is located in the geographical heart of Guyana: it comprises one million acres (371,000 hectares) of forest or 1.6% of Guyana’s landmass and 2% of Guyana’s forests. It is part of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development, an autonomous non-profit institution established by Guyana and the Commonwealth, founded to promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rainforests. It aims to show how tropical forests can be conserved and sustainably used for ecological, social and economic benefits to local, national and international communities. Iwokrama River Lodge has eight perfectly situated river-facing cabins, each of which is spacious and beautifully designed, equipped with fans, bathroom, electricity supplied by solar power, and verandahs with hammocks. From these comfortable cabins, watch the sun go down whilst listening to the many local birds and other wildlife or simply relax in your hammock. It is a short stroll from the cabins to the Fred Allicock building which houses the dining area, shop, two science laboratories and a conference room plus researchers and administrators’ offices. In the large open-sided dining room guests, Iwokrama staff and visiting researchers have an opportunity to mingle. Nature trails start around the grounds, leading into the rainforest for excellent birding and wildlife opportunities. Or take a boat trip to explore the river, including a night trip to spotlight for wildlife or visit the nearby petroglyphs. Iwokrama’s most popular excursion is to Turtle Mountain, which offers an exciting hike up a jungle trail to the top of the mountain for fantastic views across the top of the canopy. Evening or dawn drives along the road are available to search for wildlife, especially seeking out the elusive jaguar. Iwokrama has a healthy population of this apex predator, but you will still require some luck to see one.

Karanambu Lodge

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Karanambu is a classic Guyana destination where creature comforts and a fascinating environment combine to create unforgettable experiences. Established in 1927 as a working cattle ranch and home of the McTurk family, it is now a lodge and centre for conservation. Over the years it has welcomed a distinguished list of guests including the likes of David Attenborough, Gerald Durrell and Mick Jagger. Karanambu is situated where the north savannah grassland, swamp and flood forest meet on the Rupununi River. From Karanambu, vast horse flats stretch north and west towards the Pakaraima Mountains and into Brazil. The lodge offers visitors a remarkable opportunity to experience the abundant and pristine nature of the Rupununi wetlands. Spend a few days here and you’re likely to spot some of Amazonia’s most endangered species, such as giant river otter, black caiman and the majestically bushy giant anteater. Nearby Simoni Pond is one of Guyana’s richest wildlife and fishing areas. Karanambu is dedicated to the conservation of the Rupununi savannah and wetlands ecosystem and continues the pioneering work of Diane McTurk (1932-2016) who was known for her passion in rehabilitating orphaned giant river otters, and efforts to save this curious and gregarious species from extinction. The compound has the flavour of an Amerindian village with a main ranch-style building where meals are served family-style. Guest accommodation is in traditionally made clay brick cabins with ensuite bathrooms and a hammock slung verandah.

Cara Lodge

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Cara Lodge is a heritage house hotel with unique Guyanese wooden colonial architecture, built in the 1840s. The hotel originally consisted of two houses and has a long and romantic history and was the home of the first Lord Mayor of Georgetown. Over the years has been visited by many dignitaries including King Edward VIll who stayed at the house in 1923. Other luminaries have included President Jimmy Carter, HRH Prince Charles, HRH Prince Andrew, Channing Tatum and Mick Jagger. This comfortable, centrally-located hotel offers the nostalgia of a bygone era, complete with modern facilities and friendly service in a congenial atmosphere. The Mango Patio is a favourite meeting point for evening drinks and the Bottle Restaurant is considered one of Georgetown’s best.

Atta Rainforest Lodge

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Atta Rainforest Lodge is 500 metres from the base of the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, offering comfortable private-room accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, delicious home-cooked meals, and traditional Amerindian hospitality. The communal building houses the bar, dining area and kitchen and is open sided with views across the gardens to the towering forest, which completely surrounds the lodge. Hammocks and outdoor benches enhance the lovely gardens which include varieties of heliconias that attract over ten different hummingbirds, close enough for the perfect photo.

Surama Eco-Lodge

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Guyana’s award-winning community-owned lodge introduces you to the Amerindian way of life. Much like a home-stay, your needs will be looked after by villagers who treat every guest like a family member. Surama Eco-Lodge is the gateway to the idyllic Pakaraima Mountains and Burro Burro River bordering the village and features some of the most impressive examples of pristine rainforest ecology to be found anywhere on earth. The abundant flora and fauna are masterfully curated by local, expert guides who convey a compellingly intimate fluency with nature through hikes, river canoe expeditions, and visits to community schools and traditional events. Importantly the lodge — plus tours in and around Surama—are owned, managed and operated solely by the community. Surama’s residents, especially the children, are personally invested in the preservation of the biological diversity that surrounds the village, leading visitors on hikes to nearby active Harpy Eagle nests, enforcing a ban on wildlife trapping, protecting groves of endangered bullet, letter, greenheart and waramaden trees, and introducing tourists and researchers to vast arrays of rainforest flora with time-honoured medicinal properties. The lodge is situated on the edge of the village, in savannah with views to the rainforest-covered mountains. A combination of thatched cabins and rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, encircle the main dining, bar and communal lounge. Naturally, the meals are prepared from village grown produce with an indigenous influence.

Caiman House

Science and eco-tourism merge at Caiman House Field Station, an outpost of research and hospitality located in the remote Amerindian village of Yupukari on the savannah lands along the banks of the Rupununi River. Visitors also have the opportunity to interact with the locals including the furniture craftsmen at Wabbini, a nonprofit venture to create sustainable jobs and revenue for the village. A popular night time excursion allows guests to observe, or become involved with the caiman research project which involves the capturing and assisting in data collection. This requires the caiman being weighed, measured and tagged before being released back into the wild. The lodge also supports the conservation and research of the Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle. Accommodation is in simple but large, comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms. There is a lovely sitting room inside and open deck perfect for enjoying afternoon drinks at sunset and breezy veranda slung with hammocks. Profits from the lodge support a public library, computers and internet for the village school and community.

Rock View Lodge

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Rock View Lodge is located in the extensive tropical wetlands of the Rupununi, set in a lush tropical garden landscape, amidst several Amerindian communities. This oasis in the savannah accommodates guests in a comfortable, spacious self-contained room with hammock slung verandas overlooking the garden. Meals are served family-style in the company of your host who will share stories of local life. Relax by the lovely natural-form pool in the gardens, snooze in a hammock in the shade of a tree or enjoy the afternoon breeze from the rocky outcrop overlooking Macarapan Mountain. The family ranch house features a wonderful eclectic selection of art and a library. A unique Rock View activity is observing cashews being slowly roasted over an open fire or take a leisurely hike through the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains, to see dawn rising over the savannah.