Forming part of the Guiana Shield in northeastern South America, but culturally Caribbean, Guyana has one of the highest biodiversities in the world, with over 50% of its wildlife being endemic. It is one of the continent’s least visited countries and Guyana holidays, birding tours & packages with hotels & flights to Georgetown & its rainforests offers a truly memorable ‘off-the-beaten-track’ wildlife and birding experience.
Formerly known as British Guiana, it is the only English-speaking country in South America and can be reached by direct flights from the UK, as well as indirect flights via the Caribbean and USA. Roughly the size of Britain, nearly 90% of the country is covered by pristine rainforest making it an unspoiled wilderness, with a plethora of wildlife in the dense forests that cover most of the interior of the country.
The country’s colonial past is most apparent in the pretty capital of Georgetown, situated at the mouth of the Demerara River on the North Atlantic coast. Known as the 'Garden City of the Caribbean', it was designed largely by the Dutch and is laid out in a rectangular pattern with wide tree-lined avenues criss-crossed by irrigation canals. Most of the buildings are wooden, with unique Guyanese colonial-style architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. On Guyana holidays, birding tours & packages with hotel & flights to Georgetown, a boat ride on the river is very pleasant, as is a visit to the Botanical Gardens. Keep an eye out for the country’s national bird – the Hoatzin (or Stink bird). Culturally, cricket and calypso music link the city to the Caribbean.
One of the country’s most famous sights is the stunning Kaieteur Waterfall, which at 741 ft is five times higher than Niagara and the tallest single-drop waterfall on earth. It is reached by light aircraft flight from Georgetown.
Heading into the interior, most travel is by light aircraft followed by boat transfers down the network of rivers, as there is only one north/south road - only 60 miles of which is tarred. Outside of Georgetown, expect simple but comfortable accommodation.
Iwokrama Rainforest is a vast wilderness of 1 million acres and is a bird watcher’s delight as it is home to many different species, including several Guiana Shield endemics. Three neotropical birds of great interest are the White-winged potoo, Rufous potoo and Rufous-winged ground cuckoo. Also the iconic fiery-orange Guianan cock-of-the-rock. Channel-billed toucans and Scarlett macaws are also frequent visitors and with luck you may even see a majestic Harpy eagle soaring above.
With over 750 different species of birds, over 700 butterflies and over 100 mammals, a magnificent rainforest wildlife experience is assured on Guyana holidays, birding tours & packages with hotels & flights to Georgetown. Eight species of monkeys live here including Red howler monkeys, Black spider monkeys, Wedge-capped capuchins, Brown capuchins and endangered Golden langurs. You may even see an agouti (a rodent), puma (mountain lion), tayra (a type of weasel), ocelot, jaguarundi or margay (all wild cats). This is also your best chance of spotting the elusive jaguar. A treetop canopy walkway at one of the lodges is an extra bonus. After dark set out by boat in the hope of finding one or more of the four species of caiman found here. Also listen for night birds such as the Spectacled owl, Long-tailed potoo, Zigzag heron and Blackish nightjar.
The Rupununi Savanna is a vast stretch of rolling grasslands and tropical wetlands split by the Kanuku Mountains. In the Rupununi River look out for endangered Giant river otters and on land search for Giant anteaters foraging for food.
Whilst exploring the rainforest, you will also have the opportunity of visiting several indigenous villages such as at Surama, Annai and Yupukari on Guyana holidays, birding tours & packages wih hotels & flights. You can observe their lifestyle and learn more about their culture and community initiatives, before returning to Georgetown.
We have been arranging Guyana holidays, birding tours, packages, hotels & flights to Georgetown & its rainforests for over 20 years.
ALL OUR GUYANA HOLIDAYS, BIRDING TOURS, PACKAGES, HOTELS & FLIGHTS TO GEORGETOWN & ITS RAINFORESTS ARE FINANCIALLY PROTECTED wherever in the world you live.