Rainforests and Mighty Rivers
14 Nights/15 Days
How to Book Your Birding Trip to Guyana
This tour visits all the main birding habitats in Guyana including the coastal plains, the white-sand forest, the seemingly limitless rainforests of the interior and the Rupununi Savannah along the Brazilian border. During this trip, we will travel on a number of small watercourses and two great rivers, the Demerara and the Essequibo, as well as visit Kaieteur Falls, the world's tallest single-drop waterfall and one of the most imposing scenic wonders in all of South America. Some of the birds we will look for on this trip include Black Curassow, Marail Guan, Caica Parrot, Blue-cheeked Amazon, Red-fan Parrot, White-winged Potoo, Guianan Puffbird, Black-spotted Barbet, Guianan Toucanet, Green Aracari, Golden-spangled Piculet, Blood-coloured Woodpecker, Golden-collared Woodpecker, Waved Woodpecker, Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper, Guianan Streaked Antwren, Rufous-bellied Antwren, Spot-tailed Antwren, Todd’s Antwren, Guianan Warbling Antbird, Ferruginous-backed Antbird, Rufous-throated Antbird and Rufous-crowned Elaenia. Other species we stand an excellent chance of encountering include Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, Guianan Red-Cotinga, Crimson Fruitcrow, Capuchinbird, Dusky Purpletuft, Black Manakin, Cayenne Jay and Golden-sided Euphonia.
Day 1 Arrival in Guyana. Transfer to Georgetown. Overnight Cara Lodge.
Day 2 Kaieteur and Orinduik Falls. We will fly by chartered aircraft over the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rainforest to land at Kaieteur, the world's highest free-falling waterfall. At 228 metres, Kaieteur is nearly five times the height of Niagara Falls and here we can expect to find vast clouds of swifts which could include both White-chinned and White-tipped Swifts. The sheer numbers which are usually present often attract an Orange-breasted Falcon which can cause chaos as it hunts swifts up and down the gorge. There is a small lek (i.e. display ground) of the extremely colourful Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock nearby and we stand an excellent chance of seeing this species before re-boarding our plane for the flight to Orinduik Falls. Here the Ireng River thunders over steps and terraces of solid jasper, a semi precious stone, on its way to join the mighty Amazon River in Brazil. In the late afternoon, we will return to Georgetown on our charter aircraft. Overnight at Cara Lodge. (B, L)
Day 3 Surama Village. We will take a mid-morning scheduled flight across the lush rainforest and extensive Rupununi Savannah landing at Annai in Central Guyana. Here we will be collected by 4x4 vehicles and drive northward to the Amerindian community of Surama. The journey to Surama takes about an hour and initially we will be crossing savannahs where we are likely to encounter birds such as Brown-throated Parakeet and Savannah Hawk. A pair of Burrowing Owls can sometimes be found close to the road and if the birds are ‘at home’, we can expect to get great looks at them as they stand guard outside the entrance to their burrow. The village itself is in an area of savannah but is surrounded by rainforest and there is an excellent range of open country and forest birds to be found within walking distance of the lodge. We are likely to see a range of parrots from the lodge itself and these could include both Scarlet and Red-and-green Macaws, as well the more range-restricted Painted Parakeet. Most of Surama's inhabitants are from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their forebears, however, some of them are now excellent bird and wildlife guides and we will be sure to make use of their expertise during our stay. After dark, there will be an opportunity to look for ‘night birds’, and species which can be found nearby include Great and Common Potoos and Northern Tawny-bellied and Tropical Screech Owls. Our accommodations will be in "benabs" (thatched cabins with private facilities) and our meals will feature excellent local produce. Overnight Surama Eco-lodge (B, L, D)
Day 4 Surama Mountain/ Burro Burro River. Rising before dawn, we will walk across the grassland savannah and then explore some excellent forest at the base of Surama Mountain in the coolest part of the day. This is the best time to look for birds and we are likely to see a range of interesting species along the trail including Ferruginous-backed Antbird, Pale-tailed Barbthroat and Black-spotted Barbet. For those who are feeling energetic, there is the option to climb to a viewpoint which offers spectacular views over the village and forested slopes of the Pakaraima Mountains with an excellent chance of seeing a range of parrots flying past including Orange-winged Amazon, Red-and-green Macaw and Brown-throated Parakeet. We will return to the village in time for lunch and then in the cool of the late afternoon, will walk across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro-Burro River. Overnight in a hammock at Carahaa Landing Camp. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Burro-Burro River/Iwokrama Rainforest. Soon after daybreak, we will set out on the Burro-Burro River in a canoe paddled by our local guides. As the light improves, we can expect to see a range of species which could include Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Black Curassow, Grey-necked Wood-Rail, Blue-headed Parrot, Dark-billed Cuckoo, Long-billed Starthroat, Blue-crowned Motmot, Green-tailed Jacamar, Black-chinned Antbird and Crested Oropendola. This river is also an excellent place to look for kingfishers, and on a good morning it is possible to see all five species which occur in South America. We will also search the banks for mammals; Giant River Otter, Tapir, Tayra and Black Spider Monkey have all been seen here. After lunch at the lodge, we will depart by 4x4 for Atta Rainforest Lodge and the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. This amazing structure has four viewing platforms which are linked by suspension bridges, and is the only canopy walkway in the Guiana Shield. The total length of the Walkway is 154 metres, with the highest of the platforms reaching over 30 metres above the rainforest floor. The Walkway is widely regarded as a birder’s dream, as it provides visitors with a great view of the mid and upper canopy of the forest. Species such as Purple-breasted Cotinga, Dusky Purpletuft, Waved Woodpecker, Spot-tailed and Todd’s Antwrens and Guianan Puffbird are regular. After dinner, we return to the Walkway (which is a mere 750m from the lodge) to experience the canopy at night and if we are fortunate may see a number of ‘night birds’ including the rare and poorly-known White-winged Potoo. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Camp Lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Iwokrama Field Station/Turtle Mountain. We will return to the Canopy Walkway for the dawn chorus and additional species we could encounter include Grey Antbird, Green Aracari and Guianan Toucanet. After breakfast, we will then travel along a dirt road through the rainforest to the Essequibo River and the Iwokrama Field Station. There are plenty of birds to look for along the way including the spectacular Crimson Fruitcrow and the range-restricted Blue-cheeked Amazon. If we are fortunate, we could also see a Jaguar, as there are reasonably frequent sightings of this large cat crossing the road. After settling in to our cabins, we will use one of the Field Station’s boats for the 20-minute journey to the base of Turtle Mountain, where we will explore the trails and Turtle Ponds for a few hours. The first part of this trail is on a well maintained trail and is mostly flat. The trail then rises and requires more effort as we ascend the mountain. The more difficult sections have hand rail, but it is a non-technical hike and anyone of average fitness can achieve the summit. There are a number of interesting birds to look for here including Black Nunbird, Black-faced Antthrush, Pygmy Antwren and Rufous-throated Antbird. For those who are feeling energetic, there is the option to take a fairly steep trail to the summit of the mountain (at about 900 feet) for spectacular views of the forest canopy below. On the return river trip, we will hope to see the Red-backed Bearded Saki monkey which can sometimes be found in trees near the river. We will also make a visit to Fair View, a nearby Amerindian village, and then in the late afternoon will take a walk on Screaming Piha Trail near the Field Station. This trail can be very birdy and species such as Spotted Antpitta, Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo and Guianan Red-Cotinga have been seen here. After dinner, we will set out on the river once more in the hope of finding one or more of the four species of caiman which live in the area, as well as tree boas and tree snakes. We will also be listening for the voices of nocturnal birds and could, for example, see Great Potoo or Spectacled Owl. Overnight at Iwokrama Field Station - Kurupukari. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Mori Scrub/Rupununi Savannah. Making an early start, we will circumnavigate nearby Indian House Island by boat where we are likely to see a range of species potentially including Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Black Nunbird and Black Skimmer, before returning to the Field Station for breakfast. After breakfast, we will leave for the Mori Scrub, which is an area of white-sand forest where the trees are extremely stunted. This habitat holds a number of special birds including Guianan Red-Cotinga, Rufous-crowned Elaenia and Black Manakin and we will be on the lookout for these, as well as anything else of interest. Nearby there is an area where the extremely elusive Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo has been seen and if we hear this species calling we will be sure to try to find it. As we travel toward Rock View Lodge, the forest suddenly gives way to the savannah grasslands of the Rupununi, which are to Guyana what the Gran Sabana is to Venezuela. We can expect to see termite mounds and riparian (or scattered) woodland and the birdlife here is markedly different from that of the rainforest. Birds we may see along the way include Northern (Crested) Caracara, Black-collared Hawk and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture. Overnight at Rock View Lodge. ( B, L, D)
Day 8 Rupununi Savannah. With tropical gardens and flowering trees, our lodge is an oasis in the savannah and attracts many species of birds. We are likely to see, for example, Glittering-throated Emerald feeding on the lodge’s hummingbird feeders as well as Black-crested Antshrike and Yellow-breasted Flycatcher. Nearby there is a trail which goes through some deciduous forest to a viewpoint and along this path we may find Green-tailed Jacamar, White-bellied Antbird and Finsch’s Euphonia. If we are extremely fortunate, we may also see the spectacular Toco Toucan or Orange-backed Troupial. If time allows, we will also explore the savannah grassland near Rock View where Double-striped Thick-knee, Eastern Meadowlark and Red-breasted Blackbird can be found, and as the light fades we could see both Least and Nacunda Nighthawks. Overnight at Rock View Lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Karanambu Ranch. We will start the morning with a short transfer (of roughly ½ hour) across the savannah to Ginep Landing and the Rupununi River, where we will travel upstream for approximately two hours to Karanambu Ranch. We are likely to see a range of species along the river including Cocoi Heron, Little Blue Heron, Jabiru Stork, Green Ibis, Muscovy Duck, Black-collared Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Brown-throated Parakeet and Swallow-wing. Depending on the river level, this boat trip offers an excellent opportunity to look for Giant Otters as there are several family groups which live along this stretch of the Rupununi River. Both Black and Spectacled Caimans also inhabit the river and several species of monkey including Red Howler, White-faced Saki and Squirrel Monkey can be found in the riverside trees.
Arriving at Karanambu, we are likely to be met by Diane McTurk, whose family owns the ranch. Diane is widely known for her work in rehabilitating orphaned Giant River Otters and if there are any orphans in residence, we will be able to meet these. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. (B, L, D)
Day 10 & 11 Karanambu Ranch. During our stay at Karanambu, we will be birding in a wide range of habitats including savannah grasslands, gallery forest, woodland patches as well as around oxbow lakes and from boats out on the Rupununi River. We are likely to be birdwatching from daybreak to nightfall and can expect to see a wide range of species including several special birds we are unlikely to see elsewhere on this tour. Amongst the species we will make a special effort to find is one of the oddest-looking members of the cotinga family, the Capuchinbird. There are at least two leks of this coffee-coloured bird relatively close to the lodge and we should be able to visit at least one of these display areas, where it is possible to get great looks as the males seek to attract females with their weird, almost cow-like, song. Other species we will look for include Rufescent Tiger-heron, Pinnated Bittern, Sharp-tailed Ibis, Aplomado Falcon, White-tailed Goldenthroat, Green-tailed Jacamar, Black-chinned Antbird, White-headed Marsh-tyrant, Finsch’s Euphonia and Rose-breasted Chat. At certain times of year, there is large breeding colony of Boat-billed Herons, Cocoi Herons and Great Egrets and we should be able to get great views of the birds on their nests. During our stay, we will also head out onto the savannahs after dark to look for night birds; on a good evening it is possible to see at least six species of nightjar and nighthawk including Nacunda, Least and Lesser Nighthawks, White-tailed Nightjar, and Double-striped Thick-knee. We may also see a Giant Anteater during our stay, as this species is not uncommon around the lodge. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. (B, L, D)
Day 12 & 13 Shanklands Rainforest Resort. After some early morning birdwatching close to our accommodation, we will fly to Georgetown and then travel by road to Parika where we will board a boat for the journey down the mighty Essequibo River to Shanklands Rainforest Resort. In the late afternoon, we will begin exploring the network of trails and forest roads around the lodge where over 450 species have been recorded. We will look for species such as Spix’s Guan, Red-shouldered Macaw, Red-fan Parrot, Painted Tody-flycatcher, Racket-tailed Coquette and Black Nunbird. Overnight at Shanklands Rainforest Resort. (B, L, D)
Day 14 Georgetown. After watching the sun come up over the vast expanse of the Essequibo River, we will travel by motorboat back to Parika where the Essequibo flows into the sea – the mouth of the river is 21 miles across. We will then board our private bus and follow the sea wall eastward, seeing the system of canals and polders that allow sugar and rice to be cultivated on land which is below sea level. Before reaching Georgetown we will cross the Demerara River on the world's longest pontoon bridge. Birdwatching on our tour will conclude at the extensive and beautiful Botanical Gardens where, with luck, the trip's ornithological finale will be Blood-colored Woodpecker, an astonishingly colourful Veniliornis found only in the Guianas and even there almost wholly limited to the narrow coastal plain. Other species which can be seen here include Great Horned Owl, Spotted Tody-flycatcher, Yellow-throated Spinetail, Black-capped Donacobius and Wing-barred Seedeater. Overnight at Cara Lodge. (B)
Day 15 Depart Guyana. Transfer by vehicle to Guyana's international airport for your departing flight. (B)How to Book Your Birding Trip to Guyana
Itinerary © 2008
