Kanuku Experience
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The Kanuku mountain range is internationally recognized for its biodiversity.
The Guyanese government is working towards making this range a National Protected Area.
Located in the southern half of Guyana, the Kanukus run east to west and divide the north and south Rupununi.
The Rupununi River rises in the deep south of Guyana and bisects these mountains into eastern and western ranges.
Over 60% of the species of birds in Guyana can be found in the Kanukus alone, including harpy eagle, white bell bird, oil bird, pompadour cotinga, golden crowned manakins, several species of macaws, as well as many parrot and toucan species. Guianan red cotinga, zigzag and fasciated tiger heron are also regularly seen here. During this trip, a parabolic microphone and playback system will be used to facilitate better viewing of birds.
Not to be outdone by the birds, mammals rank high in the Kanukus, as over 75% of Guyana's species have been recorded here. Black spider, howler, squirrel, brown capuchin and bearded saki monkeys are common, as are giant river and neotropical otters. Nocturnal species such as paca, opossum, ocelots, and many species of rats and bats can be seen on night drifts.
Itinerary
Arrive Georgetown, overnight at the Rainforest Bed and Breakfast.
Day 1
Depart Ogle Aerodrome in mid-morning and fly over the rainforest (1hr 45 mins) to Karanambu airstrip; transfer to Land Rover for a half-hour trip to Yupukari. Nocturnal caiman capture with the crew. Overnight at Caiman House.
Day 2
A day in Yupukari. You can sleep in, visit village crafters, tour development projects, or, in season, accompany the crew on an egging expedition (investigating caiman nests).
Day 3
Depart Caiman House Field Station and travel south, up the Rupununi River, passing traditional Amerindian farmlands, through savannah and into primary rain forest. As the white water river winds though high banks, giant black caiman bask on the sand, black skimmers and large billed terns peruse the river surface, observed by jabiru storks.
A picnic lunch is served overlooking Awawa falls, and once the crew pulls the boat up the rapids, you board once more to travel to the mouth of the Mapari creek. This black water creek runs cold and clear from eastern flank of the Kanuku Mountains and holds a 5 mile adventure of dodging under and over giant tree falls over the creek.
At the end of the day, a comfortable hammock camp is made in on a leafy and sandy island overlooking Mapari Falls.
Day 4
Early morning drift down the creek, birding and looking for monkeys and other wildlife. Return to camp for breakfast. Afterwards, a forest walk or mountain hike in search of ant birds, snakes and other reptiles, and return to camp for lunch.
During the afternoon, you have the choice of a river drift or another walk on one of the many trails.
After dinner, we will go night spotting along the creek. This is an amazing experience, as the sounds of the night are completely different than those of the day, and are somewhat mysterious. We will show you amazon tree boas and look for other snakes, oil birds, dwarf caiman, paca and other rodents. Frogs and toads can be found by listening for them and tracking them, but in past, the highlight of this trip has been watching the occasional ocelot hunting along the creek edge.
Day 5
Awaken to the dawn chorus of howler monkeys. Early birding on the river or the trails, depending on interests. After breakfast, you have the option of visiting a harpy eagle nest or taking a forest walk to learn about the various trees and plants and their uses in both commercial and traditional applications.
Post-lunch activities can include bathing in the creek, fishing, napping in your hammock or exploring more trails. After dinner a short river drift leads to a night walk on a forest trail with spotlights in search of the giant bird-eating tarantula, Theraphosa le blondi, the world's largest spider!
Day 6
While the crew breaks camp, you will bird and search for wildlife along forest trails, then return to camp for breakfast. After this, a last drift down the creek, on the way out, before starting up the engine and heading to Karanambu Lodge for overnight.
Day 7
A day at Karanambu, swimming with giant river otters, touring the lily ponds, admiring the enormous mango trees and the rustic charm of the lodge.
Day 8
Fly to Georgetown, where you can settle in at the Rainforest Bed and Breakfast or spend the afternoon visiting the Botanical Garden, the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, colorful Stabroek Market, or the Zoo.
Day 9
A 1-day excursion by air to Kaieteur Falls; return to overnight at the Rainforest Bed and Breakfast.
Day 10
Depart Georgetown.