holidays

Wildlife and culture holidays
WILDLIFE TRAVEL
21st March-4th April 2014 (15 days)
GUYANA
Neotropical rainforest spectacular
NEW FOR 2014
in partnership with
Sussex
Wildlife Trust
An exciting tour of Guyana, a wonderful place
for wildlife with 80% intact rainforest.
This trip will explore rainforest and savannah to provide a
spectacular variety of wildlife. We will visit the wonderful
Kaieteur Falls, the longest single drop of any waterfall in
the world and enjoy a tour of the capital Georgetown to
see the distinctive wooden colonial style buildings that
give the city its unique character.
During the trip we will find a wealth of birds to see
including parrots, toucans, hummingbirds such as the
beautiful crimson topaz and perhaps the magnificent harpy
eagle. Mammals that we can hope to come across include
howler and spider monkeys, white-lipped peccaries, giant
river otter and giant anteater. Out in the savannah area
we will take a boat trip at dusk to see the flowering of the
giant Victorian water lily.
Price
£4795
Single Room
Supplement
£350 (see note)
Full board
We will spend time at the Iwokrama Research Station,
which sits at the centre of a million acres of rainforest;
Surama community lodge which is run by the Macushi
Tribe; and Karanambu Ranch, the home of Diana McTurk
who has done much to protect and rehabilitate giant river
otters in Guyana.
This holiday offer the opportunity to visit one of the last
great wilderness areas on the planet. The infrastructure
is not so developed as other South American countries and
away from the coastal area there are few roads so
transport is often by boat and small plane. Where we
travel by vehicle the roads are mainly tracks. The
accommodation is basic but clean, the food is excellent
and the people are wonderful. A spirit of adventure will
be well rewarded.
Day 1 flight to Georgetown
Day 2 Caribbean coast
Day 3 Georgetown
Day 4/5 Karanambu Ranch
Day 6 Rupununi Savannah
Day 7/8 Iworkrama Rainforest
Day 9/10 Atta Rainforest Lodge
Day 11 Surama
Day 12 Burro Burro River
Day 13 Kaieteur Falls
Day 14 leave Guyana
Asa Wright, Trinidad
Day 15 return to UK
Leaders
Mike Russell
and local guides
Kaieteur Falls,
spectacular rainforest
All our
profits
are
donated
to
The
Wildlife
Trusts

ITINERARY
Please note that the itinerary may be changed to suit the weather or other
practicalities or at the discretion of the leaders.
On most days there will be pre-breakfast and dawn walks as this is the best time to view
wildlife. These will be optional when we return to the lodge for breakfast, which is
most days. Only when we move onto other accommodation before breakfast will everyone
need to leave at dawn.
Day 1 Friday 21st March Flight from UK to Guyana. o/n Cara Lodge, Georgetown.
Day 2 Saturday 22nd March After a leisurely breakfast and introduction to our holiday,
we will travel eastward from Georgetown and along the coast to the Mahiaca River. We
will take a boat on the river to see Guyana’s national bird the Hoatzin, which is found in
abundance along this river system. On our return journey to Georgetown, we will visit some
mudflats where we are likely to find a range of waders making their way northwards as well
as Scarlet Ibis, Black Skimmer, Brown Pelican and Magnificent Frigatebird. We may also
visit a heronry where Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned Night-herons, Little Blue Herons
and various egrets nest. o/n Cara Lodge.
Day 3 Sunday 23rd March This morning we will see dawn rise over the extensive and
beautiful Botanic Garden where, if we are lucky, we may see the Blood-coloured
Woodpecker, an astonishingly colorful Veniliornis found only in the Guianas and even here
almost wholly limited to this narrow coastal plain. The gardens host Red-bellied and Redshouldered
Macaws and a host of parrots including Orange-winged, Yellow-crowned and
Festive Parrots. We will walk on trails in the back on the gardens, enjoying our introduction
to the birds of Guyana. This afternoon we will enjoy tour of the city, learning more about
the local history and culture. o/n Cara Lodge
Day 4 Monday 24th March After an early breakfast we transfer to the airport at nearby
Ogle, where Red-breasted Blackbirds sing and Snail Kites patrol and from where we fly by
small 15-seater aircraft to Karanambu Ranch, the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for
her work rehabilitating orphaned Giant Otters. During our stay at Karanambu, we will
make a special effort to locate one of the oddest-looking members of the cotinga family,
the Capuchinbird. There are at least two leks relatively close to our lodge and we plan to
visit at least one of these display areas, where we should get great looks as the males seek
to attract females with their weird, almost cow-like, song.
This afternoon we travel by boat to look for wild Giant Otters and as dusk falls to the ponds
to see the giant waterlily bloom at dusk. On the return trip we will spotlight for Black
Caiman. o/n Karanambu Ranch.
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Day 5 Tuesday 25th March Today we will take a morning excursion out into the
savannah with vaqueros (the local cowboys) to look for Giant Anteater. During this
excursion we will also bird on the savannah and around ponds and hope to find the
Bearded Tachuri, a member of the flycatcher family which has declined markedly in
recent years as it requires fairly undisturbed savannah grasslands. Tonight we will also
head out onto the savannahs after dark to look for night birds: on a good evening it is
possible to see six species of nightjar and nighthawk, as well as Double-striped Thick-knee.
o/n at Karanambu Ranch.
Day 6 Wednesday 26th March After a final morning of birding around Karanambu, We
then transfer slowly along the Rupununi River keeping an eye out for Wood Stork, Bat
Falcon and King Vulture. The trip should give us an excellent opportunity to look for various
river-edge, wetland and open country species and we stand a good chance of seeing
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Green Ibis and the charismatic Swallow-wing. Depending on
the river level, this 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 inhabit the river and several species of monkey including Red Howler,
White-faced Saki and Squirrel Monkey can be found in the riverside trees.
The journey ends at Ginep Landing, where we travel to Annai, the northernmost community
of Rupununi. The Rupununi Savannah is to Guyana what the Gran Sabana is to
Venezuela, an extensive area of grassland with termite mounds and scattered or riparian
woodland. It differs in that much of it is devoted to cattle raising, though the large ranches
are not very productive. Indeed, one can travel for hours without seeing a domestic animal
of any sort.
Needless to say, the birdlife here is markedly different from that of the rainforest. In the
grasslands and nearby forested hills, we look for Double-striped Thick-knee, Green-tailed
Jacamar, Finsch’s Euphonia, Fork-tailed Flycatchers, Savannah and Black-collared Hawks.
The resort with its tropical gardens and flowering trees, resembles an oasis in the
savannah, and attracts many species of birds, particularly nectar feeders and frugivores.
Amazonian Troupial, Amethyst Woodstar, White-chinned Sapphire, Long-billed Starthroat
and several Hermits patrol around the grounds. Nearby forest patches are home to
Amazonian Scrub Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike and a variety of antbirds. o/n
Rock View Lodge.
Day 7 Thursday 27th March After some pre-breakfast birding along the foothills of the
Pakaraima Mountains, we transfer by vehicle to Iwokrama River Lodge. The Iwokrama
Rainforest is a vast wilderness of one million acres. This protected area was
established in 1996 as the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and
Development.
Iwokrama is in the heart of one of four last untouched tropical forests of the world - the
Guiana Shield of north-eastern South America. Iwokrama was established as a protected
area with a difference - the full involvement of the local people. Iwokrama is exceptional
among conservation organizations because it joins with local people in every aspect of its
work. From research to business, Iwokrama ensures local economic and social benefits
from forest use and conservation.
The Forest is in the homeland of the Makushi people, who have lived here and used the
forest for thousands of years. The success of Iwokrama relies on the ownership of local
people and the combined skills of specialists and communities. Iwokrama does what so
many international conventions have acknowledged as best practice. It has begun
conservation locally and integrated conservation into national development.
The trails close to the Iwokrama Field Station are amazingly rich in birdlife, including some
true specialities of the Guianas: the aptly named Guianan Toucanet and Guianan Red
Cotinga as well as Green Aracari, Todd’s Antwren and Tiny Tyrant Manakin are just some of
the birds that may hope to find during our excursions which are restricted to this corner of
the continent. 3

After dark, we’ll set out on the river once more, in hopes of finding one or another of its
four species of caiman, and listen for nightbirds such as Spectacled Owl, Rufous Potoo,
Zigzag Heron or Blackish Nightjar. If luck is on our side, our paths may cross with those of
some mammals, perhaps even a Puma or Capybara. o/n Iwokrama River Lodge
Day 8 Friday 28th March After an early breakfast we set out by boat: a 30 minute
journey takes us to the foot of Turtle Mountain. Here we explore the trails for a few hours
first visiting Turtle Ponds where Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Sunbittern and Sungrebe hunt. We
will continue through the forest, looking for Red Fan Parrot, Red-throated Caracara, Doubletoothed
Kite, White-plumed and Ferruginous-backed Antbird and Royal Flycatcher along the
way. Climbing to an elevation of 900 feet, we get a view of the forest canopy below and
chances of Green Aracari, White Bellbird or a fly-by of one of five types of eagles known
from the forests. This trail is also a great location for seeing Black Spider Monkey and
Red Howler Monkey.
After lunch back at the lodge, a ranger will give us a brief overview of Iwokrama and the
work they are conducting along with a tour of the facilities. Mid afternoon we will travel
along the road through the heart of the Iwokrama Forest, where there is a good chance to
see the elusive Jaguar. The Iwokrama forest is rapidly gaining an international reputation
for its healthy jaguar populations that seem not to be troubled by the appearance of curious
humans. No promises, but many have been lucky!
Along the road, we will watch for the myriad of bird species that frequent the forest edge,
including Crimson and Purple-necked Fruit-crow, Crimson Topaz, Green Oropendula, Scarlet
and Red-and-Green Macaw, Blue-cheeked and Orange-winged Parrot and the entertaining
Gray-winged Trumpeter. We will stop at a location know as 27-mile stretch and sit on a hill
with a view down the road for about 1000 meters and hope our patience is rewarded with a
Jaguar sighting. After dark we will spotlight along the road for not only Jaguar but other
wildlife and night bird opportunities. o/n at the Iwokrama River Lodge.
Day 9 Saturday 29th March Today we transfer to our next lodge. Along the way we will
enjoy yet more excellent birding, including a locality known as Mori Scrub, characterized by
an unusual low, sandy forest. Our target birds here will include Guianan Red-Cotinga, Black
Manakin, Rufous-crowned Elaenia and Yellow-throated Flycatcher.
The journey continues by 4x4 Bedford Truck to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway.
Although the forest around Atta Rainforest Lodge is excellent for birds, the major attraction
here is a 154 metre long canopy walkway which is only 750m from the lodge. The walkway
has four platforms, the highest of which is over 30 metres above the ground, and these will
allow us to get great looks at a range of canopy species, many of which we would struggle
to see well from the forest floor. Amongst the likely highlights are Painted, Brown-throated
and Golden-winged Parakeets, Caica Parrot, Guianan Puffbird, Waved and Golden-collared
Woodpeckers and Spot-tailed, Todd’s and Ash-winged Antwrens. The walkway is also an
excellent place to look for various species of cotinga including the poorly known and rangerestricted
Dusky Purpletuft and if there are any suitable fruiting trees nearby, we stand a
good chance of seeing this bird, as well as the more widespread Purple-breasted Cotinga.
Another area where we will want to spend some time is the clearing around the lodge, as
this is one of the best places to see another of Guyana’s “must see” birds, the Crimson
Fruitcrow. This species is seen here on a reasonably regular basis, as it often comes to
feed in some of the nearby trees. The clearing is also a reliable site for Black Curassow as
there is a family party which has become habituated to people and regularly passes through
the clearing. With reasonable luck, we should be able to add this bird to the impressive list
of species we hope to see around the lodge and walkway. o/n Atta Rainforest Lodge.
Day 10 Sunday 30th March Today we will use the walkway and trails to look for other
species including Spix’s and Marail Guans, Grey-winged Trumpeter, Red-fan Parrot, Eastern
Long-tailed Hermit, Crimson Topaz, Great and Paradise Jacamars, Guianan and Pied
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Puffbirds, Red-billed Woodcreeper, Black-throated
Antshrike, Guianan Streaked Antwren, Guianan
Warbling Antbird, Pompadour Cotinga, Purplethroated
Fruitcrow, Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant, Golden
-sided Euphonia and both Red-and-Black and Yellow
-green Grosbeaks. After lunch you will learn about
the unique business model of Community and
Tourism Services who manage the walkway and
lodge on behalf of Iwokrama. The trails also have an
interpretative walk with the trees named and you
can learn about their varied uses in the Macushi
culture. Another of our major targets will be the
poorly known White-winged Potoo which, after
dark, can be found both around the lodge and at the
walkway. Locating this bird will be one of our major
priorities but we will need a bright moon-lit night to
stand a reasonable chance of seeing it. o/n Atta
Rainforest Lodge.
Day 11 Monday 31st March For those who chose,
we will welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy
walkway: Short-tailed Nighthawks settle in for the
day, swifts take to the sky, White throated and
Channel-billed Toucans yodel, and Barred Forest
Falcons call as the sun rises over the rainforest…
magical!
After breakfast we will travel through the heart of
the Iwokrama Forest. Along the road, we will stop at
the Cock-of-the-rock Trail, an easy 20 minute walk,
to hopefully have our first view of the Guianan
Cock-of-the-rock. The highlights come thick and
fast today, as we next visit a nearby Harpy Eagle
nest. The nest itself is located in a huge emergent
tree only a couple of miles from the village and if we
are extremely fortunate, we may see one of the
adult birds bringing a sloth or monkey to the nest to
feed their chick. The trek into the nest site is about
an hour each way on a reasonable trail.
The journey continues by road to the Amerindian
community of Surama. The village is set in five
square miles of savannah and surrounded by the
densely forested Pakaraima Mountains. Surama’s
inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and
still observe many of the traditional practices of
their forebears. If we have time, we will take a walk
into the forest with an indigenous guide to learn
about the medicinal plants and their uses in the
Amerindian culture. Another of the special birds
which can be found around Surama is the Rufouswinged
Ground-cuckoo. Whilst Neomorphus groundcuckoos
are undoubtedly amongst the toughest
birds to locate anywhere in the Neotropics, we will
use expert local guides to assist us. o/n Surama Eco
-lodge.
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Day 12 Tuesday 1st April Before dawn we walk through the forest to the Burro Burro
River for a quiet and skillfully guided paddle, hearing the voices of many birds singing in
near darkness in the forest, and seeing many of them later when the light grows stronger.
We’ll also search the banks for mammals: Capybara, Tayra or even Tapir may be
encountered. Although the Harpy Eagle and Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo may be the two
star attractions at Surama, there are plenty of other species to look for and we will hope to
encounter Red-legged Tinamou, Painted Parakeet, Dusky Parrot, Lilac-tailed Parrotlet, Palethroated
Barbthroat, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Great and Paradise Jacamars, Blackspotted
Barbet, Golden-spangled Piculet, Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper, White-browed,
White-bellied, Rufous-throated Antbirds, Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant, Lemon-chested and Ashy
-headed Greenlets and Finsch’s Euphonia. o/n Surama Eco-lodge.
Day 13 Wednesday 2nd April One final chance, for those who want it, for some early
morning birding around Surama. After breakfast back at Surama village, we will depart by
4x4 for the nearby airstrip to join a chartered flight over the Demerara and Essequibo
Rivers and hundreds of miles of unbroken tropical rainforest to Kaieteur, the world’s
highest free-falling waterfall. Though Venezuela’s Angel Falls are greater in total height,
their filamentous drop occurs by stages, whereas Kaieteur is a single, massive cataract 100
metres wide as the Potaro River makes a sheer drop of 228 metres, nearly five times the
height of Niagara. The spectacle is the more impressive for its remoteness and it is
altogether possible that we’ll be the only people viewing it. Here we will hope to find Whitechinned
and White-tipped Swifts swirling over the gorge and perhaps we’ll be lucky enough
to see White-tailed Goldenthroat, Orange-breasted Falcon or Musician Wren. After our fill of
the spectacular falls, we will continue on to Georgetown, where we will spend the rest of
the afternoon relaxing around the lodge and preparing for our flights home. o/n Cara Lodge
Day 14 Thursday 3rd April We transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Trinidad.
Flight times permitting, here we will take a day visit to the renowned Asa Wright Nature
Centre and Lodge. Over 170 bird species have been recorded at this former coffee, cocoa
and citrus plantation situated in a valley in Trinidad’s northern mountain range. Natural
secondary growth has festooned the abandoned plantation areas with vines and a host of
epiphytes with the resultant effect of being deep in a tropical rainforest.
Over lunch on the veranda, Orange-winged Parrots will be calling loudly, Purple
Honeycreeper and Bananaquits will be everywhere and there are also Trinidad Squirrels,
Agoutis and Giant Tegu lizards, while various tanagers and hummingbirds visit the feeders.
Alas, all too soon our time will be up and will have to drag ourselves away and head back to
the airport for our final flight back to the UK (arriving Day 15 Friday 4th April).
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Accommodation
Accommodation at the lodges is clean and comfortable, with en-suite facilities and very good
food: however, in comparison with lodges in more developed countries such as Costa Rica
you should be prepared for the accommodation to be a little more basic. Iwokrama River
Lodge has wooden lodges based around the grounds with a very comfortable restaurant
and study area. Atta Rainforest Lodge is a small centre where the accommodation has
been built in the last five years. Surama Eco-Lodge was built and is run by the Amerindian
Community and you will stay in traditional round wooden lodges. Rock View Lodge was
one of the first lodges to be built in Guyana and is more similar to those found in more
developed South American eco tourist areas. Karanambu Lodge has wooden lodges with a
lovely central area to eat and some very tempting hammocks! We start and end the holiday
at Cara Lodge which is a lovely bright modern and comfortable hotel, in one of the oldest
buildings in Georgetown. Single rooms are available at all lodges except possibly
Karanambu (2 nights). The SRS does not take into account a single at this lodge. Single
availability here will only be known when final group numbers are known and, if available,
there may be an extra charge. Singles are limited at all other lodges too so please talk
to us if you want a single room. We will discuss the options for sharing with you.
Transport
Away from the coast there is no developed road structure and there is only one track
through the forest on which we travel, in a truck which has an open top so you can view
wildlife while you travel. We also travel by boat. Some of the longer journeys are
undertaken in small 5-13 seater planes (depending on group size) and this is the only way
to get to the wonderful Kaieteur Falls. It is important to note that there will be strict
weight restrictions on these planes of just 20lbs/9kg luggage per person which is
strictly enforced. You MAY be able to pay for excess luggage (less than a dollar per
pound), but WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL ALLOW THIS. You will also be
required to let us know your body weight with clothing similar to that which you would
expect to travel in on the flight, to pass on to the airline. Any excess luggage can be left
securely in Georgetown with our Guyanan travel company.
Fitness and health
You need to have a reasonable level of general fitness to be able to participate in this
holiday. Although most of the walks are not long you need to be comfortable to be out for 3-
4 hours in tropical conditions and heat. The climb up to Turtle Mountain may be a little
strenuous, although the view is worth it at the top! You should also feel comfortable about
walking on a safe aerial walkway. Walking boots are recommended for all excursions.
Malaria is present throughout Guyana. Anyone entering Guyana from an area where Yellow
Fever is endemic requires a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Other ‘standard’ travel
vaccinations to consider are tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies and
cholera. Dengue fever is present, and you should take precautions against mosquito bites
during the daytime as well as at night. You should consult your GP or travel for travel health
advice including anti-malarial prophylaxis AT LEAST EIGHT WEEKS before travelling.
Please see the General Information leaflet for health and fitness requirements. We will be
walking for at least some of each day, as well as taking excursions by safari vehicle. You
need to be able to get in and out of small boats and planes comfortably and the
holiday therefore is not suitable for people with significantly limited ability. This
holiday offers a fantastic opportunity to see one of the last pristine rainforest areas in the
world but a spirit of adventure is needed to take part. The weather and general nature of
the country might involve changing plans and itineraries but anyone prepared to accept
unforeseen situations will be rewarded with a truly memorable experience. Appropriate
safety information and advice will be provided with final details and on the holiday.
It is essential that, PRIOR TO BOOKING, you ring us to discuss any potential
fitness or health problems that may affect you on this trip, 01954 713575.
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Leaders
Mike Russell is a Director of Wildlife Travel and has worked for Sussex Wildlife Trust since
1985, currently as Head of Adult Learning. With a life-long interest in birds he has sought to
encourage and enthuse others to become involved in conservation. Mike has led many
wildlife holidays for Wildlife Travel since 2001, including Costa Rica, Ecuador, Trinidad and
the Pantanal. Mike visited Guyana in 2008 and has been planning this trip ever since!
Weather
We will be travelling in the 'dry' season and therefore should expect clear days with little
rain. Temperatures are nearly constant all year, around 28-29C in the day and 22-24C at
night. However, this is a tropical country, we may experience a mixture of weather
conditions. We will adapt our itinerary to the weather as much as possible.
Flights
Group flight with Caribbean Airlines from London Gatwick, via Port of Spain, Trinidad.
21st March BW903 Depart London Gatwick 11.50, arrive Port of Spain 17.50
BW528 Depart Port of Spain 20.10, arrive Georgetown 21.35
3rd April BW662 Depart Georgetown 10.15, arrive Port of Spain 11.25
BW902 Depart Port of Spain 19.40, arrive London Gatwick 10.00 (4th)
Guyana and Trinidad are both 5 hours behind UK time.
Passports and Visas
You must have a valid passport for this trip (valid for at least 6 months after the end of the
holiday, with at least 2 blank pages). Visas are not required for holders of a UK passport
(for up to 30 days in Guyana and 90 days in Trinidad). Please obtain further advice (prior to
booking on the holiday) if you hold another type of passport or if you have reason to
believe that you will have a problem gaining entry to Guyana or Trinidad.
TO BOOK
Contact us to check availability and reserve a place. Complete the Booking Form and send
to Sunvil Holidays (CAA-ATOL Licence 808, ABTA V6218), our tour operator, with your
deposit. All details about booking are given in the Booking Pack.
DEPOSIT PER PERSON £1000, SECOND INSTALLMENT ON
CONFIRMATION OF HOLIDAY £1500.
BALANCE DUE BY 20/12/2013
INCLUDED: Return flight from London Gatwick to Georgetown, Guyana. Local transport as
specified in itinerary, including internal flights. Half day visit to Asa Wright Nature Centre,
Trinidad (if time allows). 13 night’s accommodation, full board basis (breakfast, lunch and
dinner). Entrance fees except during optional sightseeing. Services of leader and guides.
NOT INCLUDED: Departure taxes (US$20 in Georgetown, US$17 in Port of Spain).
Refreshments. Gratuities. Travel insurance.
WILDLIFE TRAVEL
The Manor House, Broad Street,
Great Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6DH
Tel: 01954 713575
email: wildlifetravel@wildlifebcn.org
www.wildlife-travel.co.uk
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Directors: Christine Donnelly, Brian Eversham, Philip Precey, Michael Russell, Dr Tim Upson
Wildlife Travel Ltd. Reg. No 2237697; Sussex Wildlife Trust registered charity number 207005