It’s a lush, natural setting. While the Amazon jungle further south may be more biodiverse in theory, tropical rainforest covers about 80% of Guyana, suggesting that possibilities of witnessing slippery and, at times, goliath natural life are plentiful. It’s also a travel-oriented country, so you can go with the knowledge that your trip is helping to preserve a basic slice of global biodiversity. Guyana, on the other hand, is a nation that you can only aspire to share with a small number of others, with annual tourist numbers hovering around 280,000.
Kaieteur Falls
While Angel Falls in Venezuela may hold the title of the world’s highest continuous cascade, and Iguaz Falls in Argentina may be the most well-known cascade on the continent, a pair of visitors have discovered another equally impressive waterfall and milestone.
Kaieteur Falls is highlighted on all Guyana flight itineraries for a reason. It’s the world’s largest single drop cascade by volume right off the bat, especially during the windy season (May through July) when it’s at its peak.
Besides, it’s impossible to prevent dramatization from obtaining the setting. Kaieteur Falls, carved into the Guyanese interior and protected by a thicket of dense jungle, can only be reached by a one-hour drive from Georgetown or a two-day hike.
See the world’s largest lily
Beginner botanists should head to the calmer waters of Guyana’s lakes, where they have a good chance of seeing the world’s largest water lily, the Victoria amazon. The leaves of this water lily, which can grow up to six feet broad, may support a child’s weight. While their size is impressive, there’s another reason to investigate this lily cushion: its flowers transform from white to crimson in a short period of time due to fertilization. At dusk, when the blooms stretch out, you can see the beginnings of this interplay. The finest site is probably near Rewa Eco-Lodge, where unusual cases dance over lily-strewn waterways and young caiman sneak out of the water onto lily pads to await their food.
Climb a mountain for breathtaking views of the rainforest
Guyana isn’t known for its lengthy climbs, but there are plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs here. Even while strolling through the jungle is a hot and sweaty activity in Guyana, it is one that pays off handsomely, especially at the Awarmie Mountain, which is a short distance from the Rewa Eco-Lodge. A short, rocky path leads up the slope of Awarmie, a low mountain covered in forest. When the road finally emerges from the treetops, it reaches the open hilltop, where large stones and dense grasses are strewn about, and each point provides views of the rainforest for a considerable distance. Spend an hour or two relaxing here, and you’ll find that your understanding has been rewarded.