Guyana's land of water

This week’s episode of the BBC’s three-part wildlife series, Lost Land of the Jaguar, sees the international team of scientists, climbers and filmmakers push further into the Guyanese rainforest in search of elusive wildlife.

However, the TV is no substitute for first-hand experience so Naturetrek offers the unique opportunity to explore Guyana’s rainforests, rivers and savannah in search of immense biodiversity from tiny Golden Frog, Arapaima (the world’s largest freshwater fish) and Giant River Otter, to Jaguar and Black Caiman, together with Harpy Eagle and Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, amongst an avifauna of over 700 species, during its expertly escorted 17-day Guyana - A Timeless Paradise tour, departing London 20th October 2008.

Locally named ‘The Land of Many Waters’ Guyana has few roads, so small plane or riverboat is the only way to access most of the country – of which 80% is covered by virgin rainforest. After an initial overnight in Georgetown, a private charter flight over endless rainforest reaches the breathtaking Kaieteur Falls, 822 feet (five times the height of Niagara) - there are no other falls in the world combining this magnitude of water and sheer drop.

Naturetrek’s aircraft lands on the table top summit of a nearby tepuis, allowing exploration of the ecosystem, including the unique micro environment of the giant Tank Bromeliads, the world’s largest, in which the tiny Golden Frog spends its entire life! With luck a splendid male Guianan Cock of the Rock may also be observed in full display. Later, at Timber Rainforest Resort within the Amerindian reserve of Santa, open marsh attracts Sungrebes and Sunbitterns, while Red-shouldered Macaws nest in the Moriche Palms in front of the lodge.

Here, there’s time to explore the trail system, bird watch by boat and visit a nearby Amerindian community. Continuing by air, seemingly infinite rainforest dramatically gives way to rolling Rupununi Savannah. Landing at a remote airstrip, transfer to Karanambu, an isolated cattle ranch and home of Diane McTurk, famous for her work in rehabilitating orphaned Giant River Otters. A wide variety of habitat, including the maze of lagoons along the Rupununi River, is investigated, accompanied by Diane, in search of Giant River Otter, Red Howler Monkey, Capybara (the world’s largest rodent), Black Caiman and Arapaima (the world’s largest scaled freshwater fish).

Jabirus, egrets, herons and other water birds are found in large numbers whilst lakes and ponds are often blanketed by Victoria amazonica water lily, Guyana’s national flower. Later at Annai, the Rupununi’s northern-most Amerindian community, enjoy a pre-dawn visit to a ‘canopy walkway’ deep within the Iwokrama Rainforest to witness peak activity of birds rarely seen from the ground, possibly including Harpy Eagle. Iwokrama has developed a reputation for its healthy Jaguar population and Naturetrek makes special efforts to sight this most impressive of South American cats. The holiday concludes with a tour of Georgetown’s Botanical Garden where a final avian highlight is the astonishing Blood-coloured Woodpecker.

The holiday costs £3,395 p/p including scheduled flights, hotel and lodge accommodation (best available, though some rustic), all meals and expertly guided wildlife viewing activities.

For more information, log on to Naturetrek.co.uk.