Guyana

DAY 1: FLY TO GEORGETOWN

Depart the UK and fly to Georgetown. Night in Georgetown

DAY 2: ENVIRONS OF GEORGETOWN

We will make an early start from our hotel travelling eastwards along the Atlantic coast to the Mahaica River where we will board a private river boat. The trees along this river give us an opportunity to look for the highly range-restricted Blood-coloured Woodpecker which is only found along a narrow coastal strip in Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname. The cruise should also give us an opportunity to see Rufous Crab-Hawk, another bird with a somewhat restricted range, as well as the bizarre-looking Hoatzin.

After an opportunity for a siesta back at our hotel during the heat (of the middle) of the day, we will visit Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens in the afternoon. This will give us a further chance to look for Blood-coloured Woodpecker, with other possibilities including Snail Kite, Grey Hawk, Black-crested Antshrike, Golden-spangled Piculet and Yellow-chinned Spinetail. Night in Georgetown

DAY 3: KAIETEUR FALLS AND REWA LODGE

We will leave our hotel in the early morning for the short drive to the airport where we will board a charter flight for Kaieteur Falls. Flying over hundreds of miles of untouched rainforest, the views should be stunning before we land for the short walk to visit one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.

With a drop of 741 feet, Kaieteur is five times the height of Niagara and is considered one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world, however, we will also devote some of our visit to looking for Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock which can often be found nearby. Some of the bromeliads which occur here are amongst the largest in the world and we may be able to find the tiny Golden Frogs which spend their entire life cycle living in the rainwater that the bromeliads store.

After a couple of hours on the ground, we will reboard our plane for the remainder of our flight to the remote Apoteri landing strip where we will be met by motorised canoes for the 20-mile ride to the Rewa ecolodge.

For most of this journey, we will cruise past mile-after-mile of undisturbed rainforest which will give us our first opportunity to look for some of the special birds of this region as well as other wildlife such as Giant Otter and Black Caiman.

Our lodge is located where the Rewa river meets the Rupununi river and is on the edge of the small community of Rewa which has a population of less than 250 people.

Later in the day, we will begin our exploration of the area with one of the options being a visit to a nearby oxbow lake where we could find species such as Wattled Jacana, Black-collared Hawk, Crested Oropendola and Yellow-rumped Cacique.

This lake is also an excellent place to find the world’s largest waterlily, Victoria amazonica, which can have a diameter of up to three metres with the flowers going from a tight bud to fully open in only 45 minutes or so. Night at Rewa Lodge

Day 4: REWA LODGE

We have a full day to explore the environs of our lodge and it is likely that during the morning we will make a visit to “Awarmie Mountain”, the peak of which is a modest 300 metres or so !!

Although we may not reach the summit, the views across the vast expanse of undisturbed rainforest are spectacular and it is well worth the climb. The birding can also be excellent and we will make a special effort to look for the stunning and appropriately named White Bellbird. Other possibilities include Ornate Hawk-eagle, Black Curassow, Red-fan Parrot, Todd’s Antwren and Spotted Tanager. We can also expect to see at least a couple of species of macaws as this region has a good density of these large colourful parrots with Scarlet, Red-and-Green and Blue-and-Yellow all possible.

One of the potential options for the afternoon is a visit to Grass Pond which is a short boat ride from our lodge. Here the possibilities could include several Guianan Shield endemics such as Black Nunbird and Guianan Puffbird, as well as more widespread birds such as Green-tailed Jacamar, Guianan Woodcreeper and the appropriately named Cream-coloured Woodpecker. Night at Rewa Lodge

Days 5-6: SURAMA ECOLODGE

We will reluctantly leave Rewa after breakfast, starting our day with another spectacular ride in motorised canoes as we travel up the Rupununi River. Once again, we will pass plenty of untouched rainforest and with parrots flying overhead, kingfishers perched on overhanging branches, there should be plenty to enjoy.

Arriving at Kwatamang Landing, we will transfer to the Amerindian village of Surama. Here, the lodge is owned and operated by the entire community with the local Council deciding how the profits are spent to benefit the entire village – a superb example of an ecotourism project which actively encourages the local people to preserve their forests.

Set in a natural savannah and ringed by forest, we will have plenty of time to explore the various trails around the lodge and we can expect to see an excellent range of new species. There are, for example, a wide range of antbirds which can be found nearby with the possibilities including White-flanked Antwren, Rufous-bellied Antwren, Amazonian Antshrike, Northern Slaty Antshrike, Scale-backed Antbird, White-bellied Antbird, White-plumed Antbird, White-browed Antbird and Thrush-like Antpitta.

More colourful species could include Pompadour Cotinga, Golden-headed Manakin, White-crowned Manakin, Blue-backed Tanager, Green-backed Trogon, Guianan Trogon and Paradise Jacamar.

Another special bird which is known from this area is the Rufous-winged Ground Cuckoo and whilst this family of birds are notoriously tricky to see, the forests around Surama are probably amongst the best places to look for this species anywhere in the Neotropics. Two nights at Surama Ecolodge

Days 7-9: ATTA RAINFOREST LODGE

After a final opportunity to explore around Surama, we will board our vehicle for the ride to Corkwood where a forest trail will take us to a lek site for Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock where the male birds can often be seen displaying and making their extraordinary calls as they attempt to attract any passing females. Although we will hopefully have already seen this stunning bird at Kaieteur Falls, this gives us a second opportunity to look for it.

If it is active, we will also visit a Harpy Eagle nest which is a somewhat longer walk through the forest, although this is primarily on the flat and definitely worth the effort if the birds are present.

Our destination, however, is Atta Rainforest Lodge where we will enjoy a three-night stay. This comfortable lodge sits in a clearing only a few hundred metres from the amazing Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. The walkway comprises three platforms which are joined by suspension bridges, with the highest of these being 30 metres above the ground.

This will allow us to enjoy a completely different perspective on the forest with great views of a range of canopy species which can be challenging to see well from the forest floor. Amongst the likely highlights are Painted, Brown-throated and Golden-winged Parakeets, Caica Parrot, 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 range restricted Dusky Purpletuft and if there are any suitable fruiting trees nearby, we stand a decent chance of seeing this bird, as well as the more widespread Purple-breasted Cotinga.

We also plan to spend some time in 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. Generally, this appropriately named and spectacular member of the Cotinga family is difficult to find across much of its range, but it is seen with a degree of regularity at Atta, with the equally colourful Guianan Red-Cotinga often found nearby as well.

With two full days at Atta, we will have time to also explore the forest trails which radiate out from the lodge with birds such as Grey-winged Trumpeter being one of many possibilities. A good range of toucans can also be found around the lodge with Guianan Toucanet, Black-necked Aracari and Channel-billed Toucan all likely.

On at least one evening, we will also look for nightbirds around the lodge after dark with five species of potoo known from the area including Great, White-winged and Rufous. Several owls are also possible including the impressive looking Crested Owl – indeed, if our local guides know where any of these species are roosting, we will certainly aim to look for them during the day too. Three nights at Atta Rainforest Lodge

Days 10-11: KARANAMBU LODGE

After breakfast we will depart Atta for the savannah grasslands of Karanambu. The lodge is located on a former cattle ranch and was the home of the late Diane McTurk, a renowned conservationist and expert on Giant Otters.

The lodge is surrounded by a mosaic of savannah, wetlands and riparian forest and during our stay we plan to visit all three habitats and can expect to see a wide range of species. Out on the savannahs, we will hope to find Giant Anteater and Crab-eating Fox, as well as Bearded Tachuri, a very localised flycatcher whose main range is in the Guianan Shield and which has declined markedly in recent years.

Nearby rivers and oxbows are home to several families of Giant Otters but there are also many birds to look for with an amazing selection of herons, hawks and other riverine species. In the late afternoon and early evening, however, the water's edge can be a good place to look for Crestless Curassow, as birds sometimes can be found as they come down to drink.

Another Karanambu speciality is the amazing Capuchinbird, the calls which are as extraordinary as its appearance and we will certainly hope to see this strange member of the cotinga family.

There may also be an opportunity to go out after dark to look for nightbirds with seven species of nightjars and nighthawks possible. These include the diminutive Least Nighthawk which at less than 20cm in length is one of the smallest members of its family in the world. Two nights at Karanambu Lodge

Day 12: KARANAMBU TO GEORGETOWN

There should be an opportunity for some final early morning birding before we reluctantly leave Karanambu for the small town of Lethem from where we take a scheduled flight back to the coast and Georgetown. As we fly back north, we will soon leave the southern savannahs behind passing over hundreds of square miles of rainforest, most of which remains completely undisturbed.

In the late afternoon and after checking into our comfortable downtown hotel, we will take a cruise on the Demerara River where we hope to find our final brilliantly coloured bird of the holiday, the appropriately named Scarlet Ibis. Night in Georgetown

Day 13: DEPART GUYANA FOR UK

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our return flights to the UK.

Day 14: ARRIVE UK

We will arrive in the UK where our tour to Guyana concludes.

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EXTENSION

Day 12: KARASABAI

We will leave Karanambu in the early morning for the village of Karasabai which is on the border with Brazil. With its brilliant yellow, orange and green plumage, this extremely colourful parrot used to be reasonably numerous in southern Guyana. Thousands were, however, caught for the cage bird trade with the numbers reduced to the point where only a handful remained at the remote community of Karasabai, with all other Guyanan populations believed to have been wiped out. The birds are now jealously guarded by the villagers and finding this special Guianan Shield endemic will be our priority for the day.

Other possibilites here include Toco Toucan, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant, Yellow-breasted Flycatcher, Orange-backed Troupial and Plumbeous Seedeater, with outside possibilities of Giant Anteater and even Jaguar.

We will then continue on to the small border town of Lethem. Night in Lethem

Day 13: WICHABAI RANCH AND GUESTHOUSE

It will be another early start as it is a three hour drive across the savannahs to Wichabai Ranch, although we plan to make regular stops for any birds we might encounter along the way, with the possibilities including the bizarre looking Jabiru and drier habitat species such as the handsome Apolomado Falcon and Yellowish Pipit.

Having settled into our rooms at the ranch's comfortable guesthouse, we will set out once the temperature has started to cool to look for the highly endangered Red Siskin. Like the Sun Parakeet, the population of this colourful bird have been much reduced by the trapping of wild birds for the aviculture trade but a small population remains here and they are now protected by volunteers and the numbers are slowly increasing.

As with our day trip to look for the Sun Parakeet, we will be working with the local people to look for this special bird and, as a result, stand an excellent chance of finding it.

Depending how long our quest for the Red Siskin takes will determine what else we do but with a nearby lake holding plenty of aquatic and water-edge species and the open savannahs to explore, we will adjust our programme depending on what we have already seen. Possibilities could include the local Sharp-tailed Ibis as well as Buff-necked Ibis, American Wood Stork, Double-striped Thick-knee, Burrowing Owl and the striking Burnished-buff Tanager. Night at Wichabai Guesthouse

Day 14: WICHABAI RANCH TO LETHEM

We have a final morning to continue our exploration of the wetlands and savannahs at Wichabai Ranch with a second opportunity to look for Red Siskin should we have had trouble locating this species on the previous afternoon.

Other birds we could see include Variable Chachalaca, Crested Bobwhite, Laughing Falcon, Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Bicoloured Wren and Red-breasted Meadowlark before we return to Lethem for an overnight stay. Night in Lethem

Day 15: IRENG RIVER AND ON TO GEORGETOWN

For our final morning in southern Guyana, we will turn our attention to two highly localised species, the Rio Branco Antbird and Hoary-throated Spinetail. Both are classified as critically endangered by Birdlife International with tiny populations which are only found in gallery forest along the edge of the Branco river and a few tributaries in southern Guyana and northern Brazil.

Once again, we will be working with a team who have dedicated themselves to preserving these highly threatened birds and we plan to look for them along a short stretch of habitat on the Ireng River, a tributary of the larger Branco.

Whilst our main emphasis will be on locating these two final specialities, other possibilities in this area include Muscovy Duck, Capped Heron and Pale-legged Hornero.

Returning to Lethem, we will take an afternoon flight back to Georgetown. Night in Georgetown

Day 16: DEPART GUYANA FOR UK

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our return flights to the UK.

Day 17: ARRIVE UK

We will arrive in the UK where our tour to Guyana concludes.

GROUP SIZE

10 participants plus one UK leader and local Guyanese bird guides.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Located just to the north of the Equator in the north-east of South America, Guyana has retained more of its rainforests than almost any other country in the world. Our holiday primarily concentrates on visiting a number of strategically lodges which allow us to look for a fantastic range of forest birds with one of the likely highlights being a stay at Atta Lodge which will give us access to an amazing canopy walkway.

We stay in rustic but comfortable lodges with the forest edge often being a matter of minutes from your bedroom and a good quality city hotel in the capital Georgetown at the beginning and end of our holiday.

We will also visit the open savannahs staying at the famous Karanambu Lodge where the late Diane McTurk dedicated her life to saving Giant Otters and both David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell are amongst those who have been here before.

Expect an equatorial climate with a mix of sunshine and showers (some of which potentially could be heavy) throughout our stay. It will be hot with the temperature typically between 28-32C (82F-90F) during the day.

There should be good photographic opportunities around the lodges where we stay and out on the savannahs although when walking the forest trails, the low light levels can make photography more challenging.

BIRDS

300+ species

ACCOMMODATION

12 nights accommodation with two nights in a comfortable city hotel and ten nights in four lodges. All of these will be in rustic but comfortable cabins with private facilities.

Food will be good quality Guianese cooking and if we are advised in advance, it should be possible to cater for vegetarians and gluten-free diets.

On the extension expect similar quality accommodation to the main tour.

MEALS

All main meals are included in the tour price, commencing with dinner on Day 1 and concluding with breakfast on Day 13. Lunches will primarily be taken at the lodges, although there may be a few picnics.

WALKING

Mostly easy to moderate although it will be hot and humid which can make it more tiring so some participants may wish to bring a lightweight stool as we can be out for 4-5 hours on occasions. Most walks are on mainly easy terrain although the optional climb at "Awarmie Mountain" is somewhat harder, although the summit is only about 300 metres. A few walks will be a little longer but taken at a gentle pace.

As we generally spend at least a couple of nights at each location, clients are usually able to 'opt out' of excursions (when we are then returning to the lodge) should they wish.

Comfortable waterproof walking shoes with stout corrugated soles for grip are advised and when we go on forest trails, wellingtons/rubber boots are recommended.

TRAVEL

Despite the end of many pandemic restrictions, it is still proving extremely difficult to predict future flight prices and schedules. As a result, we have taken the decision to continue to price our holidays as excluding international flights.

To keep the process as simple as possible, we are working very closely with a dedicated agent at Travel Counsellors, Sacha Barbato, who is essentially now our “in house” flight consultant.

Sacha will be able to advise you which flights we are recommending for each holiday, and he will be able to book these for you.

Within Guyana, we will fly on a charter flight to Kaieteur Falls and then onwards to Rewa Lodge and will return from Lethem on a scheduled flight.

It is important to note that the overall weight that can be carried on flights in Guyana (people and luggage) is somewhat restricted and we will need to know your body weight in advance of the trip. Our tour price includes an allowance for more hold luggage than is normal offered in Guyana (the standard hold baggage allowance is 9 kg) but participants should be mindful that their total baggage (hold and hand) will probably be limited to a maximum of 20kgs. Once we have the body weight of everyone in the group, we will be able to advise you of what we anticipate the total luggage allowance will be but you should assume it will be no more than 20kgs.

GROUND TRANSPORT

By minibus or other private vehicles (including Land Rovers at Karanambu) and private motorised canoes.

Whilst most of the roads we will be travelling on are in reasonable condition, those we will be using on the extension are likely to be bumpy to rough at times as some of the locations we will be visiting are extremely remote. This extension is not, therefore, recommended for anyone with back problems, especially as some of the drives take several hours, although the potential rewards mean it is well worth the effort.

Although the standard of vehicles in Guyana has improved in recent years and we use some of the best available, there are limited options in the interior and a degree of flexibility can required at times. Please do not expect the latest brand of 4WD!

We will use motorised canoes to travel to Rewa Lodge and from there when departing for Surama. Most of our excursions at Rewa will also involve use of the canoes.

EXTENSION: £1,795 per person Single supplement: £150 Deposit: £500

Our extension is intended to look for some of the rarest birds in Guyana and it is important to appreciate that these occur in remote locations and, on some days, we will be driving for several hours along rough and potentially dusty tracks. The potential rewards, however, make this well worth the effort!

Assuming there is sufficient demand to operate the extension, the WildWings/Limosa leader (Frank Lambert) will be leading this. Those not joining this will, therefore, be accompanied by a local Guyanan bird guide provided by our ground agents for the final trip on the Demerara river on the last afternoon of their stay.