Itinerary

Red-bellied Macaw

Click here to see more photos from our 2007 trip to Guyana.

Day 1. Tues 16. Arrive in Guyana. Transfer to Georgetown. Overnight at Cara Lodge.

Day 2. Wed 17. At 0600 we will bird the extensive and beautiful Botanic Garden, where an ornithological highlight is the Blood-colored Woodpecker, an astonishingly colorful Veniliornis found only in the Guianas and even there almost wholly limited to the narrow coastal plain. The gardens also host Pinnated Bittern. Brown-throated Parakeet, Great Horned Owl, Golden-spangled Piculet, White-bellied Piculet, Black-crested Antshrike, Spotted Tody-Flycatcher and Wing-barred Seedeater. A number of macaw and parrot species are also present, including the Festive Parrot. After breakfast we will transfer to Ogle Airstrip for a scheduled flight to Annai. After lunch at Rock View we will be transferred to the Iwokrama River Lodge. Iwokrama is home to many bird species including Black Nunbird, Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper, Amazonian Antshrike, Brown-bellied Antwren, Spot-tailed Antwren, Todd’s Antwren, Spotted Puffbird, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Green Aracari, Guianan Toucanet, Guianan Red Cotinga, Pompadour Cotinga, Rufous-crowned Elaenia, Bronzy Jacamar, Chestnut & Waved Woodpecker, Gray Antbird, and Strong-billed Woodcreeper. Three other Neotropical species in the Iwokrama forest of high interest are White-winged Potoo, Rufous Potoo, and Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo. Finally, 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 night birds such as Spectacled Owl, Long-tailed Potoo, Zigzag Heron or Blackish Nightjar. Overnight at the Iwokrama River Lodge. BLD

Waved Woodpecker

Day 3. Thurs 18. At 0600 we set out by boat for half an hour or less to the foot of Turtle Mountain. Here we explore the trails for a few hours first visiting Turtle Ponds where anis, herons and Green and Rufous Kingfisher hunt and then climbing to an elevation of 900 feet for 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. This trail often provides good views of Black Spider and Red Howler Monkeys. We then visit Kurupukari Falls to see the Amerindian petroglyphs (dependent on the water level). Transfer back to the Field Station for lunch. Afternoon visit to the small Amerindian village of Fair View where you may experience the process and use of cassava, the staple of the Amerindian diet. We may then visit the Butterfly Farm where butterflies are breed for export. We will continue on for a late afternoon drive to a place known as 27 Mile. This location offers good views down the road and Jaguar are often sighted in the area. We will spend and hour or two here birding and watching for Jaguar. On the return trip we will spotlight for birds and wildlife. Overnight at the Iwokrama River Lodge. BLD

Day 4. Fri 19. This morning we will bird along the Greenheart and Woodcreeper Trails close to the Iwokrama Field Station. Quill rattling by Spix’s Guan or Crestless Curassow may start us off and then we will look for Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Eastern Slaty-Antshrike, Sooty-headed Tyrannulet and Tiny Tyrant Manakin. This afternoon we will take a boat trip to Stanley Lake for birdwatching along the banks a locale for Sunbittern, Green Ibis, and Capped Heron. During our three night stay at Iwokrama we will also be looking for Black Nunbird, Blue Dacnis, Spangled and Pompadour Cotinga, Red-eyed Vireo, White-shouldered, Blue-backed and Turquoise Tanager, Buff-cheeked, Lemon-chested and Tawny-crowned Greenlet, Brown-throated Parakeet, White-crowned and Golden-headed Manakin, Violaceous, White-vented, and Golden-sided Euphonia, Fasciated, Mouse-colored, Dusky-throated, and Cinereous Antshrike, Guianan Red Cotinga, Black-necked Aracari, Rufous-capped and Black-faced Antthrush, Gray-crowned and Yellow-margined (Zimmer’s) Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Flatbill, White-breasted Wood-Wren, Spotted Puffbird and Musician Wren. Overnight at the Iwokrama River Lodge. BLD

Spotted Antpitta

Day 5. Sat 20. Breakfast at 0530hrs followed by departure at 0600hrs for birding 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! The road also offers excellent birding, including a locality known as Mori Scrub, characterized by an unusual low, sandy forest. This supports an interesting assemblage of bird species, among them Rufous-crowned Elaenia, Black Manakin and Red-shouldered Tanager. We will stop along the road at numerous locations and look for species such as Guianan Red Cotinga, Pompadour Cotinga, Blue-backed Tanager, White-winged Potoo, Olive-green Tyrannulet, Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo and Marail Guan. The journey continues onto the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. Here we can bird watch from the vantage of 35 Metres up in the canopy. Caica Parrot, Painted Parakeet, Guianan Toucanet, Pompadour Cotinga, Plumbeous Pigeon, Red-and-green Macaw, Screaming Piha and a host of crown specialists come within our view. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. BLD

http://www.iwokramacanopywalkway.com

Day 6. Sun 21. Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway. Short-tailed Nighthawks settle in for the day, swifts take to the sky, Barred Forest Falcons, White throated and Channel-billed Toucans call. You can spend the day birdwatching from the mid and upper canopy on the walkway as flocks travel past and look for Paradise Jacamar, White-necked Puffbird, Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Todd’s Antwren, Black-tailed and Black-crowned Tityra and Dusky Purpletuft. Birding along the jungle trails often produces antbird flocks including White-plumed Antbird, Spot-winged Antbird, Ferruginous-backed Antbird, Ash-winged Antwen, Long-billed Antwren, McConnell’s Flycatcher, Gray-crowned Flycatcher, Plain Xenops and Wedge-billed Woodcreeper. The trails and camp often have sighting of Red-rumped Agouti. As dark falls on the Canopy Walkway we will hope to see the White-winged Potoo. The unusually timid Black Curassow can also be seen as at least one family party has become habituated and regularly feeds in the clearing of Atta Rainforest Lodge. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge. BLD

Green Aricari

Day 7. Mon 22. Again the opportunity for early morning birding on the walkway or jungle trails in the hope of seeing Mealy, Orange-winged and Blue-cheeked parrot, Flame-crested Tanager; Slate-colored and Yellow-green grosbeak, Slender-footed Tyrannulet, Black-capped Becard, Gray-fronted Dove, Ruddy Pigeon, Buff-checked Greenlet, Purple-breasted Cotinga, Golden-winged Parakeet, Black-throated Antshrike, Red-and-black Grosbeak, Rufous-throated Sapphire, the recently split Guianan Puffbird or even the rare Crimson Fruitcrow.
After breakfast we depart for the Cock-of-the-rock Trail, an easy 20-minute walk, to hopefully have our first view of the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. Most trips see at least one male and often the female or even a juvenile on the nest. Eventually we reach the Rupununi and Annai, its northernmost community. 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. Fork-tailed Flycatchers, Savannah and Black Collared Hawks patrol the grassland. This afternoon we will have an orientation tour of Rock View Lodge before birding on the savannah looking for Cinereous Mourner, Finsch’s Euphonia, Reddish Hermit, Rufous-bellied Antwren, Green-tailed and Yellow-billed Jacamar. At dusk as nightjars and nighthawks tumble over the grasslands we will look for the Nacunda Nighthawk and White-tailed Nightjar. Overnight at Rock View Lodge. BLD
http://www.wilderness-explorers.com/rock_view_lodge.htm

Crested Eagle

Day 8. Tue 23. Explore the rainforest around Surama perhaps visiting a nearby Harpy Eagle nest assuming this is active. 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. Another of the special birds that can be found around Surama is the Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo. Whilst Neomorphus ground-cuckoos are undoubtedly amongst the toughest family of birds to locate anywhere in the Neotropics, Surama offers one of the best-known chances for seeing Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo and to maximize the odds of us finding one, we will use expert local guides to assist us. We will, however, still count ourselves as extremely fortunate if we succeed in getting good looks at this extremely elusive species. 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 during our stay we will hope to encounter Red-legged Tinamou, Painted Parakeet, Dusky Parrot, Lilac-tailed Parrotlet, Pale-throated Barbthroat, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Great and Paradise Jacamars, Guianan Puffbird, Black-spotted Barbet, Golden-spangled Piculet, Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper, Northern Slaty-Antshrike, Rufous-bellied, Spot-tailed and Todd’s Antwren, Dusky, White-browed, White-bellied, Ferruginous-backed, Rufous-throated and Guianan Warbling Antbird, Helmeted Pygmy-Tyrant, Lemon-chested and Ashy-headed Greenlet and Finsch’s Euphonia. We also plan to do some night birding and will hope to locate the recently split Northern Tawny-bellied Screech-Owl, as well as Tropical Screech-Owl, Lesser Nighthawk, White-tailed Nightjar and both Great and Common Potoo. Overnight at Surama Eco-Lodge. BLD

Black Nunbird

Day 9. Wed 24. After breakfast we will bird our way to Rockview Lodge, eventually reaching the Rupununi and Annai, its northernmost community. 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 in the savannah is markedly different from that of the rainforest; here Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Savannah and Black Collared Hawk patrol the grasslands. Lunch at Rockview. This afternoon we will have an orientation tour of the resort before birding on the savannah looking for Cinereous Mourner, Finsch’s Euphonia, Reddish Hermit, Rufous-bellied Antwren, Green-tailed and Yellow-billed Jacamar. At dusk as nightjars and nighthawks hunt over the grasslands we will look for the Nacunda Nighthawk and White-tailed Nightjar. Overnight at Rock View Lodge. BLD

http://www.wilderness-explorers.com/rock_view_lodge.htm

Day 10. Thur 25. After breakfast we travel along the road through the savannah along the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains for some excellent savannah birding. Jabiru Storks are often seen along this stretch of road. After lunch we continue by road to Ginep Landing and then travel slowly by boat on the Rupununi River to Karanambu Ranch. We will look for many bird species, including Jabiru nesting along the river, such as Wood Stork, Bat Falcon, King Vulture, Channel-billed and Toco Toucan, Brown-throated Parakeet, White-necked Jacobin, Drab Water Tyrant and Ringed, Green, Amazon and Green-and-rufous Kingfisher. There is a good chance of spotting primates too.

Karanambu is the home of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work rehabilitating orphaned Giant River Otters back to the wild. Diane and her otters have appeared on National Geographic, Jeff Corwin Experience, Really Wild Show (BBC) and the Calgary’s “Zoo World”. Karanambu has a long history of visiting naturalists and Diane’s father, Tiny McTurk, has welcomed David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell (Three Singles to Adventure). Our birdwatching here will be largely in woodland patches or gallery forest along the river where we’ll hope to find such species as Spotted Puffbird, Striped Woodcreeper, Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin, Golden-spangled Piculet and Capuchinbird. Dinner with Diane will include stories on the history of the family and the Rupununi Savannahs. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. BLD
http://www.wilderness-explorers.com/karanambu.htm

Black-throated Mango

Day 11. Fri 26. This morning we will travel out into the savannah to look for Giant Anteater. Vaqueros will search the savannah on horseback, looking in locations where they are know to sleep during the day and as a result there is a very good chance to see this amazing creature. Whilst out on the river you may see Capped and Little Blue Heron, Great and Snowy Egret, Purple Gallinule and Pied Lapwing. When water levels are appropriate a wooded swamp near the ranch is the site of a surprisingly large colony of Boat-billed Herons. River trips also offer opportunities to see Black Caiman, which are plentiful along the Rupununi River, in fact this area is consider to have the second largest population in South America. There is also the chance to see species such as Capybara along the riverbank, and by spotlight it is normal to find Tree Boas and Iguana’s. At any season the river and airstrip provide habitat for no fewer than eight species of nightjars. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. BLD

Day 12. Sat 27. Diane sometimes has resident orphaned otters and you can help her as she tends to them. Visits can be made to nearby ponds for birdwatching and to view the Victoria Amazonica, the world’s largest water lily and Guyana’s national flower. Explore the Rupununi River in search of wild Giant River Otter, Black Caiman and Arapaima. Birdwatch in varied habitats, either traveling by boat up and downstream to certain localities, or by Land Rover to one or another forest patch. The surrounding grasslands host Double Striped Thick-knee, Bi-colored Wren, and Bearded Tachuri while the forest patches host Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Violaceous Trogon, Blue Ground-Dove, Plain-crowned Spinetail and Great Antshrike. The river is home to Wood Stork, White faced and Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Stripe-backed Bittern and Pied Lapwing. As we move around we may see Least Grebe, South American Snipe, Rufous-throated Sapphire, Yellow Tyrannulet, Cliff Flycatcher and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater. Overnight at Karanambu Ranch. BLD

White-tailed Trogon

Day 13. Sun 28. Early morning birding around Karanambu Ranch. For those interested there is also another opportunity to travel out onto the savannah to look for a Giant Anteater. After breakfast we will take a chartered flight to Kaieteur Falls (spending 3 hours on the ground), 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, thundering cataract 100 meters wide created as the Potaro River makes a sheer drop of 228 meters, 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 persons viewing it. Here we will hope to find White-chinned and White-tipped Swift swirling over the gorge, and perhaps we’ll be lucky enough to see the astonishingly colorful Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, Orange-breasted Falcon, White-tailed Goldenthroat and Musician Wren. The flight then continues onto Georgetown where we will transfer to the Demerara River. If the tide is out, the exposed mud flats can host feeding Scarlet Ibis, Little Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons and assorted shorebirds while Magnificent Frigatebirds pass overhead. Overnight at Cara Lodge. BL

Day 14. Mon 29. 0530 departure with packed breakfast. This morning we travel along the coast to the Mahica 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 the way back we will stop and bird as opportunities arise for Black-capped Donacobius, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Moriche Oriole and Rufous Crab Hawk. After lunch we will enjoy an afternoon Georgetown city tour. We shall finish the tour at the Botanical Gardens to do some final birding and also look for the Caribbean Manatees that live in the ponds. Overnight at Cara Lodge. BL

Day 15. Tue 30. Transfer to the airport for our departing flight. B

Click here to see more photos from our 2007 trip to Guyana.

Disclaimer: Please be advised all tour operators and customers must provide us with body weights of passengers booked to travel on tour to Guyana for all internal flights. Failure to provide us with this information or the incorrect information can cause delays to flights and inconvenience to other passengers and in some cases either passengers and/or luggage being taken off the flight. To ensure a holiday that is enjoyable and hassle free, it is imperative that passengers provide us with this information. We appreciate some people are sensitive about providing their body weights, but all customers and their baggage are weighed at check-in. This is procedure by the airline so as to ensure that the weight of the load is within the payload limit for the aircraft, and neither they nor Wilderness Explorers will compromise on safety. All passengers are subject to removal of themselves or luggage from the flight if over the weight they provided and/or over the baggage allowance. Passengers are advised to provide a body weight with clothing similar to that which they would expect to travel in on the flight. Wilderness Explorers cannot be held responsible for any passenger denied boarding or luggage not transported if they are over the weight provided. Weights supplied are provided to the airline in advance to ensure the flight is within the allowable payload.