The Rupununi Savanna in southern Guyana is a sparsely settled rolling plain set beside the wide Rupununi River. A dirt road leads north to Georgetown, and south to the Amazon.
Culturally closer to Amazonia than to coastal Guyana, some residents of the savanna speak Portuguese as well as they do English, while others speak Amerindian languages. Huge ranches spread out from the river, with sturdy buildings set on stilts in case of high water. Vaqueros, cowboys, work the plains, some descended from Scottish immigrants of long ago.
Petroglyphs left by early Amerindians are still found on the savanna, records of their hunts and reminders of their history. The tribes still have wonderful storytellers, and welcome visitors to their settlements to hear their tales.
The Rupununi Savanna surrounds the Kunuku Mountains, where wildlife abounds. Giant anteaters, huge snakes, harpy eagles, and jaguars all find refuge here.
Jaguars are most active around dawn and dusk. Often associated with water, they enjoy swimming. Virtually eliminated from many parts of their range by deforestation, development and ranchers defending livestock, they are not rare in Guyana, though they may be rarely seen. Beside the Rupununi, this adaptable predator hunts the savanna as well as the rainforest.
Among the bird species of the area is the astonishing Cock-of-the-Rock. Its orange and black feathers spread into a fine-spun fringe at its wings and a semi-circular crest like the one that brought ancient Roman officers commanding height and notice tops its head.
The polygamous Cock-of the Walk flaunts his finery to attract the brown females that raise their chicks in colonies near the leks where the males parade. Many species of macaws fly through the trees as well, often in pairs, but it is the harpy eagle that most travelers come to see.
Called the flying wolf, it’s the largest eagle in both the Americas. Black above and paler below, it wears a black band across its chest. It has stubby wings for maneuvering through close-set trees, but can fly at 50 miles an hour. It wields five-inch talons. From Mexico to Argentina was its range, but no longer. The harpy eagle is endangered.
The river wolf is the Giant River Otter. It can be six feet long, with webbed feet, warm waterproof fur, and ears and nostrils that close out river water. Monogamous otters live in extended families and eat fish, crustaceans and reptiles. They hunt cooperatively, and seem to have something like language. There may be only a few thousand of these intelligent social creatures left in the world.
At Karanambu Ranch, injured and orphaned river otters are rehabilitated. Naturalist. Diane McTurk runs the facility; paying guests help support her work. They may also participate in the care of the otters. Available excursions vary according to the wet or dry season but can include boating trips, land rover trips on the savanna, guided forest hikes, or visits to nearby Amerindian villages.
Boaters may see black caimans, the rare arapaima, and, if the trip is extended until after dark, Victoria amazonica waterlilies, fragrant nightbloomers that open pure white the first night and magenta the second. Lily pads can be seven feet across; they’re soft green above, but with undersides lined with sharp magenta thorns.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.