Birds of Guyana

Arrival in Guyana. Transfer to Georgetown. Overnight at El Dorado Inn.

Chartered flight to Kaieteur Falls, the world’s tallest single-drop waterfall. Continue journey over dense forest to Iwokrama, home to many bird species including Capuchin bird, Black Nunbird and Chestnut-rumped Woodcreeper. After dark, set out on the river, in hope of sighting noctornal birds, reptiles and mammals. Overnight at Iwokrama River Lodge.

Making an early start, embark on the Essequibo and circumnavigate nearby Indian House Island. Hike Turtle Mountain for incredible views across the forest canopy or if too strenuous, take a boat trip to Stanley Lake to search for Giant River Otters and Black Caiman. Overnight at the Iwokrama River Lodge.

Transfer before dawn to visit a special habitat area known as Mori scrub, which supports an unusual assemblage of birds and other mammals. Transfer by vehicle along the trail, one of the best places to see the elusive Jaguar, to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway and Atta Rainforest Lodge. Visit the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway and explore the surrounding trails. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge.

Before dawn, return to the canopy to look for the Rufous-throated Sapphire, Green Aracari, Pygmy Antwren, Guianan Streaked-Antwren, Guianan Toucanet, Pompadour Cotinga, Buff-cheeked Greenlet, and other crown specialists. Enjoy wildlife birdwatching walks on the trails to look for the rarely seen Rufous-winged Ground-cuckoo, as well as many other bird species, stunning insects, noisy amphibians, and playful primates. Deer, Tapir, and Agouti are also regular visitors to the lodge. Night walks are also possible. Overnight at Atta Rainforest Lodge.

Welcome the dawn chorus from the canopy walkway. Transfer to the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock trail and continue to the community-owned and operated Surama Eco-lodge. After dark educational walk to observe wildlife and experience the forest, looking for creatures of the night. Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge.

Rise before dawn for a walk across the savannah and then climb up Surama Mountain for incredible views across the village and savannah to the Pakaraima Mountains. After lunch, embark on a three mile hike across the savannah and through the rainforest to the Burro Burro River. Your guides will then paddle you on the river for opportunities to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tayra, Spider Monkeys and many more species. Overnight at Surama Eco-lodge.

Enjoy dawn breaking across the rainforest. You can choose from a forest walk to look for wildlife and birds or relax around the lodge. Transfer from Surama Eco Lodge to Karanambu Lodge. Late afternoon boat trip to look for wild Giant River Otters and to see the giant Victoria amazonica waterlily, bloom at dusk. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge.

An early start to an area of rolling grasslands, home to giant anteaters. Evening river excursion or hike to explore the woodland patches or gallery forest along the river, where we’ll hope to find a variety of species. A feature bird for the area is the Agami Heron. An evening walk along the airstrip offers seven species of nightjar and among the grasslands, the Double-striped Thick-knees. Overnight at Karanambu Lodge.

Depart for the village of Karasabai, searching for the highly endangered Sun Parakeet, a Guianan Shield Endemic. Along the way, we will keep an eye out for Pinnated Bittern and Double-striped Thick-knee as well as Jabiru, Maguari Stork, Great Black-hawk, Aplomado Falcon, Plain-breasted Ground-dove, Black-crested Antshrike, Orange-backed Troupial, Plumbeous Seedeater, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Pale-eyed Pygmy-Tyrant and Yellow-breasted Flycatcher. The journey continues towards Lethem. Overnight at Ori Hotel.

An extremely early start, traveling south of Lethem to look for the highly endangered Red Siskin, American Wood Stork, Buff-necked Ibis, White-tailed Hawk, Red-bellied Macaw, White-fringed Antwren, Yellow-bellied Elaenia and Red-breasted Blackbird. Return to Lethem. Overnight at Ori Hotel.

Today, we will focus on two birds which have seemingly always had restricted ranges, the Hoary-throated Spinetail and Rio Branco Antbird. During the trip, we are likely to encounter species such as Capped Heron, Muscovy Duck, Pale-legged Hornero and various hirundines while traveling. Transfer from Ori Hotel to Lethem. Scheduled flight to Eugene F. Correia International Airport. Transfer to Georgetown and overnight at El Dorado Inn.

Before dawn travel eastward to Mahaica River, an excellent riverfront ecosystem inhabited by flocks of egrets, herons, ibis, Blood-coloured Woodpecker, Rufous Crab-Hawk, various marsh tyrants, and Guyana’s national bird, the Hoatzin. Sunset birding on the Demerara River as we enjoy flocks of brilliant Scarlet Ibis, Snail Kites, Herons, and three kinds of Egrets. Overnight at El Dorado Inn.

Early transfer to the extensive Georgetown Botanical Gardens, where you will have the opportunity to see some of the most amazing birds in the world, including the Blood-coloured Woodpecker, Snail Kite and Red-bellied Macaw. You will also get to experience the unique wildlife of Guyana by feeding some manatees. Pickup and transfer to Cheddi Jagan International Airport for your departing flight.