Fly or drive to the Rupununi?
Flying versus driving between Georgetown and the Rupununi: time, cost, comfort, wildlife on the road, baggage, seasons, and why many itineraries do one each way.
Light aircraft on a savannah airstrip at Karanambu
In short
Fly if time and comfort matter most: an hour or two in a small aircraft instead of a very long day on the road. Drive if you want to see the forest give way to savannah and stop for wildlife in the Iwokrama Forest. Many trips do one direction each way.
Between Georgetown and the Rupununi you have two real options: a small plane from Ogle, or the long road south through the Iwokrama Forest.
Side by side
| Aspect | Flying | Driving |
|---|---|---|
| Time | About 1 to 1.5 hours in the air, plus check-in | A full day or more, depending on season and stops |
| Experience | Aerial views of forest and rivers | The landscape changing from forest to savannah; wildlife stops |
| Comfort | Short and easy | Long, hot, bumpy sections |
| Reliability | Weather and schedule dependent | Road conditions and the river crossing |
| Baggage | Strict weight limits | Far more flexible |
| Cost | Per seat on scheduled flights; charters per plane | Per vehicle, so better value for groups |
When flying makes sense
- You have a week or less.
- You want to avoid long road days.
- You are travelling alone or as a couple (scheduled seats are good value).
When driving makes sense
- You want to stop at the canopy walkway and the Iwokrama River Lodge on the way.
- You are a group sharing a vehicle.
- You are carrying photography gear beyond small-aircraft limits.
The usual answer: one of each
Many of our itineraries drive in one direction, stopping in the Iwokrama Forest, and fly the other. You see the country at ground level and save a long day on the return. The 7-day rainforest and savannah itinerary shows how.
Questions travelers ask
Is the road journey dangerous?
It is long and rough rather than inherently dangerous, but it should be driven by experienced drivers in suitable vehicles, in daylight. Wet-season conditions can slow it considerably.
Can I see wildlife from the road?
Yes, that is the main reason to drive. The Iwokrama section passes through protected forest where birds, monkeys and occasionally larger animals cross at dawn and dusk.
Sources and checks
Time-sensitive details on this page (prices, schedules, entry rules, access) were last checked against the sources below on 9 October 2026. They change, so your proposal always reconfirms them.
Tell us what you want from Guyana
Share your dates, interests and the pace you enjoy. We reply with suggestions and, when you are ready, a written proposal with the route, prices, inclusions and who provides each part of the trip.
