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Kaieteur Falls framed by forest, with spray rising from the base of the drop
Destinations

Where to go in Guyana

Guyana’s travel map is simple once you see it: a coastal capital, a world-class waterfall, a protected rainforest and a savannah the size of a small country. Here is how the regions differ and how they fit together.

Kaieteur Falls on the Potaro River

Start here

Which part of Guyana fits you?

Most first trips combine Kaieteur with one rainforest stay and one savannah stay. Start from what you want to experience.

Main travel areas in Guyana: Georgetown, Kaieteur Falls, Orinduik Falls, Bartica, Iwokrama River Lodge, Atta and canopy walkway, Surama, Rewa, Karanambu, Lethem, South Rupununi ranchesGeorgetownKaieteur FallsOrinduik FallsBarticaIwokrama River LodgeAtta and canopy walkwaySuramaRewaKaranambuLethemSouth Rupununi ranchesATLANTIC OCEANBRAZIL
Main travel areas in Guyana. Positions are approximate. Boundaries: Natural Earth (public domain).
Demerara coast

Georgetown

Georgetown is where nearly every Guyana trip starts and ends. One or two days is enough for its colonial architecture, markets and food, and the city doubles as the buffer you need around interior flights.

Time to spend
1 to 2 nights at the start, and often a night at the end
Getting there
About an hour by road from Cheddi Jagan International Airport (Timehri); domestic flights use Ogle, on the city’s east side
  • Arrival and departure days
  • History and architecture
  • Food and markets

Read the Georgetown guide

Potaro River, Kaieteur National Park

Kaieteur Falls

Most people visit Kaieteur Falls on a day trip by light aircraft from Ogle airport in Georgetown, with about two hours on the plateau. Build a spare day into your plans, because flights depend on weather and on enough passengers to fly.

Time to spend
A day trip from Georgetown for most travelers; multi-day overland expeditions exist for hikers
Getting there
Around an hour by light aircraft from Ogle airport, Georgetown
  • First-time visitors
  • Short trips
  • Photographers

Read the Kaieteur Falls guide

Central Guyana

Iwokrama

Iwokrama is Guyana’s most accessible deep rainforest: a protected forest crossed by the Georgetown to Lethem road, with a river lodge on the Essequibo and a canopy walkway near Atta. Two to three nights split between the two areas is the usual plan.

Time to spend
2 to 3 nights, often split between the river lodge and the canopy walkway area
Getting there
By road from Georgetown (a long day, partly unpaved, with a river crossing) or by flight to Annai plus a road transfer
  • Rainforest walks and river trips
  • Birdwatchers
  • Wildlife watchers

Read the Iwokrama guide

Region 9, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo

North Rupununi

The North Rupununi is where forest-covered hills meet open savannah, and where several Makushi communities run their own lodges. Surama and Rewa are the best-known stays; Annai, with its airstrip, is the usual arrival point.

Time to spend
2 to 3 nights per lodge; Rewa usually needs 3 because of the river journey
Getting there
Flights from Ogle to Annai, or by road from Georgetown via Iwokrama; Rewa is reached by boat
  • Community-led stays
  • Wildlife and birding
  • Rainforest and savannah in one area

Read the North Rupununi guide

Rupununi River

Karanambu and Yupukari

The stretch of the Rupununi River around Karanambu and Yupukari is the best area in Guyana for giant otters, giant anteaters and black caiman. Two nights at each is ideal, reached by light aircraft or by road and boat.

Time to spend
2 nights at Karanambu and 1 to 2 nights at Yupukari
Getting there
Light aircraft to the Karanambu airstrip, or road and boat from Annai or Lethem
  • Wildlife watchers
  • Photographers
  • Families with older children

Read the Karanambu and Yupukari guide

Lethem and beyond

South Rupununi

The South Rupununi is wide-open ranch country between the Kanuku Mountains and the Brazilian border, with working cattle ranches, Wapishana communities and the border town of Lethem. It suits travelers who want space, horses and fewer visitors.

Time to spend
2 to 4 nights, usually at a ranch
Getting there
Scheduled flights from Ogle to Lethem, then 4x4 transfers across the savannah
  • Horse riding and ranch life
  • Travelers who have seen the North
  • Birders after savannah specialities

Read the South Rupununi guide

Still choosing between regions?

These guides weigh up the decisions most travelers face.

North or South Rupununi?Community lodges and forest edge, or open ranch country.Fly or drive to the Rupununi?Time and comfort against the journey itself.How many days do you need?What fits in 4, 7, 10 and 14 days.
Plan with Guyana Journey

Not sure where to start?

Tell us what you want from Guyana and how long you have. We will suggest the regions and route that fit, then send a written proposal when you are ready.

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