North Rupununi: where savannah meets rainforest
Planning the North Rupununi: community-run lodges at Surama and Rewa, Annai and its airstrip, wildlife, river access, seasons and how many nights to spend.
Savannah meets forest near Surama
In short
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.
The North Rupununi sits just south of the Iwokrama Forest, where the Pakaraima foothills and forest give way to grassland, wetlands and gallery forest along the rivers. It is home to Makushi communities, several of which have built their own tourism around lodges, guiding and conservation. For many travelers, this is where Guyana stops feeling like a destination and starts feeling like a place.
Surama
Surama village lies in a savannah bowl ringed by forested hills, on the edge of the Iwokrama Forest. Its eco-lodge is owned and run by the community, and guides come from the village. A typical stay includes a pre-dawn climb up Surama Mountain for the view, a canoe trip on the Burro Burro River looking for giant otters and birds, forest walks with a guide who explains the plants and their uses, and time in the village.
Two nights is a good minimum; three lets you add a nest visit or a longer river day.
Rewa
Rewa is a community at the meeting of the Rewa and Rupununi rivers, reachable only by boat (or by charter flight to a nearby airstrip followed by a boat transfer). Its eco-lodge is the base for river trips, forest hikes and some of Guyana’s best-known catch-and-release fishing for arapaima, the giant air-breathing fish of these rivers. The boat journey from the landing near Annai takes roughly two to six hours depending on the season, which is why we plan at least three nights. See arapaima fishing.
Annai and the surrounding area
Annai has a paved airstrip served by scheduled flights from Ogle, which makes it the practical gateway to the region. Lodges and guesthouses around Annai suit travelers who want a comfortable base close to the airstrip, with day trips into the savannah and forest edge.
When to go
The North Rupununi is accessible most of the year, but the main wet season (broadly May to August) brings flooding, muddier tracks and higher rivers. High water shortens some boat journeys and lengthens others; low water in the dry season concentrates wildlife and fish. Read the best time to visit Guyana for the full picture.
Combining the North Rupununi
The region links naturally with Iwokrama to the north and Karanambu and Yupukari to the south. A loop that flies in to Annai and out of Karanambu or Lethem avoids backtracking. Choosing between North and South? See North or South Rupununi.
Questions travelers ask
What is special about community-run lodges?
At places like Surama, the community owns and runs the lodge and guiding, so your stay supports local employment and the guides know the land intimately. Expect warm hospitality and simple, comfortable rooms rather than hotel service.
Can I visit a harpy eagle nest?
Sometimes. Local guides in the North Rupununi have taken visitors to active harpy eagle nests in past seasons, but nests are not active every year and visits depend on the birds. We ask about current nest activity when we plan your dates.
Why does Rewa need extra time?
Rewa is reached by boat from a landing near Annai, and the journey takes anywhere from about two to six hours depending on the river level. Two nights barely covers a full day there, so we usually plan three.
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.
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