Welcome to the Jungle!

Our first foray away from the big city was an overland 4x4 trip to the protected Iwokrama Amazon rainforest of central Guyana. This region is reason enough to visit Guyana and we really can't say enough good things about the experience.

After a 6 hour drive, half of which over pothole riddled dirt track road, we reached the bank of the mighty Essiquibo river. Local lore has it that if you take a drink from the Essiquibo, you will always return to Guyana. They also say that if you wash your face in the river, it will take 10 years off your appearance. They say a lot of things about this river, the central artery through Guyana.

Our accommodations consisted of a beautiful wood hut on the bank of the river, complete with hammock where we got to relax on hot afternoons and wake up to the sound of the Howler monkeys at sunrise.

Our first activity was a nighttime boat trip to spot Cayman (similar to Alligators). We were rewarded with a small Cayman and a snake. A funny story on this trip was that our guides were more interested in the domestic cat that they spotted on shore rather than the huge Cayman that splashed directly behind the boat!



Next day we took an early morning boat ride out to Turtle mountain camp for a view above the whole of the jungle as far as the eye could see. Our patience was rewarded when after an hour of intense concentration on the jungle below we spotted a group of Spider monkeys and several large Macaws! What a thrill. The monkeys in particular were quite playful. We spent the night in hammocks outdoors (with bugnets everyone!) and witnessed beautifully vivid stars.

Other things that we particularly enjoyed were: an afternoon swim off a sandy beach, early morning fishing expedition, Ukulele jam sessions and delicious cuisine at every meal.

The relationship between the Forest Centre, the habitat and the Amerindian communities was a very refreshing and inspiring model to witness. We encourage everyone to check it out.