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Dear Friends,
Do you ever just want to unplug? To get far, far away from the noises and distractions of
modern-day living? Well, as you may have guessed, Guyana is the perfect place for
such an escape. (I know from personal experience, but more about that next month.)
This month, we’ll look at how Guyana gives visitors the opportunity to go way off
the grid, and explore the exceptional bounty of flora and fauna Guyana is blessed with.
I’d also like to mention a couple of significant acknowledgements Guyana has received
lately. Both Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure have included Guyana on their
lists of best places to visit in 2020. Everyone involved with Guyana tourism is deeply
honored and grateful for this kind of recognition.
Wishing you happy holidays,
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Jane Behrend
Lead Representative, North America
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PERSON OF THE MONTH:
ASHLEY HOLLAND
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Ashley Holland’s earliest memories are set in remote wilderness areas and African game reserves, where his Mom worked as a guide. He has been immersed in nature ever since.
At the age of 13, he moved from England to Guyana, where his mother set up a wilderness camp. As he travelled across the Rupununi, he fell in love with the land, lifestyle, and the people. He began working as a guide at Karanambu Lodge in 1994. In 1999, Ashley started to conduct river and camping expeditions into remote areas for adventurous visitors with a desire to get out into the wild. Over the years he has led hundreds of small groups into the remotest and wildest parts of the Rupununi, most recently under the auspices of his company, Guyana Truly Wild.
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THE CORONA FALLS EXPEDITION
A hundred miles up the Rewa River, Corona Falls is a majestic crown of falls and crystal clear pools. Like most trips offered by Guyana Truly Wild, trips to Corona Falls are bespoke, and tailored to the wants and needs of each group. Trips typically last 12-15 days, and go deep into the Guyanese rainforest via the Rewa River. Read on for details.
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WHERE THE WILD(ER) THINGS ARE
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Guyana is a nature lover’s paradise. Seemingly endless miles of unspoiled rainforest, mountains and savannahs thrill and delight visitors with exotic flora and fauna. But for some people, that’s just not enough.
Some visitors want to go deeper. They want to reignite their pioneer spirits with nature’s wild beauty and remote landscapes. They don’t just want off the grid, they want the true wilderness experience of a remote camping expedition.
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Such adventurous souls will find kindred spirits at Guyana Truly Wild. This tour company specializes in tailor-made river and camping expeditions into the heart of the Rupununi region. Each trip is comprised of hardy travellers who are willing to sacrifice some of the “luxuries and comforts” of home in exchange for better wildlife sightings, fishing and adventure.
There are no roads, no lodges and no other tourists, just the river, the forest and its wildlife.
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Travel between camp sites is via boat, with stops at waterfalls, known wildlife areas of interest or ‘hotspots”, and honeypot fishing holes.
Camping conditions, although basic, are comfortable and relaxing. Tarpaulin camps are set up at suitable locations along the river with hammocks and mosquito nets provided. Guests drift off to the sounds of the night forest and awaken to the avian dawn chorus and the eerie calls of howler monkeys.
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Bathing is done in the cool refreshing waters of rivers and creeks. The toilet is a pit latrine dug at each camp. The food is simple, but good and plentiful; seasoned by the fireside or cooked on a camp stove.
Day-to-day activities can be tailored for specific interests, but for the most part guests walk on forest trails, birding, searching for wildlife, and learning about the forest from knowledgeable, indigenous guides who have spent their whole lives in the Rupununi’s wilderness areas.
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Fishing is excellent and diverse in most of the rivers and guests have an opportunity to experience several different styles of fishing including hand lining, night fishing, fly fishing, spin fishing, even fishing with bow and arrow.
While this brand of travel may sound a bit rough around the edges, its rewards are extraordinary.
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In addition to being deeply unplugged, and not seeing another human for days, there are spectacular opportunities for wildlife sightings, including giant river otters, black caiman, harpy eagles, anacondas, capybara, arapaima, giant river turtles, giant anteaters, jaguar, and giant armadillos.
A way-off-the-grid experience like those offered by Guyana Truly Wild could be just the tonic for the soul stressed by technology and the aggravations of the “civilised” world. Think of it as jungle therapy.
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In this short video, Guyana Truly Wild owner Ashley Holland takes us deep into the Guyanese wilderness, and discusses how he brings comfort, and makes new friends, in the remote jungle.
Watch the video.
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Climbing Guyana's incredible Mt Roraima is the focus of a new five-part series on Terra Incognito: The Adventure Podcast.
The episodes run from preparation and takeoff in Georgetown, parachute drop into the Guyana rainforest, trekking through the pristine jungle to reach the fabled mountain, and then the climb itself up Roraima's imposing 1,300-foot (400-meter) rock wall.
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Conde Nast Traveler named Guyana as one of the 20 Best Places to Go in 2020.
“ Though it has plenty of reasons to stand out—as South America’s only English-speaking country, and with a strikingly diverse population of Indian, African, Chinese, European, and Amerindian descent—Guyana has long hovered under the radar. But this relative quietness isn’t going to last long.”
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Travel + Leisure placed Guyana at No. 21 on their list of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020.
“ Guyana’s unique offerings recall the Costa Rica of 40 years ago: nighttime ride-alongs with naturalists who are trapping and tagging wild caimans; horseback rides on the savannah in search of anteaters; stays at indigenous-owned eco-lodges in picturesque mountain villages. Over 75 percent of the country is rainforest and about seven percent is savannah, which means there’s plenty of opportunity to catch a glimpse of one of the 900 animal species that make it their home.”
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