GUYANA
62 wanderlust.co.uk March 2020
Explore Georgetown
The capital’s British and Dutch
heritage has resulted in some
beautiful (if crumbling) colonial
buildings. Mix in a strong
Caribbean in luence, and you
have a melting pot of culture.
Sights are low-key but include
St George’s Cathedral, one of the
largest wooden structures in theworld. Friendly manatees hang
out in the botanical gardens and
National Park.Backyard Café,
Georgetown
Chef Delven Adams runs
Georgetown’s hippest and
tiniest restaurant in his
backyard. Reservation needed.Iwokrama
Canopy Walkway
The Iwokrama Reserve protects
one of the last pristine rainforests
in the world; around 200 species
of mammal, and 500 birds call it
home, as well as black caiman,
giant river otters and jaguars.
The walkway gives a unique
perspective of the forest.Community tourism
Guyana is a shining example
of how community-owned
lodges can work, with several
AmerIndian communities now
running successful places
to stay. The result is more
jobs, funds for education and
healthcare, and culture and
wildlife being conserved.Guyana highlights
Map illustration by Scott Jessop;accessed by boat. Double
occupancy for a Benam bedroom
costs G$8,190 (£30).
Like Rewa, Surama Ecolodge
(suramaecolodge.com/) is
Amerindian-owned and run and
has led the way in community
tourism in Guyana. It’s surrounded
by savannah, mountains and forest,
so a large range of experiences
are on oer. The Surama Sampler
tour with three nights, full board,
accommodation and guiding is
from US$450 (£343.)
The Karanambu Lodge
(karanambutrustandlodge.
org) is a former cattle ranch set
on the savannah lands of the
North Rupununi area. Known for
its giant river otters, the varied
habitats result in good sightings
of giant anteaters and incredible
birdwatching. Doubles from
$US260 (£199).
Atta Rainforest Lodge
(attarainforestlodge.com/) is set
near the base of the Iwokrama
Canopy Walkway and gives the
opportunity to explore the walkway
at all hours. A good spot for keen
birders, it’s also possible to visit
a cock-of-the-rock lek from here.
Doubles from £188.
Food & drink
Guyanese cuisine is a mix of
Caribbean, Amerindian, Chinese
and a huge range of other
in luences. The national dish is
pepperpot, an Amerindian stew
made with meat and cassareep, an
extract of cassava. The dish will last
inde initely if boiled up. Cassava
has become a staple ingredient,
and is turned into farine, a grain
eaten on its own or made into
⊲
Planning guides
Guyana Travel Guide
Archive article
Guyana: Instant Expert –
issue 166
7 things you must do in Guyana- online
Visit http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/204More online
dierent types of bread and snacks.
Rum is the liquor of choice; Guyana
produces some of the best in the
world. The local beer is Banks.Further reading
& information
Guyana (Bradt Travel Guides, 2018)
Wild Coast: Travels on South
America’s Untamed Edge (Pro ile
Books, 2012), by John Gimlette
guyanatourism.comTOP TIP
Be prepared for
a digital detox!
Communications
are limited in
the interior.