About Guyana

Guyana rightly deserves its reputation as one of the top birding and wildlife destinations in South America. Guyana is a small English speaking South American Country resided on the Atlantic Coast east of Venezuela and west of Suriname. Our pristine habitats stretch from the protected Shell Beach and Mangrove forest along the northern coast across the vast untouched rainforest to the wide open savannah of the Rupununi in the south. Guyana hosts more than 850 different species of birds covering over 70 bird families and over 45 must see and Guianan Shield endemic species that is more easy to see here than any other Country in South America.

These species range from the outrageous and stunning Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock, Harpy Eagle, Rufous-throated, White-plumed and Wing-barred Antbird, Capuchinbird, Gray-winged Trumpeter and the Rufous winged-ground Cuckoo. Blood-colored Woodpecker, Rufous Crab-Hawk, Guianan Red-Cotinga, White-winged Potoo, Black Curassow, Sun Parakeet, Red Siskin, Rio-Branco Antbird, and the Dusky Purpletuft are just some of many birding highlights that can be seen in this amazing Country.

Our interior is magical with a wide range of protected areas. Shell beach, a major nesting beach for four kinds of marine Turtles, Kaieteur National Park, the Iwokrama rain forest reserve, the Kanuku mountain protected area and in the far south the Wai Wai community owned conservation area. Each area has unique biological diversity to offer. Guyana still has over 80% forest cover which is one of the highest percentages in the world. We still have many undiscovered habitats waiting to be explored.

Not only is Guyana a spectacular birding destination, it also offers tourist the opportunity to observe so many other unique Flora and Fauna. The elusive Jaguar that can sometimes be seen along trails, and other road-ways. Several species of monkeys including Red-howler, Black-Spider, the two Capuchins, wedge-capped and Brown Capuchin, Golden-handed tamarin, Brown-bearded Saki and Squirrel Monkey are also very often seen in their natural habitats. In addition, there is the opportunity to see Tapirs, Capybara, Sloths, the Black Caiman, (the largest member of the alligator family and quite plentiful along the Rupununi river) and of course you can’t leave out the giant Anaconda, the elusive Puma, giant Otters, giant Anteater and even the largest fresh water scaled fish in the world, the Arapaima, also the amazing diversity of reptiles and amphibians that can enhance your birding adventure. Our lodges are very comfortable, the diversity of our fresh food is amazing, our local knowledge about the area is outstanding and we have excellent birding/wildlife and photography opportunities.

For excellent results on bird watching, wildlife spotting, photography or on any other nature tour in Guyana, the best time of year to visit is from mid-September through April or if you choose to visit from January through to April that is perfect as well.

Download our Bird Checklist here.