Iwokrama

On my walk to the Iwokrama River Lodge, I passed children playing in sand for construction at the side of the road,

and jacaranda blossom on the ground,

then through primary rainforest

with its magnificent trees.

The lodge is built on the banks of the Essequibo river in an area previously used solely as a research and conservation station.

Nowadays, eco-tourism, along with sustainable logging, is the main income generator for the reserve, otherwise supported by funds from donor organisations.

There are wood and thatch huts set along the river front and guides lead walks and canoe trips through the reserve.

Iwokrama covers 371,000 hectares of tropical forest in the highlands of central Guyana, and was set up between 1989 and 1996 in a joint mandate between the governments of Guyana and the Commonwealth, to preserve the forests and manage sustainable resource utilisation in the reserve by local and adjoining villages. It's a truly remarkable area, typified by untouched forest, the Essequibo river and isolated hills which offer vistas over the miles of canopy.

Some of the birds, lizards and snakes you're likely to see.

Information board at the lodge.

Monkey ladders in the forest by the road.

Flowering plants in a dense forest.

For further information on rates, transport and activities, visit Iwokrama River Lodge

A double room costing US$185 includes the following:

All meals and accommodation in self contained cabin

Guide of the River Lodge

Qualified and experienced English speaking guides

Forest User Fee contribution towards the development of local communities in the North Rupununi and the conservation efforts of Iwokrama

For all the tours and activities, please click on the above link.