Walking twenty minutes through the savanna from the village, one reaches Surama eco-lodge, a local initiative supporting and employing the local community and serving as a catalyst for the protection of the region's forests and wildlife. It's one of several small lodges in the North Rupununi district of south-west Guyana, a benchmark for eco-tourism in Guyana, being named by National Geographic Traveler as amongst the best lodges in South America and winning the 2011 Excellence in Sustainable Tourism award from the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
View from the lodge to the forested mountains.
Upstairs there's a viewing platform with hammocks, downstairs the dining area.
Local and natural materials are used, blending into the surroundings.
A star-fruit bush at the lodge, excellent for a refreshing juice.
Beauty all around.
Cabbages growing in the shade of palm leaves, in the lodge's vegetable garden.
Peppers, a must have in any Guyanan garden.
Okra, or Ladies Fingers, reflecting the African and Indian influence in Guyana.
Monkeys you are likely to see or hear in the area and in the forests of Guyana.
Cats of the North Rupununi and Iwokrama Forest. I was lucky to see a jaguar crossing the road in the beam of a pick-up at night as we drove from Surama up to Iwokrama.
For those who enjoy climbing.
Next time, I'll be back to use a local guide and explore the area around the Burro Burro river and the Pakaraima mountains.
Surama has an option of different packages, including accomodation, guides, meals, non-alcoholic drinks (excludes transportation to Surama), coming out at around US$100 per night per person. For example, a four day, three night Nature Tour package which includes canoeing on the Burro Burro river, rainforest, mountain and savanna walks and nature watching, a village tour and other activities costs US$332 per person (based on two people in the group). Discounts for larger groups. For further information, please visit Surama eco-lodge (email them to find out about packages and prices).
Surama has an option of different packages, including accomodation, guides, meals, non-alcoholic drinks (excludes transportation to Surama), coming out at around US$100 per night per person. For example, a four day, three night Nature Tour package which includes canoeing on the Burro Burro river, rainforest, mountain and savanna walks and nature watching, a village tour and other activities costs US$332 per person (based on two people in the group). Discounts for larger groups. For further information, please visit Surama eco-lodge (email them to find out about packages and prices).
