The Kanuku Mountains are a group of mountains in Guyana, located in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region. The name means 'rich forest' in the Macushi language, a reference to the rich diversity of wildlife found there. Some 150 mammal species, or 80% of all mammals found in Guyana, live in the Kanuku Mountains. Prominent species include the giant otter, the Harpy eagle and the Arapaima. The Kunuku Mountains rise up almost 3,000 ft. The Kanuku Mountains are a group of mountains in Guyana, located in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region. The name means 'rich forest' in the Macushi language, a reference to the rich diversity of wildlife found there. The lowland forests sustain 60% of all the known bird species in Guyana. 150 mammal species, or 80% of all mammals found in Guyana, live in the Kanuku Mountains. Prominent species include the Giant otter, the Harpy eagle and the Arapaima. The Kunuku Mountains almost rise up to 3,000 ft. A Georgetown city tour highlights the unique architecture - excellent examples of old colonial homes and buildings, constructed of tropical hardwoods. The famous Stabroek Market, once described as a bizarre bazaar, contains every conceivable item from household goods to gold jewellery. The Botanical Gardens and zoo house one of the most extensive collections of tropical flora in the Caribbean and over 100 species of Guyanese wildlife, including jaguar, river otter, birds, snakes and other reptiles . Today continue the boat journey and travel down the Rupununi River through occasional rapids and into the Kanuku Mountains to Crabwood Creek. This area is uninhabited apart from a few traditional farmers from Sand Creek. The voyage enters the Kanuku Mountains - recognised by Conservation International as being one of the few remaining pristine Amazonian habitats. Visit an Amerindian Farm. Tonight camp in a hammock camp on the river bank. Continue down the Rupununi River with the opportunity to see Black and Spectacled Caiman, Puma, Tapir, Giant Rivers Otters and Turtles. Turn into the Maparri River, a tributary of the Rupununi River, and travel six miles to the Maparri Wilderness Camp set on the river bank overlooking a small waterfall. The area is rich in bird life and the river water is crystal clear. Overnight at Maparri Wilderness Camp.
In the local Macushi language, Kanuku means 'rich forest', and the Kanuku Mountains, rising out of the Rapununi savanna, are home to a very rich slice of all Guyana's wildlife species. Around 70% of the country's astonishing bird species make their roosts in Kanuku, along with jaguars and giant otters, anteaters and monkeys. The Kanuku Mountains in Southwestern Guyana rise out of the grasslands to form a stunning backdrop to the Rupununi savannah. With wind-sculpted crowns rising to just below cloud level, the range is notable for its exceptionally diverse bird and mammal species--approximately 80% of the known species of mammals in Guyana are found here. The Kanukus are bisected by the Rupununi River, one of the primary tributaries of the Essequibo. The Kanuku Mountains in southwestern Guyana rise out of the grasslands and form a backdrop to the Rupununi savannahs. Their wild sculptured crowns peaking just below the level where the clouds would touch the mountain tops. The range, divided by the Rupununi River, is noted for it's high diversity of bird and animal species, with approximately 80% of the known mammal species of Guyana being recorded. With little or no human settlement on the eastern range, the area is still pristine and is perfect for the nature and adventure traveller to experience the diversity of the tropical ecosystems. After flying to Lethem we will take an open backed jeep across the savannah to Dadanawa Ranch for some horse back riding or working cattle with the vacqueros. The real, adventure begins by boat travelling downstream on the Rupununi River, spending the first night near the Amerindian village of Sand Creek. From here the voyage enters the Kanuku Mountains- recognised by Conservation International as being one of the few remaining pristine Amazonian habitats. We enter the Maparri River, a tributary of the Rupununi River, to reach the Maparri Wilderness Camp set on the banks of the river looking straight on to a set of falls. The area is rich in bird life and the river water is crystal clear. Early risers will have the opportunity of searching for rarely seen Tayra or even a Black Jaguar. Our exploration continues on foot, trekking through the forest on steep trails and exploring the seemingly endless series of small waterfalls that are fed by the steep mountain slopes. From this remote and beautiful location our journey continues on to Karanambu Ranch to search for Giant River Otters and to enjoy the best inland fishing in Guyana.
Kojo Nnamdi, Washington, DC famous Guyanese radio & television personality is our guide to the Kanuku Mountains and their surrounding Rupununi savannahs. The Kanuku Mountains lie at the heart of Guyana. They are part of a vast pristine wilderness area that stretches across the Guayana Shield, the oldest land formation in South America. Like a giant island beaming with life, the Kanukus are one of Guyana’s richest and most diverse regions. Kojo Nnamdi, Washington, DC famous Guyanese radio & television personality is our guide to the Kanuku Mountains and their surrounding Rupununi savannahs. While the journey reveals some of the amazing beauty of the region it also records the testimonies of the people who live there. “We have a close link to the Kanuku Mountains. There are special spiritual beliefs that we all share. We look at the mountains as our mother because there, we can get almost anything we want,” claims Cedric Buckley the head master of the village of Schulinab. The region is home to the Wapishana and the Macushi Amerindians who have watched over the mountains for many generations. Because of the biological importance of the Kanukus, many efforts have recently taken place, both by the local people and the government of Guyana, to ensure that this natural heritage can be well protected.
