Guyana, a country once known as British Guiana, is not like any other in South America. It’s the only place where English is the main language, and it has one of the smallest populations in the world, with about 800,000 people living mainly in the capital city, Georgetown. This means you don’t have to go far to find beautiful natural places.
When we think about vacations, we usually imagine exciting adventures or relaxing times. But guess what? Sometimes, you can have both when you explore the incredible world of wildlife!
Guyana: Diving into Adventure
My adventure started in Georgetown, and soon I reached Karanambu Lodge. This place used to be a cattle ranch but is now a paradise for people who love nature. Even famous wildlife lovers like Sir David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell visited, and I was about to follow in their footsteps.
Meeting the Giant Anteater at Guyana
The most thrilling part of the trip was seeing the giant anteater, which is like a dream come true for nature fans. After an exciting ride in a big 4×4 car across the grassy savannah, we got a bit unlucky. But a cowboy named Francis saw something interesting in a bush. We gathered around, and out came a creature like no other: a giant anteater. It had a six-foot-long body, a bushy tail, and a unique way of using its long tongue to eat. It was an amazing sight!
Guyana: Serenity on the Rupununi River
Our adventure took a calm turn as we went on a peaceful boat ride along the Rupununi River. The journey was quiet and surrounded by beautiful nature. We found giant Amazonian water lilies with lily pads as big as six feet and enormous 18-inch-wide flowers.
The Amazing Kaieteur Falls
Kaieteur Falls, the world’s biggest waterfall with a single drop, was a breathtaking sight. It was very loud, and we saw white-chinned swifts flying behind the falls.
A Surprise Encounter: Guianan Cock-of-the-Rocks
While exploring the nearby forests, we discovered three colorful birds called Guianan cock-of-the-rocks. They were as bright as orange can be and quite small, which was a delightful surprise.
Discovering Georgetown: A Cultural Experience
When we got back to Georgetown, we enjoyed the local culture, which is a mix of African, Indian, and Amerindian heritages. The food was delicious, but watch out for the spicy wiri-wiri pepper!
Guyana’s Changing Future
Guyana is about to go through some big changes because of offshore crude oil resources. Everyone hopes that this transition will bring prosperity without losing the unique charm that makes the country special.
Lasting Memories and Goodbye
My adventure ended with wonderful memories of the red and green macaw, the toco toucan, and a stunning scarlet ibis. As I got on my plane to go home, I couldn’t help but remember what Gerald Durrell once said: “In a state of intoxicated happiness, you feel that you would forgive your friends the wrongs they had done you, but even your relatives.” It was an unforgettable adventure, and I raised my glass to many more to come.
