Guyana The Interior

The name ‘Guyana’ derives from a native Amerindian word meaning “Land of Many Waters”, and the country certainly lives up to it. Over 80% of the nation is covered by rainforest and countless rivers criss-cross their way across the terra firma towards the ocean. Like its more heralded Amazonian neighbours, Guyana’s rainforests are bursting with life and visitors are guaranteed an abundance of animal encounters, no-matter where they stay. There are also a number of conservation and community projects dotted throughout the region meaning that tourists can learn about and participate in some of the extraordinary work being done to protect vulnerable species and to ensure that the local people are able to directly benefit from their visit.

Away from the dense greenery and incessant noise of the canopy, lies the interior’s vastly contrasting, but equally dramatic savannah. Located mainly in the south, this is a drier world, more impacted by the seasons, but certainly not lacking in life of its own. Indeed, throughout its grasslands, swamplands and mountains, there are thought to be well over 100 mammal and 500 bird species alone. It is also home to over 15,000 Amerindian inhabitants who mostly live without the modern conveniences – like running water, electricity and mobile phones – that the rest of the world has become so reliant upon.