Text and photos : Alfonso Forde
The North Rupunini Tourism Programme offers visitors a wonderful experience of a lifetime, our packages are suitable for eco-tourist and are geared towards conservation.
The North Rupununi Savannah and wetlands form the eastern margin of a larger savannah region that extends into Brazil, 8,000km2 in size is seasonally flooded. There is generally only one rainy season from May to September. With over 400 species of fish recorded including the largest Sweetwater scale fish in the world (the Arapaima gigas). Over 300 species of birds, and high probability of seeing the El Dorado Giants (Jaguars, Harpy Eagles, Giant River Otters, Giant Anteaters, Black Caimans and more). The North Rupununi is a gem for visitors to cherish.
The people of the North Rupununi are Amerindians of the Makushi tribe, who speaks both Makushi and English. English is the language used in schools, but Makushi is the preferred language in communities.
Wapishana, Patamona and Portuguese are also spoken in some of the communities. The North Rupununi is made up of fourteen communities consisting of approximately 3,500 people. They have formed themselves in a body known as the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) of which the North Rupununi Tourism Programme is an Entity. The Rupununi River is the main water stream that flows through the savannahs, there are three communities settled along the right bank of this river.Apoteri Rewa, and Crashwater,
Location
All the villages are located about 350 to 390 km from the Capital city Georgetown, and 70 to 90 km from the border town Lethem, and close to the Iwokrama Forest about 65km from the Iwokrama Field Station. The villages are accessed by road from Georgetown, a trip that takes about 8 hours in a4WD vehicle, or by flying to Annai and driving 34km north 30 min,
Contact
NRTP
Alphonso Fordetourism coordinator
NRDDB, BinaHill Institute
North Rupununi Region # 9 Guyana
Courriel : alphonsoforde@yahoo.com
Recommended tour
Title: Discover the communities of the North Rupini Region
Duration : 5 DAY, 4 NIGHTS TOUR TO REWA/ UPPER REWA RIVER
Activities : The Rewa –Upper Rewa tour offers visitors an opportunity of a lifetime. This tour will give our visitors the chance to see the Majestic Arapaima (the largest sweet water scale fish) ,The Giant River Otter, The endangered Black Caiman ,the Giant River Turtle and other species of it’s nature. Other wildlife species that have been identified for visitors to observe during this tour are the witty Jaguar, The Brazilian Tapir, Various species of monkeys, Giant Anteater, Brown Bracket Deer, And a vast species of bird species (Scarlet, Red and Blue, Blue and Gold) Macaws, about 8 species of parrot and many other species of birds. For lovers of sport fishing ,there are many identical spots for specific species of fishes e.g. (peacock bass and a whole range of cat fish species). Our guides are trained local people of the community of Rewa, who have a wide knowledge of the area. This tour is designed for the benefit of the local community of Rewa, it’s a community based package. The community of Rewa are basically people of Makushi and Wapishana tribe. It’s a community on the right bank of the Rupununi River eastwards, traditional fishing,farming, and hunting are their main livelihood, cassava is the staple diet. Christianity is the religion of the day. Primary and nursery education is the standard education offered for children, English is the second language spoken. The main ways of transport is by boat.
Other Communities in the area
Surama:
The Eco Surama community is a indigenous Amerindian community made up of people of the Makushi tribe, with a population of approximately 235 people, The community is managed by an elected village council Subsistence, farming and fishing is the main source economic benefits of the community, cassava is the primary staple food diet consumed, one primary and nursery school, is the source of education, a health centre provides medical support, an Anglican church as the place of worship, a guest house that accommodates visitors, a wildlife centre for youths to do monitoring of t he wildlife that exists within the community, a new eco-lodge that indicates the nine different Amerindian tribes of Guyana, a playground for recreation purposes, with over five years of Ecotourism experience, the community of Surama is creating new avenues for economic benefits for people of the community.
Activités : Surama provides various attractions, and opportunities for visitors to see, on arrival all visitors are briefed about the different activities, that are provided which include, the viewing of wildlife, bird watching, mountain hikes, night spotting, canoeing along the Burro-Burro River to view wildlife(Tapir,Jaguars,Spider monkeys,Caimans,Giant River Otters,Peccceries etc)The Burro Burro river is noted for its many small rapids and provides an excellent opportunity for sport fishing activities, Visitors can be provided with some cultural activities(traditional culture i.e. Crafts,Dances,Food etc)
Aranaputa
Aranaputa Village is a mixed coastlander-Amerindian community, 80% of the 450 population are indigenous, like most communities the village is run by an elected council, English and Makushi are the primary language spoken, the village was a settlement for coastlanders (Pioneers) that came to the Rupununi seeking new pastures. These interactions brought about mixture of the population. One Primary and Nursery school are the educational facilities, four religious organizations add up to this figure. Most business places are privately owned, subsistence farming and fishing are the main economic activities. The main local crop is cassava which is used to produce farine, cassava bread, taioca and various beverages.
Activities : Aranaputa offers visitors unique opportunities of a different nature, on arrival visitors are introduced to a senior councilor, all visitors are briefed about the activities offered by the community. The Nature Trail and Rest Cabin is a unique eco-tourism project perched over 1000ft above the community with one of the most fabulous panoramic views of the North Savannah, this eco-tourism project is within the conservation area of the community and has a vast biodiversity habitat, Here visitors have the probability of viewing wildlife animals (Tapir, Jaguars, Monkeys, Macaws, parrots etc), The trained guides will guide visitors through various nature trails for these activities. The Rest Cabin includes a simple kitchen and dining hall and a comfortable hammock resting area, We offer mountain hikes nature trail walks bird watching night trekking.
At the Rest Cabin we cater for overnight stays for 8 persons. The junior wildlife club will offer visitors treat to remember, locally produced crafts can always available at the woman’s craft group. We also offer Savannah tours if requested.
Wowetta
Wowetta is one of the five Amerindian village within the Annai sub-district, with a population of about 235 people of mixed Makushi/Awarak tribe, subsistence farming and fishing is the economic benefit of the community, like other Amerindian community the staple food is cassava, from which many products are produced, the community also share the same educational and health facilities as other communities of the North Rupununi.
Activities : On rival all visitors will be introduced to the village council and briefed about the activities offered, these include the tour of the Cock Of The Rock nature trail and habitat, there are three sites of this beautiful bird identified for visitors to observe, especially early in the morning and evenings, the nature trail is suitable for bird watchers, another activity for visitors is the observation of the Poison Arrow frog, community tours are also available for visitors.
For visitors who wish to overnight along the Cock of the Rock trail we cater for 6 persons in our simple cabin and kitchen locally built to suit the environment.
The best time to visit us is during the dry seasons which are between the month of September and April. Visit us today and have a wonderful stay.
Rupertee
Rupertee is another community within the Annai sub district, with a population of about 240 people and shares the same traditions and culture as the other communities within the Annai sub- district,unfurnately this community does not have a primary school as yet, children of this community goes to the Annai primary school.
Activities : The Rupertee Eco-tourism project, materialized from a conservation project (Paurine conservation).it is a community based project managed and run by the indigenous people of Makushi tribe, a short tour to the Paurine Nature trail will offer visitors o first hand look of what the project is about, the Paurine is a scarce specie of tree to be found, it has a unique bright color, along the trail there are opportunities for visitors to see animals in the wild (Spider Monkeys Capuchins,Macaws,Parrots).
A visit to our craft centre will offer visitors an experience of skillful craftsmen and women using the Paurine wood and local materials to weave their traditional handicrafts .we cater day tours and evening stays, visit us for a wonderful experience.
Annai
Annai Amerindian village is the central community within the Annai sub District, the regional administrative compound is located here, the health centre, guesthouse, admin office, and the police station is within the compound, the population of this community is approx.420 people of Makushi tribe who have the same traditional culture and activities as the other Amerindian villages of the North Rupununi,with an elected village council,Annai is the main operating base of the sub district.
Activities : Annai basically is a community that offers visitors a cultural tour package, this include local crafts, dishes, traditional dances and community tours, a tour to the Rupununi River will be an activity offered to do bird watching, canoeing and caiman spotting during the night.
The government guesthouse provides reasonable accommodation for visitors, for visitors who might need a more comfortable relaxation, the Rock View Lodge is 1 km (2min drive or 8 min.hike) from the community,
Visit us for this wonderful experience.