The final country on our trip! Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and borders Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname. With a population of only 790,000, four people per square kilometre!

The population comprises three main ethnic groups. Indigenous people – 9.2%, including the Arawak (Lokono), Warau, Carib (Karinya), Akawaio, Patamona, Arekuna, Macushi, Wapishana and Waiwai. Indo-Guyanese – 43.5% and descended primarily from Indian indentured workers from the British colonial period. Afro-Guyanese – 30.2% – descended from enslaved people bought to Guyana by the Dutch and later the British. The majority of the remaining populace identify as “mixed”.

There are a tempting variety of landscapes to explore in Guyana! Primarily rolling highlands, low coastal plains and savannah in the south, such as the Rupununi Savannah, covers 15,000 square kilometres. The Pakaraima Mountains dominate the Western part of the interior’s highlands. The tallest peak is Mount Roraima, at 2835 metres! Much of the country is covered in impenetrable, virgin rainforest – the Amazon!

The variety of wildlife here is mind-blowing as well! 784 confirmed bird species, 225 mammal species, 176 reptile species, 148 amphibian species and over 2000 species of fish!

To see as much wildlife as possible, we decided to stay for relatively long periods in each location. On arriving, we spent a few days in Georgetown to get a feel for the capital city. From here, we took the opportunity to see Kaieteur Falls – the largest single drop waterfall (by water capacity) in the world! We will then take the overland route by minibus to Surama Eco Village where we will stay for 7 nights, followed by 14 nights at Iwokrama Research Station. Watch this space!