What To Do In Iwokrama

Design Your Own Itinerary!

Iwokrama is a place for all ages and all interests and you choose what you want to do. There are established tours and here are the featured activities, but if you have another idea - contact us! We want your visit to be extraordinary and personal.

Iwokrama Canopy Walkway

Opened in November 2003, the 154 metre (505 ft.) state-of-the-art Canopy Walkway envelopes you in the jungle's mid-level canopy from heights of up to 30 metres (98 ft.). If you visit at dusk or dawn, you'll have the best chance to see birds like the Green Aracari, Scarlet Macaw, Guiana Toucanette or Channel-bill Toucan. Red Howler Monkeys may also be observed. You can also spend the night at the nearby satellite camp and experience the "art of survival" with our knowledgeable guides.

>Official Iwokrama Canopy Walkway web site

Turtle Mountain

A trip to Iwokrama is not complete without a hike to the summit of Turtle Mountain for a stunning jungle vista. The journey may also reward you with sightings of monkeys such as Red Howlers, Wedge-capped Capuchins and Black Spiders (see primates in the online mammal guide). Consider staying at the modern and nearby camp with running water and comfortable accommodations.

>Learn more about Turtle Mountain and the Camp

Bird Watching

With over 500 species of birds in the Forest, bird watchers are sure to be rewarded with a visit to Iwokrama Forest. In addition to the many species that can be heard and observed throughout the Forest, four bird feeding stations/platforms have been installed at the Field Station and are currently attracting over ten species of birds. Furthermore, Iwokrama Guides are now recording local bird songs to enhance bird identification skills.

Nocturnal Wildlife Spotting

Just imagine yourself cruising on the Essequibo River through the black of night, maybe lit only by a pale moon. Your guide shines the spotlight and there it is... the red-eye glare of the Black Caiman! Frequently and closely seen lying on the river banks, the world's largest of the alligator family grows to 6 metres (20 ft.) long. A boat ride at night may also introduce you to other nocturnal creatures such as Tree Boas, Pacas (see large rodents in the online mammal guide), Nightjars, and Hyla tree frogs.

Fairview Village and Petroglyphs

The hospitable residents of Fairview will gladly share their traditional Makushi culture and history with their guests. It was the Makushi that gave the world curare - one of the most widely used sources of muscle relaxant in the world. Then visit the nearby ancient petroglyphs. These stunning works of art are estimated to be over 6,000 years old and best seen during low-water season.

Aranaputa Village

The Ecotourism Nature Trail and Rest Cabin, perched 305 metres (1000 ft.) above the indigenous community of Aranaputa, has one of the most fabulous and panoramic views of the Rupununi Savannah. The energetic hike to the rest cabin rewards visitors with hammocks and a simple kitchen and dining hall. Local activities include nature trail walks, bird watching, night trekking, and animal spotting.

Hiking

Take a jungle trek with a well-informed guide along one of our walking trails:

• Screaming Piha Trail
• Cock of the Rock Trail
• Wood Creeper Trail
• Giaconda Trail
• Bush Master Trail
• Prince Charles Trail
• Iwokrama Mountain Gorge Trail
• Turtle Mountain Trail
• Canopy Walkway Trail

As the first three trail names suggest, the first three trails, all near the Field Station, are noted for their abundance of Screaming Pihas (Lipaugus vociferans), Cock of the Rocks (Rupicola rupicola; male of the species pictured above), and Wedge-billed Wood Creepers (Glyphorynchus spirurus) - all highlights for beginning or expert bird watchers. Early in the morning or on a quiet afternoon stroll, you may also be lucky enough to view Capuchin Monkeys, White-faced Saki Monkeys and Red-rumped Agoutis (see primates and large rodents in the online mammal guide).

For enhanced natural history interpretations by Iwokrama Guides during hikes through the Forest, unique and common trees on the trails are being labeled. There has also been made an extension to the Canopy Walkway Trail that now offers visitors a “bottom-top” view of the state-of-the-art facility. Field Station-based hiking opportunities have been expanded by extending the Prince Charles Trail and linking it with the Cock of the Rock Trail. This has greatly improved the number of species that can be experienced on the trek. All trails are also being mapped using a GPS, and then will be overlaid over the Iwokrama Reserve digitized map. Finally, and most importantly, all the trails now undergo routine maintenance and clearance.

Sport Fishing

Iwokrama offers fishing trips, but only to die-hard fishermen. Extended boat trips can be arranged, staying at a number of our satellite camps along the three major rivers in the Iwokrama Forest - the Essequibo, Burro-Burro and Siparuni.

>Learn more about Sport Fishing

Relax, Read, or Learn

Some guests want to spend a portion of their adventure simply enjoying the peace and quite of a pristine forest environment or taking advantage of Field Station amenities. You can enjoy the sounds and sights of birds and monkeys or reflect upon the dark and mysterious Essequibo River. Take a nap or read in one of the hammocks. There is also a small but expanding reference library and a PC lab with internet access.

"Canopy Walkway" & "Rainbow" photos courtesy of J. Bicknell.