SOME 120 persons travelling by off-road vehicles and bikes will get to experience some of the most scenic beauty of Guyana’s mountainous regions and a glimpse of Guyana’s elusive Jaguar, endangered Black Caimans and the giant anteater.

Those and much more are in store when they participate in the 17th Annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari (PMS) set for April 13-21.

Rain Forest Tours in collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) on Wednesday morning officially launched the safari at the GuyOil Gas Station Boardroom, Kitty Public Road.

Covering almost 1000 miles, participants will travel from Georgetown to Orinduik and then to Lethem, at the Guyana-Brazil border.

The route will cover stops at some 14 indigenous villages along the way, including Karasabai, Rukumoto, Morabaiko, Yurong Paru, Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kurubakaru and Itabac.

“Our hinterland is our beauty. Georgetown has its attraction, but our real attraction is in the hinterland. Indeed, it’s a wonderful experience,” commented junior Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, who herself is a former participant of the safari.
“I went there already and as soon as I can get the time I would love to go again. The scenery is unmatched; to those of you who haven’t visited the Pakaraima as yet, I would advise that you do.”

She congratulated owner of Rainforest Tours and founder of the Safari, Frank Singh, for sustaining and continuing to develop the event.

This year, the trip starts on April 13 with participants departing from the GuyOil Gas Station on Regent Street and proceeding to Linden and then on to the Kurupukari Ferry Crossing. They are scheduled to arrive at the crossing on April 14 and then proceed to Karasabai.
As the safari progresses, travel starts daily at 08:00 hrs and end most evenings at 17:00 hrs-18: 00 hrs.

Participants will arrive at Orinduik on Wednesday, April 17, and from Orinduik return to Karasabai before proceeding to Lethem; they are scheduled to arrive in Lethem on Saturday, April 20, just in time to be a part of the annual Rupununi Rodeo. The contingent departs Lethem on Sunday at 02:00 hrs to return to Georgetown.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Aside from the Rupununi Rodeo, other attractions participants can look forward to include visits to the Cheong and Lehlibar waterfalls, in addition to the Orinduik falls, visits to Iwokrama and its famed canopy walkway, Mabura and the forest concessions, Annai and the Rockview Lodge

“Guyana is so large with so many places to see and there are a few ways to experience those, such as nature walk and kayaking, but the real experience– the Pakaraima Mountain Safari– takes the cake for that. There’s a wealth of natural and cultural experience along this journey,” commented GTA Deputy Director, Carla James.

Registration fee for the Safari is $25,000, while the participants have to provide their own transportation, food and other gears. Because of the type of trail, only off- road vehicles are allowed.

Rainforest Tours Safari Coordinator, Lisa Smith, estimates overall participants can cater for the trip to cost $120,000 — $180,000.

Smith shared that this year’s Safari is already booked to capacity.
Rain Forest Tours has partnered with a number of car rental companies from which persons can rent a vehicle if they do not have one. Participants are responsible for walking with their camping equipment, appropriate clothing, cooking utensils and ration.
There is also the option for participants to fly in and join the Safari at one of several junctures, either at Orinduik, Monkey Mountain, or Kato. The cost of the flight has to be covered by the respective participants.

For yet another year, the Guyana Oil Company continues to partner as the main sponsor of the event.

This year, the company will be giving back to several of the villages along the route, donating school shoes to children in the villages.

“We’ve been sponsoring the event for over 10 years and it’s always a pleasure to be associated with people experiencing Guyana to its fullest. Will be donating the shoes to two villages as part of our corporate and social responsibly because as this safari makes its journey, we should be able to give back to the community along the way,” shared GuyOil Marketing and Sales Manager, Jacklyn James.