Participants of the eighth Pakaraima Mountain Safari at about 01:00hour Saturday morning departed in high spirits. Their exciting eight-day journey that concludes at the Orinduik falls will cover about 529 miles. The participants, before departure at the GuyOil/Castrol gas station, Regent Street, were greeted by President Bharrat Jagdeo who wished them a safe journey on their expedition.
The adventure trip is organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Rainforest Tours, Adventure Guyana and the Ministry of Local Government, and is being sponsored by GuyOil/Castrol, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company and Air Services Limited. The convoy consists of 34 vehicles, including 4 Runners, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and motor cycles, a significant increase over last year’s 20 vehicles.  There are also foreigners among the group.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds  and Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad and other government officials also gave their blessings to the participants.
The groups will pass through the hinterland regions, making stops in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and Ten (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice).
The Safari plays a significant role in developing Guyana’s nature and adventure tourism potential.
The safari began as an event to create a road link between two of the country’s most unexplored regions, Eight and Nine, and the convoy comprised four vehicles and two tractors that travelled from Karasabai, Region Nine, to Orinduik Falls, Region Eight.