-in search of the elusive ‘Destination Rewa’
52 KILOMETERS of emerald green water stretch from the Kwatamang Landing in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) to the remotely located Makushi village of Rewa.
A journey of just two-and-a-half hours will take the excited explorer from the rugged landscape of the Rupununi Savannahs, down the meandering Rupununi River bordered by the pristine beauty of the rainforest to the Rewa Eco Lodge, neatly nestled where the Rewa River runs into the Rupununi.
The shimmering stretch of water is a haven for those in search of wildlife and adventure, and for Tourism Minister, Mr. Manniram Prashad and his team of avid adventurers who ventured along the waterway, the river held nothing back.
The group embarked on a two-day journey on February 8 to discover the  potential of Rewa as a sport-fishing destination, and were treated to a flagrant display along the way as  spectacled caimans careened past, and brazen monkeys mocked from their cracks in the canopy.
Past winding oxbow lakes, sand dunes and rocks that jutted out from the river to disturb its placid surface, the expedition continued on, even as the river changed and became narrower with rocky bars interspersed with sandy beaches.
With each mile meandered,  the intrepid team was mesmerized by the majestic forest which seemed at times to envelope the intruders into its foliage-filled depths,  beckoning with its intertwining hues of greens and browns.
Despite the gentle hum of the outboard engines which propelled the team onward, the forest echoed with the calls of resident Scarlet Macaws, Red billed Toucans, Cotingas, Parrots, and the king of them all, the magnificent Harpy Eagle.

Quote: ‘The group embarked on a two-day journey on February 8 to discover the  potential of Rewa as a sport-fishing destination, and were treated to a flagrant display along the way as  spectacled caimans careened past, and brazen monkeys mocked from their cracks in the canopy’

Occasionally, as the captain cut the engine for the wanderers to delight in some seemingly new discovery, a black hawk would swoop down from its perch and spread its broad expanse of wings to temporarily block out the sun, leaving the visitors in awe.
The journey continued, and the contingent settled in for the lengthy ride, as the bordering overhang teemed with the cries of the howler monkeys, and even as they fell silent, the forest still rustled as the wind cascaded between each branch.
Onward to ‘Destination Rewa’, the river transported the team onward to the promise of Lukanani (Peacock Bass), Arawana, Swordfish, Payara, large Catfish, and Pacu, species that thrive in the waters.
One would assume that after an hour of stretch after stretch on the Rupununi waterway, monotony would eventually set in. Quite the contrary: Every bend and bow brought new sights and sounds to enrapture the senses and enlighten each eager soul en route.
Even the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves emanating from the forest floor permeated the air and inveigled the visitors to prod on in their quest.
Just as the Rupununi met the Rewa, the searching eyes on their ministerial mission beheld their destination situated on the riverbank overlooking the Rewa River.

Quote: ‘To think that Rewa is resplendent only during the day is to never have spent a night in the bowels of the forest, being serenaded by the suspicious sounds of faceless creatures calling out to the thick darkness’

Land at last!

What a welcome sight indeed, as the warm and friendly faces of the Makushi villagers and their Toshao, Patrick Honorio, greeted the team as they gingerly stepped out to meet their hosts.
The genteel hosts, keepers of the Rewa Eco-Lodge to be the exploration team’s respite for the night ahead, staged a heartwarming welcome and escorted the weary travelers to their lodgings.
The Eco-Lodge has seen fewer than 200 tourists since it opened in 2006, and is a community-tourism project of the Amerindian village of Rewa, home to a Makushi tribe of 300.
A remote location and sparse tourism volume has left the natural environment there virtually untouched and marvelously pristine, an ideal place to explore and discover!
The facility consists of two circular benab buildings split into two guest rooms, each with a central large benab housing the kitchen and dining area, and three new single-room buildings with attached bathrooms.
Three sides of the compound are surrounded by rainforest, and the fourth faces the Rewa River with tall stands of thick rainforest foliage on the opposite bank.
As soon as the explorers had settled in and partaken of the sumptuous feast prepared by the local villagers, they set off, fishing poles in hand, to accost the alluring fish that lurked in the mysterious depths of the Rewa River.
Two boats transported the fishing team on their intended quest further along the Rewa River to the shady alcoves where the famous Lukanani lay in wait, and with lines and hopes cast, they too lay in wait.
Within less than twenty minutes after throwing their bait, behold! The river revealed its first prized possession; an eight-pound Lukanani was hurled out of the water and into the waiting belly of the boat.
The first  catch set the precedent for the day, as with each few minutes that elapsed, the collection increased to include many other species of fish, convincing  each one on board that fishing in the Rewa River is as good as it gets!
As dusk approached, the weary wanderers, satisfied   and proud of their first day’s exploits, waded their way back to the lodge, to rest, recuperate, and to feast on the fruits or rather fish, of their labours.
What a mouthwatering meal it was indeed! And the party gathered around the table in the main benab to enjoy the deliciously prepared Lukanani, which was baked to perfection and devoured with delight.
To think that Rewa is resplendent only during the day is to never have spent a night in the bowels of the forest, being serenaded by the suspicious sounds of faceless creatures calling out to the thick darkness.
Fed and nestled safely in the accommodating yet rustic quarters, the cacophony of calls did not frighten but rather soothed the weary travelers into a slumber interrupted occasionally by the roar of the lurking jaguars.
The second day of the expedition was just as invigorating as the first, with the exploration of turtles nesting grounds, and the surprising discovery of jaguar tracks reminding the visitors that around every corner and down every stream, the verdant forest remained capricious.
After the last escapade, it soon came time to return to the waiting world beyond the lost world of the jaguars and once again, the intrepid explorers embarked on their journey along the Rupununi waterway.
They proceeded, basking in the knowledge that they had accomplished their  mission, and had proven to the world that indeed,  not only was Rewa renowned for  its healthy populations of  the protected Arapaima, the largest scaled freshwater fish in the world, but also as one of the ideal spots for sport fishing in Guyana.