– promise to return to tenth event
THEY were daring, men, women and children who participated in the Ninth Pakaraima Mountain Safari, as they sought to explore the rugged parts of Guyana, where many have never set foot. The safari allowed the adventurers to witness some of the country’s natural diversity – by offering them a once-in-a-lifetime adventure into the wild.
The convoy of 19 4×4, three All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), one Land Rover and one motorcycle successfully completed the 529-mile journey having left in the wee hours of April 2.
With spirits high, they journeyed on. The road is some parts was impassable because of the recent rainfall Guyana has been experiencing, even as it is considered the dry season; but this did not daunt the safarians whose aim was to experience adventure, and indeed they did.
They navigated through the rough terrain, forded rivers and creeks and got stuck in ruts in the trails, but for them these served as the ultimate thrilling experience.
Camping out, sleeping in tents or hammocks, and cooking in the open, all contributed to the safarians’ experiences, an adventure indeed.
Guyana has in recent past years been promoting adventure tourism in an effort to attract more visitors to experience the country’s pristine, spectacular beauty; hence the focus on ensuring the safari is successful and continues.
The yearning for some to actually experience how and where the Amerindians live and their pristine environment has motivated persons to join the event.
The convoy stopped at several villages, such as Karasabai, Tipuru, Yurong Paru, Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng, and Kato, culminating at Orinduik. The participants interacted with the villagers and presented gifts to the children.
They tasted the Amerindians’ beverages and ate cassava bread.
The safari came to an end at Orinduik falls, and they all enjoyed the refreshing water cascading over jagged jasper on the Ireng River at the border with Brazil.
The participants expressed their appreciation for the adventure, and many vowed to come again.
Cecil Beharry, a Guyanese who lives in Jamaica, has participated in the Safari for the third time.
“I am looking forward to coming back next year, with the same Land Rover, or maybe a Toyota Hilux vehicle, and I am looking forward to the rest of it. I must mention the camaraderie, the hospitality was fantastic, that is almost like a bonus to the Safari,” Beharry said.
For Errol Vanlange, “It has been only profitable for me, no drawbacks. I think we should encourage a lot more people to come. We should have a lot more people doing this trip and enjoying Guyana.”
Farham Haniff, a biker living in Canada for 36 years, said he had heard of the Safari and decided to give it a try.
“It’s quite a tough ride because of the weather, but overall, it was very enjoyable. It’s an experience that I will always remember and I think it is one of the best kept secrets in Guyana, and so I am encouraging anybody to try it, but make sure the weather is good.”
“This is my fourth year on the Safari, and this one was very enjoyable, it was the best. I am looking forward to another Safari, as it offers me an opportunity to see some of the wonders Guyana holds,” Rudolph Johnson, another participant said.
For Lauretta Gibberson, “It was a challenging ride, we bumped around a lot. We had to slide down a lot of hills and pull vehicles up using other vehicles; but all in all, it was an exciting couple of days and staying at the communities was really nice.”
Regions Eight and Nine are considered the most difficult to traverse due to the rough terrain and in order to bridge the two regions, the first attempt at a safari was made in 2003, an initiative of former Minister of Local Government, Harripersaud Nokta.
Since then, several links with communities across Regions Eight and Nine were developed.
While traditional activities were the centre of attraction, the Pakaraima Mountain Safari has grown to such an extent that the Tourism Ministry has decided to facilitate a second safari for 2011, in August. (GINA)