THIS year’s Pakaraima Mountain Safari is on track to be the biggest ever, having been extended to last 10 days beginning March 23, with approximately 30 vehicles covering 600 miles of Guyana’s rugged hinterland terrain.

This was announced yesterday by coordinator of the Safari,  Frank Singh,  when the 11th Annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari  was launched at   a press conference in the boardroom of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, South Road, Georgetown.
This safari was launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with Rainforest Tours.
According to  Singh, the vehicles will depart  GUYOIL Gas Station at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, at 1:00 am on March 23, and travel through 14 Amerindian villages, concluding in Lethem, Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).  He noted that these Amerindian villages include Karasabai, Monkey Mountain, Kato, and Orinduik.
Singh further stated that they have requested that  four persons be assigned to a vehicle (inclusive of the driver), and  so  they are expecting approximately 120 persons on this year’s safari.
He noted, however, that these numbers would increase, as persons from various areas along the way, including the Regional Executive Officers (REOs),  are expected to  join the safari.
Singh also announced that registration for the safari begins today, and persons are required to pay $25,000  and also provide two empty 45-gallon drums.  He stated that registration will be done at the Tower Hotel, and persons desirous of being a part of the Safari can also contact him at Rainforest Tours or Director of GTA,  Indranauth Haralsingh.
He added that inspection of the vehicles will be done at the Tower Hotel, Main Street, as all vehicles need to be checked to ensure that they are ‘offroad worthy’.
In addition,  Singh said that there is  a document which  all drivers have to sign, which states that they will obey all the rules of the safari. He also informed that persons in the vehicles  are required to equip themselves with their own cooking utensils, and outdoor camping equipment.
According to him, there will be support from Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) and 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) in terms of providing fuel sites along  the safari route.
Meanwhile, also speaking at the launch, acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali, said that this is a historic year for the safari, as it paves the way for a massive 2014 safari.
According to him, they have already received confirmation from the Jamaica Safari Club regarding  the participation of 10 vehicles in  the 2014 safari, and other countries have also expressed interest.
Minister Ali stated that the  safari is going to become a centre-piece for Guyana’s tourism product, as the ministry views it as very important for the development of the tourism sector.
He added that it has a great impact on the economy, making reference to industries such as the local food and hotel industry, as well as local mechanics.
He indicated that stories that are told by the visitors concerning  the safari when they return home also encourage other persons to come to Guyana, not necessarily for  the safari, but to experience the various tourism products .

TRAIL OF LIFE
According to him, they are trying to push the number of participants to 40 vehicles, because there has been expressed interest from around the Caribbean.
He said that the safari is described as the adventure of a lifetime, and in the ministry’s estimation, the Pakaraima Mountain Safari is the ‘trail of life’.  Ali stated that the safari is for the brave and the adventurous, and those who want to experience life at its best and fullest.
He informed that the safari ends with the Annual Rodeo, and the ministry is trying to work with the rodeo committee to ensure that the event is even bigger this year, and they are also seeking to reduce the cost.
The Pakaraima Mountain Safari entails travelling via 4X4 vehicles across Guyana’s Administrative Regions 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica); 8 (Potaro/Siparuni); 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), starting below sea level and reaching approximately 3,800 ft above sea level.
This year the safari is sponsored by GUYOIL/CASTROL, which has been a sponsor for  nine  consecutive years, as well as MMC and N&M  Services Limited.