THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) last Friday evening held a presentation ceremony following the conclusion of the 11th Pakaraima Mountain Safari.

The ceremony was to reward the daring men and women who completed the 529-mile journey to the Pakaraima Mountains, between March and April this year.
The safarians and sponsors of the event were presented with a certificate of participation and special awards at the GTA building at the Sophia Exhibition Centre.
In attendance were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag.) Irfaan Ali and Managing Director, Rainforest Tours and leader of the 11th Pakaraima Mountain Safari, Frank Singh.

Prime Minister Hinds commended all who took part in the safari and said that this was a great way to build relationships. “Let us recognize that we are accomplishing many things, we are building our country, we are developing bonds, we are developing the links, the contact between coastal and hinterland people and between people of different races,” he said.

Ali highlighted the importance of the safari to the development of ‘Destination Guyana’. He said that the mission of those who participate in the safari is integral to the development of the tourism product that the ministry is trying to create. He noted also that the safari is now a large component of the tourism product in Guyana and South America.

SAFARI CLUB
Meanwhile, Ali disclosed that plans are afoot to organise the safari in a more structured way, so as to place it more in the mainstream of the country’s tourism product. In this regard, he explained that the ministry is moving feverishly towards organising a safari club in Guyana. This would lead to regulations being put in place for the safari, such as specific requirements for drivers involved in the journey.

He further stated that the development of other routes for the safari is being explored. Moreover, he said, it is important that the safarians form themselves into an organisation as it would allow for synergy and linkages among the different safari clubs in South America and the rest of the Caribbean. This will also allow for the planning of activities between and among these clubs, where Guyana could be the centre, Ali added.

Among those honoured last Friday was Harripersaud Nokta, the pioneer of the Pakaraima Mountain Safari. Nokta was presented with a handicraft plaque by the Prime Minister; a token from the Ministry of Tourism for his tremendous work as a pioneer in the safari event and also in hinterland communities.

Nokta expressed his gratitude for the award, and said that the token would help him to readily recall some of his days in the Pakaraimas. He also expressed the hope that the event would continue to grow as he foresees a time when it will be held twice yearly.

The 11th Pakaraima Mountain Safari was a 10-day trip that allowed the safarians to travel in a convoy of 28 vehicles – 4x4s and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) to witness some of the country’s most diverse terrain.

The safari allowed participants to experience the beauty of the local flora and fauna as they undertook the journey, filled with thrills and fun, covering more than 600 miles and passing through 25 Amerindian villages, from Georgetown to the beautiful Orinduik Falls. They also experienced the Rupununi Rodeo in Lethem before returning to Georgetown.

The route starts from Georgetown, then through Karasabai, Tiperu, Rukomoto, Morabaiko, Yurong Paru, Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kurukubaru, and Itabac, ending at the foot of the Pakaraima Mountain Range.  In the 11 years of the safari so far, over 600 persons have completed the event.