THE second annual South Rupununi Safari dubbed ‘an adventure of a lifetime’ was launched on Friday by the Tourism Ministry. The safari is slated to take place from November 25 to 30.

Speaking at the launch held at the Tourism Ministry’s Boardroom South Road, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh encouraged all Guyanese to utilise the opportunity to visit their country through the safari. He noted that there are many aspects of the Amerindian lifestyle or even the villages that Guyanese have never seen or heard about. Haralsingh also indicated that the safaris are now attracting a lot of attention and as such “we are seeing a lot of interest being generated by tourist and this year we have quite a number of interested groups hailing from Suriname, Trinidad and even Canada.”
Coordinator of the South Rupununi Safari, Frank Singh explained that this safari will be a more flat-trail drive since it will cover more savannah lands giving the participants a chance to view activities such as cattle herding, taming of horses among others. He further explained this adventure offers an ideal opportunity for persons to experience and explore little known places south of Guyana’s interior. Presently he said they are expecting about 20 vehicles to participate and they have confirmed ten so far. A contingent from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname and a Canadian motor cyclist will be participating in this year’s safari.
The coordinator stressed that they committee will now be providing transportation for persons that do not have access to an off-road vehicle. “We will be using a Bedford truck with seats that will accommodate 20 persons at a cost of $100,000 per person which includes meals, accommodation and transportation, “just walk with your clothes,” Singh said.
Participants can also chose the option of flying out, which is only an additional $20,000, to Lethem where the safari will culminate to coincide with the Rupunini Expo slated for November 29 and 30.
Singh related that one of the major attractions of the safari is the Dadanawa Ranch with its long rich history and holds the claim of being the world’s largest cattle ranch. This ranch he noted was used as a home base for the filming of several episodes of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. The safari will offer participants the opportunity to visit some 14 villages including Shea, Shiriri, the Kanuku Mountains, Aishalton and Achiwuib among others. A four-wheel drive vehicle in good condition, tow rope, camping equipment, torchlight are a few of the requirements for the safari Singh pointed out.
During the launch, the Safari Club was also made official which both locals and international persons can join. One of the aims of the club is to enhance domestic and community-based tourism and it was explained that already interest is being shown by Jamaica, Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada to join the club so as to be a part of the safaris as well as other activities that the club will be promoting. explained the club secretary Ms. Yonette Shahabuddeen.
For persons desirous of more information either on the safari or the Safari Club, they can contact Frank Singh at Rainforest Tours on 231-5661.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)