DIRECTOR of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh has disclosed that plans are afoot for the development of other safaris, exploring other areas of Guyana.The GTA Director was at the time speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA) at the Guyoil gas station at Regent Street, where he, along with Prime Minister Samuels Hinds, was sending off participants of the 13th Annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari.

A convoy of 26 vehicles and eight motorcycles  about 1:00 a.m. yesterday embarked on the 529- mile journey from Georgetown to Orinduik Falls and back.
“It is the most adventurous trip in Guyana,” Haralsingh said. He pointed out that the journey is one that takes participants through one of the most ‘pristine and beautiful parts of Guyana.’
The safari will travel through Karasabai, Tiperu, Rukomoto, Morabaiko, Yurong Paru, Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kurukubaru, and Itabac, culminating at the base of the Pakaraima Mountain Range, where the Orinduik Falls are located.
This year there is the largest number of participants, in terms of  vehicles. There are also participants from countries such as Jamaica, Germany and Holland.
Haralsingh said that it’s the continued buzz and excitement for this safari and the other. exploring the South Pakaraimas, that are encouraging the exploration of other routes for safaris.
He also highlighted treks to Mahdia as among other parts of Guyana that are being explored as well for short safaris.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds noted that the safari would not have been as successful today had in not been for the work put in at the beginning by Former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta.
“It was Harripersaud, working with the villages, working with the people along the way and getting them in the first years to manually improve the walking trails so that the vehicles could come by,” he noted.

Prime Minister Hinds, who has been a constant participant of the safari, described the journey as ‘interesting and challenging’, more so in the very beginning, “when you were not sure you would make it and when for the first time, vehicles were driving through places such as Rukomoto, Tiperu…,” he explained.
That the journey today is much smoother  “is an indication of how the country is being opened up,” the Prime Minister said.
The annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari is one of Guyana’s best tourism products, offering local and international participants a 10-day trek into the beautiful scenic interior, and with it, the experience of magnificent sunrises and breathtaking sunsets. The team travels for most of the day, navigating the rough terrain, crossing rivers and creeks, sometimes (though now less often, with the improvement in road network) and becoming stuck in ruts along the trails.
At nightfall, the team sets up tents or hammocks, and starts cooking in the open. As part of the experience, the team also interacts with the different villages, conducting outreaches, and making donations, more so to the schools.
The safari is a collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce, GTA and Rainforest Tours.

Guyoil/Castrol and Mekdeci Mining remain the major sponsors of this annual event; however, the GTA has managed to attract a number of other entities, including: Marketing and Distribution, Rover World and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company. The administration of Regions 8 and 9 also plays an important role in making the event a success. (GINA)