THE 15th edition of the Pakaraima Mountain Safari has created history by attracting the participation of 30 vehicles and 40 motorcycles – the largest motorcade ever to traverse the Pakaraima terrain.
Of the 40 riders, 20 are from the Sonic Hunter’s Club in Georgetown and the other 20 from the Rupununi Riders.
The Rupununi Riders include riders from Brazil while the Georgetown team comprises riders from Suriname and one participant from the United States.

The team was scheduled to leave Georgetown last evening. From Georgetown, they will head to the village of Karasabai, then to Orinduik and back to Georgetown. This excludes an expanded trip to Lethem for the highly-anticipated Rodeo this weekend.
The trip entails travelling across Regions Four, Eight, Nine and 10, starting below sea level and reaching approximately 3,800 feet above sea level.
The journey takes approximately four to five days through unfriendly terrain, passing more than 25 indigenous villages before reaching the final destination, Orinduik Falls.
The safari offers some of the most beautiful geological features to be experienced in the Guianas.

According to Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, the 1000-mile return trip provides an opportunity for participants, which include foreigners, to see and discover Guyana’s beauty.
“Guyana’s key product and attractions are nature and community-based tourism. The safari is one of the greatest ways to explore and discover more of what Guyana has to offer,” the GTA Director said.

He was speaking at the GUYOIL Service Station on Regent Street last evening where the team was finalising arrangements for the trip.
Haralsingh, optimistic in his reasoning, explained that this safari has the potential to grow as an international event and help to position Guyana as a top adventure and outdoor destination. To support his contention, the director referenced a recent safari trip to Moraikobai, the lone indigenous village in Region Five.

EXPANDING
“The safari product is expanding. There was a safari to Moraikobai, the only indigenous village in Region Five, and that village went from having no visitors to over 100 visitors in just two months. So this is an indication of the potential which these safaris hold in its contribution to Guyana’s development,” he said.
With a demand for fuel and lubricants during the trip, the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) has made a donation of more than $670,000 to the Pakaraima Safari, in the form of gasoline, gas oil and lubricants.

Marketing and sales manager of GUYOIL, Eric Whaul, explained that the fuel was sent to the village of Karasabai where the drivers will make their first fuel stop.
He said the fuel received at Karasabai should take the drivers to the end of the journey.
Meanwhile, third-time safari participant, Ralph Hemsingh, was at a loss for words to describe the experience.

“I went on three safaris and since I did the first one, I come back every year. It’s something amazing. It’s something you cannot explain or describe. You just have to go to experience it. I would recommend this to every Guyanese,” he said.
Other major sponsors include Rainforest Tours, which is the lead coordinator and Mekdeci Machinery and Construction, among others.