OVER 150 persons, who participated in the 15th Annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari held in April, 2017 were awarded for engaging in the journey of a lifetime.
The journey began in Georgetown where groups of people travelling in 37 vehicles and about 40 motorbikes drove across Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Eight(Potaru-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The participants, who were either veterans or novices, related their experience throughout the seven-day journey where they were exposed to the raw beauty of Guyana coupled with its sometimes, unfriendly terrain. These participants, upon completion of the journey named themselves ‘Safarians’.

They expressed that some of their fondest moments would be when they were camping at nights and sharing their food or when someone’s vehicle broke down and the others would rush to assist. Camaraderie was definitely a feature of the trip.
The oldest person on this year’s journey, Cecil Beharry, expressed his delight at the adventure he was able to go on and related that he has been going on this particular safari for a number of years. Beharry noted that on this journey, cooperation was the key, since they could not have functioned without each other.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe commended the Safarians for undertaking such a journey on the “beautiful yet dangerous terrain”.
Having been on one of the trips herself, she expressed, “It’s really a group effort where you help each other, look over each other and bond with each other.”
Acknowledging the bravery required to engage in this journey, she mentioned that it was only befitting that the participants were shown some appreciation and awarded with their certificates.

A representative of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Carla Chandra noted, “This milestone actually indicates that the product is a unique one.”
Chandra explained that as a tourist destination, Guyana was still mostly undiscovered and the GTA is trying to transform the country into a Nature/ Adventure tourism destination.
According to the Coordinator of this Safari, Frank Singh, this was the largest expedition in its 15 years and he noted participants not only came from Guyana, but from regional and international countries.

Frank also accounted that the riders came from the Sonic Hunter’s Club in Georgetown and from the Rupununi Riders.
Major sponsors of the event include GuyOil and Rainforest Tours.