– Annual Pakaraima Safari to hit the road next Sunday

A NUMBER of foreign and local adventurers will brave the exciting 529-mile journey to the very heart of Guyana during the 16th Annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari, an unforgettable experience of nature, wildlife and culture.
The expedition, being branded as the biggest safari for the year, which runs from March 25 to April 1, will see participants from Suriname, Belize, Brazil, the United States, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana traversing through 14 indigenous villages in the interior region.
These individuals have the chance to sight wildlife such as jaguars, monkeys, black caimans, giant anteaters and river turtles; numerous rivers, falls, mountains and hills, as well as hundreds of species of birds.
The objective of the safari is to promote domestic tourism, thereby giving both Guyanese and non-nationals the chance to experience the culture, history, heritage and cuisines offered by the villages they plan visiting.
At the event’s launching at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Minster within the aforementioned ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, congratulated Safari Coordinator and Managing-Director of Rainforest Tours, Frank Singh, for taking the initiative to organise such an outing.
She said that not only will the exposition help to generate financial income for the communities they propose visiting, but it will also help create awareness about Guyana’s rich indigenous cultures.
“The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs is very happy to partner with the Pakaraima Safari and Frank Singh; this will add more, not only financially, but you will learn more about [the] indigenous way of life,” Minister Garrido-Lowe said.
“They will be preparing for the safari there with their craft, their food, their beverages, their culture show. So I think you will have a wonderful time,” she added.

PROJECT COMPONENT
She urged that next year, the safari team consider doing a project in one of the communities they visit, as apart from having the time of their lives, doing so will help give them a deeper feeling of accomplishment.
“If you can consider one day for a project within a community; for example building a bridge at a crossing…
“I’m sure everybody can use a hammer; they can fetch wood, they can tie something. I think if you add a project to this whole safari experience, you will come off feeling much better,” she said.
Singh, a veteran safari campaigner, announced that the villages which will be visited are: Karasabai, Tiperu, Rukumoto, Morabaiko, Yurong Paru, Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kurukubaru, Kamana and Orinduik.
Participants will assemble, as per usual, at the GuyOil Gas station on Regent Street at 01:00h for departure at 03:00hrs the same morning.
On Day Three, the group will overnight in Tuseneng, where they will join the ministry in celebrating Village Day with the community, or opt to continue to Lethem for the Rupununi Rodeo on March 31, instead of returning to Georgetown right away.
Thus far, 15 vehicles have been registered for the trip, which the coordinators hope will reach the 25-vehicle limit by the March 21 deadline.
And with safety being an important aspect of the safari, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Senior Marketing Officer, Annarie Seecharan, is encouraging all participants to be cautious while on the roadways.
She is also urging aspiring safarians to be respectful of the indigenous villages and support their businesses, and used the opportunity to encourage more Guyanese to come on board to see the fullness of their country.
GuyOil has been selected to be the sponsor of choice to provide the safari with petroleum products, which, according to Marketing and Sales Manager, Eric Whaul, coincides with Guyana’s ‘green’ initiative.

CLEAN AND ‘GREEN’
“The persons participating in the safari this year, consistent with the whole ‘green’ initiative, will be using the cleanest diesel available in the Guyana market,” he said.
“When you go into the Amerindian communities, you’ll not be doing any form of contamination of the air.
“It is clean fuel: There’s no black smoke, there is no smell. So, this year, you’re going with the best fuel available.”
Meanwhile, providing fuel for the body will be Banks DIH Limited, and according to Brand Manager of Water Beverages, Clive Pellew, the beverages available will be the Rainforest Water, Powerade, and Monster Energy.
Pellew said that his company is proud to be a part of the safari and to work along with the government, and wished the coordinators of the event all the best in their endeavours.
The Annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari began in March 2003 with just four Land Rovers and two tractors and trailers, which made the journey along with the attendance of members of government and officials.