Nature lovers transform a quiet creekside escape into a model for sustainable, community-rooted tourism

TUCKED away along the majestic black waters of the Kamuni Creek, Waia Lodge stands as more than a scenic getaway — it is one of Guyana’s newest tourism destinations. The eco-lodge, founded by husband-and-wife team Shebana and Keiran Daniels, has become one of the newest symbols of Guyana’s growing community tourism movement. Blending Keiran’s deep roots in Santa Mission with the couple’s shared passion for sustainable travel, Waia Lodge offers visitors a glimpse into authentic hinterland life while channelling opportunities back into the community that inspired it.

Waia Lodge did not begin as a tourism endeavour, but as a simple family getaway. As Shebana told Pepperpot Magazine during a recent interview, Waia began after the couple returned home from spending some years overseas. “We both really don’t like city life. We spent all of our time in Suriname pretty much in the bush, so when we got here, Keiran, who was born in Santa Mission, and I discussed that we’d probably go back and try to find a nice place where we could build a little family getaway, because we don’t really like being in town.” The business later grew as the couple, both with a background in tourism, sought to create something they’re both passionate about in a place they both loved.

This led the couple back to Keiran’s home of Santa Mission, a naturally stunning community bursting with wildlife and culture. For the husband-and-wife duo, the decision of where was easy. After developing a camp in the area with the help of family, Waia became the family’s premier getaway — and it was soon something they could not keep to themselves. “Once we started, it was absolutely beautiful. We said we can’t keep it to ourselves, so let’s turn it into something we can offer. We’re good with customer service, tour guiding, tourism management — that is generally what both of us do. We decided we’d put our skills to the test and develop something we can share with everyone.” Waia Lodge is a truly authentic experience with plenty of effort put into its design.

Waia Lodge was launched in September of this year, on World Tourism Day, but that was more than a year after it was started. As Shebana shared, while creating the business was step one, many other steps were needed to make Waia Lodge an established, accredited tourism destination. While challenging, Shebana highlights that it sets the standard of service in the business. “From the inception, we knew we wanted to do things the right way — having the business properly registered, being compliant with the Guyana Tourism Authority and what they require. Keiran and I are both licensed tour guides, and we’ve also licensed our business, Wild Adventures, as a tour operator. Now that we have the property, we want to continue being compliant.” Apart from winning a grant, Guyana’s leading tourism organisations were vital in this journey.

The Waia Lodge experience is more than the beauty of the community — it is the diversity the experience offers. From the moment visitors arrive, Waia’s tranquil charm takes over. “We generally allow flexibility for people to drive themselves up to the Timehri area, and I will pick them up from there. If somebody requires transportation, we can arrange that for them, but most people prefer to just drive and park, and then we pick them up for the day,” Shebana stated. Visitors are taken on a short boat ride to Santa Mission, which sets the tone for the experience ahead. “The boat takes you directly to the lodge. We do a brief stop at the village itself for orientation so people see where the village is in comparison to where we’re located on the village land, because we are not within the central village. Then we go straight into the lodge.”

At Waia, guests can do as much or as little as they wish, creating an experience that everyone can enjoy. “Once you’re at the lodge, you can choose to do something or you can choose to do nothing, and both are fine. We provide a peaceful environment — it’s quiet, you can enjoy nature. Some people just want to tie a hammock and sleep all day or just lie and read a book.” For those seeking a bit more adventure, the couple offers a range of outdoor activities. “We offer other activities too — trail biking, nature walks, and fishing with traditional hand lines. We’re right beside the Kamuni Creek, so you can soak up the black water and swim as long as you want.”

Waia’s offerings continue to grow as the lodge evolves, with the couple working on developing additional activities. “We currently have a couple of paddle boards, and in the new year we’ll be adding our kayak. Those are generally the activities we offer. There’s also a second version of that itinerary, which is an add-on that provides a longer day.” Shebana added, “We offer the option to continue on to the Demerara River for a sunset experience — you can see the birds roosting, the new bridge, and the sunset from the riverside.” The couple’s next goal is to open their space for overnight stays. Currently, the lodge offers only day trips, but the duo is working to develop rooms for longer stays by the end of this year.

For the Daniels family, Waia Lodge is more than a business — it serves as a bridge back to the community that shaped them. As Shebana shared, “One of the reasons why we decided to go back to Santa Mission was because Keiran is really passionate about giving back to his community. We were looking at how we can do that. He talks about the community; this is where he was born and grew up.” This ensures that every tour carries a touch of that connection. “When he guides tours, it’s more like a first-hand experience that he’s transferring. He tells stories about him as a child growing up in the community and what might be different now. We take pride in bringing a bit of business and income to the community where we can.”

As Waia continues to grow, Shebana hopes their story inspires others to take the leap into the exciting sector of tourism. “There’s a lot of potential for tourism in Guyana. There are so many things you can do in the industry. There’s room for everyone. You just have to decide on what you want to do, be focused and committed to it, and work toward that.” She emphasised that customer service should not be overlooked. “Customer service is important, and not just customer service but excellent customer service — that should be the focus of every tourism operator in Guyana. We are the ones showcasing what Guyana is all about, whether to local or international customers. The level of service we give is what encourages more people to come to us.”