Guyana

Travel to Guyana with Ker & Downey. On the top shoulder of South America rests the three countries of the Guiana Shield: Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana.

Shared Shield, Distinct Heritage

Located along the Caribbean coast, and all three countries comprise the Guiana Shield. This shield is a 1.7 billion-year-old Precambrian geological formation and one of the highest biodiverse regions in the world. Indeed, the shield houses 1,400 vertebrate species and 1,680 bird species. It also boasts the largest expanse of undisturbed tropical rainforest in the world.

Despite this shared commonality, each country in the Guianas has its own distinct cultural heritage. This is because each has been colonized by a different European nation.

Caribbean Culture, Colonial Remnants

Guyana, the “Land of Many Waters,” has more culturally in common with the Caribbean. However, its capital city, Georgetown, features a collection of impressive British colonial architecture. This includes St. George’s Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest free standing wood buildings.

National Parks, Natural Wonders

Another landmark of Guyana? Its natural wonders. Even in the city of Georgetown there are opportunities for birding in the Botanical Gardens and feeding endangered West Indian manatees in the National Park.

Also consider Kaieteur Falls, the world’s highest free-falling waterfall. Indeed, the waters of Kaieteur drop 741 feet, or five times the height of Niagara Falls. Finally, there is the rainforest. The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway offers plenty of wildlife encounters. Local residents include primates, giant river otters, giant anteaters, black caiman, agouti, tapir, black curassow, the elusive jaguar, and an abundance of bird life.

Community-Owned, Grassroots Conservation

While here, also spend time learning about the cultures of the region with visits to local Amerindian communities. Indeed, Guyana supports a unique community-based tourism model. Indigenous communities own their lodges and serve at the forefront of the country's grassroots conservation efforts. 

Travel to Guyana with Ker & Downey

Join Ker & Downey as we travel the Guianas: Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Contact a Ker & Downey expert to customize your next Guiana private tour in this untouched and unique part of the South America.