Saxacalli is originally an Arawak community located on the left bank of the Essequibo River some 25 miles from Parika. This community is reputed to have one of the best inland beaches in Guyana.
Visitors can go on day- trips to Saxacalli and enjoy a swim at one of the finest beaches in the mighty Essequibo River.
In the Arawak language, the word Saxacalli means ‘Kingfisher’, and the community has been named after the many birds in the area. Legend holds that the area’s origin dates back to the early days of the Dutch presence on the Essequibo River. Anthropological studies suggest that Amerindians from the neighbouring Tiger, Groete and Bancari Creeks moved to Saxacalli, and the settlement was in existence since the days of the Dutch, during the late 1600s, with the community at that time serving as trading partners with the Dutch settlements from Fort Island and Kyk-Over-Al.
Saxacalli was formally established in the 1800s through the influence of the Anglican Church. The church has had a great influence on the village, with a presence over many generations; and through this influence, lands were secured for the village.
At that time, the community was mainly Arawak, steeped in tradition, with songs, dances, craft, cuisine, customs and values being passed down to the youth to ensure posterity.
The Saxacalli Rainforest Centre and Nature Reserve
There is much more to be seen in Saxacalli than the unique beach front, and the journey to Saxacalli is an enlightening experience.
Managed by the Environmental Management Consultants (EMC), one of Guyana’s leading environmental consultancies offering services in the area of natural resources and environmental management, the Saxacalli Rainforest Centre (SRC) is one of Guyana’s first private protected areas. It covers an area rich in biodiversity and economically viable timber species, and having a unique mix of flora and fauna. The Saxacalli Rainforest Centre has been open to students and nature lovers. It provides an opportunity for research, awareness and relaxation.
The concept of a nature reserve at Saxacalli was the brainchild of Shyam Nokta, then a student of the Environmental Studies Programme at the University of Guyana.
Now Head of the National Climate Change Committee, and Climate Change Advisor to the President, from his first visit, Nokta was awed by the area’s unique cultural and ecological diversity. A lease was subsequently secured for an area of approximately 30 acres adjacent to the Saxacalli village.
The site of the nature reserve is marked by a unique feature: the largest pine tree in the area. The tree is more than 60 feet tall, and was planted in the 1940s by Englishman Desmond Fitz Morris, who once occupied the site.
The nature reserve offers a unique opportunity for students, researchers, and the public to have an experience in the tropical rainforest of Guyana, while at the same time enjoying the sun, sand and water.
Things to do at Saxacalli include beach activities — which range from sports such as cricket and volleyball, swimming and boat rides, to simply relaxing in a hammock under the shade of the overhanging vegetation and enjoying the view of the Essequibo River. Or one can engage in nature walks through the forest on trails that lead to the community, or take dug-out canoe rides up nearby creeks.
A tour of the Saxacalli community would give visitors an opportunity to buy local handicraft when available. A trip to the ‘backdam’ to see how logging is done in the traditional way – using an axe and pulling the log to the landing for floating to the sawmill – would be informative. Bird watching, fishing, or having a ‘wabanee’ experience with a local huntsman is an eye- opener to the beauty of Guyana.
The nature reserve offers basic facilities and support services, including knowledgeable local guides from the community, available transportation (small boats) to visit surrounding areas, basic accommodation facilities, which include telephone communication, electricity and running water, and a caretaker family to provide assistance and support.
The combination of natural and cultural attributes of the Saxacalli area blends to create an area that is unique and diverse. Visit www. emcguyana. com for more information on the amazing getaway to Saxacalli.
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