The extreme experience of a Wai Wai rainforest expedition

The Wai Wai is an indigenous tribe found in the southern part of Guyana bordering Brazil. Considered Guyana’s most traditional tribe, the

Wai Wais are extremely talented hunters and produce various unique and intricate indigenous craft pieces.

Linguistically and genetically, the Wai Wai people are part of the Carib family, and have the lowest population among Amerindian tribes in Guyana. They have fought to have their land recognised as a conservation area, and since 2004, with the help of Conservation International, they have held the title to their 2300 square-mile area.

Rupununi Trails has been granted exclusive access to the Wai Wai territory, and few tourists have had the privilege of entering this untamed region. The Wai Wai’s aim is to create a sustainable economy based on ecotourism and scientific research. Logging and mining activities have been banned in an attempt to preserve their culture and the wildlife.

The area known as the Konashen includes the headwaters of the mighty Essequibo River, and is home to a plethora of animal and plant species, at one point pegged as ‘the most species-rich area left on earth’. The wildlife includes jaguars, harpy eagles, all six of Guyana’s monkey species; anaconda, black caiman and giant river otters. Jaguars have been spotted on many previous visits. It is also home to more than 400 species of birds and the rare blue poison arrow frog. This is a nearly unparalleled opportunity for naturalists, photographers and wildlife documentary crews to study and record this most diverse and pristine of wilderness areas.

During this expedition, enjoy off-road 4×4 adventures on savannah trails hugging the side of the Kanuku Mountains and passing through Shulinab Village, the only settlement of the Makusi tribe in the South Savannahs. Enjoy the best steaks in the world for dinner at the Dadanawa Ranch. Accommodation is in typical stilted ranch housing facing the savannah and offering panoramic views of the Kanuku Mountains.

Then travel by 4X4 across the savannah to the Cuyuni River and visit the mixed Wai Wai/Wapishana village of Erfoimo. Stock up on supplies of fruits and vegetables and camp overnight before beginning your river travels the following morning. For more information on this extreme and exciting outing visit www.rupununitrails.com