Rupununi research and conservation part of the highlights at Yupukari
At the edge of Yupukari village in the Central Rupununi is Caiman House Field Station, a combination guest-lodge and education centre focused on research and conservation projects along the nearby Rupununi River.
The Field Station is the hub of several participatory development projects, including the introduction of classroom libraries in all three village schools and an internet-enabled public library.
Visitors have many opportunities to observe- or become involved with- the projects at Caiman House. A popular night time excursion allows guests to observe caiman capture and assist in data collection while caiman are weighed, measured, sexed, and tagged. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet local craftspeople, including the furniture builders at Yupukari Crafters, a non-profit venture to create sustainable jobs and revenue for the village.
Four modest but comfortable guestrooms are situated around a central lounge area in the lodge behind the research centre. A special ‘treehouse cabin’ sits atop the centre, while a hammock benab offers budget accommodation for visiting students. Guest rooms feature attached bathrooms with flush toilets and running water, comfortable beds, and three meals a day in the common dining area.
Caiman House Field Station and the Guest House are powered 24hrs a day by a large solar array. Standard U.S. electrical outlets are located in all rooms so charging equipment is easy. The entire station is served by wireless internet access.
Yupukari is reached by boat, an hour ride from Karanambu Ranch or three hours from Ginep Landing. Land transportation to Lethem takes approximately two and a half hour with good weather and road conditions.
As with all parts of central Guyana, wildlife spotting and bird watching along the river is excellent, while day and night treks afford visitors ample opportunities to encounter Guyana’s most vibrant and pristine natural habitats.
For more information visit Rupununi Learners on Facebook. (Photos and info by Wilderness Explorers and Rupununi Learners) (Cover Photo : Reading is fun at the library)
