Nature & Wildlife
Guyana’s pristine landscapes are waiting to be discovered. Its virgin rainforests, innumerable waterfalls, vast open savannahs, mountain ranges, and extensive river systems are home to rich biodiversity found in few places on the planet. Due to its pristine nature, its ecosystems are able to sustain vibrant populations of some of the world’s giant species like the jaguar, giant anteater, giant river otter, black caiman, anaconda and the Arapaima. As a result, it is often referred to as “The Land of the Giants” by intrepid wildlife enthusiasts.
With more than 820 bird species, Guyana is also a bird watcher’s paradise as well. A few star birds that are relatively easy to access include the Harpy Eagle, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, and the Hoatzin.
Land of the Giants
Rivers and trails are the means to access Guyana’s great wilderness where the full glory of its biodiversity is on display. With 228 species of mammals, 820 bird species, 900 fish species, and 330 species of reptiles and amphibians, Guyana has a reputation as one of the best wildlife destinations in the world. Of these, some species are rarely found in the world, and more than a dozen are often given the moniker of ‘giants’. There are 15 in total.
Jaguar
One of the more popular ‘giants’ and most famous animals in South America, the Jaguar plays a vital role in its habitat by regulating other species’ populations and contributing to the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. The best places to spot these beautiful creatures are in Guyana’s Protected Areas and along remote rivers in the early mornings or late afternoons.
Arapaima
The network of Essequibo, Rupununi and the Rewa Rivers are home to oxbow lakes and
ponds, which house a healthy population of Arapaima, the world’s largest-scaled freshwater fish. Fishing enthusiasts from all over the world visit Guyana to try their luck at sustainable catch-and-release fly fishing for the species. As a protected species, this freshwater giant has to be constantly monitored by the village of Rewa and its partner organisations. This conservation effort has helped to restore the Arapaima population to well over 4,000 in the area.
Harpy Eagle
Often on the wish list of many birdwatchers, the Harpy Eagle can be found in the untouched canopies of the Kanuku Mountains and Iwokrama Rainforest. The pristine tropical rainforest is the perfect home for this majestic beauty as it offers them ample prey to feed on.
Giant Anteater
With small eyes and ears that contrast its large snout, body and tail, the world's largest anteater is truly an extraordinary animal to see.
Giant River Otter
Guyana's giant river otters are a surprise—the largest in the world. They were first documented at the Karanambu Lodge in the North Rupununi in 1988. World-famous conservationist Diane McTurk worked tirelessly on rehabilitating otters in this region. Since then, a stable population has been present in the area, providing wildlife enthusiasts with an opportunity to observe these rare and extraordinary creatures.
Black Caiman
The black caiman is the largest member of the Alligatoridae family. It is a carnivorous reptile that lives along slow-moving rivers, lakes, and other freshwater habitats in South America. In Guyana, they are found in abundance in the waters of the Rewa and Rupununi Rivers. Caiman House Field Station and Guest House in the village of Yupukari monitor and protect this species.
Key Wildlife Spotting Areas
The extensive grasslands of South and Central Guyana, numerous river basins and the dense rainforests throughout the country make Guyana one of the wildlife hotspots of the world. With an estimated 87% of its forests intact, Guyana is well protected and home to megadiversity. The pristine ecosystems and abundant resources of the Guiana Shield create the perfect environment for some of the world’s most fascinating creatures.
Some of the key regions to spot wildlife in Guyana are the interior savannahs, the highland rainforests, the hilly, sand and clay area and the low coastal plains. The Rupununi grasslands in the country’s interior are home to giant anteaters, capybaras, caimans, tapirs, anacondas and hundreds of bird species, which have a high chance of being spotted, especially if you choose to stay at any of the best eco-lodges of the region.
The Iwokrama Rainforest of the Highland region offers great chances to spot caimans, Harpy Eagles, Jaguars, river otters, Arapaima, sloths, river turtles and many more species. Here too, jungle-flanked eco-lodges like Atta, Surama and Rewa, offer some of the best opportunities to experience the wildlife of Guyana. Hundreds of bird species call the high canopies of greenheart, crabwood, mora and purpleheart trees home.
Other key wildlife areas are the basins of Essequibo, Demerara, and other major rivers in the country. The Mahaica River is another hotspot for birders. Kaieteur National Park is home to unique species like the Kaieteur Golden Rocket Frog and the Guianan Cock-of-the-rock. Upstream of the park, new species like the electric blue tarantula, known to the Indigenous Peoples, were still being discovered by Western scientists
Other biodiversity hotspots include Shell Beach Protected Area, the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area, and the Pakaraimas and Konashen Community-Owned Conservation Area.
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Wildlife checklist
While it is tough to pick the top mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish from hundreds of species in Guyana, many nature enthusiasts come with an essential checklist in hand. Here are some of the top picks of unique, endemic or merely interesting creatures from the animal kingdom that you are likely to encounter if you seek them out during the optimal times of the year.