17th safari to Pakaraima Mountains takes off Saturday  

Local tour operator Rainforest Tours in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority Wednesday launched its 17^th annual safari to the Pakaraima Mountains.

The safari rolls out of Georgetown this Saturday and will travel across 14 villages in the Pakaraimas. The convoy includes 20 vehicles and 40 motorcycles.

Participants this year are from Guyana, the United States, Trinidad, Jamaica and Brazil.

At the launch event Wednesday, Carla Chandra, Deputy Director of Guyana Tourism Authority commended Rainforest Tours for coordinating the event over the years, noting that it is one of the key events on Guyana’s tourism calendar.

She said that while there are many ways to discover Guyana, the safari offers “the real, up close and personal adventure experience.”

She urged participants to ensure that safety is a priority and that they respect the culture of the country’s indigenous peoples as they pass through the villages. 

She noted that Guyana was recently named the No.1 eco-tourism destination but needs to sustain that title.

“We can only do so by improving our product, our experience, and sustainable practices,” she stated.

The Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL), through its Castrol brand, has sponsored the Safari for over 10 years.

According to the company’s Marketing Manager Jacklyn James, this year the company is committed to supporting the communities along the safari route.

“This year, under our youth initiative, we will be donating shoes to Kamana and Kato,” she stated.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Garrido-Lowe, who noted that “our real attraction is in the hinterland,” congratulated Rainforest Tours’ Frank Singh for his sustained effort over the years in continuing the safari.

“It’s not an easy task,” she noted.