Mountains

The Guiana Shield is formed some two billion years ago during the precambrian period. The shield is covered with 2.5 million km sq  of tropical forest.The massive granite craton underlying the Guyana Shield are covered with sandstones, quartzite, shales, conglomerates and boulder beds. The Guyana shield is the world's largest remaining tract of mostly undisturbed and unexplored tropical rainforest and is one of the only four such remaining forest in the world.

Mount Roraima

Is the most famous Tepui in the World. Over 1,700 million years old, this ancient formation is one of the most acclaimed sights in South America forming a tripartite border between Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. For hundreds of years this ancient flat-topped mountain formation inspired travelers - tales and rumors abounded concerning the mysterious, inaccessible summit above the clouds.

Mount Roraima is the highest point in Guyana with a plateau standing at 2700m. Forming part of the ancient Guiana Shield, Mt. Roraima was once part of Gondwanaland before tectonic activity moved apart the continents of Africa and South America. The lunar-like surface is home to many unique flora speacies which huddles for shelter in pockets on the exposed, windswept plateau. Amazing rock formations have been carved by wind and water, and the ground is uneven and rocky with frequent crystal clear pools of excruciatingly cold water (good for the circulation apparently!) There are crystal beds that contain large, individual crystals in interesting shapes, and stunning views.

Mt. Roraima has made a deep impression on western literature and thought, influencing such men as Charles Darwin and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After the publication of Darwin's 'Origin of Species' there was great public interest in 'missing links' and 'relic species' preserved by isolation. Roraima's mysterious summit was an excellent possibility for an area at evolutionary standstill and the last place on earth where dinosaurs could exist. Conan Doyle, fascinated by the descriptions of early explorers such as Im Thurm, wrote in 1912 what is considered to be one of the best science fiction novels ever written - "The Lost World."

Kanuku Mountains

The Kanuku Mountains – recognized by Conservation International as being one of the few remaining pristine Amazon habitats - is located in southwestern Guyana. This picturesque mountain range forms a spectacular backdrop to the Rupununi Savannahs with its sculptured crowns peaking just below the clouds.

The range, divided by the Rupununi River, is noted for its high diversity of bird and animal species, with approximately 80% of the known mammal species of Guyana being recorded. With little or no human settlement on the eastern range, the area is still pristine and is perfect for the nature and adventure traveler to experience the diversity of the tropical ecosystems.

A trip down the enchanting Rupununi River provides you with the opportunity to see Black and Spectacled Caiman, Puma, Tapir and Giant River Otters. Explore forest trails that lead into the virgin Kanuku Mountains in search of the Harpy Eagle, the Cock of the Rock, Cotingas, Three-toe Sloth, Tyra and many more exotic animals.

The Pakaraima Mountains

The Pakaraima Mountains are found in central and western Guyana along the Venezuela/Brazil border. This mountain range covers a distance of roughly 500 miles, is part of the Guyana Shield and populated with many tepuis, or flat-topped mountians.

 

Waterfalls

Guyana boasts more than 300 Glorious waterfalls . Including several of the World's highest Waterfalls such as Kaieteur the world's largest single-drop waterfall( five-times the size of Niagara Falls), King George V1 falls at 525 feet and King Edward V111 at over 850 feet.

Amaila Falls is located on the Kuribrong River ( Potaro-Siparuni Region), a tributary of the Potaro River in west central Guyana .The river drops from the escarpment over Amaila Falls vertically approximately 200 feet, and continues in a series of rapids and falls for almost two miles before reaching placid water at an elevation of 175 feet. The total drop is about 1,200 feet. During the course of the falls the river changes direction from east to north.
Proposals exist for creating a dam to generate electricity for the national grid and existing large mining operations, with future expansion capacity to power major industrial growth projects within Guyana . The project has the potential to produce 100 MW, sufficient to provide power to most existing users in the country.

Barrington Brown Falls  is a waterfall on the Courantyne River , Guyana , approximately 250 km south of Orealla .

The Cuquenan Falls (also spelt Kukenaam and similar) at 2,000-feet in a single drop, are amongst the 15-highest free-leaping waterfalls in the world. They are located on a tributary of the Arabopo River , which rises on the Cuquenan Plateau , at Mata Hui , near the borders of Venezuela and Brazil . It is actually located in western Guyana and it's also one of the world's most isolated and untouched waterfalls.

Drios Falls is a waterfall on the Courantyne River , Guyana , approximately 245 km south of Orealla .

Kaieteur Falls is a waterfall on the Potaro River in central Guyana . It is located in the Kaieteur National Park . It is 226 meters (741 feet) when measured from its plunge over a sandstone cliff to the first break. It then flows over a series of steep cascades that, when included in the measuremets, bring the total height to 251 meters (822 feet).

The King Edward VIII Falls is found on the Courentyne River in southern Guyana . With a height of 259 metres (850 feet) it is the 34th heighest waterfall in the world.

King George VI Falls is located on the Courantyne River in southern Guyana . It is the 19th highest waterfall in the world. Commonly known as King George Falls or King George VI Falls ,Salto Oshi is a sheer plunge of about 525 feet. Popular belief, stemming from who knows where, places this waterfall at 1600 feet tall. We have speculated that it is 160 meters, but it just as easily could be as much as 700 feet tall, we just can't be sure yet. The falls occur along the Oshi River , also sometimes spelled Ushi, Utshi or Utishi. Oshi is the native name for both the falls and the river. The falls were reportedly discovered by danish scientist Paul A. Zaul in 1938. (source: www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com )

Kumaka Fall is a waterfall on the Essequibo River , Guyana , approximately 5 km north of the confluence with the Potaro River .

Kumarau Falls, located in Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region is considered to be the sister waterfall to Kaieteur. Its spectacular sheer drop of 620 feet and 200 feet width makes it equal in aesthetic and scientific value to kaietuer. On the sandstone plateau near the falls lie typical floristic elements for the Guiana highland region, including gaints bromlaids, Clusia orchids, Stemnodendron,Utricularia and Xyris species.

Great Falls Known Alternate Names: Kamarang Great Falls, Kamarang Falls Approximately 700 feet tall and consisting of one drop.

Maopityan Falls is a waterfall on the Courantyne River , Guyana , approximately 245 km south of Orealla .

Murrays Fall is a waterfall on the Essequibo River , Guyana , approximately 55 km south of the confluence with the Rupununi River .

Marina Falls Approximately 500 feet in height and 2 drops

Orinduik Falls lie on the Ireng River , a highland river that thunders over steps and terraces of jasper on the border with Brazil before merging with the Takutu River and into Brazil to join the Amazon River .The falls are situated amid the rolling, grass-covered hills of the Pakaraima Mountains . Orinduik Falls is ideally suited for swimming.

Pot Falls is a waterfall on the Essequibo River , Guyana , approximately 30 km north of Kurupukari .

Rappu Falls is a waterfall on the Essequibo River , Guyana , approximately 17 km north of the confluence with the Rupununi River .
 
Waraputa Fall is a waterfall on the Essequibo River , Guyana , approximately 11 km south of the confluence with the Potaro River .

Beaches

Bartica Beach

Bartica, once known as the 'Gateway to Guyana's Interior' is a relatively small town and is located in the Essequibo region. Beaches found along Bartica northern end are ideal for swimming and locals mostly lime and party until dawn on the beach.

Hamburg Beach on Tiger Island

This beach is along a private Island and is ideal for a getaway from home experience, many people converge on this beach to picnic and party. Every first Monday in August, more than 15,000 visitors converge on this beach for a grand Hamburg beach fete in celebration of Emancipation Day in Guyana. 

Saxacalli Beach

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.

Shell Beach

Journey to the north eastern Atlantic coast of Guyana in the Barima Waini Region to Shell Beach! This 90 mile stretch of relatively uninhabited coastline is known mainly as a nesting ground for four species of endangered marine turtles which come to nest here annually.

The area itself however, is a unique ecosystem encompassing mangrove forests, inland swamp forests and savannahs and bordered by the Atlantic seaboard where mud-flats front the shore in some areas. Apart from the four species of endangered marine turtles (Giant Leatherback, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, and Green Turtles) the area is known to posses giant river turtles as well as tortoises, along with manatees, tapirs, deer, jaguars, howler monkeys and other large animals.

The bird diversity is one of the richest in Guyana and includes many species of parrots and macaws, numerous wading birds including many scarlet ibis and Caribbean flamingoes, herons, egrets among a host of others. The ecosystem of Shell Beach has remained relatively intact over the years due to the absence of large settlements along the beach and surrounding areas. This has been due mainly to the inaccessibility of the areas as well as the inhospitable nature of the mangrove swamps. Over the years though a few communities have built up along the beaches and are mainly Amerindians from other villages within the wider area.

63 Beach Berbice

63 Beach is found north of Corriverton and located in No.63 Village on the Corentyne. Every week this beach is visited by more than 3000 visitors. The Beach is approximately 10 miles spanning more than 12 villages. Recently, new changing roo, benabs, washroom facilities were erected to make visitors more comfortable when visiting this beach. The beach is ideal for beach volleyball, softball cricket, fitness, relaxation, swimming, fishing and a host of other beach related activities. 

Savannahs

Wetlands