by Gloria S. Akande

Created on: January 17, 2010   Last Updated: February 01, 2010

The tropical pristine forest of Iwokrama in Guyana encompasses one million acres in northeastern South America. The forest is bordered by Pakaraima Mountain range on the west, Venezuela on the east and by the highlands of Suriname and French Guyana on the south. Located in the Iwokrama Mountains at an elevation of 3,281 ft. and has served as homeland to the Amerindians, the Makushi people who live in sixteen communities in the area. Prominent myths and legends abound concerning the mountains, its spirits and gods. The Makushi people who use the forest and wetland resources are committed to the conservation and sustainable use of the tropical rain forests. Guyana’s riches, its fauna and flora are being protected for the Makushi and the world.

The Iwokrama Forrest is a living laboratory and home to half of the planet’s animal and plant kingdom. The area is biodiverse with over 475 species of birds, over 400 species of fish, over 90 species of bats and various mammalian species. Many species are found only in this part of the world like the Amazonian giant like the Arapaima, the world’s largest scaled water fish, the black caiman, giant otters, jaguars, harpy eagles and giant water turtles, anteaters, snakes, rodents and eagles. The fauna includes rain forests, palm forests and seasonally flooded forests and makes the Iwokrama an eco-tourism destination and a $40 to $50 million industry.

Iwokrama Forest has one of the few canopy walkways of the rainforest which takes you 98 ft. into the leaves. Children can use the vines to go bare feet flying. Adults can go trekking through the vast reserve and look at pristine rivers and rain forests, rugged mountains and observe the tropical wildlife or go snorkeling with the inquisitive otters. You can jungle trek with well informed guides along the following trails: Screaming Piha, Cock of the Rock, Wood creeper, Giaconda, Bush Master, Prince Charles, Iwokrama Mountain Gorge, Turtle Mountain and the Canopy Walkway. Perhaps you will encounter a 20 ft. Green Anaconda. You can listen to the swish of the streams of water, the roaring of rapids and the clattering of spider monkeys hanging from the trees. If you are a bird watching tourist you can observe a plethora of exotic tropical birds, parrots, Blue and Gold Macaws, Red Macaws, Green and Blue Macaws, Harpy eagle, Spotted Antpitta, Rufous Ground Cuckoo, Spotted Puff-bill, Red bill and Channel bill Toucans. You can sample fruits while hiking and observe butterflies and bird eating spiders. A visit to Iwokrama would truly be an unforgettable experience.

 http://www.ecoventurestravel.com/latin_america/guyan a/flora_fauna/Iwokrama%20Birds.pdf

 http://www.iwokrama.org  

http://www.ecoventurestravel.com/latin_america/guyan a/flora_fauna/

Learn more about this author, Gloria S. Akande.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.