The stage is set for another successful South Rupununi Safari, which will further enhance Guyana’s drive to promote ecotourism. Participants can expect to experience the destination’s beauty as they travel through several of the country’s most picturesque regions.
Coordinator of the South Rupununi Safari, Frank Singh
According to the organisers, this year’s event will see the participation of about 50 persons who will set out on the six-day trip, moving through various communities in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The event takes place from November 24 to 29. The convoy leaves Georgetown and the trip will end at Achiwuib in Region Nine.
During the launch of the event on Tuesday, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, said more sponsorship is needed to help make the event successful. Haralsingh noted that it costs a family of four over $200,000 for the six days. This cost, he assured, will be reduced immensely once the event attracts strong sponsorship. This will in turn attract more participation, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
The convoy will also be donating food items among other things to the various communities along the way.
Haralsingh said too that increased sponsorship will also go a long way towards assisting the residents of the various Amerindian communities. Mekdeci Mining Company (MCC) usually sponsors the river crossing for all participants. The safari is organised by the Public Telecommunications Ministry and the GTA, in collaboration with Rainforest Tours, Regions Eight and Nine administrations, and the Communities and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministries.
Coordinator of the safari, Frank Singh, said this fourth edition is a good opportunity for families to bond and make new friends.
Singh explained that, “This one here is to give drivers the know how to activate a 4×4 vehicle, due to the fact that when we visited the North Pakaraima (safari) before, a lot of persons didn’t know how to engage the vehicles and this is an opportunity for them to learn how to operate their vehicles.”
Singh explained that on the convoy there are usually business persons who would buy the villagers’ products and see how best their products can be marketed. The coordinator said it is compulsory for safari members to donate something to each village that they pass through.
He pointed to the magnificent scenery and the potential for new experiences; “One of the things that they will be doing this time around is trying to drive up the Shea Rock. We have tried before, but it did not happen, so we are going to do it this time,” he said.
One dedicated participant, Edward Luke King, who has been a part of all four Safaris thus far, encouraged families to come onboard. “We have had persons on the trip who met and got married, new friendships are formed and more persons get to see this beautiful country, Guyana.”
The South Rupununi Safari offers an ideal opportunity for persons to experience the outdoors, have fun and adventure, discover the picturesque beauty of miles of savannahs and explore little known places South of Guyana’s interior. The South Rupununi Region has some of the most beautiful sceneries that travellers will come across; it takes the adventurous through many indigenous villages, including the Wapishana village of Shea where travellers will get a glimpse of the Shea Rock which towers over the flat savannahs. From Shea, the sightseers will get a stunning view of the famed Bottle Mountain, the Shiriri Mountain and the Kanuku Mountain range.
