Winner of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Award

We’ve designed a SaFoRi adventure that combines the best of 3 habitats — savanna, forest and river — into a single, seamless immersion, where you can experience giant waterlilies and anteaters, otters and harpy eagles (for example) without wasting time and energy on transfers between multiple locations.

You may book this combination tour here or just book Caiman House and its savanna and river excursions here.

Your visit helps our nonprofit organization sustain a public library, cultural preservation & conservation via community-led initiatives.

A Wild Connection in the neighborhood https://www.facebook.com/awildconnection

SAVANNA

CAIMAN HOUSE ECOLODGE is in the heart of Yupukari Village. Among our savanna and village-based activities are:

EL DORADO

An early morning search for giant anteater and burrowing owls, touring termite mounds via Land Rover. The lowlands and wetlands of this region are thought to be the ancient site of Lake Parime, Sir Walter Raleigh's El Dorado.

AWARIKRU LAKE & FISHING

We’ll take you out paddling for giant waterlilies, bird watching and wildlife-spotting in a dugout canoe. We’ll teach you how to fish, local-style. (HINT: it often starts with knocking on a tree.)

ARTISAN STUDIOS

The ancient arts of hammock-weaving and basketry are alive and well in Yupukari. You can watch and chat with makers, and make your own craft to carry home.

Neighbor spotted by Ashley Holland, Yupukari-based river guide

FOREST

A few scenic hours by boat from Yupukari, and you’re in the thick of the rainforest, at Mapari Wilderness Camp and its harpy eagle nesting site, 5 species of monkeys, 6 species of cats, 8 primate species, 89 bat species, 441 birds…

Thank you, Helen Lawrence!

Steve Backshall visits the neighborhood…

RIVER

BLACK CAIMAN RESEARCH

Guests accompany our caiman research crew, observing capture from a separate boat, and may then assist in data collection. Caiman are weighed, measured, sexed, tagged and released. Depending on the season, caiman nests are also studied, and so are the hatchlings. Yes, little baby caiman. 

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

Just after darkness settles on the Rupununi River many creatures emerge, such as black caiman, spectacled caiman, tree boas, iguanas, frogs, and many fish species (arawana, piranha…). Sleeping birds (kingfishers, small perching birds), nightjars, potoos, boat-billed herons and other aquatic birds, bats, (harmless) spiders, insects, moths, and more, can be closely approached in way not possible during the hours of light. Less likely, but not rare night sights include possums, tree dwelling rodents, capybara and sleeping monkeys (esp. squirrel monkeys) amongst other mammals. Few nights pass without some unusual offering.

**We ask all guests to sign the attached agreement before we take them on excursions.

 

About the Rupununi

There is a place in South America where, in high-water years, the Amazon, Essequibo, and certain of their tributaries overflow and mix, and many aquatic species meet, in the floodplain of the Rupununi River. This geographic nexus has given rise to one the most diverse fish habitats on earth. Guyana is sometimes called a "land of giants:" the largest alligator, ant, anteater, armadillo, eagle, otter. rodent, constricting snake, and spider in the world all make the Rupununi their home.

Georgetown, Guyana is less than 6 hours from New York and under 4 from Miami.

From Georgetown, the flight over the rainforest in a 12-seater is 1 hour 45 minutes to Lethem airstrip where we meet you and carry you across the savannahs (no extra charge for giant anteater and jaguar sightings) to Caiman House in the heart of Yupukari Village.

F A Q S

HOW DOES MY STAY SUPPORT THE VILLAGE?

We are a Guyanese non-profit corporation (#10090) and a US 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation. 100% of our revenue surplus goes to support the village public library, wildlife and environmental conservation and cultural preservation projects. 

IS THERE A MINIMUM STAY REQUIRED?

No. Visitors are welcome to stay for as little as one night or as long as you'd like. Sleep under the hand-thatched roof or hang a hammock. Please view our price list for further information. 

WHAT FOOD SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AND ARE MEALS INCLUDED?

Meals are included.  We employ the best cooks in the village to prepare delicious Guyanese specialties like fresh, hot “bakes” at breakfast, and local delicacies like “pepper pot.”  Remember, we are located in the one of the most diverse fish habitats in the world!

WHATS THE WEATHER LIKE?

Rainy season brings a waterfall-fed swimming hole, just steps from our Guest House, and dugout excursions straight over the deeply-flooded savannas into the flooded forests, where you paddle your way over trails and around trees instead of hiking.  There’s an explosion of extraordinary wildflowers and of aquatic wildlife, including 8+ species of frogs spawning and developing in puddles you can observe on nocturnal walks right in Yupukari.

Dry season brings dry, comfortable warmth, with the best fishing, and mangoes falling off the trees. Travel by river and road with greater ease.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Click here for the 2025-2026 price list

Click here for the current pricelist