|
|
|
|
|
LOCATION:
Lethem, Central Rupununi, Region 9 (03023'N and 59014'W)
DATE: May 16-18,
2002
DURATION:May
16 (15:00 hrs) to May 18 (10:15 hrs)
WEATHER:
Day 1: Very fair with scattered heavy showers
Day 2: Fair to cloudy
with moderate showers
Day 3: Fair with intermittent
light showers
NO OF PERSONS PRESENT:
Ten (10)
WAY OF TRANSPORT:
Road and Water
INTRODUCTION
The Rupununi or 'White River' is so called from the chalky colour of its waters; it is the largest inland river in Guyana and the principal tributary of upper Essequibo river. This river rises in the savannah at the foot of Carawaimento mountains and after winding around mountains, crossing savannahs and receiving several large tributaries (chief among them being the Rewa which is on its right bank 64 km/40 miles from the mouth). The Rupununi river throws itself into the Essequibo and is one of the great rivers which never of itself reaches the ocean.
The savannahs are named after the Rupununi river and are situated in the south-west of Guyana. The forested Kanuku mountains divide the area into two – North Savannahs an area about 5,180 sq. km (2,000 sq. miles), of gently rolling grasslands with clumps of trees in wet areas and South Savannahs, an area about 6,475 sq. km (2,500 sq. miles) are more hilly. Mountains like Shiriri, Marudi and Bat rise sharply from the general level of the plain.
Major occupations/industries are cattle ranching, balata bleeding, farming (cassava, peanuts, corn, vegetables, fish), hunting, craft work (hammocks, nibbi furniture, leather articles, bead work) and more recently cashew nut processing by Amerindians who comprise the major part of the population in this region. Mining for semi-precious stones is carried on among the foothills of the Kamoa and Marudi mountains.
Region nine (9) is the largest of the administrative regions with an area of some 57,923 sq. km (22,364 sq. miles). Its southern and western boundaries are marked by the international frontier between Guyana and Brazil while the drainage divides between the Essequibo and Berbice rivers and the Essequibo and New rivers respectively form the eastern boundary.
The Rupununi holds many treasures, chiefly among them a huge diversity of wild life. It is here where some of the largest species in the world survive. The Harpy eagle ( Harpia harpyja), Black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), Giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), Arapaima fish (Arapaima gigas ) and Giant ant eater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) find refuge here.
Wildlife sightings vary with the seasons. In the wet season (from end of April to end of September) with much of the Rupununi floods, varieties of waterfowl emerge. During the dry season from October to April, the land becomes very dry. The Kanuku mountains alone are said to have some eighty percent (80%) of all birds - including the Harpy eagle - and animal species found in Guyana, especially on their pristine eastern slopes.
The travelling distance
from Central Georgetown to Lethem is 585 km (364 miles).
OBJECTIVE
RATING OF
TRIP:
Excellent
Very Good
Good 
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory