REGION NINE
KARANAMBO RANCH, RUPUNUNI SAVANNAHS

REGION 1
Santa Rosa - Moruca
Mabaruma & Shell Beach
Port Kaituma

REGION 2
Essequibo Coast - Lakes
Capoey Lake

Hot and Cold Lake
Lake Mainstay
Akawini - Pomeroon River

REGION 3
Toucan Guest House & Guyanese Heritage Museum
Timberhead Rainforest Reserve
Santa Mission
Shanklands

REGION 6
Orealla

REGION 7
Bartica & Marshall Falls
Bartica - The Monastery
Baracara Island Resort
Baganara Island Resort

REGION 8
Iwokrama
Overland Trek - Kaieteur to Orinduik
Kaiteur Falls Overland

REGION 9
Rockview Eco-Tourism Resort
Karanambo Ranch, Rupununi Savannahs

OUTSIDE GUYANA
Mount Roraima
Island Hopping in the Caribbean
Suriname
 

                                 Route | Accommodation and Food | Additional Information 

Description
This ranch is run by Dianne McTurk. Dianne is very warm and welcoming and full of character and personal anecdotes. The ranch is now dedicated to wildlife conservation and is located in an extremely remote and beautiful part of the Rupununi, encompassing parts of the Rupununi and Sipuruni rivers.

Things To Do
Dianne has raised and continually cares for Giant River Otters, which are an endangered species. Whilst at the ranch you can meet wild otters that occasionally turn up to be fed, or to play. Those intrepid enough can swim with the otters and help at feeding time.

There are plenty of opportunities for viewing wildlife, particularly bird watching and caiman spotting whilst drifting down the river. The “Victoria Regis” (giant) lily grows on ponds nearby and you can ask to be taken out at night to see the magnificent blooms and lily pads.

Dianne is very accommodating and will allow you to set your own itinerary (and makes great rum-punch!)

Route
By air:
approx. 1 hour flight from Ogle direct to Karanambo. This is the Lethem flight, available most weekdays departing at 0600 from Ogle. Times change at weekends. Book early due to limited availability. Cost is currently Guy $18,500 single and Guy $34,000 return.

By land:
To/from Annai:
Colin Edwards at Rockview can liaise with Dianne by radio and arrange a transfer to Genip Landing by landrover, where Dianne will meet you with a boat. The journey takes approx. 2.5 hours: 1 hour by road, 1.5 by boat. The cost is currently US $150 for the fuel – US $75 payable in cash to Colin, and US $75 payable in cash to Dianne.

By land:
Direct from Georgetown:
4X4 direct to Karanambo costs GUY $18,000. Dianne may also offer to pick you up from Lethem if transport is available. Costs will depend on the fuel price.
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Accommodation and Food
Traditional brick houses with thatched roofs are laid out spaciously in the ranch compound, which is surrounded by mango trees. Each cottage has a toilet and shower.

All meals are included and are provided at the main house, where you eat with Dianne. Beds have sheets, blankets and nets, towels, soap, mosquito repellent and bottled water are all provided.

There is a VSO special price of US $50 per person, per night. All meals, drinks and trips are inclusive of this price. Transfers are additional.
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Additional Information
Dianne has a contact person in Georgetown with whom you should arrange your trip. All information will be relayed to Dianne, and then confirmed. The contact is:

Wendela Jackson,
300 New Garden Street,
Queenstown.
Georgetown.
Tel: 225-3750
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Information supplied by Sandie Tanner, September 2000
Updated by Jim Martin, August 2001