The Rupununi.Guyana's wild interior.
Vast savannahs, the Kanuku Mountains, Makushi and Wapishana communities, and one of the highest jaguar densities in the Americas. The Rupununi is where Guyana lets you feel the size of the country — community-owned eco-lodges, Karanambu's giant otters, and the legendary Easter Rodeo at Lethem.
What makes the Rupununi special.
Guyana's interior savannah spans two halves, each with its own character.
North Rupununi
Mostly Makushi communities — Surama, Annai, Yupukari — bordering the Iwokrama Rainforest. Famous for the Karanambu giant-otter sanctuary, the Caiman House black-caiman research lodge, and Rock View where savannah meets rainforest. Gateway for combining Rupununi with an Iwokrama leg.
South Rupununi
Mostly Wapishana communities centred on Lethem (the Brazil border town). Includes the Kanuku Mountains and Dadanawa — historically the largest cattle ranch in South America. This is vaquero country — cowboy traditions, working ranches, and the annual Easter Rodeo.
Wildlife & bird density
One of the highest jaguar densities in the Americas. Giant otters, giant anteaters, capybara, harpy eagles, jabiru storks, hyacinth macaws, black caiman, anaconda. And arapaima — the world's largest scaled freshwater fish — in the seasonal lagoons.
Where to stay. Community-owned eco-lodges.
The Rupununi has some of the best eco-lodges in the Americas — many community-owned and operated. Rates typically include meals, guides, and most activities.
Surama Eco-Lodge
Makushi-owned, gateway to Iwokrama. Birding, jungle treks, river trips on the Burro-Burro. Famous for harpy eagle sightings + community-led cultural programmes.
Karanambu Lodge
Founded by the late Diane McTurk — legendary giant-otter sanctuary on the Rupununi River. Boat trips through the Karanambu Wetlands, Victoria amazonica lilies, otter rehabilitation work.
Caiman House
Yupukari Makushi village. Black-caiman research lodge — guests join researchers on night-time caiman tagging trips on the Rupununi River.
Rock View Lodge
Annai, North Rupununi. Where savannah meets rainforest — a historic working farm + lodge with stunning views over the Pakaraima foothills. Easy access to Iwokrama.
Dadanawa Ranch
South Rupununi vaquero country. The historic ranch + working cattle station. Horseback safaris across open savannah, ranch-cooked meals, deep-Rupununi remoteness.
Annai Village
Gateway village between savannah and Iwokrama rainforest. Multiple community accommodation options + craft markets.
Indigenous peoples of the Rupununi. Makushi + Wapishana.
The Rupununi has been home to indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Visit with permission, learn from community guides, support village-owned tourism.
Makushi
North Rupununi communities — Surama, Annai, Yupukari, Karasabai. Known for traditional cassava farming, bow-and-arrow hunting traditions, the Makushi Research Unit at Yupukari, and the most active community-tourism programmes in Guyana.
Wapishana
South Rupununi communities centred on Lethem. Known for vaquero cowboy traditions (a cultural inheritance from the Brazilian frontier), distinctive cattle-ranching, and the annual Rupununi Rodeo.
Indigenous Protocol
Visiting indigenous villages requires permission from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs — community-based lodges arrange this for guests automatically. Photography rules vary by village — always ask first. Full protocol guide →
How to get to the Rupununi. Two routes.
By air is fastest and most reliable; by road is for travellers with time + 4WD experience.
By Air (Recommended)
~1-hour flights from Eugene F. Correia International (Ogle, Georgetown) to either Lethem (South Rupununi) or directly to lodge airstrips (Annai for Rock View / Surama; Karanambu has its own strip). Operators: Trans Guyana, Air Services Limited. Light aircraft, baggage limits ~9 kg.
By Road (Adventurous)
~14-hour 4WD overland from Georgetown to Lethem on the Linden-Lethem road, covering ~450 km through Iwokrama. Dry season only (Oct – Apr). Buses leave Georgetown overnight; tour operators run dedicated 4WD trips with stops at Iwokrama, Surama, Annai en route.
On the map.
The Rupununi spans Guyana's southwest interior — from the Pakaraima foothills in the north (Annai / Surama) to the Brazil border at Lethem in the south.
FAQ · Rupununi Savannah.
Where is the Rupununi?
Guyana's interior savannah, in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9). Divided into North Rupununi (Annai, Surama area, gateway to Iwokrama) and South Rupununi (Lethem on the Brazil border, plus Dadanawa Ranch country). About 450 km / 1.5h flight from Georgetown.
What's the difference between North and South Rupununi?
North is mostly Makushi communities — Surama, Annai, Yupukari — bordering Iwokrama. South is mostly Wapishana communities centred on Lethem (Brazil border town), plus the Kanuku Mountains and Dadanawa — Guyana's largest cattle ranch.
What wildlife will I see?
Jaguars (the Rupununi has one of the highest densities in the Americas), giant otters, giant anteaters, capybara, harpy eagles, jabiru storks, hyacinth macaws, black caiman, anaconda, and arapaima — the world's largest scaled freshwater fish. Sightings vary by lodge and season — Karanambu is famous for otters, Caiman House for caiman, Surama for harpy eagles.
How do I get there?
By air: 1-hour flights from Eugene F. Correia International (Ogle) to Lethem or lodge airstrips. By road: 14-hour 4WD trip from Georgetown to Lethem via Linden-Lethem road, dry season only.
When's the best time to visit?
Dry season September to April — wildlife concentrates near remaining water, roads are passable, and the famous Easter Rodeo happens around late March / early April in Lethem. Wet season May to August is great for arapaima but harder for road access.
What is the Rupununi Rodeo?
The Easter Weekend Rupununi Rodeo in Lethem — a 60+ year tradition celebrating Wapishana vaquero (cowboy) culture. Bronc-riding, bull-riding, calf-roping, barrel-racing, and a parade through Lethem. Thousands attend including ranchers from across the Brazil border.
Which eco-lodge should I pick?
Depends on your priorities: Surama (Makushi-owned, harpy eagles, Iwokrama combo) · Karanambu (giant otters, McTurk legacy) · Caiman House (black caiman + research) · Rock View (savannah-meets-rainforest views, family lodge) · Dadanawa (deep South Rupununi, working cattle ranch).
Read more. Deep dives + lodges.
Long-form guides on individual lodges, the Rodeo, the overland route, and getting around once you're in.
Rupununi Savannah Guide 2026
The full long-form guide — wildlife, communities, lodges, transport, history.
Karanambu Lodge — Giant Otter Sanctuary
Diane McTurk's legendary lodge on the Rupununi River. Otters, lilies, history.
Caiman House — Yupukari
Black-caiman research lodge. Tag caiman with researchers after dark.
Rock View Lodge — Annai
Where the savannah meets the rainforest. Historic working farm, panoramic views.
Annai Village Guide
Gateway village between savannah and Iwokrama. Crafts, walks, community stays.
Community-Based Tourism Guide
Indigenous protocol, permission process, how to visit respectfully.
The Rupununi Rodeo
Easter weekend in Lethem — 60+ years of vaquero tradition.
Iwokrama Rainforest
The 371,000-hectare rainforest reserve on Rupununi's northern border.
Mount Roraima
The 2,810m flat-topped tepui at the tri-junction with Venezuela & Brazil — visible from the western Rupununi on a clear day.