Surama

SURAMA: Pakaraima Mountains

The Amerindian community of Surama is located in the heart of Guyana The village is set in five square miles of savannah which is ringed by the forest covered Pakaraima Mountains. Surama’s inhabitants are mainly from the Macushi tribe and still observe many of the traditional practices of their forebears.

This isolated and idyllic location offers an escape from the concrete jungle to a serene and peaceful existence with nature. Dawn hikes, led by Surama guides across the savannah and up Surama Mountain, reveal a multitude of birds and fantastic vistas. The guides have lived their entire lives in the rainforest, and have an incredible understanding of nature and how to utilise its resources.

Surama shares a common border with the Iwokrama International Centre for Conservation and Development along the Burro Bu

rro River. It is here the community have established Carahaa Landing Camp, a hammock camp on the river edge. This camp offers a base for night walks and day break canoe floats on the Burro Burro River, which allow opportunity to observe Giant River Otters, Tapir, Tira, Spider Monkeys and many more species.

Guests can stay in the new Eco Lodge which has four private cabins with ensuite bathrooms and a main common building with kitchen, dining, bar and relaxation area. The main building has fantastic views across savannah, rainforest and mountains. The original village guest house has four bedrooms and provides simple, comfortable accommodation with shared facilities and excellent meals prepared from local produce. Four new rooms are presently being built.

The Surama community has identified eco-tourism as a sustainable use of their land. It means employment at home, rather than the men leaving to mine or cut timber in other parts of Guyana. Surama and Wilderness Explorers have developed a strategic alliance which fosters the development of eco-tourism in the community. All tours to Surama are managed and operated solely by the Macushi.