Kanuku Mountains
Forested mountains rising out of the Rupununi savannah, protected since 2011 and rich in bird and mammal species.
Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map
The Kanukus are two blocks of forested mountain rising abruptly out of the flat Rupununi savannah, protected as a national park since 2011 and managed with the Macushi and Wapishana communities around them. Surveys have recorded a very high proportion of Guyana's mammal and bird species within them, including harpy eagle, giant otter, jaguar and several primates. The name is said to mean rich forest in Wapishana, which surveys have borne out.
What you actually see
- The forest - closed-canopy woodland covering the mountain blocks.
- The harpy eagles - one of the more reliable areas in the country for the species.
- The savannah edge - the abrupt transition from flat grassland to mountain forest.
- The community management - Macushi and Wapishana villages running access and guiding.
When to go
September to April is the dry season and the practical window for trails. The wet season from May to August floods the approaches. Birding is best in the early morning.
Honest expectations
There are no marked trails or facilities and access is arranged through the villages rather than at a gate. Wildlife is present but hard to see in dense forest. Getting there means Lethem and then rough tracks.
Nearby
Lethem is northwest, and the Rupununi savannah runs north.
What to pack for Kanuku Mountains
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.