3 days

Simuni Photo Gallery

The Simuni river is a tributary of the Rupununi, and finds it’s source high in the Kanaku mountains. Once the river winds down the mountains and forest, it slows down in the savannahs and opens up into 5 shallow river bays known as the Simuni Lakes. This area and these lakes are incredibly rich in biodiversity and are traditional breeding grounds for several species of game fish including: Butterfly Peacock Bass, Arawana, Arapaima, Payara, Piranha, and Catfish. The lakes are famous to local Guyanese fishers past and present and have always had a reputation for providing big fish and bigger fish stories.

Besides the excellent fishing, there is always a chance for great wildlife sightings including Squirrel, Howler, Capuchin and Bearded Saki monkeys. More impressive are the large Black Caiman that patrol the banks (they can grow to over 15 feet!), along with Giant River Otters and Capybaras. Riverine birdlife is extremely diverse, and include Jabiru Storks, Roseate Spoonbills, Woodstorks, Blackskimmers, Boatbilled Herons, and Muscovy ducks.

Day: 1 Arrive Karanambu Ranch. This is one of the oldest cattle ranches in Guyana, and is run by Diane McTurk and family. The cattle and the old ranch house are still there, but the ranch is now more renowned for Diane and the work she has done rehabilitating Giant River Otters. Have family style lunch with Diane (and sometimes the otters) and then head to the Rupununi River. Twenty minutes later, you meet the Simuni creek and the famous Simuni lakes. Fish in the afternoon. Camp overnight in Simuni.

Day: 2 Fish the famous lakes at dawn. Return to camp for breakfast. Guests can fish after breakfast or escape the sun by relaxing in a hammock or by having a swim in the lakes themselves. Fish the lake’s hotspots after lunch and as the afternoon turns golden. Return to camp at dusk for local style barbeque fish dinner around a camp fire.

Day: 3 It was so good on day 2, we do it again on day 3!

Day: 4 One last memorable morning on the lakes (just one more fish please!) and depart for Karanambo. Enjoy traditional ranch hospitality and explore one of the most historically fascinating and picturesque ranches in Guyana. Bird and wildlife watching here is incredible. An afternoon can be spent fishing from the sandbanks of Karanambo along the Rupununi River for Catfish, Peacock Bass and Giant Black Piranhas. Watch out for Black Caiman basking on the sandbanks! Tonight you sleep in a traditional Amerindian clay brick house.

Day: 5 Breakfast at dawn under the mango trees, then head out to the river to fish or to the Rupununi savannahs in search of a Giant Anteater. Depart on midday flight.

This trip is offered in the dry season only from October to April.

Price: Please contact Ashley at ashley_p_holland@yahoo.com for the latest rates and for further details.