South & Central America

Gran Sabana & Canaima National Park

In the south-eastern corner of the country, lies the Gran Sabana, a wide open grassland, interrupted by gentle hills, forests, Moriche palm clusters, rivers, small Indian villages and the legendary 'tepuys', great flat-topped mountains rising with sheer walls from the surrounding landscape. The highest of these, Roraima, is 2,700 metres high and can be climbed in a long and rather demanding trek. There are over 100 tepuys, few of which have been climbed or properly explored.

The local Indian population are the 'Pemon', a word meaning 'people', who live in small villages scattered in the savanna near river streams and forests in rectangular or circular 'churuatas', huts with a thatched roof made of Moriche palm leaves.

The gateway to the Gran Sabana as well as Canaima National Park, is Cuidad Bolivar, a small town with a wonderful historical centre and a beautiful cathedral. Canaima National Park is Venezuela's second largest National Park, covering 80,000 square kilometres and is included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. The park is covered by lush vegetation, including more than 500 orchid species and a great variety of bromeliads and it is inhabited by several Indian communities of the 'Pemon' family.

Within Canaima National Park are the famous Angel Falls, named after the American pilot Jimmy Angel who discovered them in 1937. They are the world’s tallest single waterfall, at 979 metres and can be reached by boat up the Carrao River (depending on the season) or by light aircraft from Canaima lagoon.

For those in search of a river adventure, try the remote and picturesque Caura River which flows through the Gran Sabana and is well known for its excellent birding as well as spectacular falls and rapids.

Our preferred hotels include:

Posada Angostura, Ciudad Bolivar

Posada Casa Grande, Ciudad Bolivar

Chivaton Camp

Campamento Ecologico Ya-Koo

Waku Lodge, Canaima National Park