What can we do in Mapari?

Activities depend upon your interests and length of stay.

Here are some of our options:

Morning/Afternoon Drifts

Coffee cup in hand, float silently down the creek in the early morning. Hear the dawn chorus of the forest whilst birding and watching for monkeys and other wildlife, such as Giant river otters.

After lunch, a tranquil afternoon drift includes stopping on a sandbank to enjoy the golden glow of the setting sun over the forest and creek, and experience the transition of the forest calls from day to night.

Night Drifts/ Night Walks

As so much of our wildlife is nocturnal, we offer night spotting along the creek. We glide under tropical stars in complete silence listening to the night sounds of the forest- completely different from those of the day, and somewhat mysterious and eerie. In the beam of the spotlight, we look for Amazon Tree Boas, Frogs, Dwarf Caiman, Paca, Opossums and other rodents. Nocturnal bird species like Boat Billed Herons, Oil Birds and Potoos can be seen; sleeping birds like Kingfishers, Wood Rails and Sun Bitterns can be closely approached for better viewing and photography. Occasionally Tapir or Capybara can be spotted; past lucky guests have been treated to an Ocelot stalking along the creek edge. For those really interested in frogs, snakes, and creepy crawlies, night hikes on precut forest trails are an excellent way of finding “treasures.”

Nature Walks & Hikes

In the cool of the morning or afternoons, there are options for trail walks in search of wildlife. Our local indigenous guides are experts of the forest and can teach you about medicinal and useful plants, tree identification, survival techniques, and forest interpretation.

The tracks and signs of larger mammals such as Tapir, Capybara, Jaguar and Peccaries are frequently found. Our local indigenous guides are expert trackers and will point out interesting animal signs, observations, and behavior for you. With a slice of luck you may get a nice view of the animals themselves, and many have been so fortunate.

Bird Watching

Mapari is an excellent location for birders with over 300 species recorded so far. Trained guides will take you through the forest trails and assist you in locating birds. Quiet river drifts at dawn, dusk, and night reveal many interesting species. Some of our highlights include Harpy Eagle (nesting site), White Bell bird, Oil bird, Zig-Zag Heron, Fasciated Tiger Heron, Guianian Cock of the Rock, Wing Banded Wren, White Winged Potoo, Crestless Curassow, and Crested Eagle just to name a few. Check our bird list for more in depth information.

Film & Photography

Mapari and The Kanuku Mountains offer great forest, river, and wildlife scenery, perfect for filming and photography. We have hosted many amateur and professional wildlife photographers and film crews over the years and we welcome you to come spend some time with us. Let us guide you to capture that ideal shot.

Harpy Eagle

When active, a Harpy Eagle nesting site is located a ten-minute stroll from the creek’s edge, a great opportunity with fortunate timing to view this majestic and spectacular raptor. The nesting tree is at the base of a small mountain- a short climb offers a fantastic vantage point of the nest. Harpy Eagle nesting cycles range 2-3 years and once nesting starts, the adult remains in the vicinity, providing a realistic chance to see and photograph the largest and most powerful eagle in the world.

Bird-Eating Spiders

For those not adverse to arachnids, the word’s largest spider, Theraphosa blondi, is a common local species. The Goliath bird-eating spider is nocturnal and normally at home in its burrow during the day. Our guides are expert at finding burrows and will tease it gently out of its lair with a twig for viewing.

Fishing

The Mapari and Rupununi rivers offer a plethora of fish species such as piranha, wolf fish, pyara, and many more. Would you like to try your luck at hand-line fishing? In the evenings, glass in hand around the campfire, you can enjoy your catch, barbecued local style.

Swimming

The camp overlooks the Mapari falls. These natural rock pools and their crystal clear waters offer safe, discreet, and natural bathing pools with refreshing swimming opportunities.