The Great Essequibo River

The Esequibo River is the largest river in Guyana,border river between Guyana and Venezuela and the largest river between the Orinoco and Amazon. Rising in the Acarai Mountains near the Brazil-Guyana-Venezuela border, the Essequibo flows to the north for 1,010 km through forest and savanna into the Atlantic Ocean.

The first discovery was by the ships of Don Juan Esquivel, deputy of Don Diego Columbus, son of the admiral who lent his name to christen the Essequibo River today. In 1499 Alonso de Ojeda performs scans through the mouths of the Orinoco and who allegedly was the first time I browse the Essequibo. The first European settlement in Guyana was built by the Dutch along the lower part of the Essequibo in 1615. The colonists remained on friendly terms with the Native American peoples of the area, establishing riverside sugar and cacao plantations. The river has approximately three hundred and sixty five island that is about one for every day of the year. Some of the islands are so small that it has one structure in it and when the tide comes in it submerges the island leaving just the house on top of the water. There are many small tributaries that once can enjoy. There are man water taxis that one can take to the different island. The people of the country side are very friendly and welcome tourists.

Orinduik Falls

Rodeo in Lethem

The Lethem Rodeo is held every year in the Rupununi Savannah area of Guyan. To reach the Rupununi Savannah you have to pass through the IwokramaRainforest,a 360,000 hectare protected area in the Upper Essequibo Region, used for the promotion of sustainable rainforest management and for 

research which should bring ecological, economic and social benefits for the 

indigenous peoples, the people of Guyana and  the world in general.The Rupununi Savannah is located in the southern part of Guyana, some 360 miles 

from the capital town, Georgetown, and extends into neighbouring Brazil.  It is 

understood that this area is considered the largest open range savannah in the 

world. It lies between the tropical rainforest of Guyana and the Amazon Jungle in 

Brazil. The Lethem Rodeo or Rupununi Rodeo is held each year in the Easter 

weekend by the ranches in the area. It  is  said  that  the  rodeo  was introduced by an American from Dakota  by  the  name  of  Ben  Hart  in 

the late nineteenth century. His idea of entertaining guests was then 

picked up by the local ranchers and became an annual tradition in the 

Rupununi.  This sports event, which is now developing to a popular cultural 

festival, attracts many visitors and participants from every where, from 

the coastland as far as Berbice and from neighbouring Brazil.  In addition, 

the rodeo has growing support, not only from the local ranches, but also 

from the private sector in Georgetown. All of this has strengthened the wish to give the Lethem or Rupununi Rodeo more regional and international exposure. The fun kicks off on the Saturday and continues to Easter Monday with day time activities like wild bull riding, horse racing, wild cow milking, wild horse riding, a female barrel race,  steer roping, etc. The evening 

programme presents festivities in the form  of  a  cultural  fair  with  food, 

games, music and the lively so-called “Faha” dance, which is a pair dance and, is said, to have its origin in the popular Northeast Brazilian ”Forró” dance. There is also a variety of other activities including In the wild cow milking competition the challenge for competitors is in roping the 

wild animal and trying to milk them. If this would be a daily routine in dairy 

production, our population would have a diet very low in lactose. One of the major 

attractions is bareback bronco in which Guyanese as well as Brazilian competitors, 

including one female vaquero, challenge each others skills in the riding and breakin of wild horses. The winning vaquero is the one who manages to stay the 

longest time on the back of the untamed bucking horse. The same principle 

applies for the wild bull riding, which looks like a far more dangerous event 

not only in terms of the bull’s temper but also for its weight. 

The Essequibo Lake Mainstay

Lake Mainstay Resort is located on the shores of Lake Mainstay on the Essequibo Coast of Guyana. It is 15 mins by car inland from the town of Anna Regina and next to the Whyaka Amerindian Village.Via the Anna Regina airstrip 5 mins away from the Resort, it is a 20-minute flight from Georgetown. The Arawak Indians first inhabited the area around Lake Mainstay; it was called 'Quacabuka', an Arawak word meaning 'in between'.

The spacious resort is comprised of a cluster of comfortable air-conditioned cottages on the shore of Lake Mainstay and large recreational spaces. It has the largest guest-capacity in Guyana and is well suited for large gatherings such as conferences or weddings.

With the individualised cottage accommodations it also suited to small parties looking for a cozy, relaxing overnight or weekend stays in the midst of nature. Visits to the neighbouring Amerindian village of Whyaka are also easily arranged.

Visitors can enjoy drinks and Bar-B-Que at the Deck Bar over the waters of the lake, a protected swimming area along the shore, beach volleyball, football and cricket, and a comfortable restaurant with a varied menu of traditional Guyanese dishes. Canoeing, jet ski rides and speedboat rides can also be arranged.

The lakeshore recreational space makes it suitable both for large performance events such as the Annual Regatta in August and picnics/ day-trips for families or groups.

 How to get here:

By river & road:

• Georgetown to Parika by road (1.5 hr)
• Parika to Supenaam across Guyana's majestic Essequibo River by boat (40 mins)
• Supenaam to Lake Mainstay via Anna Regina by road (1 hr)

By air & road:

• Flight from Ogle Aerodrome, Georgetown (20 mins)

The Resort operates a Reservations Office in the heart of Georgetown.

The Majestic Baganara Island Resort

Baganara Island has a rich history. It goes back a long way.

     Thomas Island which is one of the earlier name for the Island is historically linked to the British Lieutentant Thomas Stanton St. Clair who along with his troops came upon Bartica in 1807. It is believed that the Island was named in honour of him. However, relics found on Barnara, Dutch Bottles and Old Muskets and noticeable lines of settlement, suggested that Baganara may have provided some military base for the Dutch who were the first in this regionIn 1989, the Correia family acquired Baganara Island. This island is located in the Essequibo River, five miles south of the traditional gateway to the interior, Bartica. 

In 1989, the Correia family acquired Baganara Island. This island is located in the Essequibo River, five miles south of the traditional gateway to the interior, Bartica.

By 1994, the famous Baganara façade was taking shape. Residents of Bartica and other curious persons would travel just to take pictures and marvel at the transformation of a wild jungle to a serene paradise right before their eyes. 

In 1995, construction of an airstrip and a manager’s facility was underway. The facility and the island were used as the venue for numerous training seminars and management retreats. Unknowingly, seeds were being planted for the future of Baganara Island as a resort par excellence, where private and corporate clientele could escape for physical and mental rejuvenation. In 1996 the Island was transformed into an Island Resort Facility.



On the resort you can expect to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast as you gaze out across the wide open mass that is the Mighty Essequibo River and absorb the breathtaking beauty of the day ahead of you. Enjoy island activities at your own leisure, explore this paradise on foot or simply wile away the hours absorbing this small piece of heaven that is Baganara Island Resort. Finish off your ideal day with a delicious dinner, served on the fine grains of white beach sand under the stars. Last, but certainly not least, drift off to sleep in absolute bliss to the tune of waves washing up on the shore.